Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/ works/8614393. Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage Category: Multi Fandom: 逆転裁判_|_Gyakuten_Saiban_|_Ace_Attorney Relationship: Karuma_Mei_|_Franziska_von_Karma/Mitsurugi_Reiji_|_Miles_Edgeworth Character: Karuma_Mei_|_Franziska_von_Karma, Mitsurugi_Reiji_|_Miles_Edgeworth, Itonokogiri_Keisuke_|_Dick_Gumshoe, Karuma_Gou_|_Manfred_von_Karma Additional Tags: Pregnancy, Molestation, Violence, Explicit_Sexual_Content, Sexual Violence, Re-upload, old_fic, Abandoned_Work_-_Unfinished_and Discontinued, Imported_Fic, Rape, Semi-Graphic_Descriptions, Child_Abuse, Past_Child_Abuse, Past_Character_Death Stats: Published: 2016-11-21 Words: 10493 ****** Childhood Lovers ****** by nomisupernova Summary A story about the life of Franziska Von Karma and Miles Edgeworth growing up under the pressure of Manfred Von Karma. Please heed the tags. Imported fic from Fanfiction.net "Hey there, pretty boy." I shook in terror at the sound of the familiar call, "G-Go away…" I tried to find a place to hide from my adoptive father and his drunken sexual rage. "Miles…you can't hide forever, little boy." I could see his feet from underneath my bed where I was curled into a ball. My arms were stiffened with fear which only aided me in holding myself up off the ground where he wouldn't see me. "I suppose since you won't come out to play, I'll have to go and find your sister instead." He flicked the light off. "F- Franziska…." I dropped to the floor and chased him. "Don't….n-not her… p- please…" I stood in front of her doorway and blocked it from him. "See? That's the spirit!" he grabbed my hair and pulled me into his bedroom. "This is for her… this is for her…" I kept telling myself, "Franziska… I can't let him hurt my baby sister…"     My name is Miles Edgeworth… my father died in an elevator when I was nine. I didn't have anywhere else to go, since my mother had passed away. My father's rival, Manfred von Karma, adopted me and took me back to his home in Germany. At first, it was fun and I really enjoyed it there. I had an older sister, April von Karma, and my baby sister, Franziska von Karma. Franziska and I are about six years apart, but I love her like she is my own flesh and blood. When I was about ten, I'd been living there for a year…he started drinking a lot. Franziska and I would hide together in her closet and lock the door usually when he came home like that. Because of this, my 'father' made us sleep in separate rooms. After that, he started come into my room at night and doing….awful things to me. It was never ending, but I knew if I didn't suffer, she'd have to suffer. I had to protect her from him, she was too small to protect herself, and someone has to do it.     "Miles, leave my room…I am finished teaching you your lesson." He shoved me off the end of the bed. "Y-Yes, sir…" I knew better than to cry in front of him, he hated it. I opened the door to Franziska's room and got into her bed. "Miles, is that you?" she was half-awake. Every time he abused me, I always went and cried in Franziska's room. I knew he wouldn't go in there, so I was safest when I was with her. "Franziska….I can't sleep…I had a nightmare." I never told her the things he did to me; it was for the best she didn't know. "You always have nightmares, Miles." She hugged me. "Can I sleep in your room tonight?" I asked. "Mm-hmm, I don't mind." She snuggled closer to me, "You're warm, Miles." "Franziska, someday when I grow up, will you live with me?" I smiled at her. "We'll have a big mansion with lots of horses and a doggy!" she got excited, "We can name him Pess!" "What kind of name is that?" I laughed. "It's cute…" she grumbled. "Alright, alright, we'll get a dog… a big doggy. And we'll name him Pess…" I hugged her closer to me.   ===============================================================================     I did end up finally moving away when I was sixteen, back to Los Angeles. I stayed there to finish law school; at least, that's what I told Manfred when I left. I really left because I started to fear for my life. Moving away made me panic, though. I called Franziska a lot, but luckily her father didn't touch her at all. She sent me pictures of some cute dogs she wanted; I guess she remembered those things I said all those years ago. It was drawing close to the time for my first trial, so Manfred and Franziska were coming to town to see my first trial. Franziska was fourteen; she had already started her career as a prosecutor. My cell phone was ringing while I was studying the courtroom procedures. "H-Hello, Miles Edgeworth s-speaking…?" I was still flipping through a few pages. "Try not to sound so nervous when you answer phone calls, it sounds unprofessional!" Franziska's voice mocked me. "H-Hey Franziska…" I shifted in my seat, "Where are you?" "I have no idea! I've never been to an American place before…the roads here are quite odd." I could practically hear her confusion. "Umm…that didn't make any sense at all…" I laughed. "Let me ask for directions or something…" I hear her put the phone in her pocket, "Papa, are we there yet?" I heard some muffled voices speaking German. "I guess we're going to leave now in a…taxi? Is that some sort of public transportation vehicle?" she asked. "Oh my gosh, you poor sheltered child… Yes, it is." I laughed so hard I almost started crying. "Are you making fun of me?" she sounded angry. "N-n-no…I would not do that." I quenched my giggles. "J-Just wait outside for me… I have something to give you." She laughed a bit. "Alright then." I hung up the phone and tidied up my library.     By the time I had gotten downstairs, a taxi did indeed pull up in front of my home. I could see Franziska sitting behind the passenger's seat looking around at the neighbourhood. She flung open the door and ran toward me at top-speed. "Uh oh…" I gasped as she crashed right into me. "Hey, what gives? You're supposed to catch me and spin me around or something, stupid!" she rubbed her head. "What do you think this is? A Hollywood movie or something?" I laughed as I helped her up. "So, what do you have to give me?" I kneeled down and hugged her. She turned toward the taxi and whistled loudly. A quite cute puppy ran out and leapt into her arms. "Is this my present?" I rubbed the puppy's head. "Yes, this is Pess, he's cute!" she kissed his head and held him out, "I got him for you…" I blushed, "T-thank you…" "Don't be blushy-wushy, Miles!" she poked my forehead. "Don't tease me then, kiddo." I rubbed the top of her head. "I'm not a child!" she ran back to the taxi. I held my new puppy, Pess, in my arms. "Papa, go say hello to Miles!" she grabbed his sleeve and tugged on him. "I-I'm coming…" he flustered and stepped out of the taxi. My legs started to shake when I saw him.     "It's been what…four years, huh?" he stuck his hand out. "Papa, you don't have to act like that in front of Miles!" Franziska nudged his leg. "R-Right…sorry darling." He looked down at her. Franziska smiled at me and reached for Pess. I handed him to her and she played with him in the grass. Manfred looked down at her, "She absolutely insisted we get you that dog. She wouldn't let me leave the airport without it." "Franziska is still set in her childish ways, as usual." I smiled at her. "So, are you going to show me your home? This is your inheritance, no?" he asked. "Y-Yeah, I got it from my dad." I exhaled. I walked toward my house, but Franziska chased me down. "H-Hey, wait for me!" she held the puppy in her hands. "Sorry, Franziska, come in." I opened the door. I knew it was a bit childish, but with Franziska trailing us around, I felt just a bit safer. "WOW! YOU HAVE A BIG HOUSE!" she jumped up in excitement. She set Pess down and chased after him into the hallway. I shut the door tightly behind me after the taxi driver brought their bags in.     After I showed them around, it was nearly night time. "I suppose you'll want dinner, sir?" my butler asked. "Umm, yeah…" I forgot he was there. "And for the guests as well?" he asked. "Yes, why not surprize me?" I smiled at him. "As you wish, sir." He bowed and walked quietly out of the room. I played with Pess and Franziska outside while Manfred sat in my library going over some of his old case files. "So, Miles are you nervous?" she asked. "About the trial, you mean? Not really, I'm pretty sure I'm ready to take it on." I sighed. "What else would you be nervous about?" she smiled. That poor innocent face, I can't bring myself to tell her the awful things her father did to me, much less that I feared he could do them to her. "Miles? Would you quit staring at me like that? It's kinda creeping me out…" she nudged me with her elbow. "Oh…sorry Franziska…" I sighed. "You've been kinda spacy, huh?" she leaned her head on my arm. "Just a little bit, I guess I'm just nervous to have you and your father staying here." I felt my stomach tighten. "Let's get inside, it's kinda cold out here, huh?" she grabbed my hand. "Yeah, alright then…" I followed her inside.     After we finished our dinner, I excused myself to my room. I looked through an old photo album, it was just a few pictures of Franziska, April, Manfred, and I. I sighed when I found the picture of Franziska and me fighting each other. I punched her in the eye and she was crying in the corner. There was a knock on my bedroom door, "Miles, may I come in?" it was Franziska. "Yeah, umm, come on in." I folded the album back up and sat it in the drawer of my dresser. "Where's Pess?" I asked as she flopped on my bed. "Oh, he's downstairs with your butler-servant guy." She sighed, "Miles is something on your mind?" "Why do you ask?" I smiled nervously. "I'm not sure; you're just not being your usual self when Papa is around. I mean, you were always like that, but…" she trailed off in thought. "Franziska, I can assure you that I am myself." I flopped next to her. "Remember when you were little and you'd come sleep in my room when you had a nightmare?" she turned toward me, "I kinda miss you doing that." "Well, you made me feel safe…for some reason, you were comforting to me." I sat up. "Can I sleep in here tonight? Your house is really big and it's kinda scary." She hugged me. "Franziska….you're not a little girl anymore, you know…." I looked down at her. "W-Well…you didn't say I couldn't, so does mean I can?" she smiled brightly. "Heh, alright, alright. I guess so, but you're not going to be jumping on my bed or anything, are you?" I sighed at her. "H-How did you know I was gonna do that…?" she blushed. "I know how you are…" I laughed.     "Franziska, it is nearly your bed time, go to your room." Manfred stood in the doorway. "But…but Papa, I was going to…" she looked down at her feet. "Franziska von Karma." He said sharply. "Right…sorry Papa." She hung her head low and marched out of the room. "Franziska…" I called out to her but she didn't look back at me. Manfred looked at me, "Are you trying to turn my daughter into some hooligan, Miles?" "N-No, sir, she was just…" I got nervous and choked on my words. "A gentleman never excuses a lady for his foolish actions, I thought I had taught you at least that much. Franziska is not your sibling nor is she of any relation to you. You have no bearing on her life or its consequential choices. I'll not hear of you influencing her any further, am I understood?" he crossed his arms. I nodded and looked to my feet, "Yes, sir, I understand." "Don't think she can protect you, she is but a mere child." He shut the door and locked it with himself inside of my room. My worst nightmare was coming true right before my eyes. "P-Please…just leave me alone…" I stepped backward.     "Miles, I'm sure you're well aware that the guilty must be punished, and here is one who is guilty of a crime. Using a child to protect yourself from the law…my law. It's a shame, all those years ago; I could have sworn I remember you offering yourself in the place of her." He looked down at me. I was choked into silence as he violently grabbed me by the throat and hoisted me into the air. "Take your punishment like a man, Miles Edgeworth." He tossed me backward onto my bed. "D-Don't t-t-touch me…" I cowered in fear. "Resistance does you no good; I don't forgive those who do wrong." He seized my legs and flipped me over on the bed. "S-Stop…!" I gasped. His hand struck my face, "You disobey me? You think that because you've left my home you can do whatever you please? Need I remind you who it was that let you come into my home and sleep under my roof?! Well, who was it, Miles?" "You, sir…" a tear ran down my cheek and stung the slap-mark on my face. He ripped my pants from my legs and threw them toward the door. "You will hold still, don't think I won't turn on you and go play with your sister instead." He cupped his hand over my mouth. "Don't….touch…her…Mmmph…" I tried to break away from his grasp but he was too strong. I tried to scream for help, but to no avail…I knew I would go un- rescued.     "Get off of me….please….I beg you…." I was whimpering like a child. "You want me to stop? You want me to leave you alone?" he leaned down and whispered in my ear. I bit my lip and shut myself up. "Answer me, Miles Edgeworth, do you want me to leave you alone?" he ripped me back by my hair. "No, I'm sorry….I'm so sorry…sir." I sobbed, "It hurts…" He shoved my face back down into the mattress to shut me up. "Hold your tongue and know your place. A man must know the proper timing for things, Miles Edgeworth." He held my head down as he thrusted himself harder inside of me. "Franziska…I love you." I thought to keep myself from murdering him right then and there. I knew if I were to do something to him, she would be devastated and alone. He finished inside of me and left me lying there in a pool of my own tears while he fastened his belt. "Breathe a word of this to my daughter and you won't live to see her another day, do you understand?" he slammed the door shut behind him. I lay there for a while in fear that he might come back to teach me another lesson. I ripped the sheets from my bed and threw them on the floor. I buried my face in my pillow and screamed as loud as I could.     I heard a knock at my bedroom door after about half an hour. "Please….leave me alone, I swear I won't talk to her anymore." I cried. "Miles…?" it was Franziska's voice whispering at me. I walked to the door and pulled her in quickly, "What are you doing?" "I heard you crying and Papa yelling at you…" she looked exhausted, "I couldn't sleep, I was worried about you." "Franziska…please just get out…" I couldn't look her in the eye. "No, Miles, something is going on and I'm going to find out what it is." She grabbed my arm. I jumped back in pain, "Please don't…" She stared at me for a little while and then looked at my messy room. She gasped suddenly, "Miles, did Papa hit you?" I couldn't look at her but I didn't want her to find out, I didn't want her to hate herself. I leaned down and kissed her lips softly. Franziska stepped backward and sat on the bed. "Please, Franziska, don't pursue this matter any further." I looked her in the eye. "Miles, I…I just…just tell me." She went to stand back up. I kissed her again to shut her up and then I held her face close to mine. "Please get out and go to bed." I shoved her backward on the bed.     "Why won't you talk to me?" she kept talking. "GET. OUT. FRANZISKA." I commanded her. "No, I won't!" she stood up and stared at me. I felt like I was going to be sick, there was only one way I could get her to shut up and stop asking but I didn't want to do it. "Miles…?" she looked afraid as I approached her. She crawled backward onto the bed until she was against the headboard. I leaned in and kissed her again but this time she didn't resist. She must've known what filthy thought ran across my mind. I held my breath as I pulled her panties down and tossed them to the ground. I barely touched her with my fingertip and she moaned but clapped her hand to her mouth. "Forgive me…" I whispered to her as I kissed her forehead. I knew that she was just a child and I was being just as sick as if her father would be if he'd done the same. I was no different than he was by defiling her body, but it was the only way to protect her from the truth. Franziska stared at me with her innocent eyes, it was the last time she would look at me like that and I knew that in the pit of my stomach. I pushed the length of myself inside of her and she started crying.     "Miles that hurts…" she whimpered and tried to get away. I held her still and fucked her, apologizing the entire time. She kept as quiet as she could, much to my surprize. I had stolen something so precious from her, the tiny bloom that she was and I plucked it away before it had a chance to bud. After a few minutes, her cries were less of pain and more of pleasure. "Miles…" she was hugging me closely to her and I could feel her small body shaking. She gasped and arched her back; thrusting her hips toward mine as she came. I pulled out of her and came on her stomach and she lay there catching her breath. "Please, get out Franziska von Karma." I walked toward my restroom and locked myself in. I heard her scoot off of the bed and after a few minutes, my bedroom door shut and the lock clicked behind her. "Please forgive me; Franziska…I only did this to protect you." I held my head in my hands and looked toward the ground. I went back to my bedroom and cleaned up the mess. I crawled into bed and finally fell asleep.     I woke up in the morning and my butler was picking up what was left of the mess I had left. "Mr. Edgeworth, Mr. Von Karma asked me to inform you that he will be stepping out for most of the day. Ms. Von Karma is in the library waiting for you to join her." He left with the arm-full of sheets. "Oh, do you think you could just throw those sheets out? I don't…I don't need them." I pulled a clean shirt over my head. "Yes, sir, Mr. Edgeworth. Is there anything else you will be needing?" he asked. "Why don't you bring Franziska and I some tea at noon?" I smiled at him. "As you wish, sir." He bowed and continued walking down the hallway. I exhaled and looked at myself in the mirror before I headed toward my father's old library. Franziska was sitting in the middle of the room at my oak desk drawing something on a piece of paper. "Good morning, Miles." She didn't look up from her drawing. "Good morning…whatcha drawing?" I sat next to her. "It's a picture of you and Pess." She slid it across the desk and looked down at her lap. It was quite a cute drawing, Pess was drawn with his red collar on and licking my face.     I grabbed a piece of tape and stuck it to the wall where I would be able to see it every day. "About last night…" she looked at my feet. I knew she would ask but I didn't know what to tell her. I sat back next to her and grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry that I kept asking when I knew you didn't want to talk about it. It's not my business and I should have kept my nose from where it didn't belong." She squeezed my hand. I noticed there was a tiny paper in her hand. I unfolded it and read it beneath the desk. "He's listening to us talking, he made me wear a microphone." It said. I looked at her and she looked at her lapel. "It is not your fault; siblings should be genuinely concerned for one another." I was writing to her on a piece of paper while I talked aloud. "Does he know what happened?" I wrote. "Maybe you're right, perhaps I'm not in the wrong." She said. She wrote, "No, but he suspects something is up." We continued to write back and forth to each other. "Why is making you wear that?" I wrote. "He told me that it was for my own good." She replied, "Make sure you burn this paper. He will be back very soon." "I'm sorry that I did what I did last night." I passed the paper to her. She drew a heart on it and passed it back to me. "My father should be here soon, why don't we go have lunch with him?" she looked at the fireplace. I nodded and sat them in the fire quietly, "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Franziska."     We sat in the dining room and he called her outside with him. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I knew it was something about the microphone. "Miles Edgeworth, you'll have to excuse me. I have a few matters to attend to, I hope you don't mind if Franziska stays here while I'm out." He looked at her. "No, I don't mind at all." I fake smiled at him. "Papa, can I go out with Miles for a bit?" she looked up at him. He thought for a second and kneeled down to her level, "I suppose so, but do be careful. Los Angeles is not like Berlin, do you understand?" He kissed her forehead. "I understand, Papa, I will be cautious." She hugged him before he left. "He took the microphone with him so we can talk now." She walked outside after his taxi pulled away. "Franziska, I'm so sorry… what I did last night was wrong." I hung my head in shame. "Miles…I'm not upset with you. I wouldn't stop asking and you had to do what you had to do." She kissed my forehead softly.     "Franziska, it's not alright, don't you ever convince yourself it is. You're practically my sister and you're just a child. There is no excuse for forcing myself onto a young girl." I couldn't bear to look at her. "You didn't force yourself on me, I let you do that. We're not even related so there is nothing sickening about that." She brushed a loose hair back into place out of her face. "I cannot believe how lightly you're taking this!" I stood up in anger. "I am not 'taking' anything, I'm accepting it. You should too, you can't change the past, you can only learn from it." She crossed her arms. "S-Stop…" I turned to walk inside. "Did Papa ever hurt you, Miles? At least tell me that much…did he ever lay any part of his body on yours without your permission?" she grabbed my hand. I looked down at her and I could tell she was in pain. "F-Franziska…" I looked toward my house, "Yes, he has…" I broke off her embrace and went inside. I saw my butler standing near the door and he looked at me in shock.     "Mr. Edgeworth…what have you done?" "Please don't do this…" I tried to walk away from him. "That is a little girl and you are a grown man, she's your sister, no less." He held his hand to his mouth. "She isn't my sister; she is merely a friend to me and nothing more. We were simply raised by the same man but we share no relation of blood." I looked him in the eye, "Please don't tell her father or I may very well lose my life." "I…I understand sir. I will keep this information to myself." He walked away quickly. I went back up to my room and lay down on my bed; drowning in the thoughts of how to deal with these feelings of guilt. Franziska came into my room and locked the door behind her, "Miles…" she shook me. "Franziska, are you dense!?" I backed off away from her. "Shut up, Miles. I know…I know you're mad at me." She jumped up on the bed and sat in my lap. "P-Please don't do that." I looked away from her. She started trying to take my clothes off. "Franziska Von Karma…! What is the matter with you?!" I tried to shove her off me but she wrapped her legs tightly around my waist. She pressed a finger to my lips, "Be quiet and trust me, okay? I won't do anything stupid." Something in me gave way when she looked at me with that new spark in her eyes. "See…I know you want it too." She let her hand rub my erection. "Don't do that, I don't want to be attracted to you…"     "Then tell me what Papa did to you." She started unzipping my pants. "I can't do that…" I gasped. "Then I won't be able to stop." She tugged my pants around my thighs. "Miles, if this is the only way to get you to talk… then I'll do what I must." She kissed my neck. "Franziska…Ahh!" I flung my head back when I felt how warm and wet she was on me. "Tell me, Miles." She grabbed the back of my head and pulled my face toward hers. "Franziska, I can't tell you because…" she grinded her hips forward onto mine. "M-Miles…p-please….gnahh…please!" she kissed me. I grabbed her and threw her to the bed. "Don't touch me…" I bit my lip, "I will never tell you, can't you understand!?" "I…I hate you…" she whispered. "W-What..?" I reached toward her. She slapped my hand, "I HATE YOU!" she threw herself to the floor and ran out of my room. "I…I'm sorry…" I ran after her to her room, but HE was already waiting for me in the doorway of her bedroom holding her sleeve. "So…I was correct, huh? You..." he gritted his teeth when he looked at me. "Please don't…please don't hurt her…" I fell to my knees. "I already know what you've done, did you think I wouldn't find out?! What sort of idiot do you take me for!?" He threw her down to the ground. "Papa, it wasn't-" he slapped her. "You keep your god damn mouth shut and learn your place, Franziska." He turned back toward me. "Yes…sir." She cowered in fear against the wall.     "Get in this fucking room, Miles Edgeworth." He picked me up by my hair. Franziska gasped but she was too afraid to move. "Franziska Von Karma, come." He commanded. She stood up on her shaking legs and walked behind us. He sat me down on the seat in her temporary bedroom, "Move a muscle or if you so much as breathe without permission and I will punish you." He grabbed her arm and threw her to the bed. "N-No…please!" she looked at me in fear. "It's a shame; really…all he tried to do was protect you. You should have let it be, Franziska." He reached for her legs. She was starting to fling her legs around wildly, "Stop!" "BE STILL!" his booming voice ran out and echoed off the alabaster walls. Franziska froze and covered her face with her hands. "You've disobeyed me, I'm surprized at you. I never took you for the child that would cause me this trouble." He jammed his fingers inside of her and felt the wetness that was already there. "Don't worry; I'll be sure not to take what of your innocence is still left. You'll learn to act like a lady and not a harlot." He turned her over and pressed her face to the mattress. "Please, PLEASE! T-Take me instead…" I ran toward him and tried to push him away. Manfred grabbed my face and threw me to the ground, "You cannot save anyone Miles, and you're useless."     "I'm not useless…" I stood up. "We still have the will to fight, huh?" he let his hands off of Franziska. "Miles…don't…" Franziska looked at me with tears in her eyes. Manfred swung his fist forward and landed a blow to my left eye; tossing me backward to the wall. "Miles! How could you, Papa!?" she ran to my side and cradled my head in her hands. "Franziska Von Karma, why must you make me do these things? Do you see what you've made your father do?" he grabbed her by the hair and made her stand in front of him. "I'm sorry…" she went limp in his arms. "Now I see you're ready to take your punishment." He sat her back down on the bed and loosened his belt. "Do forgive me, I never intended on punishing you this way." He rubbed her cheek. She looked down and held her breath. I couldn't move and I couldn't stand up; all I could do was lay there and watch as he exacted the punishment on her. I saw her face twist in disgust as she stared at me and mouthed "Help me…" "Hold still so it won't hurt more than it needs to." He kissed the top of her head.     He pushed himself inside of her butt, making her scream at the top of her lungs. "STOP!" he tightened his hand over her mouth. "She's just a child…please…" my begging was ignored. "Miles please…! Help me…" she was crying as she reached toward me. He grabbed her arm and held it behind her back, "What did I just tell you about holding still, huh? It seems you want to make things worse for yourself." I held my breath and looked away; I knew what he was going to do. "I can't take it…please take it out!" she was screaming. "Don't fret, child." He kept talking to her gently, "If you would just hold still like a good girl, I might make things easier. Even your pathetic brother held still better than you do." She looked at me with terrified eyes. "Please stop, Papa, I'll do anything…!" she was swinging her body around wildly. "Franziska, I'm no sick man. I would never think of approaching your precious flower. Offering it in the place of punishment is exactly why I do this." He took something from his pocket. "Miles, stand on your two legs." He looked over at me. I was afraid he would hurt her more so I did so. "Go on, do as I say, come and hold her still. Tell her what happens if she doesn't be still." He clutched the item tighter. I knew what it was then, he hadn't used it since I was a child; it was a whip.     I crouched down by her face and she looked at me in defeat. "Please…why won't you help me Mil-" I covered her mouth. "I'm sorry, forgive me." She looked at me with evil eyes that said 'I'll never forgive you!' "Ahh, Miles, you've always been a good child to me. I see you still wish to be her hero so I will spare her of further punishment." He petted my head and pulled himself out of her, "Your brother did end up helping you, why don't you two spend some time thanking each other?" he locked the door from the outside, trapping us inside. "I'm sorry, I knew if I didn't do it he'd…" she struck me across the face. "Why….why…." she was seething with anger, "YOU. You didn't help me…." "I-I'm sorry…I didn't want him to whip you…" I removed the shirt from my back, revealing the old scars that it'd left on me. "He was…doing this to you? Why…why didn't you say anything!?" she couldn't move without crying out in pain. "Lie still, the pain will pass eventually." I hugged my arms to my chest. "Miles Edgeworth, I hate you." She crawled backward off the bed and curled into a ball. "What could I have done, Franziska? It's not as if I could have just walked up to you at ten years old and said 'Oh, by the way, your father has been raping me for six years. Sorry I didn't get the chance to tell you.'!? Why do you think I left when I was young and why I called you every single damn day? Did you think I did that because I was in love with you? No! It was because I feared for what he might do to you…what he's already done!" she lay there in silence and stared at me. "Six…years…." She started to cry, "It should have been me instead." "Oh please, he wouldn't harm you unless he absolutely had to! You came into my room and forced yourself onto me and that's why you got caught. I always took the fall for you and I got nothing in return, how does it feel to take the pain? Huh!?" I shoved her, "Don't cry your useless tears, you idiot. He loves you but he hates me. He. Hates. Me. He hates everything I am and everything I might be. He didn't take me in because he cared; he did it to piss off my father from beyond the grave. Don't be so fucking stupid."     "You think you're hurting? You think you've felt pain? He went easy on you because of me! Every time he tried to harm you, it was ME who stopped him! I've been there for you your entire life and all I get is hatred? Well that's just fine…" angry tears ran down my cheeks. She looked away from me and stared at her feet. "I see, now you have nothing to say to me? I thought I was your hero? Wasn't that the bullshit lie I fed you for your life or was that just something I told myself to sleep at night? Why don't you tell me that, Franziska Von Karma!?" I searched my pockets for the key to the bedroom doors. "Don't ever speak to me again unless an apology is coming from those lips." I unlocked the door and left her lying there. I started to feel bad about the things I'd said, I didn't mean those things…I was just…angry. She truly wished that kind of pain upon herself? I couldn't just let her think like that so I had to shock her back to reality somehow.   ===============================================================================     After that, the next time I saw her was…years later. I started to lose count; it'd been that long. "Miles…" she looked down at her feet. "H-Hey, Franziska…" I cowered a bit away from her. I was expecting something; a smack in the face, a whip, something with pain. Instead, I got a nice, warm embrace; she smelled faintly of tea and sugar-cookies. "I've missed you." She squeezed me tighter. I couldn't say anything; I just let her hold me tightly. "It's finally over, huh?" she stood back and straightened her posture. I had repressed most of those memories, but I couldn't forget the pain. I nodded, "Yeah, I guess it is." "Miles, about that day…all those years ago… I'm sorry for the absolutely foolish things I had said. I did not want to leave things on such a sour note like I did, but I was too prideful then. Do you forgive me?" apparently, she forgot the parts where I had said awful things to her. "I forgive, how could I not, my dear sister?" I hugged her, "Now, I need you to be honest with me. Did he ever touch you after that?" She grew silent and wouldn't look at me. "Franziska Von Karma. Did he ever touch you again?" I asked once more. "I cannot answer." That was all she said. "Why not?" I asked. "I cannot answer." She sounded like a voice-prompt. "Yes, you can answer. So, tell me, please…I beg you." I feared the absolute worst. "He did not, but…" she looked down at her feet again. "But…? But what, please?" I was worried now. "Please, can you just not ask anymore? I'd rather not talk about it." She begged. "Franziska, please don't hide anything from me. If I could just have some peace at night…for once…please?" I held her head close to my chest. "Father refused to do it, so he…he found someone else…" I felt her tense up, "but that was a long time ago. I've put it behind me now." "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, it was my one job and I failed at it." I hugged her, "Who was it?" "I do not know! If I knew, do you think I'd be sitting around letting him get away with that? He doesn't have the right to let that gr-" she stopped herself. "What…? Finish that sentence, please." I sat down on the bench. "Please, Miles, I cannot do that." She sighed, "I would rather you drop it." "What happened after I left? Why don't you start from there?" I sat her down next to me. "Well, after we came home from after the…'incident'….Papa wouldn't talk to me or even look at me. He burned everything you left behind in your room, but I managed to save a few things. Then after a few months, I was going about my normal business, riding my horse. Something spooked her and she ran off, tripping and breaking her leg. Papa was furious; he had to shoot her… That's when…" she paused again, "it happened. I…I haven't been myself since that day. I suppose it didn't help that…"     "Franziska, if I may…." I stopped her. "What is it?" she looked afraid. "Since you've opened up, why not just tell me what I want to know? What is it you're so afraid of me finding out?" I asked. "It's not like that, I just…. You'll be disappointed in me." She fiddled with the hem of her shirt. "I promise, I will not be disappointed in you. I'm just worried about you." I kissed her forehead, "'He doesn't have the right to let that…'?" "He doesn't have the right to let that thing grow inside of me." She sighed and hugged her arms to her torso. "Hold on, wait, wait, wait. Back up, what did you just say? 'Inside of you'?" I put my hand up, "So what are you saying? That when…. That….happened, it got you pr-?" "Yes, okay, yes. Gosh, Miles, you should have left well enough at well enough. Do not worry; I got rid of it as soon as Papa left on a business trip. No one knew, no one knows, and no one will ever know; do you understand?" she buried her head in her hands, "The worst part is…I regret doing it. I feel like I lost a part of me… isn't that foolish?" "Franziska, nothing you do is foolish." I hugged her, "It's alright." "I always wanted to be a mother, but not like that, you know? It's kinda unfair." She started using American-esque slang; very unusual for her, "I'm a murderer." "Franziska Von Karma, don't you ever say that again. You did what you had to do; you were a child with nowhere to turn to." I kissed her. "Miles…" she hugged me. "Come; you should have dinner with me." I grabbed her hand, partially because I didn't wish to tell her that her actions all those years ago lead to feelings. Unwanted feelings…but feelings that I couldn't deny. Was it love…or was it lust? That, I can't say for sure; but when I saw her telling me those things so openly…something in me changed. I had to protect her again; I just had to do it.     "I wish we could start over." She sighed as she pushed her steak around on her plate. "We can…let me start." I exhaled, "Hello young miss, I'm Miles. Miles Edgeworth, I'm pleased to meet you." She giggled like a little girl, it was pleasing to see a smile on those lips, "I'm Franziska. Franziska Von Karma; gee, you are a strapping young lad. The ladies must be falling at your feet." I kissed her outstretched hand, "Only one, my dearest, but she doesn't fall to my feet; she stomps upon my toes and watches me fall. Do not worry; she's always there to help me back up in the end." "What a gentleman, she's a very lucky lady." She squeezed my hand a little tighter. "I don't think she sees how much she means to me. Does a lady like you have any advice for a poor boy like me?" I pouted and smiled. "Tell her how you feel, women like when you're up-front with them." She stood. "Ahh, Franziska, I just received some nice advice regarding you. A little lady just told me to tell you how important to me. Did you know that I love you?" I blushed, I said too much, me and my god damn mouth. "R-Really…?" she blushed; she was standing next to me now. She was so much more beautiful with age and I'll be damned if I wasn't going to do something to find out what she was hiding under that skirt. "Well…" I couldn't believe the absolute lust I was feeling for this girl. Just a few years ago, I would have hated this. I could barely contain myself from jumping onto her right then and there. "What's on your mind?" she leaned in closely. "Franziska, do you have any idea…what you're doing to me?" I let my hand touch her hip gently. "Miles, I am merely standing beside you. Whatever effect that has on you in yours to blame." I stood up to face her. "Why must you be…be so…so…UGRGH!" I threw my hands in the air. "Oh, look at you, Miles. My poor little brot-" "Please don't. Don't say that word…it's like a curse." I interjected. She faltered a bit, "A-alright…" "Sorry, I'm just…so…conflicted right now." I looked at my knees. "You'll never get the things you want if you don't demand them." She said, stomping her foot to the ground. "Perhaps…perhaps you're right." I grabbed her chin and kissed her soft pink lips. "Eh…?" she didn't resist me or try to fight my lips off of hers. "Franziska…" I moaned her name into her lips. I felt her grip tighten on my sleeve as she let an arm drape around my neck.     "Are you, by chance, a complete fool!?" she couldn't hide the blush on her cheeks with a burlap sack, "I wasn't talking about me, you…you…YOU!" "You're the one who said to demand the things I want." I smiled, "I never took you for one to go back on her words like so." "I…I don't do that." She looked at me. Those damn eyes, they haunt me so! So goddamn perfect… "You are torturing me like this on purpose." I kissed her neck roughly. "I wouldn't do that, that's just cruel. What kind of woman do you take me fgrrrhh…" the unease in her voice melted into a moan as I found the sweet-spot on the side of her neck. "You talk…too much…" I whispered into her skin. "Shuuush…" she moaned in protest. Somehow, we found our way up to my room eventually. The bed was still the same one it'd been all those years ago, it held the memories…the pain; but I can make it happy. She started shedding layers of clothing, not even trying to hide her lust anymore. A silence fell over the room; nothing was heard but the sounds of our breathing and our lips smashing together. "A little eager, aren't we?" I joked. "Shut your mouth." She was carefully unbuttoning my shirt and slid it backward off my shoulder blades. "You can drop that tough act of yours already, don't think I forgot the little girl who forced herself on me in this bed." Her lips crashed into mine.     "Kiss me, you fool!" she let my hands free for a moment to press her closer to me. I grabbed her whip and wrapped it around her wrists and held them above her head. "N-No…" she groaned as she tried to regain control. "Mmm-mmm-mmm. I don't think so, darling." I kissed her stomach. "Not…not there…!" she was trying to untie her hands. "Hold still, please." I kissed her hip bones softly. "Dear, dear, dear… these will have to go." I grabbed the lacy fabric and started pulling it down. "Miles…this is embarrassing." She whispered as I pulled them from her legs. "It is no such thing." I kissed her inner thigh as she spread her legs open for me. "My little tsudere, just hold still like the good girl I know you are." I let my tongue flick on the wet folds between her legs. "I…I am…not…" she wriggled to my touch. "You are already so soaked; you've wanted this for a while, haven't you?" I smiled. "Mmmph…" she scoffed. "Aww, come now. Enjoy yourself." I sucked on the little nub. "Ahh!" she bucked her hips toward me, "T-tease…" "I can't have you thinking that, now, can I?" I kissed her lips as I unravelled her wrists. "Don't call me tsundere, it's… stupid." She smiled, "You watch way too much Steel Samurai."     "Silence…" I commanded softly, a rough voice would bring too painful of memories to her. "Yes, sir." She laughed a bit. I kissed her neck and she leaned toward me willingly. I hungered for this girl who was no longer a child. Her body was a feast that lay before me, but I've no idea where to start. Say something…something that will make her want you too, stupid! "So…you wanted to be a mother…" I whispered into her skin. "Y-yes…" I think she had an idea as to what I was implicating. "F-Franziska…would you like to be one?" I knew what I was saying was absolutely stupid, she'd never agree to something like that. "You mean…with you?" she let her hand tangle into my hair. I cringed a bit, the last person who did that…let's say…he didn't have nice intentions about it. "Okay." She exhaled. "Okay…" I brought her hips closer to mine. I hoped desperately that my actions would bring up no memories of her past experiences. I slid into the wet folds easily, meeting no resistance. "Mmmph." She clung tightly to my body. "I'll be soft with you. I would never harm you." I reassured her. She sighed in relief, thank goodness. I said something that wasn't totally idiotic today. I kept my word and thrusted gently, receiving an inviting grip on my sides to say "Keep going, please." "M-Miles…I…" she gasped, "I l-love you…" "!" I didn't expect her to say that. What do I say, what do I say, what do I say?! Don't be stupid, it's really simple! "I…I love you too." My throat was burning as I spilled the words out. I did love her, but to admit right in front of her? Grfnngg!     "Miles…" this was more of a moan, my body was burning with furious desire, but I kept that simmered down. She'd been hurt badly by an experience like that, I could not make her afraid of me. "F-Faster…" she mumbled. "Hmm? I didn't quite catch that." I smiled. "I…I said faster." She was madly blushing. I quickened the thrusting of my hips, eliciting a high-pitched moan from my partner. "F- Fucking…so weit, so gut, mehr bitte!" her beautiful German voice ran out, "Ich kann mich nicht halten es nitcht mehr aus! Ich brauche dich jetzt!" "As you wish…" I sucked on her neck harder. "Blӧdeln! Now…bitte.." her voice was desperate as she dug her nails into my skin. "Ahhh, I…ich bin kommenden!" she cried out once more before sinking her teeth softly into the space between my neck and my shoulder. I filled her and she lay there panting softly on my chest. "I love when you speak German to me…" I kissed her ear. "Den mund, fool!" she couldn't hide her smile, she was blushing now. "F…Fuck you…" she looked away. "I already did." I laughed. "Sh-Shut up..!" she hid her face in my chest, "You better keep your word…" "My word on what?" I kissed her face softly. "If you make me say it then I'll…" I knew how that sentence would end, 'I'll kill you' or something violent. "You mean on making you a mother?" I said so I could keep from being the victim of that whip. She nodded and smiled, "I mean it."     "How pathetic…" I heard a voice rise from the bathroom. It'd been nearly two weeks since my encounter with Franziska in my bedroom. "What's the matter?" I knocked on the door. "It is nothing and that is exactly what is the matter!" she flung something into the trashcan. "I have no idea what you are talking about…" "You are dense, do you forget your promises so quickly?" she looked upset. "Oh…" I remembered about her desire to have her maternal instincts fulfilled. "Negative." She was angry. "It's too soon, I wish you would relax about it." I grabbed her hand and caressed it. "You…" her violent voice broke into a soft one, "It's…it's not fair." "You are too excited, you need to wait a few more days." She buried her head in my chest. "I don't want to wait. I can't stand waiting around. That's all I've done my whole life." Two battered, abused children of that vile man and we ended up together in the end of all of it. Sure, it did take nearly eight years since that awful day to get to this point, but at least we were finally here. The two of us, together, holding each other. "Miles, I want this so badly." She looked depressed. "Stop making that face, you have to smile." I petted her head gently. "This house is too large." Franziska walked into one of the many spare bedrooms, "Why is it so big? Your father only had one son; that was you. What is the need for all of these spare places?" I didn't like talking about my real family, but with Franziska…I knew it would be alright. "Father wanted to have more children. He didn't want me to be an only child but he…" I swallowed. "I understand, you need not explain any further." Her gloved hands ran through my hair.     "Come here." She sat my bed, "Lay next to me." "It is too bright out to still be in bed. We may snuggle downstairs." She blushed when I said 'snuggle'. "F- Fool…" she bit her lip, "I do not snuggle!" "Will you put that thing down before you hurt yourself?" I mocked a little as I took the whip from her hand. "H-How dare you! That's mine…" she was truly a helpless little girl without it. "May I ask who you got it from?" I already knew the answer. "That's easy, I got it from Papa…Papa…" she looked upset now and disgusted, "Fine. You may keep it." I stared at her triumphantly. "Ich leibe dich…" I whispered into her ear. I had learned to speak German well since I had lived in Berlin for so long, though I sparing used it for anyone. She smiled and poked my nose, "So weak already, do not think I have let my defences down just yet." I tossed the whip into an empty drawer, perhaps now we may let go of our past sorrows.     "Finally." She sighed in relief as she talked to me over the phone. "Excuse me, I wish you would elaborate further when you speak." I was in no mood to deal with confusion. Painful nightmares plagued me all night long, nightmares of memories. "Bienchen. I suppose we can call it that, can we not?" she could barely contain her excitement. "What is the matter with you all of the sudden?" I smiled, I knew what she would say and yet…I wanted to hear it from her lips. "Thank you, Miles. I hope you are a wonderful father." I heard her hit something soft and the phone rustled. "Bienchen…that's silly." I laughed. "Well! It shall be my bienchen and you may call it whatever you like then." She retorted. Three long months of failed attempts had finally succeeded, I was glad to hear the child-like voice she was using when she spoke. "You're making me want to kiss you." I sighed. "Then I shall come over so you can do so." She clicked the phone off. I noticed I was idly drawing something, it was a little bee…. Bienchen. "Aww, jeez…" I crumpled the paper.     "This is severely painful in so many ways." She had spent the latter of the morning vomiting in the bathroom. "What did you expect? Sunshine and happy rainbows?" I rubbed her back as she lay on the couch across my lap. "I expected no such things…! I just did not expect to be spending my pregnancy throwing up. I may as well vomit up the child." She laughed. "Would you like anything to eat?" I asked. "Ice cream…" she moaned, "I swear that's all I can stomach anymore." And the craving came at blinding speed, as did the mood swings. Some days she was so impossible and others I could not keep her away from me. "Hello, Franziska Von Karma speaking?" she answered her phone. I was in the other room preparing her bowl of frozen dessert…well, breakfast. "No! You're lying!" I heard her throw her phone. "What is the matter?" I walked over to where she was slumped onto the couch. "Papa…!" she gasped out as she choked on a sob. "…?" I had no idea what she was talking about, as usual, "Will you tell me what you are talking about clearly…?" "He…he escaped!" she grasped her stomach tightly. My legs shook with fear, "Fuck. We have to leave, now!" he picked her up by her arm. I turned around the corner to grab my keys from the front door only to meet the shadow of the man I despised above all else in the world.     "And where do you think you are headed to?" his strict voice bellowed. "I…" I felt fear run down my spine as I cowered. "Speak when you are spoken to!" he grabbed my chin. "I was leaving…to get away from you!" I shoved his hand away. "How awfully defiant you've become! I am shocked at you." He cackled. Franziska…Franziska…! I had to find her, to check on her. He was here; I had to tell her so she could hide. "Miles, I've been keeping a close eye on you, my little pet." His hand caressed my face, "My daughter is here, is she not?" Fuck…fuck…I felt like I would scream. "What's going on, Miles, you've been gone a long time." She walked to where I was standing. "N-no!" It was too late. Her eyes widened in shock and fear, "Wh…" she couldn't even form words. "Ahh, hello darling. I've missed you since I've been gone." He shoved me aside and reached for her. "P-papa…" she looked like she was going to be sick. Not from the morning sickness, mind you. His hand gently brushed her hair, "You look lovely." He was unbelievably calm, could it be that he didn't know? Then the worst possible thing happened. His eyes flicked down to her semi-enlarged abdomen, "How adorable, I leave for a few years and you go and get yourself into this mess." Her hand covered her belly defensively.     "May I ask but a simple question, darling?" his hand was still in her hair. Franziska nodded but couldn't speak. "To whom do I owe the pleasure of having be the father of my grandchild?" he said it so gently, violence lingered in his eyes. "M…M…" she was afraid, I knew it. "Do not stutter so, it is a simple question." He said it like a command; everything with him was, after all. "Miles, sir." She answered obediently. "What a shame…" he sighed, "I had higher expectations than that for you." the grip in her hair tightened. "P-please d- don't…" she cradled her arms to her belly. "Oh no, darling, you take me all wrong! It is not yet time for such a thing. I merely came by to say hello." The word 'yet' burned into my core. "Besides that, it was not you whom I came to visit." His eyes fell on me. Then I was in horrible pain! My chest was stinging and my ears rang; he had kicked me to the wall with all of his might. I heard Franziska scream and dive toward me, taking care not to harm the precious cargo. "Franziska. I will only ask this one time with sympathy that you move. I do not wish to harm an unborn child." Her arms wrapped defensively around me. "Please…what do…you want?" "Where shall I begin?" he paced in front of us slowly, holding that evil cane in his hands, "Firstly, I must ask where on earth he got the idea to impregnate my daughter or to lay his hands on her ever again. I was sure he'd gotten the message the first time that such a thing was…intolerable. Secondly, I would like to know why he thought he could be rid of me so easily. He, of all people, should know I have many detectives and prison guards in my pocket. Thirdly, I would like to know why I should let him live past this day!" he slammed it down.     "An answer!" he barked at me. "I made a promise and I always stay to my word." I answered, pushing her back behind me. "Go on." He looked down at me. "Of course you wouldn't go easily; it was only a matter of time before you pulled out those little tricks." I smiled. "It was too easy a task." He turned his back for a moment. "Because I am the father of my child and I will be there to love it and care for it." Franziska's hand fell on mine. "Oddly enough….I find myself satisfied with your answers. Hmph. Do not worry, all will come in due time. Should you, however, try to relocate…I may have to resort to… measures beyond my control." He looked at Franziska. "Stand." One word was all he needed, she knew better than to disobey. "It seems…you are quite lucky. I hadn't intended to leave you here in one piece. Your impudence makes me sick." The moment could not have presented itself more perfectly. The small tracking device I was clutching in my hand would be perfect! I knew how he loved perfection above all else. While he was busily terrifying Franziska with all of his might, I snagged it gently onto the back of his shoe. The little clasps closed around the leather and squeezed tightly. "I must be off then." He left without another word.     "Miles!" she ran into my arms. "I'm fine, but I need you to get me the phone. I have some work for a certain Gumshoe." I kissed her cheek. "Right, I will." She walked as quickly as she could to the phone and dialled the number for the DCA. "Prosecutor Von Karma. I've no time to waste, I need the Gumshoe detective." She spoke with him for a few moments before passing my cell phone to me. "What's going on, pal? Mr. Von Karma came by?!" he was practically screaming. "Silence. I need you to do something. I have placed a tracking device on him. I need it traced now! He has made very clear threats to Franziska and I. We are in danger and cannot leave." "Alright, we'll get on it, sir." He hung up the phone. "Are you alright?" I wrapped my arms around her waist. "I'm okay, I'm actually glad he knows… it ended up saving me." I rubbed my hand on her stomach. "Bienchen, I'll keep you safe." I smiled. "Do you think they'll catch him?" she asked. "I sure hope so…" I prayed silently to a god I didn't believe in. "Please, let us be okay. Have we not suffered enough?"     "Wake up." Franziska's grip was fierce. "Wha…what's the matter?" I was half- asleep still. "Miles Edgeworth!" she slapped me. "Well good morning to you too!" I looked at the clock, 3:19am. "Why are you being so dense? I would not wake you were it not important!" she was curled tightly around her engorged stomach. "What is the matter? Are you alright?" I was concerned after seeing the state she was in. "No, I'm not alright. I want to scream and I want it out!" there were tears in her eyes, "My water broke, you fool!" "Oh…oh! Crap…alright…did you pack everything you need?" I was running down our mental check list. "Yes, I've already called the hospital, they know we will be there soon." Her tone softened. "Alright, can you stand now…?" I was honestly not sure how to handle this; I was hoping she might guide me through it. "I can't. Just…give me a few minutes. It'll pass." She kissed my hand. Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!