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#(nahyuta voice) we should kiss
ministarfruit · 3 years
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blackmadhi playfighting... it keeps me going
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bevioletskies · 2 years
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call it magic (when i’m next to you) [chapter one]
summary: As the long-lost grandson of the illustrious Gramarye family, Apollo already knew his life was going to change for the better and for the worse. After spending his formative years on the run, adjusting to his new place in magical high society was never going to be easy. It’s only when he finds himself locked in a metaphorical - and sometimes literal - dance with Klavier Gavin, both his potential suitor and the bane of his existence, does he realize just how complicated things are about to become.
word count: 3,022
a/n: This fic is a magical ‘verse set in the regency era, where some artistic liberties are taken with the time period to accommodate the story and the magic lore. Most of the details of how this ‘verse works is explained in the fic, but I’ve made an explainer that also includes some image links to characters’ familiars, which can be found here.
Spoiler warning for minor plot points and character relationships in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney and other games, including Investigations and Chronicles. Fic title is from the song Magic by Coldplay.
preview:
“Oh, Mother - we simply must tell Apollo of tomorrow night!” Trucy cried, her eyes shining with delight. “There are so many preparations to be made and so little time to make them.”
“Tomorrow night?” Apollo said curiously. “Grandfather made no mention of such a thing.”
“Your grandfather intends to host a ball at Gramarye Park as a way of formally introducing you to society,” Thalassa explained, her cheeks somewhat flushed with apparent embarrassment. “Believe me, love, I told him it was far too soon, that you needed time to settle in and get your bearings, but Magnifi Gramarye is nothing if not...persistent, to put it kindly. Seeing as you’re his oldest grandchild and of marriageable age, I can only imagine that all of his energies will be spent seeking out your future wife tomorrow night, no matter what any of us do or say.”
Apollo cleared his throat. “...future husband, Mother, i-if it pleases you.”
Thalassa’s eyes widened slightly. “Oh! Of course, darling, forgive me, I should not have presumed such a thing. Well, had you not been raised alongside Prince Nahyuta, your grandfather would have hastened to make the match. But worry not, for there is an abundance of young men of fine upbringing that he would be all too happy to introduce you to.”
“Lord van Zieks the younger is still unwed,” Trucy added unhelpfully before Apollo could interject, as if he had the first idea of who she was speaking of. “But there’s talk of him having deep-seated affections for an old university friend of his, one his family would never let him marry. Perhaps you would have better luck with Lord Blackquill or one of the Lord Gavins!”
Thalassa chuckled, affectionately pinching her daughter’s cheek. “Lord Simon of Hawkstone, you say? He can be gracious and well-spoken, of course, but rather brusque all the same; I should like to see Apollo wed someone who shares his sense of humor.” Her eyes softened then as she cupped Apollo’s face once more. “You should know that your father and I shared many laughs in our brief time together. Not a day goes by where I don’t think of him.”
“I do hope my presence doesn’t disturb you, Mother,” Apollo said softly, having finally found his voice. “I-I would hate to remind you of a love long lost.”
“Only in the very best of ways,” Thalassa murmured, kissing his temples with a feather-light touch.
(read on ao3)
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I’d rather be dry, but at least I’m alive. (Part 1)
“Po-Mr. Justice. This is strictly business. I’m sorry.” Phoenix averted his eyes from the young man in front of him.
Apollo’s entire body seemed to droop. From the little horns on his head to his legs shaking and…
I’m just unlovable.
“Why… what did I do to make you…?”
Of course. I’ve been waiting for this. He abandoned me. Like everyone else in my life.
“Mr. Justice. This isn’t personal. We’ll be on opposite sides of the courtroom. You have your reasons… and I have mine.” The blue suited man said, with a cold, calculating look in his eyes. Those eyes that used to be filled with such… pride and... love? Was that it?
Or was I just pretending to make myself feel better?
“Those eyes… they… why…?” Apollo whispered to himself.
It was all fake. All of it. How could I believe him? How could I have trusted him?!
“Two lawyers from the same firm going head to head? Who could have thought? Ha ha!” Paul Atishon said.
He... he promised that he wouldn’t leave me! He promised! He... he lied. Like everyone else in my life.
“Da… no. Mr. Wright. I should have expected this.”
Jove died on me. Dhurke shipped me off to Japan. Kristoph was just using me for status. And now Phoenix. I should have learned by now. No one could love Justice.
“...Mr. Justice. I’m sorry. I’m… so sorry.” Phoenix said, trying to stay stoic, but with tears in his eyes.
He’s not. This is his way of telling me to leave him alone. To go away from his little family. I’m not worthy of his love.
Apollo took off running. Just… ran. Rain started falling.
“Apollo, wait!” Dhurke yelled out, before trying to follow him through the rain.
You… you abandoned me here in Japan. You promised you would come back! But… I don’t blame you. I’m unlovable. How could someone love me compared to Nahyuta… or Trucy… Athena? Never. Kay, Sebastian? The Great Thief and The Best? Simon? Klavier? Maya? Pearl? They’re too good. I’m just… me.
He crashes into something after running for far too long. “Schatzi!” Klavier smiles at Apollo, and plants a kiss on his forehead. “You’re literally falling for me, huh?”
Klavier smiles at me like I’m... special.
“Don’t… please… don’t pretend to love me like this…”
“Pretend? Herr Forehead, I’m not pretending.” The blonde pulls the shorter attorney to his chest in a hug.
He is.
“How can I believe you? Let me go.”
“Liebling? What’s wrong?”
Schatzi? Liebling? He’s the gorgeous rock star. How could he love me?
“I said let me go.”
The glimmerous fop reluctantly obliged. Apollo shot off again, slipping on the pavement a ways away from Klavier.
“Huh? Pollo! Are you alright?!” Athena ran over, draping her umbrella over a soaked Apollo.
“Thena…?”
“Polly, you look like shit. What happened to you? Who do I need to fight. No one messes with my brother.”
Athena thinks of me like a brother?
“Just… go. Leave me alone.”
“Apollo…? What’s wrong? Did something happen to you?”
“Just… just leave, goddamn it! Get it over with! Stop pretending to care about me!”
“Apollo, what’s gotten into you?! I love you! You’re my brother!
She doesn’t. She’s just using me. Just like Kristoph and Mr. Wright. The goddamn bracelet. If I didn’t have it, she wouldn’t still care about me.
Apollo shoots off for the third time, hearing Athena screaming his name behind him. He can feel something warm on the back of his head, but he sure as hell doesn’t care.
“Polly! Where are you?! Please, come back! Daddy didn’t mean it!” The little magician called out from behind. “It’s just a big misunderstanding, Polly! We all still love you!” Her footsteps got closer. “Polly! Is that you?! Please… I miss my big brother! Come back!” She says, and she finally collided with Apollo. She grabs him from behind and holds him in a tight hug.
Trucy literally calls me her older brother. More lies.
“Polly, you’re bleeding! Calm down and let me look at it! Thena and Klavier both called me, saying they ran into you and that you were acting really weird!” She said, dragging him into the nearby cafe.
“Truce, let me go!”
“No! Athena and Klav both made the mistake of letting you go, and you’ll just start running!”
“That’s the point, Trucy!”
“Well, I’m not going to let you go, Polly!”
“...I’m sorry, Truce.”
“What?”
Apollo shoves her off him and bolts out of the cafe.
“Polly! Come back!” Trucy screams from the floor.
I should have known that they were all goddamn liars.
Apollo took his bracelet off and threw it into his pocket. His body was so tense, it wasn’t working. It wouldn’t tell him whether or not someone was lying. He sat on a curb… somewhere in the city. He doesn’t know where he is. Tokyo’s a big city. What are the chances that they’ll find him here?
If possible… please… try not to embarrass me.
Kristoph motherfucking Gavin. Even from a goddamn prison cell, he wouldn’t leave Apollo alone.
Et tu, Justice?
“I’m sorry…”
How could you betray your mentor like this?
“I’m sorry.”
You’re just a disappointment.
“I’m sorry!”
The voice in his head changed to Phoenix’s.
I should never have offered you a job.
“D-Dad…”
Without your bracelet, you’re useless to me.
“I’m so sorry…”
Ha, I was “grateful” for Clay telling you to take the job? I “wouldn’t have my beautiful son” without him? I can’t believe you fell for that. You’re supposed to detect lies.
“I just… felt so happy… even though I left you…���
That’s right, Apollo. You left me. You left your siblings. You accused Athena of Clay’s murder.
“I didn’t want to believe it!”
You just couldn’t trust her. How could you betray her like this. Betray us?
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…!”
How do I believe that, Apollo?
Apollo felt his vision slowly fade away. Trucy’s voice filled his head.
Just die already! No one would miss you!
Then Athena’s
God, I should just throw you off a bridge.
Dhurke’s comes next
I can’t believe I saved you. I didn’t raise a son who runs away at the slightest inconvenience.
And finally… Klavier’s voice echoes.
You’re a 5’5 nerd with a big forehead. I’m a rockstar who could have any Fraülein that I wanted. I can’t believe that you actually thought that I could love you.
And with that, his vision finally faded to black and he collapsed.
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crackmadhi · 5 years
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The Cat is a Troll
Thursday, 16 September 2032
It was already evening, and I was still stuck in the traffic, as Apollo called me and asked if I was on my way home. He wanted to know, if he should warm up our food already or if he should wait some more.
I told him that he could start, since I was almost at my turn and even though traffic was bad, I would soon be home. Then we hung up and I started humming a melody.
This day had been fucking stressful up until now. I had to present two cases in court and the latter one was absolutely nerve-wrecking. Not because it was a hard case, no. The main witness just could not shut up and it was almost impossible to get them to stop talking again. Even the judge was getting annoyed by it and had to ask for their removal.
But now the night was finally dawning, and I got to see my sun again. My sun, who just called me to ask if he should make me dinner. I felt a smile forming on my lips and quickly glanced at the silver ring on my left ring finger. It was still new and shiny. And I still felt the sweet contentment rushing through my veins when I looked at it.
I really longed to see my husband again and apparently for once life time was kind to me as it flew by and I reached my destination a bit earlier than expected. Quickly I went inside and straight into the kitchen, where I was hit with quite the sight.
Apollo Justice, the owner of the small law firm Justice & Co. and former official legal council for the reconstruction of the khura’inese legal system, was standing on a kitchen counter, while our lovely cat Mikeko sat on a cupboard and unimpressed stared down at him. He meowed at him and Apollo mumbled something angrily in khura’inese. Cautiously he stretched and tried to reach the fluffy animal but exactly as he had almost got hold of him, Mikeko simply took a step back and started peacefully licking his pawn as if he was mocking him.
I had to bite my lip in order to keep myself from laughing. This was absolutely hilarious. It got even better as I realized that Vongole was also in the kitchen and stood behind Apollo down on the floor watching him closely like I did.
He let out a little bark and immediately my red lawyer growled frustratedly: “Oh can you do it better, Clams? Can you? Then please, do it yourself! Go on! Get this stubborn creature down here!”
And at that I could no longer contain myself and started laughing. That caused Apollo to stumble and he almost lost balance. Immediately I run over to him and supported him by holding his legs still, so he would not fall down.
As soon as he was no longer in danger of falling down, he turned around and told me loudly with a beet red face: “Fuck you? What the hell is your business with sneaking up on me and then giving me a heart attack? I almost died!”
Before I could say anything, Mikeko jumped down from the cupboard on the counter, quickly slid around Apollo’s legs, and finally jumped down on the floor ignoring my existence while gracefully exiting the room.
Both of us looked after the cat in bewilderment. This animal had the same vibe as the “Then perish” meme. He was godlike.
Anyway, I took a step back and as Apollo very carefully sat down, I told him: “Well, to my defence I was quite overwhelmed with the scene, which was unfolding in front of me. It was kinda bizarre and your backside is also very much distracting.”
I winked at him and he puffed his adorably pink cheeks. But suddenly he cracked a smile and shook his head. He took my hands and drew circles with his thumb on their back.
I had the urge to lean on him and lay my head on his shoulders. At first, I tried to resist, but as Apollo drew me closer and grabbed me around shoulders, I gave in and buried my head in his shoulders. It was nice being in a lower position than Apollo for once. Leaning on my sweet small partner was really comforting.
And then an alarm clock went off and the little man slid down from the counter in order to get our lasagne out of the oven. I let out a tired huff and set up the table. Apollo followed soon with the lasagne and a bottle of red wine together with two glasses.
“Oh wow”, I said in as I stemmed my hands in my hips. “What’s there to celebrate? Have I forgotten something? Or am I in trouble or both?”
He only shot me a slightly offended look and answered while filling my glass: “Can’t I just drink some wine with my husband? And also, you look like you had a shitty day, so I wanted to make this evening a bit nicer for you.”
“Can you call me husband again? It sounds like music in my tender ears”, I pledged and stepped close to him.
A sneaky smile appeared on his lips and softly touched his shoulders and let my hands wander down to his chest. His face came closer to me and he whispered smoothly: “My husband. I’m going to drink some wine with my handsome husband, Klavier Gavin. Did that make you happy?”
“Very much so”, I replied and pressed a small kiss on his lips.
We parted again, toasted on us, drank our wine and started eating our lasagne. He asked me about my day and I could get some steam off. Then he told me about how his new intern Tam had managed to get into a heated discussion about musicals with an over fifty years old man. Said man had come into their office for a defence request for his son who had been accused of identity theft and had been in a horrible mood before the kid had started talking with him.
Apollo himself had been out, when the guy had first entered the office, because of he had been called to a crime scene for another case and only met the man as he came back, while his lovely intern was cheerfully describing the hidden meaning of ‘Wicked’ to the eagerly listening man in his early fifties.
Apollo had only ever praise for the young woman. With her fiercely gentle nature she was quite a strange character, who was absolutely intriguing. And so, they had won a new client in no time even though Apollo had not been there to meet him first.
“Frau Abelen truly is a treasure, isn’t she?”, I said to Apollo after he had ended his story.
“She sure is. And she’s also really talented at defending to be honest. I have taken her to court with me several times and she’s a complete natural. Sharp mind and an insightful point of view. One day she’ll make a great lawyer”, he told me as excitement glimmered in his eyes.
Quickly he had stood up and put the lasagne bowl on the counter. I took our used plates and wandered over to him, carefully putting the plates next to the bowl and then hugged my man from behind.
“Of course, she’ll be great! She will have learnt form the greatest lawyer after all”, I whispered in his ears and got a slightly embarrassed laugh in return.
He wiggled himself out of my hug and turned around, so he could see me. Nonchalantly he laid his arms around my neck, tilted his head to the side and smiled at me.
“What is it with you today? You’re always rather smooth but this is fucking brilliant. Do you want something from me? Something involving our bed room? Hm? You little horny rock star?”
Well, now, that was simply unfair. He had no idea how attractive he was when he started talking like this with that sort of smirk and that voice. And complimenting me at the same time. Dear god, this man was the end of me.
I leaned in for a kiss, closed my eyes and felt how Apollo’s lips came closer and –
“Meow”
Confused we turned our faces towards the counter and discovered a very judging cat starring at us from inside the lasagne bowl. I felt my jaw drop, while Apollo simply raised his eyebrows, as we watched how Mikeko came out of the bowl, stretched and then jumped down from the counter and yet again left the room as gracefully as an Olympia ice skater.
“This cat is the ultimate troll”, I huffed under my breath as I made a step towards the kitchen in order to get some towels for the tomato stains the horrible cat just had left.
Yet I did not get further than that because Apollo broke down laughing in tears, what I observed in cluelessness. As the laughing continued, I got worried and asked a bit lost: “What exactly is so funny about this?”
I saw how Apollo attempted reply, but it took him quite some time before he was able to calm down enough to answer me.
“Ah, sorry, but – I – well there was just an image popping up in my mind of a fantasy troll Mikeko with the quest of cock-blocking us and it seemed so fucking ridiculous to me at the moment.”
I blinked several times before I actually registered what the man just had told me and needed several more seconds before I understood what he had said. And then I started laughing violently myself, what led to Apollo starting to laugh again. What made me laugh even harder and made it way more difficult to stop laughing again.
I did not even know why I laughed in the first place. The image was not really that funny, but somehow it was the most hilarious thing when I had heard Apollo say it. And it still was hilarious when we stopped laughing and started to clean up the mess Mikeko had caused. Vongole even helped us as he liked up some of the tomato trail the naughty cat had left behind.
When we were finally finished, I let myself drop on the sofa in the living room and stared at the pictures on the coffee table. It was one of Apollo and me on our first date, several with Simon, Nahyuta, Apollo and me in it, some of Trucy, Thalassa, Athena and Herr Wright and also one of Rayfa. I leaned forward and took the one up where Simon sat on said coffee table, made peace sign and I was sitting in front of him on the floor, smiling brightly.
I decided we needed more pictures. There were too little of Kay, Sebastian and Frau Skye. I wanted to see more of them. They belonged into this household.
A black-white ball of fluffy hair appeared in front of me. I smiled and fondled the spaniel half-breed behind his ears. Ultimately, he laid down on my feet and I got the chance to lay back again.
Peacefully I sat there, humming a melody for a new song in my head. Life was good. Even kind right now. I appreciated that.
I heard Apollo come closer, a purring mass in his arms. I opened my eyes and saw how he sat down next to me with the cat on his lap. Mikeko slept peacefully just as Vongole did and I gave Apollo an amused look.
Then I reached over to the cat, petted him and told Apollo: “Both of them might be trolls from time to time. But I would not want to live without them anymore.”
“Neither would I”, Apollo agreed and kissed my cheek. “They are just as much part of this family as you and I are.”
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aceprosecuties · 7 years
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This has taken far too much time to get out, and for that I’m sorry, but here is part eight of my Blackmadhi series ‘The Dawn Will Come’!  This is most likely the second-to-last chapter and introduces Amara into the story!  Thank you for all your patience with me!  5576 words.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
AO3 Link
As promised, Rayfa had ordered the chefs to prepare a banquet for the royal siblings and their guest to celebrate Nahyuta and Simon’s victory in court.  While Nahyuta was still curious about what she and Simon had spoken about during their little outing after the trial, he figured it was something that he could speak with her at a later time about (especially considering that Simon continually refused to speak about the specifics no matter how many times he inquired about them).  For now, though, he was just happy to see that the two of them were apparently getting along…as well as they probably could get along anyway.
After all, when they all congregated for dinner in the main dining hall, Simon was still teasing Rayfa and calling her by the nickname he established for her.  And Rayfa would try and retaliate but would become flustered and would stomp her feet, causing Simon to just laugh and rustle her feathers even more.
But Nahyuta smiled – they liked each other, in their own unique ways.  It was obvious.  Unlike previously, there was no maliciousness in anything they were saying, and he swore that he actually saw Rayfa smile uncharacteristically warmly at Simon when his eyes were placed on something other than her.  
Rather than wait for a servant to do it, Nahyuta pulled out a chair for Simon, and was about to take a seat next to him when he heard a calm voice from the entryway.
“A king offering his guest a seat before himself? That’s unexpected.”
Simon could swear he had yet to see Nahyuta’s head whip around quite that fast before.  When they all looked over towards the unexpected visitor, Simon saw a tall and very lovely woman gracefully walking towards the table.  She had a flower pinned in her long almost-white hair and had markings on her face that slightly resembled Rayfa’s, only hers seemed more elaborate.  
Judging from her appearance and her regal atmosphere Simon believed that she must be-
“Mother,” Nahyuta addressed the woman, rushing over to her and bowing slightly before kissing her hand.  “What are you doing here?  I was told that you wouldn’t be back until this weekend.”  Simon wasn’t really sure what the protocol was in terms of what he should do, so he watched as Rayfa stood up from her seat at the table, and mirrored her actions.
“Well, when I hear through the grapevine that my son has brought a consort back to the palace with him, I had to come see for myself.”  Her eyes traveled from Nahyuta to Simon, and Simon felt more than a bit uncomfortable under her clearly judgmental gaze.  “Is this him?”
“Ah…yes.  Mother, this is Prosecutor Simon Blackquill.”  Nahyuta brought the former queen close enough so that Simon was at arm’s length with her, but he didn’t hold his hand out to shake hers…simply because he wasn’t sure if that would be considered rude at all.  What was the proper procedure for something like this, anyway?  “Simon this is Her Mercifulness Amara Sigatar Khura’in, former queen and…my mother.”
“Your Highness,” Simon greeted with a polite…and very small bow.  He didn’t like the idea of bowing to anyone, but he figured that he probably should try to be cordial with Nahyuta’s mother.  After all, he had no idea what power she still held – she might have been the former queen, but that still had to carry a decent amount of weight amongst at least the guards.    
“Your Mercifulness,” Amara corrected, smiling.  Despite the upward curving of her mouth, Simon could tell that she was not exactly happy – there was something in her eyes that he couldn’t entirely read…she shared that similar aura of mysteriousness with her son.  Perhaps she didn’t like the way he looked – not surprising, as he was not dressed for a royal court and didn’t look even half as elegant as her children.  Or maybe she just was uncomfortable with the idea that Nahyuta brought back a foreign stranger to the palace at all without first getting her approval.
“My mistake,” Simon said, still trying and failing to read her expression.  It was frustrating, and he knew he had to be a bit more delicate with his interactions with her than with her children.  “I hope I didn’t insult you.”
“Not at all,” she said, continuing to smile that unfriendly smile.  Simon hated it.  It reminded him of too many false grins he once believed were true.  “But I am surprised that Nahyuta did not inform you of my proper title prior to this.”  She flashed a look of what Simon could only guess was distaste at her son.
“I didn’t think you two would be meeting, is all, so there was no need.  But, now that you’re here, shall we eat?”  Nahyuta was clearly uncomfortable despite his politeness; his entire body had stiffened and his posture had even straightened slightly, which Simon hadn’t even thought possible before.  
“Yes, I think that is a good idea.”  
Before Amara could sit down, Rayfa ran over to greet her mother; Simon noted that the former queen’s expression transformed into one that was much warmer and more genuine when she looked at her daughter. The two spoke in their native tongue as they went back to the table and took their seats; Simon was careful to not do so before either one of them.  
“So,” Amara broke the silence that had passed over the table as they were served.  “Prosecutor Blackquill, is it?”  Simon nodded, and she continued.  “I should congratulate you for your victory in court today.”
“Thank you.”  Simon’s reply was curt but not necessarily rude.
“Though, from my reports, it was not the smoothest of victories.”
Nahyuta grabbed Simon’s hand under the table, squeezing it tightly.  Deep down, Simon knew that Amara was doing what all mother-hen type parents would do: grill their child’s new partner to make sure that they were an acceptable candidate for their precious baby.  Amara probably didn’t want Nahyuta picking a consort whom she did not feel was worthy of his attention, and…most likely saw practically everybody as exactly that.
Still…he just had this conversation with Rayfa earlier. He didn’t want to have it again.
“No, but Nahyuta and I still defeated our opponent swiftly enough,” Simon said, resisting the urge to grind his teeth together. “The battlefield of the courtroom isn’t always clean and can often be unforgiving, but as long as the truth is revealed, it is never injudicious.”  
“Perhaps you’re right,” Amara mused, taking a bite of food with her eyes closed.  “But would the truth have been revealed if you didn’t have an ally by your side?” She took another bite, and Simon had to focus on breathing deeply in order to keep himself calm.  “It makes me wonder about your competence as a lone prosecutor.”
“Mother!”
Both siblings made the same outburst, which surprised both Amara and Simon.  Neither Nahyuta nor Rayfa looked happy, and Amara seemed confused – she expected Nahyuta to protest, but Rayfa?  Had this foreign prosecutor really wormed his way into both of her children’s hearts already?
Who exactly was he?
“Prosecutor Blackquill and I already had this conversation, Mother,” Rayfa said, coming to Simon’s defense and echoing his internal thoughts exactly.  Nahyuta looked at Simon, still wishing that he had given him some of the details of their encounter outside the city.  “Frankly…he is stronger than you think.”  She was direct with her words, but couldn’t make eye contact with anyone at the table.  “You shouldn’t judge him so harshly…”
“Thank you, Rayfa-hime,” Simon couldn’t help but say. When she glanced up at him, his smile caused her to blush furiously in embarrassment and she immediately began fussily pushing her food around her plate.  
“Well,” Amara sighed after a few terribly uncomfortable moments of silence.  “It seems I have upset both of my children and perhaps owe you an apology, Prosecutor Blackquill, as what occurred clearly involves a…personal matter.”
“…Thank you, Your Mercifulness,” was all Simon could think to say.  
The remainder of dinner was mostly uneventful, with Amara questioning Rayfa about her progress in spirit channeling, and Simon just wanting to retreat with Nahyuta back to the latter’s room so he could escape the gaze of the queen mother.  Despite her apology, Simon knew that she was still suspicious of him, for whatever reason, and he had no desire to stay around her for much longer.
“If I may, Mother,” Nahyuta eventually said when everyone appeared to have finished what was on their plates.  “Prosecutor Blackquill and I are going to retire to my chambers now.”
“You two certainly move quickly, don’t you?  I mean, you’re not even married,” Amara remarked, again flashing a look at Simon; it made him feel like a kid facing down his date’s parent for the first time on prom night.  “Irregular for our rulers…but not our regents, I know.”  She added on that last part when Nahyuta opened his mouth to protest.  “It is just an…interesting observation.”
“Good night, Mother.”
Nahyuta walked out of the room with a certain dignity and class that Simon knew he would never be able to achieve.  Once the two of them were alone in the hallway, Nahyuta groaned loudly, finally expressing his true frustration, and pushed his bangs back from in front of his eyes.  “I’m…sorry about that, Simon.  I never expected her to just…show up.”  Nahyuta loved his mother dearly but also knew how protective she was over him and his sister. If he had been able to speak with her prior to this, maybe he would have been able to alleviate some of her initial instincts to stare down Simon as if he was some fierce enemy coming to snatch her child away.
“She’s certainly…regal,” Simon commented, carefully choosing a word that wasn’t insulting, but also wasn’t really friendly.  He didn’t want Nahyuta to think that he believed that meeting went at all well.  
“Now, are you learning to be political?  That’s unlike you,” Nahyuta observed, with a sly grin forming on his perfect face.  Simon just crossed his arms and stared ahead, pointedly refusing to look at Nahyuta.
“Even I know when and when not to say something.”
“Really?  I never would have guessed.”  
Simon finally turned with a scowl, but the insult he had prepared in his head got stuck in his throat when he looked at Nahyuta. He was laughing, but…it was almost a giggle.  In his eyes was a mischievous innocence…as oxymoronic as that sounded, and his lips were parted in a smile that showed off his perfect white teeth.  
Simon felt his face heat up slightly.  Had he ever encountered someone quite so lovely before?
He already knew the answer to that, so he just turned away with a huff.  
Nahyuta was about to say something else, but they both heard the familiar sound of rings jingling.  It was getting rapidly closer, and the two turned around to see the high priestess running towards them.  
“Your benevolence,” Nahyuta greeted her once she stopped in front of them.  “May I help you with something?”
“Actually,” she said, quickly catching her breath. “I was hoping to speak with you.”
“Of course.  What is it?”
“Um…”  Her eyes went from Nahyuta and then to Simon, and then darted back to Nahyuta again.  “Alone.”
“Rayfa what could-”
“It’s alright, Nahyuta,” Simon interrupted. “Rayfa-hime and I already had our private chat, so I suppose it is your turn.”  He turned to her.  “Try not to keep him too long.”
“I’ll keep him as long as I need to, panda head!”
Despite her protest, Simon smiled.
“You know the way?”
Simon nodded at Nahyuta’s question and left the two siblings to their discussion.
He felt somewhat proud of himself for not having to ask a guard or servant for directions back to Nahyuta’s room.  The bed appeared to be in pristine condition – someone must have come into the room earlier that day and put all the pillows and blankets that he and Nahyuta had dragged onto the floor back into their proper place.  
Simon thought for a moment.  
Instead of re-setting up their floor bed, he sat down on the mattress.
It was plush…definitely fit for a gorgeous king like Nahyuta.  Not so much for an ex-convict like him.  Then again…nothing in this palace was fit for him, was it?  Queen Amara made that quite clear without having to even say it.  It wasn’t a truth he was unacquainted with, really.  His newfound friendship with Rayfa and his…relationship – if one could call it that – with Nahyuta made him feel more welcome, yes, but he was under no delusion that he belonged here.
Nahyuta did though.
Something in his chest hurt when he thought that.  
To keep his mind occupied and off that particular topic, he pulled out his phone and texted Athena.  Despite the time difference, he figured it was late enough in the morning over in Los Angeles that she would be awake.  
Are you still picking me up from the airport?
He stared at the screen as he waited for her to reply, hoping that she wasn’t too busy to respond to him.  Luckily, he wasn’t waiting for very long.
Yeah!  Remind me when you get back again?
The clicking noise of his touchscreen’s keyboard seemed to fill the room.  For some reason, it never really bothered him, and he felt no need to disable it. Plus, it drove some of his coworkers and friends crazy, which meant he had to keep it just to annoy them.
Day after tomorrow.  I’m set to land at around noon.
Time differences meant that he was leaving in the morning and arriving to the states in the morning despite around a fifteen hour flight.  He was not looking forward to that flight for a number of reasons, the greatest of which was that he would have a stranger sitting next to him instead of the person he wanted by his side.  
Great!  You owe me a ton of stories, Simon!  Can’t wait to see you! <3
Simon smiled – it would be bittersweet, leaving Khura’in.  On one hand, he was returning home to Athena and his other friends (…mostly Athena, really). Deep down, he missed her terribly, though he knew she would be relentless in her questions about his trip. And she would inevitably find out about his feelings towards Nahyuta and probably would spend the next few days just teasing him about it, in her own way.
He knew she just wanted him to be happy.  
On the other hand…he was leaving Nahyuta behind. He would return to his home and to his Nahyuta-less nights where he no longer had his presence to comfort him and rouse him from his nightmares.  It would be cold and lonely, and he wouldn’t be able to stare into Nahyuta’s green eyes anymore when he was feeling lost.  No more getting frustrated with how beautiful the regent was at all times…
Simon sighed, and actually leaned back so he was lying down on the bed.  It felt weird on his back, but he ignored it as he stared up at the ceiling.  
He wondered if he would ever be able to return to Khura’in again.  Would it be alright to visit even while not on official business?  Nahyuta had been occupied with him now mostly because they were on the same case; Simon couldn’t imagine that Nahyuta could just give all his time to him in the same way otherwise.  Would Edgeworth ever reach out to Nahyuta to ask him for his help again? The prosecutor’s office was still understaffed…Simon liked the idea of Nahyuta returning to the states and staying in his home…though his apartment was not nearly as impressive as this palace.
But…Nahyuta was the current leader of his country…Edgeworth probably would not be seeking his help anytime soon, knowing how busy he was and how many responsibilities he had to his people and his family.
Simon’s stomach felt uncomfortable and twisted.  
When would he be able to see Nahyuta again after all of this?
Perhaps…it was for the best that this arrangement of theirs was temporary.  After all, how long would Nahyuta want to sleep on the floor next to him and wake him from nightmares that were still centered on a man long dead and on the shadow of the one who impersonated him?  
Even though he was lost in his own thoughts, Simon still clearly heard the opening of the door and the footsteps of a person entering the bedchamber.  He sat up and saw Nahyuta shutting the door behind him; he strode across the room to sit on the foot of the bed.  He began removing his shoes silently.
Something was wrong.
“…Is everything alright?”  Simon asked from his position on the mattress.  He was staring at Nahyuta’s back, but although he could not see his face, Simon could feel that something was bothering Nahyuta, who didn’t seem to even hear his question.  “What did Rayfa-hime want to talk with you about?”  He rephrased and amplified his voice a little bit, hoping that he would be able to prompt some sort of a response.
“Hm?”  Nahyuta finally reacted, but didn’t appear to have processed the inquiry.  “What was that?”
“Rayfa-hime.  What did she want?”
“Oh…um…”  Nahyuta’s voice trailed off, and Simon felt worried at the obvious hesitation. “You’ll find out.”
Well aware that his answer was not exactly what Simon had been looking for, Nahyuta turned a bit so that Simon could see his face. He offered him some semblance of a smile, but Simon knew that something was deeply troubling him.  Why didn’t he want to tell him?  Did he not trust him enough?  Nahyuta knew much of Simon’s own issues…did he not think that Simon could handle knowing his?  
Rather than protest or force Nahyuta into talking, Simon just crawled closer to him.  When he stopped, he gently took hold of Nahyuta’s braid and slowly began undoing it.  Nahyuta’s hair was fine and smooth like silk, and felt soft against Simon’s calloused and rough hands.  Simon’s fingers moved meticulously – he did not wish to tangle any of the luxurious strands.  To do so would surely be some sort of crime.  
Nahyuta hummed and seemed to relax somewhat, but Simon could tell that there was still something at his core that was bothering him. What on earth could Rayfa have spoken to him about to cause him such distress?  
As Simon finished, Nahyuta’s hair sprawled out across the mattress and Simon’s lap, and he brushed it effortlessly with his fingers.  How long they sat like that, Simon wasn’t sure, but he knew they could be there like that for hours and it still would not be enough for him.  
“Shall we set up on the floor again?”  
Simon thought for a moment before answering. “Maybe…we could try staying on the bed. I’m sure the floor hasn’t been all that comfortable for you.”
Nahyuta turned around with a concerned expression.
“But what about-”
“Nahyuta.  You’ve done so much for me already throughout this trip.  The least I could do for you is actually try to sleep somewhere that won’t bother you so much.”
Before Nahyuta could protest again, Simon placed his hand on the back of Nahyuta’s head to pull him in and bring their lips together.  He felt Nahyuta smile against him as they fell back, their limbs becoming entangled as they refused to pull apart from one another.
-----
A familiar scene.
With darkness surrounding him on all sides, Simon finds himself in chains.  However, he isn’t hanging with his arms suspended in the air, which offers some false semblance of freedom as he finds himself able to move around.  The sound of his chain – connected to a metal shackle around his neck – shatters that impression.
Simon wanders, not sure exactly what or whom he is looking for.  He blindly tries to navigate the blackness, but isn’t sure if he is going in circles or if he is actually progressing forward at all.  
Eventually – after an indeterminate amount of time – he sees a figure in the distance, illuminated like some bright star that he is instantly drawn towards.  Simon heads in that direction, and as he gets closer, the figures features become clearer to him.  Lilac hair in a braid, golden boots with white pants…there was no doubt that the mysterious figure was Nahyuta, his back facing Simon.  
Simon tries to call out to him, but finds his voice to be absent; when he opens his mouth, nothing comes out despite how much he feels he is screaming.  
No matter…he continues his approach, and is slightly more than an arm’s length away when he is pulled back roughly.  He stumbles back and almost falls to the ground, but is quickly able to adjust his footing to stabilize himself.  His head whips around to see his unfortunately familiar captor.
The Phantom is – as usual – wearing Fulbright’s face.  He is holding onto the end Simon’s chain with both of his hands, smiling that damn cheerful smile that is full of nothing but lies and deceit.  Simon tries yelling; he tries to scream at the Phantom to release him, but his voice box remains broken and silent.  He looks back at Nahyuta…maybe if he runs to him he can free himself from the fake Fulbright’s grip…
Nope.
He is yanked back again, and this time ends up falling to the floor as the force of the pull chokes him and strains his neck; his head hits the ground with such vigor that he feels dizzy and is surprised that his skull remains intact.  The Phantom laughs at his misfortune, which spurs Simon to try escaping from his hold again.  He crawls to his feet and tries to push forward towards Nahyuta, who was still not facing him.  Even though he knows his voice is not working, he tries once again to call Nahyuta’s name.
He’s pulled back.  More and more and more until Nahyuta seems so far away from him and he feels the false detective’s torso pressed against his back.  Even though he wants to fight, Simon finds all his energy drained away the moment a gloved hand reaches around and gently wraps around his shackled throat.  He can feel the Phantom’s breath in his ear as fingers began to constrict…the metal seems to practically give way as if it were cloth.
And then, suddenly, a second hand reaches for his neck.
Simon looks to the side as much as he can to see a figure with his own face.    
His Fool Bright and his doppelganger actually lace their fingers together in a faux romantic gesture around his throat and begin squeezing.  They tighten their grip more and more until Simon finds it difficult to even gasp for air…
He reaches out towards the figure that he knows is Nahyuta, in some futile gesture that he deep down knows will not cause Nahyuta to turn and see him.
Please.
His mouth forms that one word before his vision goes black.
And he’s immediately woken up to Nahyuta’s face.
“…Sorry.”  His voice is hoarse – he was almost expecting no sound to come out of his mouth when he spoke.  Simon knew that he was sweating – he could feel the dampness on his face and back, and he sat up from the bed with an audible groan.
“How many times must I tell you that apologizing is unnecessary?”  Nahyuta didn’t seem to care about the wet spots that Simon left on his sheets and pillows, and even kissed his forehead.  “You actually made it through the night tonight.”
At that observation, Simon took the time to look around – Nahyuta was right.  According to the clock, it was just before time for the morning prayer, so Nahyuta was probably going to wake him up soon anyway.  
Some progress, apparently.
“I should…probably shower.”  
Nahyuta had apparently woken up much earlier and so was already dressed and ready for the day.  
“Take your time.  I doubt that you would want to rush in order to go to the temple anyway.”
“You already know me so well, Sad Monk.”
Truthfully, Simon was curious about the morning ritual, but – as Nahyuta said – he was in no mood to rush in order to get over there in time.  He was still a bit shaky due to his nightmare, and felt like he needed quite the lengthy shower in order to cleanse himself, both physically and mentally.  If he was being honest with himself, he could swear that he still felt the constricting of hands around his throat, and he was a bit perturbed with the image of his double locking hands with the Phantom in order to choke the life from him.  
Surely, like all of his nightmares, it had a meaning. One that probably was smacking him in the face.  But also one that he felt no desire to decipher at the moment.
Simon spent his long shower just trying to clear his head of the remnants of his nightmare.  It was difficult – he just couldn’t shake the feeling of breathlessness or the image of Nahyuta slipping further and further away from him.  The feeling of hopelessness settling in and eradicating all his energy to fight against his captor…
He growled and punched the wall of the shower in his frustration.
And he stayed in there long enough for Nahyuta to have returned by the time he finally got out.  
“Feeling better?”
“Yeah,” he answered, partially lying.  But, rather than continue to dwell on that, he quickly added: “So, I hope you have something interesting planned for my last day here, Sad Monk.  We actually don’t have work so you better be able to keep me entertained.”
Nahyuta laughed and Simon could swear it sounded like music.
“I’m always prepared, Panda.  I thought you would have learned that very important lesson after our first meeting.”  Yes, Simon remembered all too well when he tried to challenge Nahyuta’s knowledge of rakugo in court and Nahyuta answered him more adequately than he could have possibly imagined.  
“Ever think that I just didn’t want to learn that particular lesson then?  I mean, you were trying to get my favorite soba shop closed down.”
“Correction: I was trying to get a defendant declared guilty.  Your restaurant closing would have just been an…unpleasant side-effect,” Nahyuta said, bringing his hand up as he explained.  “How unfortunate it would have been for you to have to find a new place to spend money.”
“Sarcasm does not suit a king, you know.”
“It’s a good thing I’m a king-regent, then.”
Simon couldn’t help it – he laughed.  Nahyuta always had a good comeback.  “How fortunate for me to have someone of such high status acting as my personal tour guide.”
Nahyuta smiled and grabbed Simon’s hand.  “Let’s go.”
-----
Simon didn’t want to admit that he felt like a love-struck teenager throughout the entire damn day.  
Nahyuta took him around the city, to some of his favorite shops and places.  Most people were happy to see their regent just walking around and would say hello to him nervously or enthusiastically, depending on the individual.  And Nahyuta was friendly with all of them; there appeared to be only love between him and his people, at least from what Simon so casually observed.  And when they were friendly to Nahyuta, they were friendly to Simon, despite how frightening he appeared next to their beautiful royal.  
They would just be walking around and Nahyuta would grab hold of Simon’s hand or his arm and Simon could feel his heart speed up. It was stupid and he thought himself foolish, but he also refused to pull away.  If he pulled away, he knew he would miss Nahyuta’s warmth.
Nahyuta took him to a mountain that he wasn’t allowed to go up due to it being “sacred.”  Secretly, Simon was happy about this development, since it meant he didn’t have to make that tedious climb and he could instead just remain on (relatively) flat land where the air wasn’t so thin.  They passed by some praying monks, who didn’t stop their task as they walked. Simon joked about how they reminded him of the British Royal Guard, and asked Nahyuta if he could mess with them somehow to see if they would crack.
Unsurprisingly, Nahyuta refused.  But the mental image was enough to get him to chuckle, at least, so Simon considered it to be somewhat of a victory.
The day was perfect – sunny but not overly warm, with a nice cool breeze that kept them both comfortable and close to each other. They stayed away from heavy topics for once, talking about more lighthearted things like Nahyuta’s fondness for burgers and the pranks that Simon often played on his fellow coworkers.
Sadly, it all went by so quickly, and before Simon knew it, the sun had begun to set and they were back in the palace’s dining hall.  
Simon was surprised that Rayfa and Queen Amara did not join the two of them for dinner.  While he was relieved to not have to deal with Amara’s pestering and her empty judgmental smiles…he admittedly missed Rayfa a little bit. Now that he thought about it…he hadn’t seen either one of them all day.  
“So, am I going to be able to say goodbye to Rayfa-hime before I leave tomorrow?”  He asked the question after the two of them finished their meal – which took surprisingly long, as Nahyuta was eating almost painstakingly slow for some reason – not wanting to bring up the subject of his departure for fear that it would spoil his appetite.    
“…Right.”  Nahyuta’s face suddenly fell; perhaps he also did not want to think about Simon returning home.  “Actually, she has been preparing something for you,” he said quietly.  “She requested that I take you to her after we finished eating.”
He sighed as he sat up from the table and gestured for Simon to follow him out of the room.  Even his pace was far slower than usual, which made Simon hesitant. “Nahyuta?  Is…everything alright?”
“…I’m not sure.”
Nahyuta refused to elaborate, and just stared ahead as they made their way through the palace.  Eventually they stopped at a closed door, and Nahyuta hesitated in opening it.  “…Simon.” He turned his face so that he was looking into Simon’s eyes, and Simon could see only profound sadness in them. It was as if he was already mourning something or someone that had not yet passed…like he was expecting something to die as soon as he opened that door.  “I know you don’t believe, but I thank the Holy Mother every day for bringing you here. I…only wish for you to find the happiness that you so desperately deserve.”
“Nahyuta.  What’s going on?”
“You’ll see,” Nahyuta said, with a forced smile that only served to break Simon’s heart.  What was happening?  It sounded as though Nahyuta thought that…whatever they had was about to end as soon as he opened that door.  
But he still pushed it open.
The two of them walked in, and Simon took note of how…bare the windowless room was.  No furniture save for an altar on the far side….some mats had been placed on the floor and there was some spiritual Khura’inese décor hanging up on the walls.  There were some candles lit which contributed soft light for illumination.  
Rayfa and Amara were on the opposite end of the room; Amara was standing slightly off to the side, while Rayfa was kneeling in the middle of the floor.  She was dressed in a robe that had to have been at least three sizes too big for her small frame, and her hair was out of its normal looped style and fell elegantly around her slender shoulders.  Simon had so many questions, but he just followed Nahyuta’s silent lead, sitting on one of the mats on the ground.  
Rayfa was mumbling softly to herself; it sounded like she was probably speaking Khura’inese, but Simon couldn’t actually hear what she was saying.  Amara also appeared to be chanting something; neither of them even seemed to have noticed his or Nahyuta’s presence.
It must have been between ten and fifteen minutes that they were sitting there in that semi-silence.  Simon felt itchy and uncomfortable, especially knowing that Nahyuta was unsettled about…whatever this was.  
Finally, he couldn’t help himself – he turned to Nahyuta and whispered.  “Nahyuta, what is going on?”
“Patience, Simon.”
“We’ve been sitting here for a while…what is supposed to be happening?”
“Hush.”
“Nahyuta, what-”
“In justice we trust!”
Simon froze.  
He turned so that he was facing front again, but no longer saw Rayfa.
Instead, where she was sitting, he looked upon the face of a man with brown eyes, a cleft chin, ridiculous eyebrows, and…a bright smile.  Instead of his styled brown hair, Rayfa’s black strands fell behind and in front of his shoulders, and he was wearing the robe that Simon had just seen Rayfa in not moments ago.  
Simon felt like he had just been physically struck, as the air seemed to vacate his body and leave him breathless.
“F…Fool Bright?”
And the detective – the real Bobby Fulbright – smiled.  It was genuine and true and Simon stared as he listened to Fulbright’s voice.  
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Prosecutor Blackquill.”
20 notes · View notes
aceprosecuties · 7 years
Note
Simon and Nahyuta will hum along with music playing on a radio or tv. One day while their both listening and humming Simon ust starts singing along, we other he realises this or not and he's surprisingly good at it. Now Nahyuta wants to hear Simon sing again.
This is adorable anon and I live for Simon with hidden talents that no one knows about :D 
Maybe they’re cooking together one day; while neither are all that great at it - Simon from never really having to while he was in prison and Nahyuta because he always had his meals cooked for him while at the palace - they have decided that it is something they should probably figure out how to do.  Normally, while they’re alone they don’t get too much enjoyment from it, they have a good time while together, though sometimes they end up in juvenile food fights and don’t get much cooking done. 
They started putting music on while cooking, and would find themselves humming along to the tunes as they got more and more familiar with them.  It never really went beyond that, but it was nice.  Nahyuta would like hearing Simon’s hums; the man’s voice had a certain low rumbling quality that was calming and lovely. 
One day, though, a particular song came on the radio.  It was a slower tune, and one that they had heard many times before.  Both of them seemed to like it, and they just started humming along like always while they continued prepping. 
But then...an angelic sound reached Nahyuta’s ears. 
Simon had started actually singing.  
(cut for length)
Absentmindedly, apparently, since he was still just focused on the food and didn’t seem to notice that he had graduated from humming to singing.  
Nahyuta’s hands stopped what they were doing as he stared at Simon, just listening to the man’s voice.  Like his hums, it was a deep sound; smooth and with perfect pitch too.  Honestly, Simon sounded better than the vocalist on the radio.  
It was surprising; he never expected Simon to be a particularly great singer, so this discovery far surpassed any of his wildest dreams.  He doesn’t even move throughout the duration of the song, afraid that if he did he would spook Simon into silence, and that was the last thing he wanted. 
When the song finished, Simon finally looked over and saw Nahyuta staring.  He blinked a few times before realizing what just happened, and his face instantly turned red and averting his gaze from the monk.  
“Have you never heard someone sing before, Sad Monk?” 
Nahyuta didn’t respond, instead just walking over and hugging Simon from behind.  
“Not like that.  Who would have thought that my panda had a voice of gods?” 
“Flattery, Nahyuta?  That’s unlike you.” 
“It isn’t flattery when it is truth, no?”  Nahyuta kissed Simon’s neck lightly.  “Why hide such a beautiful talent?” 
“I wasn’t hiding it.  I just didn’t feel the need to...showcase it.”
“Well...I hope you’ll let me hear it more often.”
Simon mumbled something that sounded vaguely like a “maybe.” 
11 notes · View notes
aceprosecuties · 7 years
Text
Day 2 of #gayblackquillweek!  Prompt is soba.  Simon tries taking Nahyuta out to his favorite soba shop.  Things do not exactly go as planned.  Approx. 1200 words.  Also largely unedited so please excuse any errors or anything like that!
“Wait, what’re you talking about, Simey?”
Simon pinched the bridge of his nose as an exasperated and borderline angry sigh left his lips.  He had explained this to Bucky at least three other times, but perhaps the drink that the chef had obviously over-indulged in had made it difficult for him to comprehend…much of anything.
“For the last time, I need tonight’s meal to be exceptional, as I’m bringing a…date.” Simon hated saying that, and the word left his mouth awkwardly, but he remained standing with his arms crossed. “I expect you to be sober and prepared.”  Although Bucky rarely let him down before with his soba, Simon was nervous about tonight, despite that, technically, his date had tasted Bucky’s food before.
“Yeah, yeah, I got that.  What I don’t get,” Bucky slurred, leaning on the counter and smirking up at his friend, “is that this date of yours is that super pretty prosecutor.  The ‘sad monk,’ you called him.”  Bucky then lowered his voice, and spoke with an accusatory tone. “He’s the enemy, you know.”
“Once, yes, he and I clashed blades in the courtroom but that is in the past,” Simon replied, turning his head away.  “He is actually…quite admirable.”
Not to mention his eyes were beautiful green emeralds that Simon could easily get lost in for hours.  But he’d leave that particular comment in his thoughts rather than voicing them to Bucky.
“Ugh, fine, just stop with the lovey eyes.  What time?”
“Again, seven.  Everything needs to be perfect.”
-----
Everything was far from perfect.
First, Nahyuta ended up having to speak with Edgeworth for longer than he originally anticipated, and then had to take a few calls from Khura’in which lasted for what felt like forever, so of course they didn’t leave the prosecutors’ office until after the time Simon had said they would be at the restaurant.  
And then the cab they took had this funky smell to it, plus all the traffic…and then when Simon tried calling Bucky, no one would pick up, so he spent the entire car ride bouncing his leg up and down anxiously.
“Peace, Simon,” Nahyuta said, putting his hand on Simon’s knee while the other was held up in the air as if he was praying. Unfortunately, the hand did not have the comforting effect that Nahyuta had intended it to.  Even though Simon’s leg stopped moving so much, the man was still feeling restless and annoyed; he had everything planned so well!  How could it all have gone so wrong?
He just wanted to make sure Nahyuta had a nice night, and everything was not going according to keikaku.  
Although they ended up at the Whet Noodle an hour after he had said, Simon half expected that Bucky would have at least remained somewhat professional.  But…no.  Apparently Simon’s tardiness caused the man to worry and a worried Bucky meant a drinking Bucky.  He was sloshed and sick when Simon arrived with Nahyuta following him.
“Heeeey, Simey!  And there’s that prosecutor who tried to put me in jail!”  He was loud and slurring and caused a commotion immediately.
Simon growled and stormed up to the counter.  “Bucky, I called you to say we were running late. What happened?”
“Oh, well, I was kind of busy so I didn’t pick up my phone.  You should’ve called the restaurant!”
“I did.”
“Well…then I didn’t get the message.  Oh hey Mister Monk guy!”
Nahyuta had followed Simon up to the counter, and despite the less-than-professional greeting, just offered the chef a polite smile in return.  “Mr. Whet, it is good to see you again.  I hope you’re not too sick to prepare dinner for us?  Simon’s been looking forward to this, you know.”
“I do know!”  Bucky leaned in, whispering to Nahyuta while staring at Simon.  Well…whisper was not the right term, because although he had his hand to his mouth as if telling Nahyuta some big secret, he was actually speaking more than loud enough for practically the entire place to hear him. “He was being all weird about it, kept planning things and coming in to make sure I would do everything right for ya. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he really likes you – he usually doesn’t go through this much trouble.”
“That’s enough, Bucky,” Simon growled, his face turning a shade of crimson as his friend gossiped about him to his date around two feet from where he was standing.  “Just…go make the soba!”
“Alright, alright, jeez.”  Bucky threw his hands up and went back to the kitchen, leaving Simon and Nahyuta at the counter.
“Wipe that smirk off your face, Sad Monk.”
Nahyuta had been mischievously smiling at Simon since before Bucky left them. 
“You didn’t actually plan for this, did you?”
“So what if I did?  It doesn’t matter anyway, does it?  Everything went wrong.”
“Oh, Simon,” Nahyuta sighed, while moving in closer to the other man and bringing his hand up to rest on Simon’s shoulder. “You worry far too much.  You do know I’m happy just being with you, right?”
Simon said nothing, but the redness still evident in his cheeks was enough of an answer.
“Then relax.  The Holy Mother-”
“Nope, stop, I will leave.”
Nahyuta pulled both of his hands up in a defensive position, but he was still smiling.  “What I mean to say, is that you don’t need to try and impress me.”
Simon turned so he was fully facing Nahyuta, and couldn’t stop himself.  He leaned in to place a quick kiss on Nahyuta’s cheek, as a silent thank you for being so understanding about everything.
They then heard a crash.
Both of them looked at each other and the leapt over the countertop to barge into the kitchen.  Bucky had fainted onto the floor; their noodles were still uncooked, so nothing had spilled onto him to make any sort of a dangerous situation.  
“Hey, Bucky!”  Simon crouched down and shook his friend, hoping to rouse him. Luckily, he saw Bucky’s eyes open.
“What happened?”
“You fainted.”
“Oh, sorry about that Simey…lemmie just get up and-”
“No, Bucky.”  Simon helped Bucky to his feet and crossed his arms over his chest.  “You ought to close up and get home.  I don’t need you fainting again and ruining my dinner by spilling it all over yourself and the floor.  You should go sleep.  I’ll just have to bring my date another day for your soba,” he said, smirking a little. Bucky knew Simon well enough by now that this meant he was off the hook for tonight and that Simon wasn’t angry with him.  
After Bucky thanked him, the pair exited the kitchen and then the shop.
“Sorry…”
Nahyuta stared when Simon mumbled out an apology, but not long before he was grabbing the samurai prosecutor and pulling him in for a kiss.  When they broke apart, Simon had an expression on his face that was adorably dumbfounded, with his eyes widened and his cheeks flushed.
“I told you before…you don’t need to impress me. I enjoy all of my time with you.” Nahyuta hooked his arm with Simon’s and started walking.  “Come, I know of a great burger place around here.”
23 notes · View notes