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I straightened my jabot for what seemed like the billionth time. You'd think after so many years of being friends with Phoenix Wright I'd be less anxious to see him. However, this day was an exception. He had invited me on a date after we confessed our feelings for one another last week.
I never in my lifetime expected I'd be able to say "I love you" aloud to anyone, much less the man I've been infatuated with since well..forever.
Wr-Phoenix hadn't told me the location of our date but said to dress causal. So naturally I put on my less dressy suit and a matching jabot. Surely that will work fine.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
I answered the door to see Phoenix in..the most ridiculous attire.
He sported a Steel Samurai t-shirt, obnoxiously blue pants, a Steel Samurai hat, and to finish it off..his Signal Samurai keychain from when we were kids tied to his wrist like a bracelet.
"Miles! I said causal!" He groaned.
"This is casual! And what in the world are you wearing? We're not going to star in a Steel Samurai film are we?"
"Nope! I'm taking you to the most important convention in the city, SteelCon!" Phoenix reached into his pants pocket and flashed two day passes at me.
"That name is awfully misleading, what if welders think it's meant for them?" I smirked with a fake serious tone in my voice.
While Phoenix groaned at my antics I grabbed his free hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I do appreciate the sentiment Phoenix, I've been wanting to attend this convention for ages."
"I know, you used to mention it sometimes and I thought you'd like to go for our first date." He smiled sheepishly. "Now go change into normal people clothes! Then we're leaving!"
I gave a fake salute at his instructions and rushed to change into more causal attire.
——————>
I. Hate. Crowds.
The line to get into the con was absolutely abysmal and by the time we made it into the artist's alley I was sweating profusely. Thank god I had Phoenix there to hold onto my hand while I silently panicked.
"Hey Miles..you know we could just leave if you're feeling too-"
"Absolutely not." I protested immediately, cutting him off. "You payed good money for these tickets and we have just arrived."
"Your call, just keep me posted."
I clutched onto his hand less tightly as we started to walk around the different booths, it was exciting to see so much merchandise!
"Look at that! It's an Evil Magistrate trading card from the early days of the franchise! This can sell for thousands nowadays!" Phoenix followed my gaze and inspected the card I was talking about.
"Well I get it's an earlier print but what's so special about it? A thousand bucks is a lot of money for one little card."
"It's all in the text, do you see it.." I pointed at the glass case containing the card.
"Evol Magistrate? They misspelled his name!" He laughed.
"Yes, that is the reason it's worth so much. A misprint."
"You're pretty cute when you talk about things you're excited about Miles.." Phoenix glanced at me, his cheeks reddening. I could feel mine doing the exact same.
"Y-you're cute yourself you know." I scoffed, trying to hide my bashful expression.
Phoenix just laughed and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek as we continued walking along the booths.
——————>
"Okay so I'll be over here by the figurines and you'll be over by the prints?" I inquired.
"Yep! Maya wants a print from an artist she follows so I'm going to grab it for her, I promise I'll be within seeing distance."
I waved as he walked away and turned to focus on which figure I fancied most.
The majority were overpriced imports from other countries that I could've gotten cheaper elsewhere and the others I already owned or were so awful looking they weren't worth buying. I was almost at a loss before spotting two figures. One was of the Steel Samurai and one of his wife, the Pink Princess. They were posable and very high quality among further inspection.
"It's $150 each for those guys, brand new from the merch division in Japan. If you buy both you get a posable Iron Infant to complete the set." The salesman explained.
Even on a prosecutor's salary $300 was a lot for two figurines..it wouldn't be a very good way to spend such a large sum of money.
I decided to just get one, it would be a better investment than overspending when I can probably get the other two someplace else once the price has gone down.
"The Steel Samurai please." I picked up the box and handed it to the man to scan.
"Alright, you leaving her behind then? She's our last one." He gestured to the Pink Princess.
I felt a twinge of guilt for only taking one, what if he felt sad that his wife and child could no longer be with him? No that's just silly! These are merely toys.
"Yes, just this one." I sighed sadly.
After I had paid for the figure I turned around to see Phoenix looking directly at me.
"Ah! Warn a man would you?!" I exclaimed as Phoenix chuckled at my reaction.
"Sorry sorry! Was just listening to the guy talk about those figurines. Probably smart getting one, $300 is a lot for some figures."
But they're lonely without each other..! The words died in my throat before I simply said, "It's a shame they can't all come home with me. But, I suppose nobody can get everything they want."
"True that." He nodded.
"So what'd you end up getting Maya?"
"Oh!" He grinned, pulling out something from the plastic bag he was now carrying. "It's a print of the Pink Princess and some cherry blossom trees! It's some of her favorite fanart from this person. They were really nice."
"There's something else in there." I said, noticing something at the very bottom. Phoenix immediately flushed bright red.
"Uh well- that's for me.." He gave a nervous laugh as I pulled out a keychain from the bag.
It was art of the Steel Samurai kissing the Evil Magistrate. And it was very..well drawn.
"I had no idea you were into the fanworks of the series?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Wellll, I dunno..they kind of remind me of us in a way? I like seeing myself in the media I'm into." I took a giddy mental note that he thought two of my absolute favorite characters reminded him of us.
"But it doesn't make sense! He's married, he's got a child! He has not been revealed by the creators to have homosexual feelings towards his enemy." I tried to piece together his reasoning for liking the paring.
"Miles, it's just some fanart. I know how much you love SteelPrincess." He nudged me playfully. It was true that I appreciated the delicate relationship of the couple and enjoyed their onscreen romance more than I liked to admit.
"Besides, just cause the creators didn't say they're gay doesn't mean anything! You didn't know I was bi until I confessed." He joked.
"Yes yes, I can see your point." I waved him off, rolling my eyes.
——————>
We walked around a bit more before stopping to get some food the convention center had offered. Although it wasn't the best tasting it was adequate.
After, I insisted we go to at least one panel and decided on the "Making of The Steel Samurai" one.
"Phoenix! Look at that technology! It's absolutely incredible how they've managed to make the costumes so much more accessible and flexible over the years!"
"You. Are. Adorable." Phoenix sighed, bopping me on the nose.
"I- well..thank you." I mumbled in embarrassment.
——————>
After the panel's q&a (mostly dominated by me) it was getting late and I figured we should get going.
"I've had a lovely time today but I do think we should be getting back home." I gently tugged on my boyfriend's arm.
"Yeah you're probably right, just lemme run the bathroom and then I promise we'll go." He swiftly kissed my forehead before running off.
I reallyyy am going to have to get used to that.
After way too much time waiting for the slowest man alive we walked to my car, ready to drive home.
"Love, don't start it yet." Phoenix said softly. I immediately turned bright red at the sudden pet name.
"Y-yes?"
He pulled out something from his bag and handed it to me wordlessly.
"The Pink Princess figurine?! And the Iron Infant too?! Phoenix..why?" I gasped.
"Because I love you and I knew these guys would make you smile..your smile is worth all the money in the world." He answered easily.
I threw my arms around his neck, if we weren't currently in a parking lot I would've kissed him senseless.
But for now, I simply pressed a soft peck to his lips as a thank you. He smiled and rested his forehead against mine.
"I love you too..so very much."
"Want me to help unbox them when we get back?"
"Yes please.."