Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In a silent office, deep within the palace, only the sound of a golden fountain pen sliding on the paper could be heard.

Stillness reigned in the room of green upholstered walls and magnificent ornamentation, as the smoke coming from the incense danced in the air; it looked livelier than the prince regent, who sat with a perfect posture while perusing the neatly organized documents on his desk. The instant he ran out of work, the prince was surprised to find himself done for the day. A strange occurrence. He gently left the fountain on the desk, before allowing his head rest on the back of the chair, to enjoy the quiet for the first time in hours.

Nahyuta didn't think much in the five minutes of calm and quietness he allowed himself to have, however, he lifted his head and focused again on his desk; he closed the last case file of the month and organized the evidence for next week's trials, wishing to leave his working space neatly arranged before nighttime.

The room was dark, just as he arranged it in the afternoon when he started working by closing all the curtains and using only his desk’s lamplight as a source of light. As per his request, no one bothered his peace, not even his mother, who freely roamed around the palace as she wished, would approach this room when Nahyuta worked. Amara didn’t even come to remind him of dinner; she knew he ate it at the office and saved breakfast as the sacred time to share with his family, being that work demanded everything of him since last year.

The past month had been somewhat chaotic. It was full of old cases that needed reviewing to get to an honest, non-tampered verdict, and that, mixed with his duties as regent prince of the Kingdom of Khura’in, managed to turn this into the busiest month in the short year of his reign. Nahyuta refused to show it or accept it, but by this point, he was exhausted. Every part of his body longed for his bed and to not think about evidence or convictions, to stop getting hounded by detectives with their investigations, or ministers pressing for royal decrees.

It was getting to the point that Nahyuta lived only to work.

These types of thoughts inundated his mind as he battled to keep himself awake. He wanted to stop everything, even just for a little moment, but whenever he caught himself thinking this way, Nahyuta focused on the reason he was now sitting comfortably in the palace he was once banished from.

In moments of true quietness, it was difficult not to think about his father.

The memory of Dhurke was enough to jolt him out of his attempt at relaxation, grab his pen, and start working on whatever he could get his hands on, occupying himself for at least another hour. He only stopped at the sound of knocking on the door.

“Who is it? I asked to not be disturbed,” he said while pinching the bridge of his nose and trying his best to not sound angry.

“Your Holiness, you requested to be reminded when breakfast time came, so you could accompany the queen and princess. Since you weren’t in your private quarters, I was asked by Her Mercifulness to search for you," said a servant behind the tall cedar door of his office.

What the servant said confused Nahyuta. How could his mother be asking for him so late into the night to get breakfast? It was impossible. Maybe the servant and his mother were just trying to get an excuse to check on him after he'd disappeared into his office for hours without his cell phone. Unless it was actually time for breakfast.

Nahyuta jolted from his chair to the window and opened the curtains, only to back away at the sunlight hitting him right on the face. Now it made sense why he'd finished his work. Hours ago, he quickly checked the window and saw the sun hiding behind the mountains, which he foolishly thought meant nighttime. It wasn’t a sunset but a sunrise.

Nahyuta covered his eyes due to the pain the blinding light caused, and the burning sensation lasted for some seconds as he stumbled with his desk, causing a pile of files to fall to the ground.

“Your Holiness! Are you alright?!”

The servant shouted and Nahyuta, still rubbing his eyes and trying to recover his sight, reassured him and sent a message to the queen that he would be down for breakfast in short. When the servant left, Nahyuta was already able to see a little, so he took his jacket and went out of his office and straight to his private chambers. He found his forgotten phone resting on the dresser next to his hairbrush as he sat on the carved wooden chair, with decorations coated in golden paint. The prince kept trying to rub away the strain in his eyes with his hands but stopped as his eyelids hurt and went to check the hour on his phone. Indeed, it was 7:50 in the morning. Some more minutes, and he would be more than fashionably late, at least more than what Queen Amara would allow.

While looking at his untidy reflection in the dresser’s mirror, he softly gasped at the image it reflected.

Dark bags decorated the lower eyelids, accentuating his exhaustion; he tried to fix them as fast as possible. After washing his face, Nahyuta wished for his sight to be fully recovered and to look freshly out of bed. He tried to achieve this by changing into a burgundy night robe, then rubbed some moisturizing cream on his now clean face and quickly brushed his hair, arranging it in a low ponytail over his shoulder. There was no time for a perfect braid.

Nahyuta caught himself sighing for the second time that day, more than what he allowed himself. No matter how tired he was, it was improper to let anyone, even himself, see the cracks. In a rush, he stood up and left his chambers, fearing how his mother would look after making her wait.

The familiar picture he found in the main dining room was a comforting one, as he saw Rayfa sitting next to their mother, looking cheerful and talking about last night’s Plumed Punisher episode. Queen Amara looked radiant, as usual, and unlike Nahyuta in that specific morning. He had to do something with the enthralled deer that followed her inside the room, though. There were many complaints already from the palace staff each day about the animals that seemed to follow her and that ate the fruit in the kitchen.

He walked to the table and greeted them before sitting beside the queen and across from Rayfa, who looked at him with curious eyes.

“You’re not… braid head today. And you’re in your pajamas," she said.

Nahyuta smiled while taking a seat. “Yes, I didn’t have time to properly fix myself this morning. My apologies."

“Are you working more than you should, Nahyuta?” asked Amara.

The queen looked at him with a gentle expression that sent shivers down his spine. The deer that had been so calmly standing by her side pranced back to the garden, and Rayfa preferred to focus on her glass of water. Nahyuta swallowed quietly and returned the smile.

“Not at all, mother”

“You weren’t in your room. I was expecting you to tell me of your whereabouts," she said, looking down at her tea cup.

The food was served in front of them, a lentil soup with rice to start the day, and Rayfa profoundly thanked the Holy Mother because she could eat and feign ignorance at what happened right in front of her. Amara maintained a gentle smile, and Nahyuta didn’t know if he could keep up his smile much longer.

“I woke up rather early. Since I couldn’t get more sleep, I returned to my office at 5 A.M." he explained.

He gazed into her mother's eyes, but looked away the moment Amara's smile suddenly dropped. Nahyuta felt nervous, noticing how the servants quietly exited the room; if they knew something he didn't, like his mother being in a bad mood, they've been good at hiding it. They were so lucky in comparison to him.

“A prince has to work for the people, but it’s worthless if he gets to a point where he cannot even work or think because of exhaustion," mentioned Amara before taking her spoon. "Now, let’s accompany Rayfa, before she finishes her breakfast before us."

“I’m… sorry, mother,” said the princess as she stopped enjoying her food.

The reaction softened the queen’s heart, who fixed a strand of her hair to show there was no problem. Nahyuta stared at the tenderness with which their mother touched Rayfa’s hair, took a deep breath, and focused on eating too. Thankfully, the queen seemed to drop the topic after that first warning, returning to the conversation with Rayfa and giving Nahyuta a break that morning, yet it was obvious Amara wouldn't ignore what she saw. Her son's current state was appalling: The lazily arranged hair, the wrinkles on his clothes, the heavy lids, and all the clear signs of fatigue.

One had to be blind to not notice it, and she could’ve pointed it out more harshly, but Amara limited herself to warn Nahyuta about his health; his mother was as caring and prudent as he remembered. 

It would have been nice to tell her the truth, to get her to care for him the way she did for Rayfa, but that’s something reserved for his little sister now. Why should a 26-year-old man be treated as a child? He had to find a solution for his fatigue instead of bothering the queen. For this, Nahyuta would finish his breakfast and have a quick nap before going to the High Court. That would be enough, he could tackle this day after a potent espresso and some painkillers for that headache bothering him since getting blinded earlier. He couldn’t falter, not at this point.

The more he thought about how to get some rest, the less attention Nahyuta paid to his food or his surroundings. The lack of sleep caught up with him at the worst moment and, for a second, the room started getting darker due to his eyelids getting heavier, and his eyes still hurt, too. At some point, the sounds in the room started disappearing. Thankfully, Rayfa raised her voice, enough for him to open his half-closed eyes and sit straight on his chair.

“Are you alright?… Side ponytail-head,” her frown deepened when she heard herself saying that weird nickname.

“Don’t force yourself, Rayfa," he said. "And yes, I’m fine."

“But you... looked as if you were about to fall asleep.”

His eyes widened for a second, and Amara maintained her silence. Even while feigning disinterest, her aura caused Nahyuta to feel how the little energy he had abandoned him, so he paid more attention to his sister.

“I was asking you about today’s trial and my séance,” continued the princess.

“Is there a problem with it?” he continued.

“No, but I’ve been noticing how accurate the trials have been even before the Divination Séance is applied. The progress in the legal system has been rather wonderful!”

The excitement in her eyes towards the positive changes in Khura’in showed her eagerness to be a part of the new country they were building. Now Nahyuta felt like he wanted to pat Rayfa’s head; she would never let him, though.

“I’m glad the efforts we’ve made are coming to a positive outcome.”

“The fact that we finally have more defense lawyers now and honest prosecutors is to be celebrated,” continued Rayfa, then her smile faded a little. “That’s why I wanted to ask you if… if you could…”

Her voice got smaller as she hid her face, looking at her fingers on her lap, somewhat embarrassed. Nahyuta leaned forward to try to hear her, but his phone vibrated in the pocket of his robe before he caught any word. It was an alarm telling him he almost had no time before going to court. 

“Mother, Rayfa, I’m terribly sorry, but you must excuse me. I have to get ready for my trial,” he said as he stood up, drinking the contents of a small, white tea cup decorated with floral motifs.

“Eh?! But that’s in the afternoon!” exclaimed Rayfa.

“It is, but I need to check the testimony of the accused again. Then talk to Apollo at his office. I will be back for dinner, maybe you can tell me what you wished for tonight.”

Rayfa saw her brother abandon the room, and her mother observed her sad expression before turning to see her son’s back as he left. 

So much for his precious family time. Nahyuta returned to his room to quickly shower and hide his fatigued face under light makeup, then gathered the files at his office and left to get the work done, but right as he was making his way out of the palace, he was stopped by different ministers who waited for the chance to get a word with him. It was the same thing, every single day. However Nahyuta, always the kind and gentle soul, couldn’t bring himself to ignore them as many of them came to him so early, with real worries that should be solved as quickly as possible.

In a matter of 20 minutes, he arranged a series of meetings across the month to give his attention to each one of them. As they left, the ministers couldn’t help but praise the skills of a man that young and humble, who refused to sit on the throne as he heeded everything they said. The accolades mixed with some adulation, and Nahyuta pretended he didn’t hear one of the ministers whisper some nasty comments, ones questioning how was it possible for the previous Queen's lapdog to act so cocky, pretending to be useful.

To let that bother him would be like accepting it, and in any way, he was running late for court.

The ministers left the hall accompanied by the guards, and the empty hall was the only witness to see how, in a matter of seconds, Nahyuta’s body gave up. He could only take one step before needing some stability, so he grabbed onto one of the pillars of the audience chamber, and was forced to rest his back on it as his vision was faltering; the room was spinning, and he felt as if his head was somewhere else for a second. After calming himself, Nahyuta thanked the Holy Mother that no one was around to see him in such a sorry state, and when he straightened his posture and rubbed away the migraine, Nahyuta felt ready for the day to come.

He never noticed Rayfa hidden behind one of the pillars.

At the detention center, Nahyuta revised the defendant's testimony and could understand he was in the presence of an innocent man. Thankfully, the lawyer saw it too and, even if he wasn’t as good as Apollo, he was good enough so the judge and everyone in the court could see the defendant's innocence. That’s the first step to catch the real killer. 

This time, it was a sad case where the motivation was money, as many murders tend to be. It made Nahyuta think about the country's economy, and how the former queen erased many social programs during her reign of horror. Even as he was gearing up to start his trial, Nahyuta made a mental note to check past decrees, to see how fast he could start giving some monetary aid to those in need.

Sensing that there was no reason to keep postponing the case, after talking with the lawyer, he requested to start the trial at once instead of waiting until the afternoon. The trial finished in just one day, but it was a long one, so long that he almost fell asleep in the two recesses they had. The quantity of coffee he drank would not help him to stay awake for the rest of the day, and his mother’s advice came to mind, which made him think it was time to pay Apollo a visit.

After strolling the rambunctious streets of the bazaar, Nahyuta was warmly welcomed by the three people who tended the Justice Law Office, even as he dropped unannounced.

The sight of Apollo by the window, looking sharp in the khura'inese attire that was now his daily uniform, made Nahyuta meditate in silence as he tended to do whenever he saw another lawyer walking around Dhurke’s office. It suited him so well, to the point that Nahyuta took his time admiring the image in front of him.

“What’s this? Running away from palace life?” asked Apollo jokingly, as he read some documents.

Nahyuta didn’t say a thing and simply smiled, and Apollo understood. Datz offered the prince an apple which he denied, taking some time to rub Mikeko, Apollo’s pet cat, under his chin since he tended to rub himself against Nahyuta’s legs whenever he visited. He accompanied Apollo to a private room; there was a couch there, a nice, clean, comfy new couch that called his name.

“Wouldn’t it be better to sleep in your bed?” asked Apollo.

“And have the queen find out? I do not wish for death at this young age," he laughed.

Apollo took a blanket from a small closet in and offered it to him. “Y’know, Queen Amara just worries about you… You look pretty beat up, Yuty.”

Nahyuta only let out a single, tired laugh. “And here I thought I’d done my face perfectly.”

“… Just rest a little. I’ll go back to work.”

His brother smiled, looking a little nervous, before leaving Nahyuta alone in in the room he’d been seeing more frequently these past few weeks to secretly take a nap. Only Apollo knew of this and made the excuse that Nahyuta would work on sensitive documents in that private room. It was hard to remember how or when it started, but Nahyuta was already used to hiding in here every other day for at least an hour, never more than two, to avoid wasting much of his precious time. 

Sleeping at Apollo’s office wasn’t better than sleeping in his bed, but he sure was able to sleep soundly on that couch and with that old blanket that Apollo and he shared. It used to belong to Dhurke. A relic that somehow survived the test of time in this little hole the Defiant Dragons once used as a base. Now it was clean and warm, and Nahyuta knew it was impossible, but he always imagined the smell of it reminded him of the woody and warm scent of their late father. It had been patched up on some parts by Datz, all with old fabrics that belonged to Dhurke’s clothes. Maybe that’s why it smelled the way it did.
It was a memento that no matter how many times you washed it, it still smelled like his father, at least to them. 

Only to Apollo could Nahyuta trust this secret need to hold onto something from Dhurke. Sleeping with it took him back to his days growing up in the mountains, resting on his father’s lap as Dhurke talked about something he couldn’t understand yet because of his young age. On one leg, there was Nahyuta, reading a picture book Dhurke somehow had gotten for him, and on the other, Apollo rested his head, usually taking a nap.

Times like that lived within his memories now, but it was nice to revisit them in his dreams.

If it weren't because of the sound of the door and some unintelligible whispering waking him up, Nahyuta would've slept far longer than he'd planned; the walls of that office were surprisingly thin for previously being a resistance hideout. Nahyuta thought it was already time to wake up from this nap, and this time he felt more exhausted than rested, but now that his prosecutor work was done for the day, it was time to give his attention to the palace. So he folded the blanket with patches of different colors and fabrics and put it on the sofa before standing up and leaving the room.

Covering a yawn with one hand while fixing his hair with the other, he shook his head to wake himself up as he stepped out of the room.

“Ah! Yuty! Did you finish your work?!” shouted Datz, who seemed energetic, like always, but was avoiding Nahyuta’s eyes.

“I did. I would also be thankful if you stopped screaming," said Nahyuta.

“You got it!” he ignored what was just told to him and kept on his loud talking.

Nahyuta sighed and looked at Apollo, who had his eyes fixed on the window, watching the people walking by. He approached him, yet his brother didn’t move.

“I must go now. Thanks, as always.”

“That was a short work session,” mentioned Apollo, with his eyes stuck on the window. “You take your time other days.”

“It’s been a busy week.”

“More like… A couple of weeks. Are you not resting enough at home?”

Apollo had whispered those words, but Nahyuta flinched at the idea of Datz or Ahlbi finding out. Thankfully, their uncle was by the door, talking to someone on the street, and the boy had taken a broom and was distracted sweeping the floor.

“… There’s not enough time in the day for it," muttered the prince.

“I don’t buy that," complained Apollo, louder this time.

The not-so-subtle questioning took him aback, and the more Nahyuta stared at Apollo's back, he understood the reason his brother avoided looking at him: it was to stop his bracelet from reacting, but that was as good as calling him a liar. The simple gesture enraged Nahyuta, and suddenly, the tension in the room was palpable; Ahlbi stopped sweeping the entrance, and Datz peeled his apple slowly with a knife, resting his back on the door frame and waiting to see where the conversation would go.

The only thing the prince did was glare at the back of Apollo's head, feeling vexed, but the longer he glared, the more he recognized that man as his younger brother; the ire turned into sorrow and he had to look away, feeling ashamed of directing these feelings towards Apollo. It must've been the fatigue getting to him, that's what he told himself.

The glare quickly softened, and Nahyuta displayed his professional smile. “That’s something you should not get involved with, Apollo.”

Apollo didn't answer, a simple raising of his shoulders sufficed. They’d both put their guards up, something that hadn’t happened in a long time, at least not out of court, and for the first time in a year, Nahyuta felt ashamed to have been so easily read. The embarrassment was cut short, since his head started hurting. He had to get out of there.

“I’ll take my leave," he said. "Being away for so long must have the palace in a useless worry. Goodbye.”

Right before Nahyuta stepped out of the office, Apollo called him. Finally, he looked at him and smiled.

“Take care.”

Nahyuta answered with a tired smile and closed the door behind himself. After waiting for the prince to be far away, Apollo deeply sighed and abandoned his spot on the window, turning back to his desk and seeing Ahlbi running at him.

“That was close! You think he noticed it?” asked the boy.

“Yuty seemed to be a little out of it. There’s no way he noticed it,” answered Datz. “I hope he doesn’t get hit by a Yak or a car on his way home.”

Ahlbi snorted a laugh. “I think the driver would bow to His Holiness before that could happen… Hey! The Yak might too!”

Datz and Ahlbi laughed, talking about Yaks and cars showing their respect to the prince of Khura’in, but Apollo was busy thinking about that evening. He took off the mess of papers and folders on top of the well-camouflaged box and opened it up, revealing another set of traditional khura’inese clothes, a little more formal than the ones he currently wore, and that was handed to him by the palace staff after his quick visit while Nahyuta slept. He touched the red fabric of the clothes with simple, golden embroidery and sighed. Datz patted his back rather roughly and got him back to earth.

“Are you ready for dinner?” he asked.

“… Isn’t this too much?” asked Apollo, passing his finger on top of the embroidery. “It's just dinner. One that will be extremely uncomfortable, but a dinner in the end.”

For an instant, instead of coming with a quick answer, Datz looked at Apollo's sad profile, musing for a second about the messy situation everyone would be embroiled after this evening. He put a hand on his nephew's shoulder and lightly shook him.

“It’s to signal Yuty how severe this problem is," he said. "Now, go change, and remember to give my regards to Queen Amara!”

“… She did say I had to wear this, to make it an 'official' meeting,” he said while seeing a pair of earrings in a small box, heavier than the golden studs decorating his earlobes. “It’s not going to be a simple dinner… I don’t even know if I should be the one—”

“Someone has to,” Datz interrupted him, smiling as usual but gazing straight into Apollo's eyes. “If Dhurke could, he would, but he left it to you both to take care of each other now.”

Datz squeezed the fabric of Apollo's jacket, seeing him let out a shaky sigh followed by a smile. Apollo knew this was for the best, but the knowledge of the consequences this might bring to his relationship with Nahyuta made him want to not appear at the palace that night, and yet, the idea of Nahyuta getting hurt by this uncharacteristic carelessness outweighed any worry Apollo had.

He closed the office for the day and started to prepare for what he imagined was going to be a fateful dinner.

The walk from the city to the palace, with all the ruckus of the street, helped Nahyuta wake up but sadly aggravated the headache he’d been ignoring; at least it was somewhat bearable. After arriving at the palace, after being tired at the taste of coffee, he got an energy drink and went straight to his office. He’d grown fond of those, not for the taste, but because of how it kept him going.

As usual, no one bothered him for hours, and thanks to it, he did days' worth of work in an afternoon. That was some good drink he got, and this time he had an alarm to get ready for dinner on time, especially when Amara gracefully pressured him to show his face for something important she wouldn't reveal. Probably the chef decided to do something new that she took a fancy to, yet It didn't matter much to him, who worried only to gather enough strength to not sleep during the soup course tonight.

Nahyuta went to his room before stopping for dinner and sat in front of his dresser’s mirror to check himself. What he saw was perfection: from his head to his clothes,the jewelry he wore and the calm expression he displayed. Everything seemed perfect. His face looked as neat as always if you didn’t look that close; enough to fool anyone for the night, and maybe even Amara. As fixed the hair framing his face, the memories from the afternoon at Apollo’s office came back.

Now in the silence of his chambers, Nahyuta understood it was simply a brother being worried. If the roles were inverted, he would be even more pushy and demanding to get the information he wanted.

Apollo was the most perceptive person he knew, so it didn’t come as a surprise that he found out Nahyuta was working himself to exhaustion. What he wasn’t expecting was his brother daring to confront him about it. If anything, his prudence was the reason he kept going to Apollo’s office whenever he felt like he couldn’t get to the end of the day. Only in him could Nahyuta confide something like this, even if it made him worry. 

Still, he was an outsider to royal businesses and even to his life to some extent now that they were adults. He wouldn’t understand the choices he made. To try and confide in Apollo about it would mean sharing the weight of his worries, and Nahyuta refused to burden him like that. He knows he should trust Apollo because that’s what brothers are for, but neither his pride nor this terrible knot that formed in his chest allowed him to do so.

When his hair was done, Nahyuta went to the dining room while preparing his warmest smile, so his mother wouldn’t ask many questions. That smile vanished when he saw Apollo standing in the dining room with his mother, donning clothes that made him think, for the briefest of moments, of his father, only that it was a deep shade of red instead of blue.

It never stopped surprising Nahyuta how much Apollo was truly Dhurke’s successor, just like himself.

“… I wasn’t notified we had guests tonight. I could have dressed better,” said Nahyuta as he recovered his smile quickly, “What brings you to the palace?”

“Queen Amara had the courtesy of inviting me tonight,” answered Apollo, with a subtle smile and hiding he’d been fidgeting with the short tassel of the coat hanging over his shoulders. 

“Is that so, mother?”

“Yes. I’m so proud of the work you two have done, so I arranged this dinner,” Amara sat at her usual spot at the head of the table, “Or is there a problem with having Apollo, a brother to you, and a son to your father, accompanying us tonight?”

“Not at all,” he smiled once again, walking to his usual seat next to Amara, and Apollo sat right in front of him, which made him notice something was off. “Where’s Rayfa?”

“She won’t eat with us tonight," answered the queen.

“And why is that?”

Apollo’s semblance changed, and he couldn’t look up either Amara or Nahyuta, fixing his gaze on the empty plates with colorful decorations in front of him. The quietness in Apollo’s usually loud demeanor that evening had raised some alarms for Nahyuta, and when Amara’s smile slowly disappeared, she showed a worrisome expression that made the prince share the feeling. He was about to ask if something happened in his absence, but his mother spoke first.

“Before we eat, I wanted to verify with you some concerning information Apollo revealed to me today," she said, as her soft voice sounded stern.

“Is it regarding the high court? Because if that’s the case, you should not feel worried, we can both work it through," he said. "The queen doesn’t need to—”

“It’s about you, Nahyuta.”

Apollo finally lifted his face and dared to look at him with a stern expression that mimicked the queen's. Two pairs of eyes judged him now, and it was too much to handle as he felt his headache return.

“Is there some type of complaint?” he asked as his anxiety grew.

“For a while, I’ve noticed you tend to disappear from the palace," revealed Amara.  "No one knows of your whereabouts, not even your bodyguards.”

“There’s no need for the bodyguards to know where I am all the time," he retorted. "I only ask for a little time alone.”

“And I’ve been supportive of it since the beginning because you’re young and doing a lot for this country… Still, that isn’t an excuse to deceive me, Nahyuta.”

The whole room felt tense, and it was thanks to Amara, who was not even pretending to be serene. She grew angry at this point, and Nahyuta, still out of the loop, only tried to think about how to ask for some mercy. Apollo’s presence made clear the reason she'd been so upset that no servant had appeared to bring even water, but he really wished to know when he told her about his escapades, then it came to him. 

That same day, what woke him up from his nap was the office door opening and Datz screaming at Apollo's return. He used the only moment Nahyuta lowered his guard to snitch on him. His eyes widened at the realization and he turned to see his brother, avoiding his shocked gaze.

“Won't you say something?” asked the queen.

Amara’s voice made him snap out of it, and he still couldn’t look her in the eyes, the same way Apollo couldn’t look at him. His silence made Amara continue with the conversation by herself.

“I probably would have never found out about it if it weren’t for Apollo… Was I supposed to know about this after you dropped dead due to fatigue?”

“No, I—”

“I’m not finished,” Amara’s interruption made Nahyuta flinch and correct his already ideal posture. “Do you know the harm you’re causing yourself? And how worried everyone is? Not only me, or your siblings, but everyone in the palace has seen your health decay these past few months. And I gave you time to come to me if something happened, yet you didn’t… Do you have an excuse for this?”

Nahyuta did his best to come up with the excuse his mother requested, but as cornered as he was, he could only bluff.

“I feel fine, mother. I’ve been handling it perfectly, and I understand the worries of everyone, but some sacrifices need to be made for the kingdom.”

“Your well-being shouldn’t be a part of that sacrifice,” retorted Apollo, showing in his semblance how much he struggled with this situation. “When you first went to the office, I believed you simply needed a change of pace, and I was fine with it. But I’m done helping you collapse one of these days…”

Amara surprisingly fell silent, and Nahyuta believed this to be a strange nightmare. At some point, his mother and brother bonded, to the point of acting as if he’d committed the greatest crime in the world only for choosing work over sleep at times. He couldn’t understand why it was being blown out of proportion, neither wished to keep listening to something he couldn't comprehend.

“… I don’t care about it," he stated. "There are things that need to be done, to be fixed as quickly as possible, and I was made regent for that reason. I need to use my time wisely.”

“That’s not an excuse, Nahyuta!” exclaimed Apollo, sounding exasperated. “It doesn’t have to be this way. When did you start thinking it was fine to throw yourself at work nonstop?”

“The day I accepted the title,” he exclaimed, raising his voice only a little. “Now I know I must proceed alone since my own family can’t believe in my word. This is an exaggeration. The idea of me dropping dead is ridiculous!”

“Stop lying to yourself, Yuty!” he shouted, irritated at his brother’s attitude.

“Don’t call me that now,” he demanded. His answer felt like a knife right in Apollo’s chest, even Amara gasped. “I trusted you and this is how you—!”

“Enough!”

The argument didn’t go further thanks to Amara raising her usually soft voice, and both Nahyuta and Apollo felt their heartbeat rising. Nahyuta dared to look at his mother and confront the disappointed look in her eyes. Now it was a fact. She would punish him, the disappointment in her eyes revealed it to him. The wasn't many times that she had the opportunity to do it, and Nahyuta, in his distressed state, felt she might be enjoying it.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while, even before Apollo kindly made the effort to put a halt on his duties to come here out of worry," she said, sounding calmer and fidgeting with the beads around her neck. “You need to rest, Nahyuta.”

“What does that mean?”

“That it’s time for you to take some well-deserved vacations, someplace where you can reflect on this conversation and try to understand our point of view,” she fixed the pink dupatta on top of her shoulders due to the cold night. “I’ll take care of any royal obligations in your absence. It’ll be a nice opportunity to teach Rayfa the ways of ruling a country.”

“…. Excuse me?” his voice faltered for a second.

What was said left Nahyuta dumbfounded. He searched for an ounce of sense in his mother’s idea, while forcing himself to be calm. A quick glance at Apollo showed he was as surprised about this as him.

“It is as you heard,” she continued. “You loved to travel, and yet you've been stuck here for an entire year. I can’t remember the last time you left the capital, either. Almost as if you were afraid something were to happen.”

He couldn't refute her, and only dug his nails deeper into his palms before Amara continued.

“Until the event's of last year, you used to work as an international prosecutor, and you were magnificent at it. I remember reading about it in the newspapers,” a proud smile appeared on her face. “You’re truly a star in your field… And I worry that this new role, one that yes, you were born to do and that you’ve been fulfilling better than most could, is killing that part of you.”

This revelation took him off guard. To be praised in such a way by his mother distracted him from his anger. Nahyuta didn’t know how to react, but that was not enough to make him ignore what she’d said previously.

“… I’m glad the efforts I’ve made fill you with joy, mother. But I cannot understand why you don’t trust me in this role anymore…”

“It’s not distrust, but a precaution. I simply don’t want to lose you too. Call it a mother’s instinct, if I dare to say I possess it, even when we were separated for so long”

Her brows furrowed as her voice filled with sorrow. Even Apollo felt speechless at what was left unsaid, but everyone in the room understood. 

“… I have never doubted you being my mother,” whispered the prince.

Amara smiled for a short instant, yet trained her expression quickly. “If you respect that, then you will have to obey when I say… That you need take some time, and put some space between you and the palace. At least for a season.”

“I cannot do that. Where have you heard of a regent taking time off?!” he shouted, surprising even himself.

She laughed. “It’s more common than you would think. Some time away from royal affairs will be good for your health. Maybe you also need to take a break from us, don’t you think, Apollo?”

“I… I don’t…” he stuttered, but Nahyuta interrupted him.

“Why would I want to leave my family after everything...! No, I refuse. I cannot simply go away just because you’re scared I might fall ill! I’ll accept I haven’t been taking good care of myself. Or that I’ve been careless with my public image as of lately—”

“Careless is a funny way to put it," she interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "You were found napping in the courtyard by the gardeners, who were too scared to wake you up. Add to it how you keep forgetting many of the personal compromises you’ve made with Rayfa. Today, she came to me upset after seeing you almost faint.”

A wave of embarrassment filled the prince as he found out he wasn’t alone that time, as he’d believed. He also tried to recall all the times Rayfa demanded his attention, and how ignored she probably felt as of lately. Amara visibly relaxed at seeing the lack of retaliation from her son and continued.

“She came to me because she thought you were sick. If you think I’m worried, imagine how she feels, knowing that you’re still taking on this burden so she and I can be at peace… Our presence pressures you. Nothing has changed.”

“Nahyuta, can you finally understand?” asked Apollo, a little hopeful.

The prince, cornered and confused, looked into the pairs of eyes that wanted to dissuade him, but in Nahyuta's brain, nothing they could say would've made any type of sense.

“… But it doesn’t matter. Everything’s going well right now, and that’s what’s important,” he muttered to himself.

Amara felt disheartened just by hearing him say such things while showing a troubled gaze. She shared a conflicted look with Apollo, who didn’t need to say a thing since his worries were proven correct by Nahyuta himself.

“Nahyuta, you don’t understand it… This is why I know you’re about to reach a dangerous point and I believe you need to take a break," she added. “It is decided, then. You’ll take some time off from your royal duties.”

At a fact like that, he couldn’t find words to refute her. She seemed pleased with herself at the fact that Nahyuta was now quiet, yet something inside of him didn’t want to simply stay put. He took the courage to glare at Amara.

“And I won’t accept it as easily, since I’m the regent prince.” 

Nahyuta struggled to not shout at this point. Yet his tone was louder. There was nothing that held him back due to the shock of that rash decision.

She raised an eyebrow and accepted the challenge. “And I’m the queen, and most importantly, your mother!”

“I’m no child! You cannot think I’ll be silent about this!”

“I never thought you would. But since you want to act like a child, then I must discipline you.”

Amara rang a little golden bell that was resting on the table, immediately, a servant appeared holding a golden tray and bringing it closer to her majesty. She picked up the white envelope with the royal crest on it and dismissed the servant.

“In here there is an order for you to go, as a representative of this nation, to the United States. I want you to take a post in the prosecutor's office in Los Angeles since you already have experience working with them.” 

Nahyuta’s eyes widened in shock, and he even put aside his discontent towards Apollo and searched for his gaze. He was as surprised as him by the turn of events.

“Your Mercifullness, please don't joke about this,” he grumbled.

“This is no jest. I already spoke about this with the Chief Prosecutor, and he was open to having the one that reformed the law in this lawless country up to this point to help them once again.”

“Stop this madness—!”

“There’s also the matter of the new embassy. The perfect excuse. It’d be good if you were there overseeing things as a diplomatic envoy to aid the new ambassador before the inauguration. You’ll depart in 3 days,” she smiled with her eyes closed and refused to engage with her son anymore. “Try to relax, and be grateful I won’t be sending bodyguards to tuck you in bed every night at 9. Maybe that way you’ll have fun.”

Nahyuta was stunned in his seat, Amara opened her eyes and the vibrant green eyes rejoiced in how she’d won without letting him even fight. She arranged everything in a matter of hours, and he didn’t even need to read the order to know she found a loophole in the law to regain some level of power that allowed her to do this. 

Even if Apollo, who looked just a little less surprised than him, hadn’t helped her, he would still believe he was back to being just the prince of Khura’in and a simple monk. Amara was indeed the queen of this nation, and Nahyuta could only sit and watch with his mouth open in awe. Yet there had to be a way to refute her, he couldn’t give up like that, not when he was still the prince and an adult.

“Sending me away would do more hurt to the country than me not getting sleep! This is an overreaction!”

While they glared at each other, trying to see who would falter first, Amara’s frown turned into a nostalgic look as she analyzed her son’s factions. Something in her gaze reminded him of how she looked the day they buried his father.

“Dhurke was the sacrifice we had to pay for these peaceful times we are living, and I do not intend to sacrifice you to continue living in tranquility, Nahyuta. No matter how much this troubles you, I want to take care of you.” 

To Nahyuta, it felt unfair to have brought his father into the conversation; only hearing his name caused a ringing in his ears, even more when it was Amara the one uttering it. Nahyuta felt weak on the knees, the fatigue probably catching up to him again, and he’d been so wrapped in his anger that he couldn’t see Apollo being as shaken as him by those words. 

He stood up and stormed out of the room, giving up since his fate had been decided even before he entered the dining room. There was no way he could keep fighting with his mother either or look at Apollo in the face after such humiliation, he had no strength left that day. The moment Nahyuta was out of the room, Amara sighed and Apollo approached her.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

She forced a smile and shielded herself by fixing the dupatta covering her chest. “Yes, and I’m terribly sorry you had to witness this, but I’m glad you were here for him.”

“I’ll always be… he might hate me for a while now, though,” he tried to laugh.

“It’ll pass. This is for the best, also…”

“What is it, your majesty?”

Amara showed him a melancholic smile. “How is it that all of Dhurke’s children are so righteous and strict with themselves? You should take care, too, and avoid being as stubborn as that boy.”

Apollo nodded, taking into account what felt like a caring recommendation, but seeing the slightly annoyed expression on the queen's face made him agree faster to please her.

Chapter Text

After abandoning the most tempestuous dinner in his life, Nahyuta rushed through the dimly lit courtyard and didn’t encounter a single soul. The guards weren't in their usual posts, nor did he stumble with any servant, which could only mean most of the palace staff was trying to find out what happened in the dining hall.

This turn of events was best. He couldn’t let anyone see the prince in that flustered state. 

The instant he arrived at his private chambers, Nahyuta ignored the darkness and went straight to the bathroom. He turned on the light, and his heavy hand fell on the sink, gripping it before washing his face as he tried to subdue his frustration while removing all of the makeup. When he looked at his reflection in the mirror, for a second, he could understand the worries that were exposed to him. Now he was forced to confront his fatigue.

That dripping face in the mirror filled him with a sense of shame, since he never noticed how vitality abandoned his semblance. The dry skin was paler, and soon would start breaking out; the chapped lips he bit into when he was alone were broken, and his bloodshot eyes scared him. Seeing him in that state must've been painful for his mother, and yet, compared to what he did for his country every day, from the moment he woke up to the little rest he got at night, Nahyuta still believed the worry was overblown.

Feeling powerless, he went to sit on the edge of the bed, taking off his jacket, belt, and boots almost mechanically. When he put away the jewelry on his bedside table, the bead necklace caught his attention. He took it and turned to the altar next to his window and saw the moonlight illuminated the painting of the Holy Mother; after he lit the white candles and incense, Nahyuta sat on the red cushion in front of it to start praying.

He prayed to ease the intense emotions, to understand what where his mother and Apollo's intentions, and to forgive them and forgive himself for being angry at his family. The prince prayed to have the strength to deal with this new challenge that would throw him, once again, so far away from his home when he didn’t wish for it. He also prayed for his father’s soul, as custom, praying for his rest in the Twilight realm, and to guide him on the journey to understanding these feelings he could not process at the moment. 

When he was done, tiredness reappeared through his body; praying always relaxed him. Nahyuta got himself ready for bed and the moment his head touched the pillow, he started fighting his thoughts. His worries robbed him of sleep once again, yet his mind gave up at some point and he slept heavily until light knocking on the door woke him up. He slept 6 hours, but didn’t feel rested at all.

“Who is it?” he said, loud enough so it could be heard outside, still lying face down on the bed.

“It’s me, Braid…Head….!” shouted Rayfa, and her voice trembled a little at the end. “Can we talk?”

Rayfa's call made him quickly stand up from the bed, but he ended up falling due to his vision getting blurry, just what he needed. Feeling weak and unable to focus his gaze, he crawled to the door and managed to stand on his bare feet, waiting for the dizziness to stop before opening the door. Rayfa was there, still in her pajamas, with the morning light illuminating her as the night fog already started to dissipate.

“… Good morning, Rayfa. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, I did… You don’t look like you did, though,” she said, staring at Nahyuta’s tousled appearance, unable to ignore he was still wearing parts of his suit.

“Ah, well, it was a… difficult night.”

“I know… Mother didn’t let me get close to the dining room, and no one explains why,” she looked down to the floor and started playing with the cordon of the pink robe on top of her nightgown. “I wished you could tell me over breakfast… If you are available.”

The question was made innocently, and the princess expected to see that gentle smile that always greeted her in the mornings, but the moment Nahyuta’s face showed her a severe expression, Rayfa retracted herself. She ran towards her chambers, and Nahyuta didn’t stop her; he couldn’t avoid feeling that maybe, if she hadn’t seen him the day prior, their mother wouldn’t have opted for take such drastic measures.

The bitter memories of last night's dinner came pouring back as Nahyuta pushed his off his face, feeling like he could take some advice on this situation from someone, but who? The only one he could've confided in was Apollo, and his silence and refusal to take his side the night prior said a lot. Apollo turned his back on him, and Nahyuta’s solution for the conflicting feelings he started harboring was to focus on the morning prayers.

He also chose to ignore that Amara, in a gesture that was both caring and unloving, only gave him 3 days to pick up whatever he would need and leave for who knows how long. The more he thought about it, the less sense it made. It’d been only a year since the revolution, and civil unrest was but a memory now. Dhurke would’ve been proud of this new Khura’in, that’s why Nahyuta couldn’t simply understand why he’d gotten everyone against him and his decisions.

As he prayed, he raised his gaze towards the faceless painting of the Holy Mother, imploring for patience and strength, because he was nothing more than a human being. One that didn’t want to get out of his bedroom and face what was being imposed on him.

After doing his usual morning routine, he was still tired, however, sleeping a little longer wasn't an option, but it seemed as if that morning his body increased the symptoms he’d been ignoring, or maybe, he finally paid attention to them.

The muscles started aching in places that never did before, and neither yoga nor stretching helped. His hands trembled as he dressed and braided his hair; something he used to do in less than 5 minutes now lasted a little more than 10. When confronted with the vision of the sickly pale skin after his shower, he did his makeup as always, struggling to put anything in his eyes since the eyelids kept twitching. After he was done, Nahyuta resembled the prince a little more.

All of these signs he chose to ignore the moment he went to work.

Nahyuta got out of his chambers as scheduled while ignoring his reflection the most he could, and the walk from the courtyard to his office in the palace was the most enlightening. The guards acted as usual, but they avoided his eyes or staying for too long with him. The short conversations he usually held with servants every morning were cut short, either by their anxious fidgeting and short answers, or by the way most palace staff avoided him.

He hadn't felt this type of rejection in years. The last time it was due to his unpopular return to the palace six years ago, yet he managed to win over everyone in a matter of months.

Still, Nahyuta knew the reason for this behavior; he could see the knowledge of what happened last night in their faces. The prince was disciplined by the queen rather harshly, to the point that he made Her Mercifulness raise her voice. Something unthinkable. It was embarrassing, and the only method he knew to bury this uncomfortable feeling was to grab that fresh pile of documents on his desk and start reviewing them.

Nahyuta forgot to get breakfast that day. When Amara saw that her son never appeared in the dining room, she let him be, but then, he didn’t appear for lunch, so she sent him something to eat, hoping she might see his face for dinner time.

He abstained from showing her his face that day.

The next day, in the High Court, Apollo anxiously waited next to his client for the start of the trial. He was going against Nahyuta this time, a detail that robbed him of his sleep the night before; they hadn't crossed a single word ever since that terrible dinner.

He didn't know if he was more worried about the outcome of his trial or about meeting his brother, but when a guard came calling for them, Apollo had to put on a smile and reassure his client, all while trying to ignore the fact that Nahyuta didn't came to discuss the case before the start of the trial. He respected his brother's wishes to keep it professional.

At court, the prince seemed his usual self, poised and controlled at the bench across the hall while he made his opening statement, and Apollo followed his example. As expected, he won thanks to the careful revision of the facts and the Séance, and it looked as if the teamwork between the defense and prosecutor was the same. The case ended swiftly, and after Apollo said goodbye to his client, he stayed in the defendant's Lobby to rest for a short while.

When he wished to take his leave and opened the door, he happened to encounter Rayfa, looking troubled while searching for him.

“Horn Head!” she yelled and pushed him back into the room, almost dropping her staff. “Finally! I’ve been searching for you!”

“Is… something wrong, Your Benevolence?” he asked, rubbing his chest where she hit him.

“What did you do?!”

The accusation surprised Apollo. “I… don’t know?”

“You must! Only you and Mother know why…! Why Braid Head….! Why that idiot doesn’t want to speak to me…!”

Her initial agitation started to die down and was exchanged for a gloomy expression. Apollo softly gasped and didn’t know what to say, as he knew Nahyuta must still be enraged about him being sent away. He expected to be given the cold shoulder, but he didn’t imagine Rayfa would end up affected too.

“Is he not talking to you?” he asked.

“… Compared to how he’s been ignoring Mother, he does speak to me, but not like he used to before that evening when the both of you attacked him!” she shouted, closing her eyes and trying to not get overtly emotional.

“Rayfa, we didn’t attack him.”

“Then what did you do to him? No one tells me anything! And when I tried to ask Braid Head before the trial started, he told me it wasn’t something I should be concerned about. I should! It’s… My family!”

Apollo found himself in a difficult position. Knowing Nahyuta, he won’t speak his feelings, and from what he’s learned about Queen Amara, she shared many annoying traits with her son, like their preference to leave things unsaid and that unreadable expression. Should he overstep and explain everything to Rayfa, who must’ve been suffering these past two days? Or should he stay quiet and stop getting involved in the affairs of the royal family? … It was impossible at this point, since he was at fault.

He sighed and avoided Rayfa’s glare. “I get it, and I know what happened, but your mom scares me. If she hasn’t told you, then I shouldn’t. But it’s not your fault, Rayfa. It’s no one’s fault. Nahyuta’s just… being grumpy!”

“I respect your fear of the queen, but I promise that I won’t tell on you!”

“… You promise? Pinky promise?”

Rayfa immediately showed him her pinky, and Apollo couldn’t help but smile at her face as their pinkies entangled. They both sat in the defendant lobby and, carefully, Apollo explained what went down on that dinner. The revelation made the princess’ face pale for a second.

“It… It was my fault," she said, putting a hand on her chest. "I shouldn’t have told Mother what I saw that day! No wonder he hates me!”

“It’s not your fault. If he hates someone, it’s definitely me for snitching!” retorted Apollo.

“If anything, you should’ve snitched earlier!” she shouted as she stood from her seat. “What if he had an accident on his way to your office? Did you even give him a snack? Did he drink enough water after each nap?!”

Apollo was speechless at Rayfa’s fiery inquiring, as the switch from sadness to her usual intense self left him stuttering an answer.

“W-Well, Datz always gives him some fruit, but he rarely eats it…” 

“Horn Head, this is serious! For Mother to take such a drastic measure...! I can’t believe I never noticed how bad he was doing until that day.”

“I also wish I hadn’t kept quiet for so long,” he retorted. “Please, don’t blame yourself for it… Just, think that, maybe, when he comes back, Yuty will like us again.”

They both forced a laugh, one that quickly died down as they knew how stubborn Nahyuta could be; the most they did was hope this was the right choice.

Apollo chose to accompany Rayfa back to the palace, in the hopes of seeing Nahyuta, and he did see him when they arrived at the audience chamber since the prince was busy with a group of monks. The moment Nahyuta raised his eyes and saw Rayfa, his gaze softened only a little, but when he saw Apollo, waiting to be noticed, he gracefully ignored him and returned to his duties.

Apollo simply sighed and accepted the cold indifference, which was harder to deal with than he imagined. He couldn’t deny it hurt a little to once again feel so far away from Nahyuta, but as Rayfa softly nudged him on an arm and smiled, Apollo accepted it was a matter of time.

The day he was scheduled to leave Khura'in, Nahyuta spent most of the morning organizing his currently open cases, to help other prosecutors solve them in his absence. When he was done it was lunch time, and he opted to have it in the office to focus on finishing the last of the decrees that would have his signature for a while. After all the things on his list were fulfilled, the prince opted to prepare his luggage. The prince started the day prior, but didn't manage to pack much.

He carefully arranged his personal belongings in the luggage, but as he separated formal clothes from the regular ones (which he hadn't used after not leaving Khura'in for an entire year) the realization dawned on him. After all the effort and sacrifices he'd done, all that he fought for was being taken away simply because of Amara's whims.

The image of her in the dinning table, controlled and dismissive of his every word was vivid in Nahyuta's brain and it made him ireful… Until he remembered how sad and mournful she looked after mentioning Dhurke. Now he felt guilt over this ire; there was no way of winning against her, at least Nahyuta hadn't found one.

Sadly, no matter how much he occupied himself, nothing would took away the sense of humiliation he’d been carrying.

As if he was a bad child, Nahyuta was being sent away, and these past three days he tried to rationalize how this was the best course of action. Maybe his mother missed ruling and that’s why she was sending him away? Impossible, she wasn’t greedy. It was neither because he lacked the skill to rule or prosecute either. It could be she simply wanted him away?… This last one Nahyuta didn't entertain as much, sensing a knot in his throat the more he thought about it.

Nothing regarding this situation made sense. He threw a shirt inside his suitcase and massaged the back of his neck; the more he tormented himself with this, the further from the truth he got. The only certainty he had was that tomorrow at this hour, he would act as an international prosecutor once again, and nothing else.

There was an effort to relinquish, but Nahyuta couldn’t stop the bitterness that grew whenever he saw the bedroom he was already getting used to, with its burgundy upholstered walls, or the altar next to the window that he prayed to every morning, night, or when he needed guidance. There was the hairdresser Nahyuta kept filled with neatly organized documents, but the sheer quantity of them cluttered the space, more than his humble amount of jewelry and other earthly possessions. They weren’t much compared to the amount of work he brought home. 

Then, in that almost empty room, there was the bed that he’d been rejecting as of lately. He knew it was incredibly comfortable, objectively more comfortable than the mattresses on the floor of the temple, or the thick blankets he used as a bed in that cabin in the mountains when he was a child, and yet he seemed to ignore this piece of luxury granted to him.

At times, he missed that hardwood floor.

He sat on the bed, sinking in the dark red bedding set and tracing the brocade in the silk fabric, thinking back about the old yet cozy sheets that covered him as a child. He missed those, but also learned to accept this extravagant piece of art that shielded him from cold at night, simply because Nahyuta didn’t want to leave his home.

As he remembered his mother's orders, Nahyuta understood there was nothing he could do at this point.

In a moment of enlightenment, he felt the anger that had been accompanying him the past few days diminish, and the thought of being sent overseas grew on him; it would help the kingdom’s international relations, in the end. On how this could help him, It was up to Nahyuta to find. 

Later that day, the servants took his luggage as Nahyuta left for the airport, and right as he was making his way out of the palace, a small group of people waited for him. There was Datz, shouting no matter the time or the place, as Ahlbi nervously asked him to be quiet. Rayfa looked at every door to catch Nahyuta’s silhouette, and Apollo and Amara conversed quietly in a corner.

Nahyuta stared at the pair for a second, then put his hurt pride aside and went towards them.

“I didn’t imagine I would have a farewell this big. I would have worn a suit instead.”

The sight of Nahyuta dressed in something other than his regular attire was unusual, but not surprising since he was about to catch a long flight. Even if it was for work, he chose to start relaxing as he’d been pressured to, wearing beige wide linen bottoms and a white shirt. Rayfa stared at him as if he was out of place, since she never saw her older brother dressed like that. Still, even dressed down, Nahyuta kept a regal air to himself.

“I think you look fresh and less stuck up, Yuty!” said Datz with a big smile in his face. “I came to bring you these peeled and cut apples for you to snack on your trip!”

“Ah, thank you, but I didn’t need this many,” said Nahyuta as he held the heavy food container in his hands. “ I’ll… try to eat them all.”

“Not too fast! I made that mistake,” said Albhi, managing to get some laughs from everyone in the room. “I hope you have a blessed and safe trip, Your Highness.”

“Thank you. Please keep an eye on Apollo while I’m not around.”

“Sure will!”

Nahyuta gave the container to a servant, then turned to Apollo, who couldn’t stop fidgeting with his bracelet and avoiding his brother’s gaze. He probably believed Nahyuta was still angry at him, and he was, but not enough to not bid him farewell.

“I’ll leave the courtroom to you then," he said.

Apollo’s eyes widened as he felt relief. “Not for too long. And rest assured everything will be fine! I told Klavier that you would be going soon, so if you need anything, he'll be happy to help… You’ll be fine.”

“So like you to say that,” muttered Nahyuta with a subtle smile.

They stood in silence before Apollo cleared his throat, rubbed the back of his head, and gathered the courage to look Nahyuta in the eyes. Without saying a thing, because there was nothing to say, Nahyuta’s gaze mellowed out. Next was Rayfa, who also looked rather nervous about what to say, so Nahyuta took that burden from her and spoke first.

“Text me if you have any problem, and you too, Apollo. I’m sure I’ll have more time for you both since I’ll go as a consultant.”

“And as a diplomat of this country, don’t forget that. But try to relax for a while,” she said while looking dejected. “But… Wow! Los Angeles. The most I know from that place is thanks to T.V. and the things Apollo and you recount. I'm so curious, I... wish I could go.”

“Maybe, when the embassy is finished, there could be a party,” mentioned Apollo. “The princess would be an honored guest in that case.”

He felt pleased with the glimmer in Her Highness’ eyes before she tried to hide her excitement.

“I guess… your presence will be missed, Braid Head. There will be some questions that will stay unanswered about Mother’s lessons while you’re gone.”

“My phone will be checked constantly to answer all of them,” said Nahyuta, lifting one hand and patting Rayfa’s head. Surprisingly, she didn't kick up a fuss. “You will do splendidly, I might lose my job by the time I return.”

Nahyuta stayed talking a little longer, then finished his goodbyes except for his mother, who stood quiet and with her gaze lost in a random spot of the room. While feeling his heart in his throat as he couldn’t imagine what she would say to him, he approached Amara. He couldn’t recall ever shouting at his mother. That dinner had been a first, and it wasn’t something he would like to repeat, less in here, with everyone pretending they weren’t looking, but were cautious of what would be said.

“Your Mercifulness, I must part now.”

Amara didn’t say a thing or move an inch. Nahyuta understood this silent treatment as her goodbye and said nothing else while turning around, yet Amara caught his attention by taking off the jade prayer beads around her neck.

“I don’t remember the last time I gave you one of these,” she said as she put it in her son’s hand and squeezed it. “For your daily prayers.”

He smiled shyly. “I will make good use of them.”

Nahyuta didn’t feel like saying anything else and wrapped the praying beads on his wrist before parting to the airport. At least he got to comfortably travel on the royal jet, and the privacy of the trip gave him enough time to prepare for whatever waited for him in America after his last visit.

On the empty plane, he sat quietly and looked at the shiny green beads that carried a subtle hint of the lilies perfume his mother fancied so much. He was thinking about how he would’ve liked to say he was sorry, or have Amara go back on her decision at the last minute… maybe apologize too. The idea of it made him snap out of those silly thoughts, putting the beads around his neck when the captain spoke through the speakers and asked the crew and passenger to accommodate for the take-off.

While on air, Nahyuta distracted himself by checking the news related to the legal world in L.A. , and some of the recent cases he read about were as freaky as he remembered. Before noticing, he fell asleep in his seat and, even if he was in a not-so-ideal position, he was able to rest before going to the office the next day. Nahyuta woke up an hour before arriving at the LAX airport, where there was already a car waiting for him. 

At 5 AM he arrived at the Rosewood Hotel, a luxury establishment that left even someone like him who, since last year, has been living in a palace decked with gold from corner to corner, rather impressed. The lobby was of a rather classic design, with a reddish brown marble floor and warm light that comforted his tired eyes, and the beige walls with golden accents that merged perfectly with the art nouveau furniture and their floral motifs. 

The cherry on top had to be the row of hotel employees waiting specifically for his check-in. They were all perfectly dressed in their beige uniforms and bowing at Nahyuta. That reminded him of home.

“Welcome, Your Highness, to the Rosewood Hotel,” said a man who probably was around his forties, impeccably dressed and with his graying hair slicked back. “I’m the general manager, Thomas Hall. We are pleased to have you chosen our hotel for your residence in the country. The presidential suite is waiting for you.”

Nahyuta didn’t say much but did bother to show the staff a gentle smile. He chose to ignore the way most of them stood frozen at the sight of a man who looked the way he did; some of them couldn’t help gasping.

As he was being taken to one of the highest floors, the manager gave him a little explanation about the functions of the hotel and the services it offered like the bar and restaurant, the pool, the spa, and such. Nahyuta nodded most of the time but wasn’t truly listening. He was pleased with just knowing all of his personal needs were going to be met if he even gave himself time to care for them while in L.A.

After reaching the last floor, a cream-colored hallway greeted him when the elevator doors opened. The sound of his sandals against the marble floor was a little loud, but there were no worries about bothering anyone when the whole floor was reserved for his suite. The mahogany double doors of the suite were opened by the manager, and Nahyuta saw his suitcases already waiting for him.

After a glance, he saw that the suite resembled a luxurious apartment, with brown marble flooring, beautifully ornamented furniture, and a panoramic window wall that he heard the manager mention was made with a special privacy glass. Behind another pair of doors, there was the bedroom with a large bed covered in white sheets and a four-post canopy with linen curtains matching the bed. The bed looked extra inviting, and for some reason, he imagined his mother planned to make the place seem so cozy on purpose, since she made all the arrangements for his stay.

“I’ll leave the card key in the living room, Your Highness. I hope you enjoy your stay," mentioned the manager.

Nahyuta looked back and smiled, but when the click of the door reached his ears, he ignored the bed and went straight to search for his phone and suitcases. Quickly, he pulled his stationary and laptop out of a bag, and just to be sure, he let out his suit hanging on the empty walk-in closet. That way he wouldn’t be late for his meeting with the Chief Prosecutor. The writing desk inside the bedroom seemed nice, and as quickly as he set up an alarm to get a shower at 8 AM, Nahyuta started working hard on his to-do list. It was what he knew to do best.

By the time the morning light poured into the suite, Nahyuta was still on the desk, with his eyes stuck on the laptop screen and ignoring that he didn’t bother to take a refreshing nap before going to the office. Even with the alarm, Nahyuta was too busy reviewing the documents Detective Skye was kind enough to send him to notice it even rang. He'd been so concentrated that his plan to be on time was close to being a failure, hadn’t been for Nahyuta randomly checking the hour on his laptop. At 8 AM, it was almost too late for him to get ready.

The hot shower eased the tension in Nahyuta’s neck, but it could’ve helped more if he opted to take a longer one, sadly, time was valuable when you were in a hurry. After winning a battle against the drowsiness caused by the shower, he dressed up and called for breakfast to be delivered. 

On the bedroom corner, there was a mahogany dresser with a big mirror. It was empty except for some clear makeup vanity organizers filled with samples and lotions, all of which Nahyuta ignored, opting for the regular set of khura'inese lotions and body care supplies instead of the ridiculously expensive American and European brands.

Getting ready for his day was the only thing Nahyuta took his time to do, slowly covering blemishes with his makeup brush and unifying the skin tone, seeing his obvious exhaustion disappear with the carefully crafted mask. He always opted for natural makeup on his day-to-day, favoring a brown eye shadow that was but a shade deeper than his tan skin, a bit of powder on the places he put cream product, then he brushed his thick eyebrows with clear gel and put a little on his already abundant eyelashes, before finishing everything with lip balm and a shiny lip gloss on top.

After his hair and jewelry were done, he reached for his usual praying beads and stopped himself to search for the ones his mother gifted to him. He hesitated for a moment, then chose to leave them in the bedroom, safe from breaking them if he were to get irritated that day.

Breakfast arrived and Nahyuta focused more on drinking coffee and eating fruit and a toast smothered in apricot jam. Getting used to the continental breakfast would be difficult after tasting the best of khura’inese cuisine every day, but it would suffice. However, while sitting at the living room table and looking at the city through the entire glass wall, he reminisced about all the meals he’d missed, now that he was having breakfast alone. That was enough to make him sigh, and at least eat everything that was served to him on the plate. He hoped it wouldn’t give him a stomachache, since Nahyuta couldn’t remember when was the last time he ate his entire breakfast. 

The prosecutor’s office building was in front of him in all its magnificence, and the thought that he’d been kicked out of a palace just to force him into another building with a rather gaudy architecture, if he was allowed to point out, made him laugh rather bitterly before walking in.

Nahyuta couldn't help noticing that, instead of getting any type of welcome, he saw the entrance was almost desolated.

It was emptier than last year, for sure. As his eyes wandered through the lobby, Nahyuta noticed the reduced number of workers, who were too busy carrying files from one place to another to notice his presence. The ones that did, started mumbling to the closest coworker, but Nahyuta ignored this and kept searching for a specific familiar face that appeared as quickly as he wished for him. 

Down the hall and walking in his direction, Nahyuta could see the brilliance of a gaudy and familiar silhouette; it was prosecutor Gavin, who waved at him rather excitedly but kept that cool demeanor as usual.

They met only once in America, and that hadn’t been a proper meeting, since it was more like crossing paths at the exit of the courthouse. As Nahyuta walked in for a trial, a wave of fanatics started screaming and surrounded the rock star before he could get a good look at him. Detective Skye seemed displeased at his presence in the courtroom when Nahyuta met her, so he avoided asking too many questions.

Who would’ve thought that such a man had been courting his younger brother?

Nahyuta found out one month after Apollo moved to Khura’in; he was surprised by the visit of Klavier Gavin, who took on a surprise short vacation and appeared knocking at the door of Justice’s law office at 3 in the morning. The next day, a really embarrassed Apollo went to a lunch arranged by Nahyuta with a surprise plus one. There, Nahyuta found out a little more about Apollo’s private life. He’d casually mentioned something about seeing someone, forgetting to mention that someone was a world-famous rock star prosecutor. 

Nahyuta and Klavier got along instantly, as Nahyuta shared with him some stories about their childhood, and Klavier would proudly reveal details of Apollo unknown to him. It’d been the best lunch he had in a while, and instead of talking about work as originally planned, Nahyuta felt happy as he genuinely appreciated seeing Apollo with someone who couldn’t take his eyes off him.

“Hallo, Herr Sahdmadhi! It’s such a pleasure to see you!” exclaimed Klavier with his usual smile, “I wished to welcome you properly at the airport, but work has her lovely hand around my neck as lately.”

“Please, don’t worry about such things," he retorted. "I arrived too early to request any type of reception. Hopefully, Apollo didn’t ask much of you, as I do not wish to be a burden during my stay.”

“Please, be a burden. It’s the least you could do after…,” he stopped mid-sentence, and Nahyuta seemed curious about this. “Well, it’s better to be honest. Herr forehead did mention a little of the reasons for your sudden visit.”

“Oh, that,” he fought to keep his expression calm.“It’s a fact that I’ve been sent here against my will, but rest assured that it won’t affect my work.”

“Never thought it would. But Herr Forehead was rather concerned, so I promised I would keep an eye on his darling bruder.”

“… That’s kind of you,” he kept a poker face, as he didn’t know how to react to that comment.

“So, how was the trip? You must be exhausted.”

“Not at all. I do wish to be given some cases to work on already.”

“That would be helpful, Herr Sahdmadhi… I guess you noticed that we are severely understaffed.”

The emptiness in the lobby spoke louder than words.

“It’s only somewhat noticeable,” pointed the prince.

“Oh, please, you could laugh at all of this. I imagine it is a great difference from the prosecutor’s office or even the palace back home,” Klavier sounded mildly listless. “We’ve been short-staffed since last month. The Chief Prosecutor made a good spring-cleaning at the office, getting rid of a ring of evidence falsifiers. All while getting the skeletons of this big closet out of the papers.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything else from a man like Mr. Edgeworth.”

“Even though I applaud the Chief Prosecutor, I wish the consequences weren’t so heavy on the shoulders of the prosecutors that stayed," he put a hand in the back of his neck and stretched it before sighing. "But enough of that, let me take you to him.”

They walked towards the elevator, where Nahyuta, who’d been deep in thought, broke his silence.

“It is that hard to get an honest prosecutor…” he muttered.

“Even if we love to boast about how the dark age of law is over, it doesn’t mean the world is perfect," replied Klavier.

“The Chief Prosecutor must be busy, too. Having to keep this place clean," mused Nahyuta.

“He is… though I’ve seen him taking breaks, like, going out for lunch with his family from time to time… Probably goes to bed at a reasonable hour and—”

“Prosecutor Gavin,” he interrupted. “Do not perceive me as someone so gullible that I wouldn’t notice your words right now are but a mere extension of Apollo’s.”

Nahyuta gave him a sharp look by the corner of his eye, and Klavier was forced to swallow his nervousness and come up with an excuse.

“That’s not what I mean, Herr Sahdmadhi! I wouldn’t dare to get in between the both of you. Less when you’re fighting.”

“We’re not fighting, rest assured," he said as his subtle frown disappeared. "However, I commend you for taking his side so readily. That gets you points in my book.”

At the praise, Klavier smiled a little, following Nahyuta as he walked out of the elevator. It'd been tricky to casually strike conversation with Nahyuta, even more to mention something regarding this fastidious situation he was in. Still, Klavier managed to gauge the reaction as he wanted. 

When he called Apollo the previous day, Klavier noticed something worried him and managed to get his boyfriend to talk. He wasn’t expecting a royal drama of those proportions, and they ended up talking for hours about it; more than work allowed them as of lately. Still, Klavier was sure that what had Apollo the most upset was his perceived blame in the subject and this unexpected turn of events.

More than any other problem he encountered, Apollo had grown meek and quiet because of this. It was easy to see Nahyuta was the cause, since Apollo was touchy about anything regarding him; it wasn’t an everyday thing that you got to reconnect with a long-lost brother you tried your best to forget about, so it was easy to understand. This made Klavier feel bitterly nostalgic, and the best he could do was, in a way, empathize and admire that affection that was intact between them, even after 15 years apart.

That's why he promised Apollo that he would keep an eye on Nahyuta, and by this interaction, Klavier noticed the prince didn’t seem as lively as the last time they met. Still, he could put on a good act, enough to fool anyone who didn’t know of his current afflictions. The most important detail Klavier noticed was that Nahyuta and Apollo’s brotherly squabble wasn’t more than that, a squabble. One that would fizzle out in a matter of days at best.

As he followed Nahyuta down the corridor, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and sent Apollo an update. In a matter of seconds, he got an answer; Apollo probably had been waiting for that message for hours. Klavier was too distracted texting to notice Nahyuta calling his name.

“… Prosecutor Gavin?”

“Ah! My apologies. Did you need anything?” he asked, putting his phone in his pocket.

“Do you know if Detective Skye will be coming to the office? Or is she too busy?”

“Fräulein Detective has some time in her hands as of lately, why do you ask?”

“I just wanted to ask her some things about some files she sent me," he said, softly smiling, expectant of encountering Ema again. "I made her know of my presence in the States, and she wished to collaborate once again with me.”

Klavier noticed the softness with which he spoke about the detective and smiled. “Aren’t you two cute? But I’m not the best option to ask for her, since she—”

“Hates your guts, yes. I was told by her,” he smiled. “Rather colorfully.”

“… The way you put it makes it hard to get angry, Your Holiness.”

Nahyuta’s eyes wrinkled a little, it was his comeback for Klavier’s little stunt back in the elevator.

Klavier smiled and accepted his defeat. “Anyway, If I see her around today, I’ll send her to your office.”

“Oh, right. I’m getting an office this time," he said, being taken aback by the realization.

“A nice one, might I say. Big and soundproof enough that it was where the meetings of the forgery ring were held.”

“A historic site.”

Klavier laughed before knocking on the Chief Prosecutor’s office. After they were told to come in, he opened the door for Nahyuta and there was Mr. Edgeworth, sitting behind the desk with his eyes fixed on his computer screen until he caught a glimpse of the prince before standing up.

“Your Highness, please come in. I was expecting our meeting to start later.”

“I’ll leave you two, then,” mentioned Klavier. “I have a meeting to attend.”

He slowly closed the door and Nahyuta sat in front of the desk on a red wingback chair, accepting the tea that Edgeworth poured for him.

“As I said in my last letter to Her Majesty the Queen, I’m truly grateful to have you join us. Though I’m surprised. Never would’ve thought you would want to act as an international prosecutor after such a short term as regent.”

“I’m glad I can make myself useful, Mr. Edgeworth. And please, I will have to ask you to drop the titles. Here, I’m nothing more than another prosecutor, and you’re my superior.”

“Well, It would be a new experience, to give orders to a prince," he said as he sat on his chair again.

“I insist.”

Edgeworth smiled. “If that’s what you wish, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. But I do mean it when I say your visit comes as a blessing to help after our most recent… restructuring. I imagine Prosecutor Gavin mentioned it.”

“Rather superficially.”

The Chief Prosecutor’s relaxed expression suddenly showed a hint of aggravation as he rested his back on the chair.

“It was 2 months ago that I caught up with the complaints," he explained. "Some retrials that were to be held started getting postponed due to strange, bureaucratic circumstances. That's why I personally checked them out. You would imagine my surprise and anger to see a big chunk of my subordinates playing Supervillain.”

“It must have been a big trial, yet all the prosecutors still standing have overcome it,” he adopted his meditative stance with a soft smile on his face. “The Holy Mother values justice, and will value the experience I’ll gain by working under such a hands-on superior like you, Mr. Edgeworth, on this new test outside my country.”

“The work is far from over. Having you, someone who has managed quite a great deal with the judicial system of a whole country, suddenly come to help us has been the best news I got the whole week.”

Nahyuta smiled in silence and drank some of his tea. By the looks of it, Miles Edgeworth didn’t know he’d been forced to come to America, and it was better like this, for his hurt pride to play into this role of benevolent helper.

“Khura’in is not perfect, nor is my intention to reach that goal." mentioned Nahyuta. "However, I know that my time here will be enriching me as a prosecutor by the time I return… May I inquire, did the Queen mention in the letters any established time for my stay?”

“Haven’t both of you agreed yet? She mentioned it was a pending matter between you two.”

Ah, so I’m stuck here until Her Mercifullness wishes to take me back, he thought, managing to keep on a seemingly honest smile and not let the furrow between his eyebrows deepen even a millimeter.

“As you may know, I took time off my duties as regent not only to gain more knowledge as a prosecutor for my country, since I’m still young, but also for Princess Rayfa," he explained while masterfully lying. "She’ll start a more hands-on training of everything pertaining to the ruling of a kingdom. I’ll take my time here, to be both an asset to you and give my younger sister space to grow.”

“Then let’s begin, I’ll take you to your office for—”

3 loud knocks on the door interrupted Edgeworth, and Nahyuta saw his welcoming expression turn into a tired one as he started pinching the bridge of his nose under his glasses. He’d recognized that raucous way of knocking and sighed.

“Come in, Prosecutor Blackquill,” he said, resignedly, before apologizing to Nahyuta.

The door opened so fast that Nahyuta was surprised at the disregard for the Chief Prosecutor’s office, as Simon Blackquill entered the office with a thunderous stomping that almost managed to startle Nahyuta, who’d been recalling that name from the last case he participated in California.

It was Blackquill, yes, Simon Blackquill . That prosecutor who did some prison time, albeit undeservedly, and who shamelessly sheltered the defense right in front of him. The same man that Nahyuta had almost forgotten about at this point, since his name never popped up in his conversations with Apollo. A man that, just by having the disgrace of meeting once, Nahyuta thought to be the most contemptible and ignoble brute he ever encountered.

A good prosecutor maybe, but an insufferable man in the end. That’s who Simon Blackquill was to Nahyuta.

He kept meditating, ignoring why Prosecutor Blackquill bargained into the office with such a lack of manners, also disregarding that it wasn’t only him and his boss in the room.

“Edgeworth-dono, may I dare to ask why one of my cases was delayed?” asked Blackquill, controlling himself to not shout.

“The murder case in the museum, you mean?” pointed the Chief Prosecutor. “The detective in charge got a new lead. They’re revising everything to make a proper trial tomorrow.”

“That’s wonderful! I’m truly amazed that the people down at the police precinct are finally learning how to do their job. But that’s not my issue," he forced a smile.

“… Yes, you came into my office, roaring like a storm, to demand I explain why you’re not the prosecutor assigned to that case anymore.”

“Lovely that we are on the same page!” he grumbled. “I’ve been working on those witnesses for a week!”

“And I’m sure you can give that information to the newly appointed prosecutor—”

“There's no way in hell I will let a vile thief take my work!”

Edgeworth sighed, being surprisingly serene.“Try to keep calm, Mr. Blackquill. We can solve this inconvenience when I don’t have any visits.”

“What visits?!” he stomped his way to the desk, putting a hand on the back of the chair Nahyuta was sitting. “I haven’t seen a bloody bloke in here!”

“Because your rage blinds you," said Nahyuta as he looked up. "You’re just as I remembered you, Reverse Panda. ”

The deep voice coming from the chair astonished Simon. It wasn’t until Nahyuta spoke that he took the time to look at his surroundings, noticing the man sitting in the chair with his legs crossed. The monk looked up with a peaceful expression that enraged Simon as quickly as his surprise faded.

It was Nahyuta Sahdmadhi, the Sad Monk he had the dishonor of meeting roughly a year ago. An international prosecutor-turned-prince regent, who left such a bad taste in his mouth after a short interaction through one of the most idiotic cases he’d been part of. That man disappeared from his life as quickly as he showed up in it, and Simon wondered why couldn’t he stay far away in his magical kingdom, instead of making a bad day even worse with those pompous mannerisms and hypocritical religious manners. Now sat next to him a gaudy and perfumed bore of a man that had no business leaving a throne unattended to return to this office.

He was a person Simon couldn’t be bothered with. 

An alluring man who could put on a good show at court, that he wouldn’t deny, but just seeing this monk made him harbor the most unpleasant feelings known to man. That’s who Nahyuta Sahdmadhi was to Simon.

The prince maintained his potent green gaze that seemed to penetrate Simon, whose shocked expression faded into one of utter disgust the more he stared at that cocky side smile on Nahyuta’s face.

“Is this a prank? An elaborated one for sure,” grumbled Simon. “Edgeworth-dono, you knew I would be aggravated about this situation, and called this one to finish pissing me off!”

Edgeworth glared at him. “Do I look like a person who would partake in a prank?”

The silence in the room was the answer.

“… What is he doing here?” asked Simon, as he started rubbing the side of his head that started throbbing.

“Prosecutor Sahdmadhi will be a part of the office starting today," explained Edgeworth before sipping on his tea.

“I refuse. Send him back. Get a box if a plane ticket is too expensive. I’ll go and get the stamps and a bloody pink bow if necessary!”

Nahyuta kept calm, meditating on his seat, and Miles saw him with admiration as to how he handled this embarrassing situation.

“Shipping a human being in a box is against the law, and I’m not losing an important asset to this office just because you refuse,” retorted Edgeworth. “Just yesterday you came here complaining how the lack of prosecutors was unbearable.” 

“With all due respect sir, that wasn’t a petition to get help from the most obnoxious prosecutor in the world," retorted Simon, who felt like laughing at this absurd situation he stumbled upon.

“Well, I don’t care how you feel about Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, who kindly stopped his work as regent to come here and help.”

Quickly, Simon leaned closer to Nahyuta’s side, leaving barely any distance between their faces.

“And why would His Highness do such a thing?”

Nahyuta didn’t flinch. Even if those gray eyes hidden behind the abundant black and white hair were fierce enough to make a regular person cower, Nahyuta only blinked before smiling.

“To relieve people like you, who consider this work unbearable, of their burdens.”

Simon gasped, and Miles was amused by the answer, though his admiration was cut short as he leaned forward the moment he noticed the hand on top of the chair gripping the wood harder than before.

“The reasons for Prosecutor Sahdmadhi’s visit aren’t our business,” explained Edgeworth. “What concerns us is that we have someone else that’s capable enough to take on difficult cases… And he’s also a prince, so better get away from him before I lose my mind and take more cases off your pile.”

Simon grimaced at the scolding and took some steps far away from Nahyuta. Miles sat back on his chair again while looking at the pair in front of him, with a gut feeling that he chose to ignore as Simon calmed himself and Nahyuta seemed unaffected by this whole situation.

“Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, I hope that this embarrassing event won’t change anything," he apologized.

“Sir, I’m more than used to contempt,” mentioned the monk. “Prosecutor Blackquill’s disgust is barely perceivable to me. Though we mustn't brush aside his feelings, since he might have a valid reason for his disdain.”

Simon, with his arms crossed and ignoring everyone, couldn’t avoid turning his head to Nahyuta, who stood up and approached him.

“The last time our paths crossed, I wasn’t being myself," he explained. "The behavior I displayed must have been maddening. Rest assured that that’s all in the past, and you won’t be bothered by us working in the same place.”

He extended a hand towards Simon, who pondered if he should accept this peace offering. The dragon tattoo on the palm of Nahyuta’s right hand caught his attention, and since the glaring of the Chief Prosecutor wouldn’t stop until he conceded, Simon accepted and shook the monk's soft and thin hand. When Miles’ phone rang and he decided to answer, it gave Simon a chance to squeeze the delicate-looking hand.

“I still don’t like you, Sad monk, ” he whispered.

Nahyuta smiled and whispered back. “The feeling is mutual, but let’s be civil about it, Panda .”

The scowl on Simon’s face caused some strange joy in Nahyuta as he let go of his hand. He’d forgotten what it was to be openly disliked after being so fervently loved and pampered by everyone in Khura’in. Only his Mother would ever reprimand him, and Rayfa dared to talk back at him and baptize him with odd nicknames, yet she never did it out of a place of contempt, or hate.

Simon Blackquill struck him like a man that could easily hate, and that if you were to cross him, you would win an enemy for life. Such intensity was praiseworthy. 

Nahyuta took some steps back, seeing that putting distance between himself and that man would be the only way to maintain his stay in California being the least eventful possible. When Miles hung up his call, he gauged that the bad blood already calmed in his office.

“Good that we’ve decided to act like adults. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, I hope your visit will be educational both to you and to us. Now, about your office, I would take you there myself and continue our chat, but I seem to have been summoned by the Police Chief,” Miles thought about it for a second and sighed. “Blackquill, you take him. It’s the 1111”

Simon glared at his boss. “Excuse me?”

Edgeworth glared back. “You came here unannounced, interrupted my reunion, and have been extremely rude to a new coworker. Those are 3 strikes.”

Nahyuta simply couldn’t control his giggling and turned his head away. This only irritated Simon even more.

“Well, I didn’t know this was a bloody ball game," he scoffed.

Miles closed his eyes so no one could see him rolling them as he was annoyed at this meaningless conversation.

“If you take Prosecutor Sahdmadhi to his office, I’ll give you the museum case again," stated the Chief Prosecutor.

Simon, intrigued but also reluctant, took in a deep breath, pondered for a bit, and then sighed and walked to the door.

“Oi. Come, before I regret getting appointed as your Cicerone.”

With awe, Nahyuta saw the change of behavior in Simon. He commended the Chief Prosecutor and his many hidden tricks, since he could easily command demons as big and unruly as Simon Blackquill. He bid Edgeworth farewell and went through the door Simon begrudgingly opened for him.

Nahyuta followed the man, who appeared so massive that the prince was stuck looking at his large back covered in black. The elevator ride was silent, and Nahyuta didn’t mind this at all. In fact, he was glad Simon didn’t make an effort to strike up a conversation. What could they even talk about? The only thing they had in common was their profession, and yet, they possessed different visions and approaches to it.

Both knew instantly they would never get along.

Nahyuta was too busy with his thoughts to notice Simon looking at him from time to time. When they reached the floor, Simon went out so quickly it surprised Nahyuta, who had to fasten his pace to catch up with him. The hallway was truly empty, and Nahyuta couldn’t help to think about how big of a cleaning the Chief Prosecutor was forced to do to have men like Klavier and even Simon, who came across as completely devoted to their jobs, complaining about it. 

Nahyuta couldn’t understand this, but again, he’d been kicked out of his home for working “too much”. His expression soured a little when he remembered, as his mind was deep in thought and almost made him crash against Prosecutor Blackquill’s back. He stopped at the right moment, yet got close enough to catch the musky aroma of cologne mixed with hints of tobacco that came from him.

Nahyuta hadn’t pegged him as the type of person who would use such a refined type of cologne. The smoking didn’t surprise him, though.

Simon opened a door with a small plaque with the number 1111, walked in, and, against his wishes, didn’t close the door in Nahyuta’s face, waiting for the monk to pick up the pace and enter his new office. It was spacious, just as Klavier mentioned earlier, and clean too. The desk was pushed to the end of the room, and a large arched window behind it let the natural light in. Overall, it was empty and basic, with its dark wooden floor and empty shelves and walls. This would be his new home for a while.

“What is it? Does His Ethereal Holiness disagree with such a plebeian and unadorned hall?” mocked Simon, leaning on the door frame. “I can only imagine that the office you used to inhabit in your kingdom was bathed in gold and jewels.”

“Only the doors and window frames,” retorted Nahyuta while looking around the room. “Yet that’s not a problem. Before I started fulfilling my duties as a prince, I was a monk. Material possessions are not my priority, and I don’t believe this place needs to be changed just because I’ll be working here.”

The answer baffled Simon a little. How could he believe such words from a man that looked like the epitome of vanity? With his large gold earrings, refined clothes, and pristine hair and makeup. The man looked like he should be embedded in a mural while spouting things about not caring about the material.

Simon forced a laugh and stretched his back a little before walking in.

“… Ye gods, at least decorate this sorry place. Whenever I see it, I remember the imbeciles that caused us troubles.”

“… Maybe curtains will suffice,” replied Nahyuta.

“Get a statue if you want. I don’t care.”

“Then why are you still here?”

It was an honest question, more than a petition to be left alone. Nahyuta looked at the man standing behind him over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow, as silence filling the space between them. It came as a surprise to see the furrow in Simon’s eyebrows disappear a little.

“Simply thinking how much of a bother you’ll be… Since my office is on the same floor.”

“So we’re neighbors,” Nahyuta’s expression showed a hint of worry.

“Sadly. How long will you stay?”

“… As long as I’m needed.”

The hesitation in his heart filtered through his words, and Simon caught it, but opted to ignore it to instead complain a little.

“When they mentioned an international prosecutor would be coming to fill in a spot, I imagined Edgeworth-dono’s sister. What we got was you. I’ll accept it’s my bad, for being gullible enough to think such an accomplished lady would want to come to this hellhole of an office, but at least understand my disappointment.”

“I’m sorry that it’s me you will have to deal with," said the prince with a soft smile. "Still, I think my work will be just as good.”

“... That I can’t deny,” he said, to Nahyuta’s surprise. “I’ll be on my way then, and if you need anything, do not ask me.”

Nahyuta laughed, “I wasn’t planning on it.”

For a second, Simon stared at Nahyuta looking around the empty shelves then opted to leave the office, however, he stopped under the door frame in silence, turning his face and being surprised at his hesitation regarding the words he was about to say. 

“My condolences about your father, Sad Monk," he muttered.

He closed the door softly, and Nahyuta was left perplexed. It’d been unexpected for sure, not that Simon knew about it, but that he cared enough to mention it. Was that his attempt to be polite? He couldn't know, but it was honestly… endearing. The fact that his father was mentioned didn’t leave Nahyuta as shaken compared to seeing that man making an effort to be nice towards him. Simon Blackquill was truly a strange man.

Maybe he should start warming up to the idea of being proper coworkers. Yet, Nahyuta didn’t have enough time to ponder on that exchange, as a secretary knocked on his door, bringing with him a box full of case files in need of Nahyuta’s reviewing.

Finally, he was left alone, in his empty office that still smelled like lemon-scented disinfectant, and with a pile of documents towering in front of him.

Now it felt more like home.

Chapter Text

The first day as a prosecutor in California was filled with the usual workaholic tendencies that characterized Nahyuta.

From the moment he was left alone in his empty office, he worked without rest starting at 10 AM and was halfway done by 1 PM. He could’ve continued if it wasn’t for a knock on the door. Nahyuta almost refused to be interrupted, then remembered this wasn’t the palace and allowed his visitor to enter, reluctantly stopping the typing on the keyboard.At least the person visiting him was a friendly face he hadn’t seen yet.

Detective Skye’s head popped from behind the door, searching with her eyes around the place before seeing Nahyuta’s radiant figure sitting behind the desk.

“Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, I… can’t believe this,” she said.

“Why do you say that?” he asked with his eyes fixed on the laptop screen.

Ema walked in, slowly approaching Nahyuta with a sense of disbelief. In her last visit to Khura'in, Nahyuta was already used to his position as prince regent, and even mentioned that his work as an international prosecutor might have to take a years-long pause. She understood this, seeing that his new role would take all of his time. That was barely a month ago, and now, she was seeing Nahyuta there, in California, with an office of his own and checking documents. It all felt strange.

She stood in front of the desk and lowered her gaze. “Your visit, Your Highness, is rather—”

“I’m plain Prosecutor Sahdmadhi here," He interrupted, still paying more attention to his work than his visits.

“Right! Prosecutor Sahdmadhi," she corrected herself. "That is your role here… That’s why I’m so confused!” Ema couldn't help putting her hands on the desk and leaning closer, to examine that imperturbable expression.

He smiled gently while looking at the detective. “I have the feeling many people will say that to me from now on.”

“Because this is unexpected! I haven’t even seen news about it," she looked around the room then stared at the prince. "And where’s the royal guard? Shouldn’t you have bodyguards or something?”

“There’s no need for that. I can protect myself, and rest assured that news about this will be available after Queen Amara sees it fit.”

Ema stayed strangely silent, which made Nahyuta worry that his true feelings about this situation found their way out through his words. She slowly left her spot in front of the desk, and sat on a brown leather sofa that, besides a small table, the desk and shelves, served as the only type of furniture in the office; her silence was due to the effort she made to understand the current situation.

“But no bodyguards?” she asked.

“I never needed them in Khura’in," he calmly answered.

“But this is America. I know it’s not your first time here, but it’s different now, with your position and all…”

“Are you worried about my safety, Detective Skye?" he looked at her and smiled. "That’s charming.”

She blushed at the gesture and had to look away. “I mean…! It’s reasonable to worry when I belong to the police force and I see such a big target for kidnappers and terrorists walking unguarded.”

“May I remind you that many people in this country might not even know Khura’in exists?" he looked mildly amused while saying it. "And if someone was interested in harming me, I can easily give them a reason to not even try.”

A glint in his eyes showed how serious he was. Ema only knew details, but it was a fact that Nahyuta was more than capable of defeating anyone, even with just one hand. The perks of being raised between insurgents and being taught to lead a revolution. Even so, that didn’t completely snuff out Ema’s worries.

“But you’re still only a person. What did Apollo have to say about this?”

Nahyuta’s demure expression changed, slightly enough that he was able to control it, but Ema caught it.

“That’s nothing he or anyone should be bothered by," he said. "Now, I did call you because I wanted to thank you and politely request your aid during my stay.”

“… Sure. I’ll be here for whatever you need.”

Ema chose to not open that can of worms, less when she knew that trying to get information from Nahyuta that he refused to let others know was an already lost battle, but made a mental note to give Apollo a phone call later that day. 

Nahyuta saw his visitor and, feeling more at ease, he approached Ema and sat with her to discuss the document she’d sent him, and even talk about the work he'd finished at this point. In a short amount of time, he’d been over the information repeatedly, separating the cases that he believed to be 80% sure of the defendant’s guilt with room to discuss it on trial from the ones that lacked evidence conclusive enough. Ema went over it with him and could see the well-crafted line of thought that let Nahyuta make two different piles, almost perfectly sorting out months of work.

“Now it’s a matter of going to trial. The outcome of this will be decided in court, of course. I’m no one to pass judgment," he said.

“How did you do this so quickly?” she asked.

“After having to go through a ridiculous amount of retrials since last year, all while rebuilding a whole law system from scratch, one can only end up with some tricks to expedite the process," remarked Nahyuta. "It’s not perfect, but it’s a place to start.”

“You’re a godsend!” she cried, thinking how much time she would save. “I’ll make sure to take the cases you marked to reexamine down to the precinct ASAP.”

Nahyuta answered with one of his custom smiles before they continued discussing cases, until a knock on the door and the sudden entrance of Klavier, carrying with him a large box, interrupted them.

“Sorry to intrude, but this is heavy… Oh, Fräulein Detective! You’re here too!”

“Ah, It’s you,” the excitement of the organized system Nahyuta had presented to her instantly died.

Klavier ignored this reaction and brought the heavy brown box he carried to the sofa. Nahyuta looked inside it and was surprised to see the contents.

“What’s all of this?” asked Nahyuta.

“For you. Stuff you can use to make this place less empty," explained Klavier.

“Yeah, It was distracting to see Prosecutor Sahdmadhi with an unadorned background,” said Ema, peeking inside the box. “Is that a curtain?”

“We got creative, Fräulein.”

“We?” asked Nahyuta.

“Apollo and I. He was the one with the big idea and sent me a list of things you like to have at hand. This is my welcome  gift to our office.”

Nahyuta was left speechless but remembered to at least thank Klavier. Even in the distance, Apollo was keeping an eye on him. Slightly annoying, but if it were Nahyuta in that position, he would’ve done the same. He accepted the idea of taking a break from work to decorate the place a little. The bareness of the walls was easy to ignore today, but who knew if he would accept it in a week?

He picked a neatly folded cream-colored fabric, with an intricate embroidery of red flowers and vines. It was a set of curtains that he appreciated a lot. There was also an incense holder and some of his favorite incense stick scents: rose, vanilla, and musk; a varied assortment of prayer flags ready to be filled with petitions; a rolled piece of fabric and some peach-flavored snacks.

“Outside there’s a nice rug too,” pointed out Klavier.

“When did you get all of this? Weren’t you at the courthouse?” asked Ema.

“This has been in my car since yesterday.”

Nahyuta passed his hands through the embroidery on the curtain and couldn’t help feeling a little guilty. He still believed his anger was reasonable, but the amount of care Apollo put into this to make his time away not be such a burden, at least aesthetically, warmed his heart.

“I’m sorry he put you to this, Klavier,” Nahyuta put the curtain on his lap and looked thoughtful. “You took the time, even when busy with the issues in this office.”

“Don’t mind me," he retorted, while fixing his hair. "I found it was a good excuse to take my mind off work.”

“... Has it been that bad?”

He asked them both and got a quick answer by the way Ema and Klavier’s expressions showed exhaustion and despair while remembering those first weeks.

“Let’s get this curtain on,” said Ema while walking to the window.

Nahyuta tried to stop them, since he didn’t want to bother them and return to his work, yet his complaints fell on deaf ears. As Ema started bickering with Klavier, who ignored her tips on how to properly hang a curtain, they started arranging everything. When they were done, the prayer flags decorated the empty wall, and while Klavier pulled in the rug, Ema’s curiosity won and she took the scroll on the box. She unveiled it, revealing a painting of the Holy Mother that fit perfectly in a space surrounded by prayer flags next to the sofa.

“Wow! You two thought about it all.”

“Apollo said it was wrong for any khura’inese to not be watched over by the Holy Mother… Even if the depiction has no eyes,” said Klavier, who stared at the picture in the scroll.

“She doesn’t need them to see, her power and love for all of her believers surpasses the human senses,” explained Nahyuta.

“I think she would look good here,” said Ema, standing on the sofa and hanging the scroll on the wall.

Nahyuta looked around the place which seemed so empty minutes ago. The emerald green rug with golden motifs, the curtain hung by a dark wood curtain rod, and the Holy Mother scroll surrounded by prayer flags filled the place with a vibrancy resembling the one back at the palace, yet Nahyuta felt it lacked something. He went to the box and picked up the hexagon packaging, the incense holder, and matches. On the small table, he lit up an incense stick and the sweet and light aroma of vanilla filled the place.

The scent helped ease the nerves, and when he looked at Ema and Klavier behind him, they seemed relaxed, even proud of their work. But there was something that still worried Nahyuta.

“I’m grateful for the help to make this place a little bit more mine, but I have to ask: Shouldn’t the both of you be working right now?”

Their relaxation faded immediately, as Klavier groaned and Ema ignored Nahyuta's stern glare by looking at the hour on her phone. A glint then appeared in her eye.

“I mean, it is lunchtime now.” she pointed out. “I don’t think anyone would get mad if we go grab a bite.”

“I love how you think, Fräulein,” said Klavier. “Let’s go, Herr Sahdmadhi.”

“Excuse me? Go where?” asked Nahyuta.

“To eat! There’s a nice place close that I’m sure you will like.”

Nahyuta looked back at his desk, to the pile of documents waiting to get reviewed. Klavier noticed this and remembered one of the many, many warnings Apollo mentioned over the phone, but it wasn’t until now that he could believe Nahyuta was choosing work over eating his meals. Skipping meals was less than ideal, but Klavier always thought Nahyuta was something of a gourmet and couldn't easily believe it.

This was alarming. Now that he got a better look at the prince, it was true that Nahyuta looked a little thinner than the last time they met.

“They got amazing burgers, too,” he stated.

That simple comment worked like a charm. It’d been enough to get Nahyuta’s stomach growling. He didn’t remember when was the last time he ate a hamburger, and it could never compare to eating one in the States.

“I’ll tag along, then," he said.

The moment he saw Nahyuta follow Ema out of the office, the tension in Klavier’s shoulders disappeared. It looked like the prince regent was easier to deal with than he initially imagined, but he couldn't help worry about the days to come.

It was true, he promised Apollo to keep an eye on his brother, but no matter how cool and collected Klavier seemed most of the time, that didn’t stop him from having a small hint of respect and even reverence for Nahyuta. Not only because he wished for him to be his brother-in-law one of these days, but because seeing a person like Nahyuta, so poised and beautiful, made him understand when other people stared in awe at how dazzling Klavier was. Add to it the mystical and royal background, and you have something akin to a God walking between humans while craving a burger.

On their way out of Nahyuta’s office, the trio stumbled with Simon as he carried a folder full of files under his arm while on his way to his office.

“Herr Blackquill! Would you like to accompany us for lunch?” asked Klavier.

The question took Simon by surprise, who couldn't help but glare at Klavier, then at Ema, who pretended to look at her phone, and lastly, at Nahyuta, looking at the prince from head to toe and rolling his eyes.

“Me? Be a part of His Royal Highness' entourage?” said Simon with a raised eyebrow, insulted by the proposition. “I got better things to do, like my work.”

“Don’t be like that, it would be nice for you both to get to know each other better… Maybe smooth things over," continued Klavier.

“I got nothing to reconcile with that Sad Monk. And I already ate, so you’re wasting your breath and my time, Gavin-Dono.”

He turned around, ignoring whatever Klavier might have to say to try and convince him, yet relishing how, when he passed by Nahyuta, the pair of green eyes seemed annoyed at his presence.

The trio went to the place Klavier recommended, which was only a short 10-minute walk from the prosecutor’s office. It was a modern bistro restaurant with a nice wooden terrace that faced the street.

The three of them were seated and a surprisingly amicable conversation was born between Ema and Klavier. Nahyuta listened and chimed in from time to time, yet he seemed distracted at moments, until his gaze went down to his hands at times to rest on the tattoo in his palm.

What was he even doing here?

He couldn’t help asking himself that. It was strange, the whole office decor, the lunch in a fancy restaurant, and this menial conversation. A year ago, he was so close to facing execution for a crime he never committed, and ended up burying the father he hadn’t seen in years. To think he was now here made the excruciating weight of the unstoppable pass of time throw him into a disconcerted state. 

This time of leisure felt wrong, and his discomfort almost showed in his face until he straightened up his posture when the food arrived.

The spicy and extra crispy chicken burger, with a side of onion rings in front of him seemed so appetizing, that he forced himself to put aside his worries and take a bite of it. The delicious flavor somehow got him out of the funk he got himself in, and then, he noticed Ema was digging into a plate of carbonara while Klavier enjoyed a big piece of grilled salmon with a side of steamed vegetables. They enjoyed their lunch, but Klavier couldn’t help to notice that the most joyful he’d seen Nahyuta since he arrived was while eating.

“How is it? Good?” he asked.

“Wonderful. How did I never think of coming here last year?” said Nahyuta, whose calm gaze suddenly turned mischievous. “... I think that if I’d known back then the story of this spot, I would’ve put it first on my list.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Oh well, Apollo spoke wonders of this place.”

Ema, who couldn’t be bothered by anything that wasn’t her food and her iced tea, suddenly got interested when she noticed Klavier’s cool persona disappearing a little as his eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me this place belongs to their romantic saga!” she exclaimed.

“This place, from what I pieced, might’ve been the place they made things official. When he first called Apollo his boyfriend, ” Nahyuta whispered the last part, leaning just a little closer to Ema. “It seems that he was so startled about Klavier using that word, that he shouted some nonsense he can’t even remember and ran away.”

“He did what?!”

Nahyuta laughed. “I reacted the same. But it looks like it worked out in the end.”

“W-Well, that was an intense day for him, and you know how he loves to shout!” exclaimed Klavier. “But enough about that, I just thought this was a nice place to let Herr Sahdmadhi rest after a busy morning!”

Ema leaned closer to Klavier, enjoying the flustered look he got on. “I don’t know, I would like to talk more about that! Oh, whatever he said must’ve been bad.”

Ema’s inquiry took Klavier back to that fateful night.

After months of dinner and coffee dates, Klavier almost begged to know what name to put on their relationship, but when dealing with a guy like Apollo Justice, it was difficult to know the nature of his feelings unless he shouted them in your face.

And that he did.

Days before that date, they kissed goodbye after Klavier left Apollo at his apartment; it gave Klavier the courage to casually drop the special word on their next dinner date, as the waiter took their order. It’d been done in such a careless way: I would like a beer to start, and my boyfriend wants a mojito. As simple as that. The waiter started writing on his notepad until it flew away from his hands, as he jolted the moment Apollo screamed, We’re not boyfriends!… But I love you! with his booming voice cracking at the end.

All eyes were on them, and when Apollo ran away, so did Klavier while trying to reach him.

He’d been rejected and confessed to in the same sentence, making that an evening Klavier could never forget. It was too mortifying to casually talk about, even if he ended up being Apollo’s boyfriend in the end. That's why, as Ema and Nahyuta prepared to press him about it, Klavier quickly switched topics.

“I have questions of my own. For example, what’s with you and Herr Blackquill? If I’m allowed to ask.”

The question caught Nahyuta off guard.

“What do you mean?”

“I want to know why are you both so at odds with each other?”

“Oh, it’s because of that case,” interrupted Ema. “I imagine Prosecutor Sahdmadhi and Prosecutor Blackquill’s interactions were limited to that day at court.”

The mention of the day Nahyuta and Simon first crossed paths almost ruined his appetite, mostly because it was another bad memory of his terrible behavior at court, though Simon made an impression too, for sure. At first, during Nahyuta's interrogation previous to the trial, they've both been cordial with each other. If anything, Simon seemed to be so different during the questioning, as he was rather serious while talking about the death of a man he deeply respected. But in the end, his switch in court and the display of his prosecutor persona left a indelible bad image in Nahyuta's mind.

“Yes, I didn’t spend much time in America afterward,” said Nahyuta.

“The soba case, right?” asked Klavier. “I heard of it but didn’t ask much. Only know that people found it funny seeing two prosecutors going for each other’s throats.”

Nahyuta sighed, “A rather embarrassing moment… for Prosecutor Blackquill.”

Ema snorted a laugh at such stubbornness, finding it rather endearing coming from a person like Nahyuta. Klavier thought the same, but couldn’t just leave the topic end there.

“Well, he did keep mentioning how he’d won that one over you.”

“Preposterous. The one who managed to reach the truth on that trial was Ms. Athena Cykes," he stated earnestly. "The only thing Prosecutor Blackquill did the whole time was coddling her and irritating me.”

His brows furrowed and both Klavier and Ema shared an amused look. It was a sight to behold whenever Nahyuta broke character, but the memories of an annoying and displeasing man like Simon Blackquill always managed to get him in a certain foul mood. As much as he never bothered to think about him the past year, on the rare occasion he reminisced about his time in California, a big black a white blob appeared to irk him.

Klavier laughed and tried to brighten up the mood. “Herr Blackquill seems to cause mixed feelings in people, but I promise he’s a nice guy, right, Fräulein Detective?”

“When you put to a side the personality issues, he’s interesting to work with, so I also gotta vouch for him,” she mentioned while deep in thought. “He’s definitely more approachable whenever we get drinks together.”

“And the Chief Prosecutor does tolerate many of his outbursts for a reason: He’s good at his job," added Klavier.

“Just today he bargained into his superior’s office in such an undisciplined manner. That’s common?” asked Nahyuta, genuinely curious.

“Only when he’s mad over something he knows he has a right to be mad about,” he answered.

“That sounds complex.”

“Complex is a good way to explain the type of person he is.”

Nahyuta sat deep in thought for some seconds, remembering how Simon’s manners seemed so rough and aggravating, but couldn’t ignore that he was conscious about how he’d been passing judgment on a man he didn’t know. At least, he supported that someone who was denied justice for so long deserved to fight for it, even in the most minimal of cases.

Still, Nahyuta didn’t like that man, and it showed in his face.

“His talent as a prosecutor is a given, I imagine. However, his abhorrent personality is genuinely a detriment for me to see him in a better light.”

“Should we worry, then? About the days to come?” asked Klavier.

Nahyuta smiled to reassure him. “No need. I’m perfectly capable of ignoring Simon Blackquill just as I imagine he’ll ignore me. That won’t deter me from doing my job successfully either. We should keep our paths as far away as possible. That’s all.”

Klavier felt, deep within himself, a certain type of dread. He couldn’t understand why, but he let himself get convinced by Nahyuta’s words and Simon’s professionalism. Or at least trust that the evident mutual dislike would made them avoid each other like the plague, so he dismissed those feelings as he saw the prince excuse himself for the bathroom. When he was left alone with Ema, he leaned closer to her.

“You were there when it happened. Was it bad?”

“Awful,” she grimaced at the memory. “Athena was trembling and sweating whenever they started yelling at each other.”

“Mein gott… I wonder if His Holiness' addition to the office will make Herr Edgeworth’s life easier or…”

“Who knows,” she said after finishing her drink, moving the ice inside her cup with the straw. “I do think Simon found an unusual equal in Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. Never saw anyone standing up to him the way he did. It was kind of refreshing.”

To that, he had to agree, yet Klavier’s worries weren’t so much because he dreaded the upcoming new office dynamics with those two under the same roof. It came from the last phone call he shared with an anguished Apollo, imploring him to keep an eye on Nahyuta while he couldn’t. Klavier didn’t want to ask many details when Apollo sounded so nervous about it, and promised he would, but now he had to consider the wildcard Simon was.

If Simon caused Nahyuta more stress was yet to be seen.

Nahyuta came back in shortly after, saving a golden card inside his brown leather wallet.

“Since we are done, let us go back to our jobs.”

Klavier stood up. “Of course, I’ll ask for the bill and—”

“Don’t worry. It’s been taken care of. My treat, since you both have been so kind to me on my first day here.”

He ignored Ema and Klavier's complaints both inside the restaurant and when they went back to the office. Nahyuta didn’t know if he broke a social or cultural norm by paying, but after having them arrange his office, this was the least he could do. 

After Ema left for the parking lot and Klavier stayed on the floor of his office, Nahyuta suddenly noticed how a certain tension in his neck he’d been struggling to get rid of for months was alleviated. He didn’t dwell on it much before reaching the now-decorated office that smelled like vanilla incense, throwing himself into his work once again.

Sharing lunch with acquaintances that he could dare to call friends relieved some of his stress rather quickly.

It was true that life in California wouldn’t be like in the palace, where everyone needed him all the time for important things he couldn’t brush off. Still, this little amount of newfound free time didn’t do much to calm the still open wound in Nahyuta, who hadn’t had much contact with his family ever since he reached America.  The most he'd done was sending a short text message to Rayfa as soon as he landed. He felt that, considering the tensions in his household, that was enough.

When he arrived at the office, he dedicated himself to his new work as exclusively as he did to his royal duties back home. He worked non-stop until 10:00 PM, and thinking it would be best to pretend he was done for the day, he took some files with him to his hotel.

All this time, Nahyuta still ignored that the reason Amara sent him away was to give him just a bit of freedom. To share lunches with friends as he did that day. However, the intention got lost easily, since Amara wasn't one to communicate properly, less with her son, who at times felt his mother wouldn't occupy herself with thinking how to make him happy.

Even so, it'd been a better day than he initially imagined would be.

Chapter Text

The loud alarm woke Nahyuta up, as he lay stretched out on his suite's sofa, covered with a blanket he'd dragged from the bed under the suspicion that he would end up sleeping there. A small pile of papers fell off the coffee table when he bumped it while standing up. Still half asleep, he managed to gather most of the documents, but looking at the hour on his phone, he opted to leave the mess as it was to take a shower and get ready for work. 

A week already passed since Nahyuta got thrown off his country. Still, the always professional and diligent prince found some comfort in his new routine.

It consisted of staying up until late while working either in his suite or at his office, then going from courtroom to courtroom. Whenever he found himself back in the hotel, he would faint wherever his body decided it was best. 

Get up and repeat.

Every single day.

Including the weekends.

It was the same routine as in Khura'in, only that there were no servants taking care of him. Neither his mother's watchful eye on everything he did, nor Apollo's loud voice at the bench across the room, or Rayfa being her lovely self. As he brushed his teeth after a short shower, he remembered he hadn't spoken to those two since his departure. He hadn't dared to speak to his mother either. 

Rayfa didn't contact him, probably wishing to give him space. Apollo was probably doubting if he was allowed to send him a text. 

Nahyuta knew that if Apollo wanted to know about him, he could get his information through Klavier, who went to Nahyuta's office once a day to check up on him. It’s part of the contract of loving Herr Forehead he said as an excuse, but Nahyuta didn't mind Klavier's company, who managed to help him get around the office. 

Apollo forgot Klavier was as much of a workaholic as Nahyuta, so his little plan backfired.

Nonetheless, thinking about his brother made him feel some sort of guilt, and now that he's had enough time to calm his feelings, Nahyuta could accept that his behavior towards his family had been reprehensible, and was taken to an extreme. That's why the first thing he did after reaching his office was dial Apollo’s number, watching through the window at the garden behind the prosecutor’s office. 

When Apollo answered, there was no answer. Apollo was speechless and Nahyuta had to talk first.

“You do remember that, since it was me who called, you should let me know you’re listening by saying something, right?”

“… Is everything alright?” his voice trembled.

“Very much. I’m checking up on you. And Mikeko. How’s he doing?”

“We’re good… How about you?”

“I’m alright,” he started looking at his nails, noticing how the shiny nude polish started chipping in some fingernails. “There’s not much work, compared to the palace. Klavier’s been a lot of help, considering he’s stalking me. Do you know anything regarding that strange behavior of his?”

“What?! Why… Why would he do that?! Isn’t that crazy?... Hey, maybe he wants to be friends with you!”

Nahyuta made an effort to contain his laughter, but the moment the lame excuses left Apollo’s mouth, he laughed loudly. After a rather intense silence, Nahyuta chuckled, and Apollo started complaining.

“You knew I sent him.”

“Of course I did. I’m sorry to say that your boyfriend’s a bad liar. You got that in common at least.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t find another way to… ease the nerves,” he laughed.

“Why should you be nervous? Last time I checked I was a 26-year-old adult, one capable of taking care of himself…”

“There’s some doubt in your voice, Yuty.”

It was true he hadn’t excelled in the “taking care of himself” area the past few months, but that didn’t give Apollo the right to throw it in his face.

“Still, I’ve found Klavier’s company rather interesting, but please free him from this mission. There’s enough to do in the prosecutor’s office to have him waste at least 30 minutes of his day by being my shadow.”

“30 minutes? He told me he spent an hour!” shouted Apollo.

“... Apollo, why would he spend an hour spying on me under your orders? Are you listening to yourself?”

“Yes, I’m… I’m sorry. It won’t happen again… It’s just that I didn’t know if it was OK to call or text.”

“...It wasn’t. Until today. I have a meeting soon so I’ll talk to you later.”

Nahyuta didn’t let Apollo talk before hanging up. He sat on his chair after leaving his cell phone on the desk and took a deep breath, hoping that he didn’t sound upset. Instead, he felt some sort of relief.

Ever since they were again a part of each other’s lives they hadn’t spent much time apart. Obviously because of their important work in the khura’inese courtroom, but also in the lunches and dinners they shared while stuck in the courthouse, or working together at the palace or Apollo’s office. Nahyuta always dreamed of their reunion, even more at his lowest moments, so their separation after one short year left him with a bitterness he still couldn’t quite shake. Yet it wasn’t Apollo’s fault this ended up happening.

After he hung up the call, he went to text Rayfa who, to his surprise, answered immediately. Nahyuta allowed himself 10 minutes of distraction where Rayfa filled the screen with messages about their mother’s harsh spiritual training, and the inflated ego of a princess that was managing to ace it. It was good to see she was doing fine. 

Nahyuta even sent his regards to Amara, who he still didn’t possess the courage to call. 

With his family bonds somewhat mended, Nahyuta took a case file and left his office, walking in the direction of the elevator that opened its doors, and, to his surprise, he saw that a distracted Simon was inside.

Almost as if destiny didn’t want to, both men barely crossed paths in the week since Nahyuta arrived. Probably because the work kept pouring in an unending stream, to the point that the small number of available prosecutors found it difficult to even get out of their private offices or the courtroom.

The way their paths would now cross let them know this little blessing had finally come to an end. Simon tried to subtly press the close button to avoid Nahyuta a little longer, but the doors closed right after he entered the elevator. With him, it came that pesky floral and smoky scent of incense which made Simon’s nose slightly itchy.

“Not subtle at all, Prosecutor Blackquill,” said Nahyuta, staring at the elevator’s metallic door. “If you want to avoid me so badly you could take the stairs.”

“So the peasant leaves the elevator empty for His Holiness? Over my dead body.”

Nahyuta rolled his eyes, paying no attention to his companion on the silent ride to the last floor of the building. Simon’s arms were crossed while holding a black folder in one hand, and the distance between them was enough thanks to the large space inside the elevator. This silence was something they grew accustomed to, since there was nothing they could talk about. 

The door opened, and both men tried to go out at the same time, yet Simon ended up pushing Nahyuta off the elevator and didn’t bother to check on him before making his way to the meeting room. 

While fixing his jacket and dusting off his shoulder, Nahyuta silently prayed, so the Holy Mother would grant him some patience for the hours to come. 

Simon walked with a rather quick pace in comparison to Nahyuta, yet he didn’t look as if he was in a hurry. His black and wide back hoarded Nahyuta’s line of sight as he followed his steps. The smell of tobacco was stronger that day. It was an interesting view for Nahyuta the way Simon made his way through the hall; how no one dared to be on his path, lowering their heads and making way for the giant prosecutor and his rushed stomping. In contrast, Nahyuta’s light but firm steps followed close, and he bothered to at least show a smile at his coworkers.

What an unpleasant man, Nahyuta thought. 

When Simon turned left, he suddenly stood still for a second before his intimidating expression dropped for a more subtle frown. He disappeared as he walked toward the meeting room, and when Nahyuta peeked behind the wall, he was surprised by what he saw. 

Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth was there, as he imagined he would be, but what he wasn’t expecting was him to be accompanied by Phoenix Wright and his daughter, Trucy. To see Simon talking to them with what he imagined was a friendly smile came as a shock. The girl seemed rather fond of Prosecutor Blackquill, or at least that’s how their conversation came across at such distance. In a matter of seconds, Nahyuta straightened up and wondered why he was hiding behind the wall as if there was something wrong about appearing at the meeting he was called for.

It’d been silly, so he walked towards them with no sort of worry, without letting bad memories casually haunt him as Trucy Wright smiled when she noticed his presence, and cheerfully waved at him. Simon turned around to see who elicited such a greeting from the girl, and his expression soured when he saw that violet dot approaching them, so he occupied himself by talking to Edgeworth in front of the meeting room.

“Told you, daddy! Prosecutor Sahdmadhi was truly back in the city,” exclaimed the girl.

“I couldn’t believe it when Apollo told us. I truly had to see it for myself,” said Phoenix. “How have you been, Your Holiness? How are Rayfa and Her Majesty doing?”

“We’re very well, Mr. Wright. I see Apollo can’t keep a secret,” he answered.

Phoenix laughed, “At all. Though he didn’t mention the reason for your reinstatement as an international prosecutor.”

Nahyuta knew this question was coming, and he asked for forgiveness for the lie that was about to leave his lips.

“Rayfa has grown a lot in the past year, and Her Majesty saw fit for proper training regarding her royal duties to begin. With our mother taking back the reins of the palace for a while, and the legal system somewhat stabilized, I found myself with almost nothing to do.”

“It’s so nice to hear things are working out back in Khura’in.”

“I have you to thank for that, Mr. Wright,” he honestly smiled with his eyes.

The heartfelt comment, said almost as a whisper, made Phoenix rub the back of his neck, slightly flustered and stuttering something Nahyuta never managed to decipher. Trucy then started nudging her dad’s side with her elbow, ignoring that Nahyuta’s eyes were on her. 

She seemed so different from the time she was involved in that fraud of a magical case, and whenever Nahyuta thought about his behavior back then, that deep sense of guilt he carried every day came to the front of his mind. Thinking he’d been masquerading his emotions rather effectively, he opened his mouth to talk.

“And to you, Ms. Wright…”

“Trucy’s fine!” she said.

“Yes, Trucy,” he smiled rather sheepishly. “I owe you an apology.”

“Why for?”

“... Because of the time I accused you of murder?” he sounded confused since there was no other occasion he remembered that he’d been awful to the girl.

Her nonchalance was impressive, taking into account how traumatic that experience must’ve been. To be slandered the way she was, plus the court bullying Nahyuta orchestrated. Still, Apollo reassured him many times that Trucy probably didn’t care at all. It was a thing to have Apollo calm him down whenever they dared to talk about the past, and another to see Trucy’s honesty in her gaze.

She giggled and covered her mouth with a gloved hand before showing Nahyuta a warm smile.

“Oh please, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi! That’s a thing of the past. I don’t hold it against you,” she said and turned her bright face towards Simon. “The same way I never had ill feelings towards Aura for the whole kidnapping thing!”

“The what?” asked Nahyuta.

Trucy’s answer got interrupted as Edgeworth cleared his throat. Nahyuta looked his way, and was surprised to find Simon’s scowl disappear, instead looking flustered and forcing a smile as he glanced at the door. That’s when it clicked. Apollo once mentioned something about the Gyaxa incident, the murders, and then the kidnapping. Nahyuta simply ignored the detail of the kidnapper, Aura Blackquill, to be related to Simon.

“I think you two have entertained Prosecutor Sahdmadhi and Prosecutor Blackquill enough,” exclaimed Edgeworth. “We have a meeting. Wright, you should be at your office, and Trucy should be at school at this hour.”

“Hey, it was an important detour since you left your phone in the living room,” retorted Phoenix.

Edgeworth rolled his eyes and pushed the pair towards the elevator. Father and daughter waved goodbye to Simon and Nahyuta, who stayed in silence as they saw them disappear into the hallway. Nahyuta was a little timid at having taken a peek at his boss’s family life, yet felt a great sense of relief when Trucy waved him goodbye so fervently. He was so enthralled by it, that he ignored how Simon leaned closer to him.

“Are you truly that bad of a prince that they threw you so far away from home?” he asked in a mocking tone.

Simon, who’d been listening closely to their conversation, simply couldn’t ignore what Nahyuta said. It would’ve been a great sin for him to not tease him about it. Nahyuta put on his default smile, as usual.

“Princess Rayfa is to be using my absence for real training with our mother. So, I took time off.”

“A holiday… Working at the prosecutor’s office? You’re a strange lad.”

When Simon put it that way, Nahyuta couldn’t ignore that his lie sounded stupid to anyone who ignored his workaholic tendencies. He refused to engage in a conversation with him and entered the empty meeting room, choosing to sit far away from Simon, who took a seat at the end of the table.

“You think I bite that you’ve gone that far?” he noted.

“Now you wish for my company, Blackquill?”

“As if. I just thought you would be much more discreet.”

“No need to when it’s just the two of us.”

Nahyuta took a small leather-bound notebook, completely ignoring Simon, who was staring at him with an amused smile. They spent almost 10 minutes in silence, each of them reviewing their files, or attending work on their phones until the click of the door made them turn their heads. They waited for any other prosecutor for what was supposed to be a general meeting, but instead, it was the Chief Prosecutor.

“My apologies for the delay. Let’s begin.”

“Begin? Just the three of us?” asked Simon, “I thought this would be a general meeting.”

Edgeworth took a seat across the table and between Nahyuta and Simon, knowing that if he sat in his usual spot at the head, it would be difficult to communicate in an almost empty room. To ask them to sit closer would open a discussion he didn’t care to deal with so early in the morning.

“It was, then I postponed it for the rest when something I wanted the both of you to see came up.”

“Would’ve been nice to warn us first, Edgeworth-dono,” mumbled Simon.

“And would you agree to a private meeting with me and His Holiness if I let you know? I don’t think so, now check the screen.”

Simon sat straight on the chair and saw the screen on the table lit up with a new file ready to be opened. Nahyuta didn’t bother to be a part of Simon’s complaining session, but he did find the whole secrecy around the meeting strange. On the screen, some files explained what appeared to be a simple murder case that occurred in an office building for a PR agency. Police found the murder weapon, a bloodied letter opener that had been forced on the neck of the owner, but without fingerprints. Only 3 people were in the office building at the time of the murder, the victim’s secretary and two interns.

In an empty building, with no one detained but only 3 possible murderers, it was obvious the real culprit could be one of them, or all of them considering all possibilities. Nahyuta was checking the files and saw his name as the prosecutor assigned to the case. Must’ve been a last-minute appointment since he was finding out right now, but still couldn’t understand why Simon Blackquill was still in the room. 

A shiver went through his spine as he imagined they might be asked to work together, and he caught a glimpse of Simon at the end of the table, concentrating on the files just like him.

If the Chief Prosecutor tried to pair them up, he would have to think of the best way to reject it.

“I consider this case to be rather difficult because I hadn’t seen witnesses quite like them,” Edgeworth broke the silence.

“What’s wrong with them?” Asked Nahyuta.

Simon sighed. “I thought His Highness was a quick reader. Check the testimonies, Sad monk.”

“There are no testimonies… Prosecutor Blackquill,” he bit his tongue before falling for his provocations. “Which I find odd, but it’s not uncommon.”

“When the only 3 witnesses go completely silent, I feel you should, since it’s your case.”

“I’ve worked on more complex cases. Do not worry about me.”

“And that’s why I thought you would be ideal for the case,” interrupted Edgeworth.

Nahyuta smiled, and Simon rolled his eyes wondering why he was still there.

“Thank you, Chief Prosecutor. I’ll go ask the detective in charge of the case for the questioning.”

“… And that’s when you enter, Blackquill.”

After hearing his name, Simon raised his eyes to meet Edgeworth’s in confusion. He even saw Nahyuta, who seemed even more at a loss for words than him. The idea that they might be working together never crossed his mind until he saw Nahyuta’s gentle expression morph into a mix of disgust and annoyance. Right before Simon spoke, Edgeworth raised his hand.

“I hope you both do not think of me as someone deluded enough to not see you’re a match made in hell. No, you’re not working together. I’ve been making an effort to avoid such a thing for obvious reasons.”

It was as if he read their minds without even looking at them. Nahyuta found himself in awe at the Chief Prosecutor's control over his staff that even Simon visibly relaxed with only his words.

“Then what am I needed for?” Simon asked.

“I want you to be in charge of the questioning with Detective Skye.”

“I understand. How is this not working with Prosecutor Sahdmadhi?”

“It won't be. Prosecutor Blackquill, you came to me some time ago mentioning that you wished to try something different when dealing with witnesses. I’ll get you that permit if you promise to not do anything that would harm both the reputation of the prosecutor’s office or yours.”

Nahyuta was confused, and seeing that the conversation was excluding him on purpose, he limited himself to stare at both men, to study their expressions and see if he could get something out of them. Edgeworth’s were as unchangeable as usual, but Simon’s were the ones that interested him the most. He seemed thrilled at the idea, to the point he was ignoring the case was Nahyuta’s.

“But sir, is it alright for me to do it? What has the Chief of police to say about it?”

“I spoke to him early today. He’ll give you the permit even if you won’t be working on this case. If things go right, maybe we could give you access to those files you desire.”

Even across the room, Nahyuta could notice Simon’s change thanks to Edgeworth’s comment that seemed so casual, except that to Simon it wasn’t. He deeply thought about it before speaking again. 

“… But I would have to report everything to the Sad— I mean, Sahdmadhi-dono.”

“Detective Skye can do that for you. If you accept, the witnesses are already in the precinct. Go before they start getting anxious.”

Simon’s smile faded a little, and he forced himself to look at Nahyuta.

“What about you?”

“If the Chief Prosecutor wants it this way, it’s for a reason,” he rested his hands on his lap and looked directly at him. “I’ll do my own questioning at a later date. Whatever you find, rest assured, I will too.”

Nahyuta had been meditating this whole time, pretending he wasn’t awfully curious about how this questioning done by Blackquill would differ from a standard one. If this were the palace, he would be completely against the idea of sharing his workload with someone else, especially when that someone seemed to have ulterior motives. Nahyuta didn’t have a single idea about what he would do to the witnesses, or if it was even morally ok or legally allowed. But Edgeworth gave it a go and he was their boss. There was nothing Nahyuta could do.

“I’ll crack those witnesses by lunchtime. Your questioning will only bring redundancy and confusion. Keep quiet and consider this a welcome gift.”

After cackling loudly, Simon left the room, and when the door closed, Nahyuta couldn’t help letting his smile drop. He looked at the files to pretend he wasn’t bothered about the way things were being dealt with.

After a short discussion about the case, the meeting was over and Nahyuta left for his office. The curiosity about what those files Blackquill wanted so much could be, to the point he accepted this strange arrangement, followed him for the rest of the day. 

In the silent office, surrounded by the smell of musk incense and looking at a bag of peach-flavored gummy snacks, Nahyuta wondered how long it would take for Simon to crack the witnesses, as he’d promised. Lunchtime was already over, and Nahyuta wondered what kind of methods would he use to get to the truth. He opted to get one of those sweet snacks and let go of what he couldn’t control. The pile of work waiting for him only grew bigger as he wasted his time thinking about the dealings of an abominable man, yet he was glad about it. It gave him less time to worry about how Simon could be messing with his case.

To his surprise, he got an unexpected visitor right as he opened a folder. A hawk suddenly perched itself on the window sill, startling a group of butterflies that were always around. In his beak, he held a yellow envelope.

Nahyuta never had the pleasure to properly meet Simon Blackquill’s feathered companion, only seeing him from afar at that awful Rakugo trial. Nahyuta walked towards him, and Taka left the envelope on the window and started tapping on it with his claws. There was a sticky note at the front that read: Here’s your gift, as promised. Simon’s calligraphy was neat and simple. Nahyuta took it and opened it to see 3 lengthy witness testimonies.

He couldn’t avoid frowning a little as he was pushed to accept Simon’s capabilities.

“Seems like your master is capable of fulfilling promises, and didn’t wait for Detective Skye to send it to me. He had to rub it on my face as quickly as possible.”

Taka screeched, and Nahyuta petted him while reading the testimonies. After sitting at his desk, he expected to be left alone, but instead, he found himself being observed by the hawk, still on the window sill. Nahyuta let him be, since compared to Klavier and his incessant chat, Taka made him some nice company as he checked the files. After what seemed to be 10 minutes, Nahyuta imagined the hawk would’ve left, instead, when they locked gazes again, Taka screeched again. 

This time Nahyuta comprehended the reason Taka stayed by his side, instead of immediately going back to Simon. 

The bird wanted, for some reason, to get petted once again. Nahyuta pushed his chair closer to the window and slowly rubbed Taka under the head where his bandana was. After softly stroking the feathers of his chest, Nahyuta found himself in awe of the beauty of such an animal.

“Your feathers are beautiful. That guy takes good care of you.”

At the compliment, Taka stretched out his wings, almost as if he wanted to show himself off. Nahyuta laughed since he imagined Taka to be less delicate, to be a crass creature that mimicked most of his master’s behavior. Instead, he was smiling with his curious eyes as he saw Nahyuta and enjoyed the petting he provided.

A knock on the door wasn’t enough to distract them from what they did, and Nahyuta only shouted for his visitor to come in as he kept on petting Taka. It was Klavier who entered, and Nahyuta knew without turning to the door since it was around that same hour every day that Klavier came to check up on him.

“Hello, Herr Sahdmadhi. Did you have lunch…?” he stopped mid-sentence at the image in front of him.

“Yes, I came back not long ago,” he answered, but there was silence where Klavier’s usual chattiness should be. He turned around to see the prosecutor looking at him with disbelief. “Is there anything wrong?”

“… I never saw anyone but Simon pet him.”

Klavier approached them, but stayed behind the desk, hands on it and leaning closer to admire from a safe distance. Taka had been, for the last 2 years, a fixture of the district court and the prosecutor’s office. To have such a majestic animal flying around was a surprise, yet allowed by the Chief Prosecutor, who didn’t seem to care about the eccentricities of others if they accomplished their jobs as well as Simon did. 

Many foolishly tried to reach for the bird on many occasions, thinking that since he was always perched on Simon's shoulder, the bird must be trained. They’ve been lucky to still keep all their fingers intact because the hawk’s training was restricted to respecting Simon.

Taka didn’t like getting touched by many, Klavier remembers touching him only once, and that was because Simon told the bird to behave. Trying not to push him much, Klavier only rubbed for less than a second in the place Simon told him. The only other person he could remember being close to the bird had been Athena, and even so, in court, she would still get attacked in the middle of trials if that’s what Simon ordered him to do. 

Seeing him act so compliant and peaceful while Nahyuta pets him was interesting, to say the least.

“Herr Blackquill will be enraged if he finds out you tamed his friend.”

“Tame? I haven’t done anything like that. In fact, Prosecutor Blackquill was the one that sent the hawk my way,” Nahyuta grabbed the folder that was resting on his lap and showed Klavier the sticky note. “I’ll concede that I prefer Taka getting me the documents instead of having to see him .”

“A gift ?”

Klavier read the sticky note and raised his eyebrow in a way Nahyuta could only feel as accusatory. He rolled his eyes and the simple idea of what Klavier was thinking.

“Not at all what you might imagine. We had a meeting this morning, just us and the Chief Prosecutor.”

“And no one ended up hurt?”

Nahyuta forced a laugh. “Very funny. But no, Mr. Edgeworth gave him the chance to toy around with some uncooperative witnesses in one of my cases, and he sent Taka to give me the testimonies. At best, he’s rubbing in my face how good his psychological prowess is.”

Klavier laughed, “Sounds like him. No wonder he’s been so gleeful.”

“I’m not surprised that he enjoys torturing witnesses. Everything about him screams he’s… Oh, how could I word this better than A pain in the ass, as you Americans like to say.”

Nahyuta took a pen and scribbled something on the sticky note before putting the envelope on his desk and standing up. He walked to the window and Taka, who puffed his feathery chest and thought he might get a new petting session was only rubbed on top of his head before Nahyuta opened the window even more. He showed the bird the sticky note that Taka took in his beak.

“Go give him this. Thanks for the delivery.”

Taka didn’t stay much longer after that and took flight. Nahyuta then closed the window and noticed he’d been distracted with the bird for a long time which he could’ve spent checking the witness testimony and planning his questioning. Instead of blaming the bird, in his mind a twisted idea of Simon ordering Taka to mess with him started forming. He laughed at it, but the disgust of Simon sending the files so quickly, showing he was a better option for questioning than Nahyuta stayed with him for the rest of the day.

Klavier simply stared at Nahyuta, whom he never imagined saying such a thing. Yet, the more time he spent here, the more he seemed to relax, even if it was at the expense of insulting Simon, who probably deserved every single insult. Klavier made a mental note to text Apollo about it later.

“Well, when you said you had a meeting I feared Herr Edgeworth made you two work together on a case.”

“He’s too smart for that.”

“True, but he’s also a box of surprises and who does not have many subordinates at the moment for the truly challenging cases.”

“Sounds like you’re preparing me for something, Prosecutor Gavin.”

Klavier laughed tiredly as he sat on the sofa. What he proposed wasn’t as far-fetched as Nahyuta was trying to delude himself into thinking. Not just because of the actual state of the prosecutor's office, but because of the special capabilities of both Nahyuta and Simon together. Klavier couldn’t imagine the chief prosecutor not wanting to bet on them, at least once.

“Eh, don’t think too much about what I said. Haven’t been sleeping much.”

It was true, Klavier missed his bed very much. But with the amount of work he still needed to finish, even if he put his head on the sofa to rest a little he would end up having nightmares related to the multiple ongoing cases he’d been working on. Nahyuta could see that and wondered how Klavier got time to even come and check up on him daily. It reminded him of the short conversation Nahyuta held with his brother that morning.

“Maybe now you can use the half hour you shared with me by taking a nap since I spoke with Apollo today.”

“You did?!” his tired eyes opened wide.

“No need to shout. Rest assured Apollo will let you free from this now.”

“Oh… Well, I never found it annoying or anything. I enjoy talking to you.”

Klavier smiled, and just by looking at his fatigue even Nahyuta felt like yawning too. The comment made Nahyuta turn his head toward the window since the honesty of those words caught him off guard and made him feel a little shy. Nahyuta blamed the fatigue for it.

“Please, go take that nap at least.”

“Fine, as His Holiness commands,” Klavier stood up groggily from the sofa and walked to the door, but stopped before leaving the office. “I’m glad you two made up. Apollo too was losing sleep over it.”

Nahyuta turned around slowly, but Klavier had already left him alone with the thoughts that he couldn’t find words to express at the moment.

On the same floor, Taka flew through the open panel of a window wall, into an office with black and white walls and a large black desk in the middle. Taka perched himself on his usual spot at the top of a sturdy wooden coat hanger on a corner of the office, next to a 4-panel, black wood Shoji screen from the Meji period. That Shoji screen possessed the only touches of color in a monochromatic office with the golden cherry blossom branches that adorned it. 

The sticky note was still in his beak as he saw Simon pacing from one side of the room to the other, a control remote in his hand and carefully listening to the sound coming from the large TV filling the wall. In it, it replayed the questioning session of one of the witnesses.

The secretary caught his attention, as he focused on her strange speech. When he turned around and saw Taka waiting for him, he paused the video and went to him. The bright yellow sticky note caught his attention, and he picked it up as he stroked Taka with one finger, reading the simple Thank you written in what should have been the most stereotypical delicate cursive he’d seen.

For some reason it made Simon laugh. He left the note on his desk and went back to Taka.

“You spent an absurd amount of time at the Sad monk’s office.”

Taka looked the other way.

“A secret? Now you have secrets with the enemy?”

Taka leaned closer to him but still looked the other way, which amused Simon.

“... Fine, I’ll let you off today.”

Simon sat on his desk, pondering for a moment on his interviews early that day and all the conflicting information he managed to pull out of the witnesses. To him, that case would be a clusterfuck of an event that he wouldn’t dare to miss. Because Simon wished to see the obnoxious and petty murderer tell on themselves and see how long it would take His Royal Highness to find out the truth. 

His gaze returned to the desk, and Nahyuta’s pretty cursive got his attention once more. Simon lost at least five minutes looking at it, with his head resting on one hand before he remembered the irritating smell coming from the monk. It made his nose itch just by remembering it. Then the defiant green eyes popped in his mind as Simon thought of the monk’s composure when he took away the questioning from him. 

Automatically, his hand grabbed the note that was resting on his desk. Once more he saw the calligraphy of such a man who dared to return all of his provocations.

“He’s but a pretentious poppycock,” he whispered to himself.

Simon threw the note in one of his desk’s drawers instead of the trash and forgot about it before going to rewatch the questioning video.

Chapter Text

The evenings Nahyuta spent at his suite turned more agreeable as he got more used to his new surroundings. Now he was less reluctant to spend time for himself at the suite or enjoy the large bathtub from time to time.

Like on that evening, he enjoyed a bubble bath after surprisingly finishing early at the office. After getting out of the shower and putting on a bathrobe, Nahyuta started drying his hair but stopped when the ringing from his laptop distracted him. He answered a video call as he tried to finish drying his damp hair with a towel, sitting on the bed and seeing Apollo’s face popping up in a little window on the screen next to open files he’d been revising minutes ago. Apollo waved at him, and Nahyuta smiled as he put the towel over his shoulder and started typing on his laptop.

“How’s it been? Is it too late over there?” asked Apollo.

“Almost midnight. Did you stop your lunch break for the call? You tend to eat at this hour.”

His eyes went to the clock in the corner of the screen where he had Khura'in and California's hours displayed. It was already noon over there while it was already 10 PM in L.A.

“Already finished,” answered Apollo while taking a bite out of a peeled apple, probably courtesy of Datz, and leaning back in his chair. “… Are you still working at this hour?”

Apollo asked with a little apprehension, knowing Nahyuta could and would end the call if he felt he was being pressured.

“I’m almost done for the day if you’re worrying about it. I also had dinner too, which was rather nutritious,” he smiled. “The hotel chef's seasoning is to my liking.”

“I'm glad. Klavier mentioned he had to drag you for lunch many times.”

“Was your boyfriend acting as my nanny?”

Apollo covered his mouth with the half-eaten apple to not laugh. Looking back at it, he wasn't that proud about giving such a silly mission to Klavier, who’d also accepted it without complaint. Apollo could only imagine how he struggled to juggle keeping an eye on Nahyuta and working through the chaos of the prosecutor's office at the moment.

“In my defense, I was worried you would forget to eat since no servants are there to remind you human beings need food.”

The prince looked insulted by the comment. 

“I'm human. If I get hungry, I eat. I'm sure I can't forget doing that.”

Nahyuta blatantly lied, ignoring Apollo in his little corner of the screen and paying more attention to the document. He did forget to have dinner most days, but ever since he took on the role of regent prince he opted for light snacks instead of a full meal that late at night, something that wouldn't take much space at his desk while he worked. Now he knew this was reprehensible behavior, and he could easily remember his mother's accusatory gaze every time she saw servants taking an assortment of fruits, a salad, or steamed buns into his office instead of a proper, hearty meal.

The plate with the half-eaten sandwich resting on the night table next to him reminded Nahyuta of the disastrous state of his diet, and he made a mental note about fixing that one of these days. 

“What are you working on?” asked Apollo as he leaned closer to the screen. The window now showed half his eyes and a big part of his forehead. “A murder case?”

“Yes, the witness’ testimonies… But it's strange.”

“Why?”

“The 3 testimonies are exactly the same.”

“That's a big giveaway they arranged it.”

Nahyuta passed his hand through his hair. “The detective said the same thing and I agreed but… I don't think the 3 were involved on the same level.”

“But you got the culprit?”

“Definitely,” he stared at the picture of the secretary, a woman in her fifties by the name of Veronica Tapler. “At least one of them.”

That day, after Nahyuta finished his interviews with the witnesses, the police and he agreed that the secretary should be arrested for her involvement in the murder of her boss. Even with the lack of substantial evidence, a case could be made thanks to her strange and cold behavior whenever she answered questions, not having an alibi for the murder, and one probable reason: This was a crime of passion since Veronica was romantically involved with her boss for years now. 

The frigid behavior when she got arrested was telling. Nahyuta knew she had to be the mastermind behind the murder.

“If you're so sure then why are you frowning like that?”

It wasn't until Apollo's comment that Nahyuta relaxed his face, he even took the tip of his finger to his forehead and massaged the frown away, feeling his skin now softer after taking his time applying a face mask. It was true, he was sure of some things, but there was a big gap of information that he simply couldn't find how to fill. Even after he did a second round of questioning with Ema’s aid, or studied everything from the personal life of the victim and defendant, the gap was bothering him. 

A gap prosecutor Blackquill decided to leave empty in his document, which was well constructed and full with even more details Nahyuta believed he could've found if it weren't because he'd prepared thanks to Simon. At least until he reached the last page where, in the blank space, he saw the writing in red ink with big bold letters:

FIND IT YOURSELF, CODDLED NUMBSKULL. 

The document was open on that page on the bed, resting next to the laptop. Seeing the red ink at the end of the white page only made Nahyuta want to work harder, which made his frown return.

“Ah! There it is again!” pointed out Apollo.

Nahyuta only started rubbing harder until he let out a groan.

“Come on! If there's something I can help you with, tell me!” exclaimed his brother. “It's weird to see you so bothered about work.”

“It's not work. Well, it is about work in a way, but not really.”

“I don't get it.”

Nahyuta thought it was better to show rather than tell, so he took the document from the folder and showed it to Apollo through the webcam. Apollo gasped before covering his mouth.

“Who called you that?”

"Blackquill."

“Oh,” his shock disappeared as he reclined on his chair again. “Sounds like him.”

“I'm finding out this is usual for him.”

“To insult? Yeah,” Apollo nervously giggled. “Once he sent a whole document with corrections after we did a consultation on a case. He has quite the vocabulary, and it shows the most when he goes off on you.”

“He spoke like that to you?”

“No. To Athena. She did call and tried to insult him back, but her pride was forever hurt after she dared to ask Simon for help about something psychology-related.”

“Which is why he acts as if he is doing me a favor and proceeds to fill 20 pages with his own opinions about his questioning. I never requested it, the Chief Prosecutor did.”

“You guys are working together?!” he shouted, and Nahyuta was grateful he didn't put on earphones.

“Not at all. But Mr. Edgeworth gave him the chance to do this questioning, and I think Blackquill did something to the witnesses. Detective Skye was with him and assured me he'd been professional about it… but he did something to uncover the truth and I can't seem to find what it was.”

“His methods or the truth?”

“Both. I find this incredibly annoying. I also don't fancy him.”

Apollo snorted a laugh. His own experience with Simon wasn't the best either, but after seeing him in court, and thanks to Athena herself being so close to him, one could understand a little about his behavior. How most times his maliciousness was an act, but it was enough to leave the desired impact. The worst thing Apollo could say about Simon was that he was blunt and scary, but it was handy to have him as an acquaintance.

“Simon makes himself hard to like. Though Klavier always tells me he gets along fine with him,” he revealed. “I thought he might be different with you since you're both prosecutors working in the same office.”

“Klavier mentioned he, at times, allowed himself to be nice. Something I think I'll never see because he hates me, and it's not like I care to change that opinion of me.”

“This last week must've been rough for you if Blackquill was being such a pain in the ass.”

Nahyuta sighed. “Not much. I've been in and out of court or in my office from morning to afternoon. It wasn't until two days ago that we interacted.”

Apollo stayed quiet for a while, listening to Nahyuta explain the case and Simon's observations as he reviewed the document once again. The document, now adorned with colored sticky tabs and highlighted phrases showed Nahyuta reread it multiple times since it reached his hands, and Apollo couldn't help but smile at the earnestness Nahyuta showed as he struggled with work.

“Yuty… I think you're just angry he got the answer, and you haven’t,” he pointed out.

“… It’s kind of late. I should go to bed.”

At his brother’s stubbornness, Apollo couldn't stifle his laughter much longer.

It bothered Nahyuta how easily he’d been read, but what truly angered him and made him feel uncharacteristically flustered was Simon’s subtle involvement with his case. Nahyuta easily pictured Simon Blackquill in his head now, cackling at him in that vulgar manner of his, with his whole body while pointing out that even after two full days, Nahyuta couldn’t decipher what he’d done in a matter of hours. 

Without noticing, Nahyuta was gripping on the white sheets until Apollo stopped laughing.

“C’mon, it’s so childish of you.”

The prince groaned. “You think I don’t know it? And still I…”

After opening his mouth two times, and struggling with his words, Nahyuta took in a deep breath and pushed back his semi-dried bangs. At the sight of it, Apollo felt stunned. Not even as children he saw Nahyuta behave like that, mostly because Nahyuta was always the shy and quiet kid compared to the rambunctious Apollo. To make him frown or be mad at someone you had to either attack Apollo or their father. 

Seeing how Nahyuta tried to meditate the anger away made Apollo wish he was there to help... but also to see everything unfold.

“Hey, calm down. You’ll be able to get to the solution in the nick of time, probably during the trial. I’m sure of it.”

“The infallible Let’s Solve It At The Last Minute method? That’s how low I’ve fallen?”

“I mean, it always works out for me!” exclaimed Apollo while forcing a laugh.

“... I wouldn’t be in this situation if I’d stayed home…”

A tense silence followed since neither of them wanted to bring up the elephant in the room. Nahyuta calling Apollo the other day was but a simple demonstration of maturity on his side, as he hated the way being angry at his younger brother made him feel. That didn’t mean he accepted any of the events that landed him in California, and Apollo knew well that this blockage caused by Simon’s unpleasant note was also fueled by Nahyuta’s anxieties.

“Think it this way. You’ll have bragging rights after you uncover the whole truth,” said Apollo, smiling as he reminisced about the times he won over Simon at court. “I always enjoy that part the most.”

“Something that would be possible if I were a defense attorney and that reversed Panda the prosecutor. I have the enemy on my side of the bench.”

“... But you can shove it in his face every day at the office. A bigger win if you ask me.”

Nahyuta thought about it and smiled. “That would be lovely.”

“That’s why you should go to bed instead of trying to reread that file until the sunrise. Your brain’s tired. There’s nothing more that you can squeeze out of it tonight.”

“I wasn’t going to… Goodnight, Apollo.”

Apollo smiled and wished him good night before hanging up. Nahyuta’s hand went to the file as a reflex, and only when he started reading the first lines he sighed, put the document inside the envelope, and leave it on top of his night table. After changing into a pair of maroon pajamas, Nahyuta finished his food and tucked himself into bed for the first time in days.

As he sank in the cushy hotel bed he let himself enjoy the coziness of it for the first time, instead of falling asleep on the desk, the sofa, or with half his body in the bed and the other half falling to the floor. When he worked until he couldn’t take it any longer, Nahyuta tended to just fall asleep anywhere, and it was easier to do that here without worrying if someone from the palace staff would see. Putting himself to bed didn't help to erase that weight in his chest, though. He needed some minutes for his brain to give up and allow itself to catch some rest. 

He required a good night of rest to prove Simon Blackquill wrong.

The day of the trial was a rainy one. Nahyuta had never seen a day so gloomy since he arrived in California, and he hoped this didn’t foretell anything. While waiting in an empty room for his trial to begin, he heard a knock on the door before the door opened and Ema entered, carrying an envelope with a single page in it.

“Good morning, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi! Here’s what you asked me for.”

“I’m in your debt, detective,” he reached for the document and quickly read it, finally getting rid of the weight on his shoulders.

“Will this help you win the case?”

“Yes. It clears all my doubts. This will be settled today.”

Ema smiled and left the room, quietly closing the door behind herself after she left Nahyuta to realize his prayers for the victim, then getting frightened while turning to the hallway, when she saw Simon with a feather in his mouth and casually resting against the wall.

“Prosecutor Blackquill! You got a trial today?”

“No. But I’m curious about the outcome of this one,” he answered.

Ema stared at him in confusion. “About this case? I thought you knew the answer already.”

“I do. It’s His Highness who intrigues me,” he started walking and Ema followed him. “Will he make a fool of himself today or find the truth? What do you think?”

“I believe your poor judgment of Prosecutor Sahdmadhi is clouding the rational side of your mind.” she pouted. “He got this in the bag.”

Simon scoffed at the idea. Sure, he didn’t bother to get to know Nahyuta, neither cared much for this trial until he got allowed to implement his particular methods in someone else's questioning. However, his tactics would be implemented on the regular if Nahyuta got results that same day. That was his main interest.

Simon was completely dedicated to his work as a prosecutor, to the point of developing a series of questions that seemed to be foolproof when used against witnesses. He used them every time, and seeing the way it speeded up work, Simon saw fit to show them to the Chief Prosecutor to help get through cases faster and, most importantly, efficiently. After Edgeworth revised them and eliminated the ones that could be too complex for police officers, he waited for a chance to test them with another prosecutor. It just so happens that Simon’s luck landed him with Nahyuta.

At first, he’d been slightly annoyed at the idea to the point that to relieve stress he was tempted to pull a prank, leaving out some of his conclusions from the preliminary questioning and replacing them with a colorful note. To anyone else, it would seem as if he was shooting himself in the foot by refusing his complete cooperation, but if there was something he had to accept, it was that he didn’t doubt Nahyuta would get to the bottom of the case if his mind was clearer than last year. 

He accompanied Ema to the gallery and, instead of leaving the courthouse, he entered the hall right behind her.

“Wait, you’re really staying?” she asked.

“Can’t I? Even if I’m not officially involved with the case, I would like to see the development of this trial, and the overall behavior of the defendant and witnesses,” he said and slyly smiled. “It’s always nice to see what happens after you mess up with someone’s brain.”

As Simon sat at a corner in the gallery, Ema remembered how the questioning ended up breaking the witnesses in a matter of minutes, all of them in different manners. Knowing that Simon didn’t get to do as much as he wished gave her chills, but Ema was curious to know what methods the Chief Prosecutor didn’t approve of.

“You’re kind of messed up, you know?”

“I blame the seven years in jail,” he pulled out his phone after nonchalantly dropping that comment.

Ema didn’t have much more to say, rolling her eyes and going to her seat in the first row of the gallery, to readily await the time of her testimony. Slowly, the seats filled, and the defense attorney of Ms. Tapler arrived at the same time she was seated on the defendant's chair. Nahyuta too entered the room, and Simon couldn’t help but lift his eyes from his phone screen to see the delicate and graceful manner in which the prince moved to his bench. How he put his scrolls and files on it with a calm pace and then took on that posture that told you he was praying for whatever he prayed every time he needed to do something.

What a pompous bore, he thought before returning to his phone screen, and only put it away when the judge appeared. 

The trial proceeded just as Simon expected. The judge seemed lost, and the Sad Monk kindly put him up to date with the case. Ema gave her testimony and even if the defense attorney tried to refute anything she said, His Holiness would jump to argue with that peaceful demeanor of his; his eyes were closed the whole time while showing the long eyelashes and slightly shimmery eyelid. It was fine, Simon didn't even notice anything wrong with the police investigation, for once. The issue was with the witnesses. 

If the prosecutor was able to see through their lies, this case was as good as solved.

Simon made himself comfortable in his seat when he saw the shivering mess the first intern was at the moment. Her name was Amelia Sttuton, and as quickly as she entered the cold gray room in the police precinct and saw Simon sitting across the table, she almost ran away from him. She didn't even let Simon have a chance to say hi before he got suspicious. What proceeded was an interview with an inarticulate but streamlined account of the events, a somewhat solid alibi, and her shaking and saying she didn't do it.

Maybe not the killing, but there was an involvement.

The calm in the deep tone of the monk's voice during the cross-examination calmed her a little, even made her slip, and Simon had to give him a golden star for that trick. Attack them when you pretend to be their friend. A classic.

Ms. Stutton got flustered, and the attorney scrambled to come up with something, but the harm was already done. Surprisingly, after Sahdmadhi politely asked her to sit, her mask slipped. She might have fumbled some words as she banged on the stand and cursed like a mad woman, but that lady never missed her mark with the insults leaving her mouth. You wouldn't imagine such filth could come out of a woman who seemed so meek minutes ago. 

His Holiness didn't say anything as the police took her away, choosing to focus on the second intern as he took the stand, his name was Paul Stutton. 

Yes, the key witnesses were siblings. 

And as the prosecutor managed to discover, they were also related to the victim. Like it had been pulled out of a cheaply made soap opera, they were the abandoned children of the victim, while the secretary was a scorned lover who aided the poor children in fulfilling their vengeance. Nahyuta didn't shout, nor hit the desk with his beads or lose his temper once, since his serenity unnerved the witnesses enough. That, mixed with well-selected questions and the public pressure, managed to crack them. 

There was a solid guilty verdict for the secretary, and the siblings were taken into custody for a trial at a later date.

Everything ended in one day, as Nahyuta promised Ema, however, Simon left the gallery some minutes before they arrived at the resolution of the trial.

In the empty hallway, as he heard the muffled gasps and screams of the audience inside the courtroom, Simon scoffed while looking at the hour on his phone. There was no denying that he’d been a little hurt at how quickly His Highness cracked the case, or how it seemed that his teasing didn't do much to hinder Nahyuta. 

A bummer for Simon. Yet he felt a little relief when Nahyuta’s case went so well after using his questionnaire since it would bring him closer to what he truly wanted: Access to the special files related to an old case. After making the detectives' work a little easier with the set of questions he prepared, Simon knew it was a matter of time before the higher-ups let him read those files.

Even when Nahyuta's capabilities annoyed him, Simon sighed and was mature about it, even thanking the monk in his thoughts for his service. 

Before he could leave the courtroom, a phone call stopped Simon in his tracks. The trial ended while he attended to his work and the public started leaving the courthouse, but he was too focused on his phone to notice he'd been left alone in the hallway for a while until someone cleared his throat to get his attention. When Simon turned around, Nahyuta was standing behind him. His accomplished smile hid the actual surprise to see Blackquill there.

“Fix it yourself, I'll call you later,” said Simon before abruptly ending the call and turning to Nahyuta.

“Hello, Prosecutor Blackquill. How are you today?” he asked with the fakest kind smile he could pull off.

“Cut the act. I saw you won it.”

His smile dropped a little. “It was an interesting case. The things people do for love, right?”

“That's what you think it was? Love?”

“What else, then? Love and the lack of love are what I perceived as the central topics. The 3 of them loved and were abandoned by the same man.”

“Fascinating point of view. I would've said it was more hate than love.”

“One thing can birth the other: from love to hate, or hate to love.” he closed his eyes and looked peaceful, even resolute in his words. “That's why everyone should  be careful while dealing with such feelings.”

“That's an insipid cliché.” blurted out Simon. “I understand coming to hate someone you used to love, like the Three Stooges back there, but not loving the ones you hated.”

“You rationalize your feelings a lot. What one would expect from someone with your psychological expertise,” he giggled a little.

“Find it funny? I pegged you as the rational type too. Or you go around feeling and talking to spirits too?”

Nahyuta's eyes opened, only so Simon could see him rolling them, sighing before he held the files and scrolls on his arm closer to his body.

“ … Why are you here, Prosecutor Blackquill?”

His sudden pause confused Simon, who felt self-conscious when he heard the question and his name, instead of the usual beastly nickname. He crossed his arms and gave him his default angry stare.

“Don't dare think I was interested in your trial, Sad Monk. If you could or couldn't crack it was of no importance to me.”

“I would never think that you, a fellow prosecutor, were rooting for my defeat. Especially under the current dire circumstances of the prosecutor's office… But I'm glad to see you here.”

“… You are?”

Nahyuta lowered his face a little. The coy look in his delicate features made Simon's stern facade drop for a minute as he fixated on the monk’s face.

Why are his bloody eyelashes so long? he thought, getting anxious the more time Nahyuta took to answer. The shared silence started making Simon uncomfortable. 

Nahyuta then put a strand of hair behind his ear, as Simon focused on his thin fingers and perfectly manicured nails when they reached for an envelope, then pulled a document the prince shoved onto his chest. Hard enough it pushed Simon to take back a step. 

Nahyuta's gentle smile was like a well-honed sword, which changed into a defiant glare when he lifted his face while showing a challenging gaze.

"I don't need this anymore. And I will kindly ask you to never try me again. Goodbye."

The nice act was gone. As Simon stood there speechless, holding the lengthy document he spent hours working on against his chest, Nahyuta simply pushed his braid off his shoulder and left after looking at his coworker with utter disdain.

Trash is what Simon read in those cold green eyes. 

Get off my way was what Nahyuta thought as he left the courtroom with a sense of fulfillment that made his entire day. Apollo was right, the bragging rights he now possessed were worth the sleepless nights. The fulfillment he felt wasn’t only for cracking the case, but because he did it in front of the person who dared to doubt his skills.

In the empty hallway stood Simon, frozen in place as he understood what just happened. He’d been unable to quickly retaliate at Nahyuta's challenge. Not because he couldn't, his repertoire of insults was wide and creative, but he abstained this one time because he enjoyed the side of the monk that was vindictive.

Chapter Text

For the next couple of days, Simon Blackquill couldn't help but think about Nahyuta at times. 

That witness testimony with Simon’s annotations, which caused the prince so many grievances, was destroyed as quickly as Simon arrived home. However, for some strange reason, he kept the last page, the one where the red ink insulted His Highness, and saved it in a drawer without giving it much thought. For a short instant, he felt as if he was picking an unnecessary fight with Nahyuta, and even though he’d probably crossed a line, Simon had a reason behind this schoolboy behavior of his. By the reaction he got hours earlier from Nahyuta, Simon was sure the comment truly bothered him, and that's exactly what he'd aimed for. 

When confronting that look of disdain coming from those pretty eyes, he’d frozen in place. Yet instead of feeling angry and unable to retaliate, Simon delighted in his amusement after making the phony holy man drop the magnanimous and gentle mask. Even if he'd been speechless at the moment, Simon thought he'd won that one.

And yet, what followed right after their short talk in the courthouse was a specific type of hell Simon never thought he would be embroiled in. 

Exactly as he’d wished, Nahyuta stopped pretending to be the bigger person in the office whenever Simon was around. The way his expression soured when Simon appeared in front of him was so unapologetic and mean, the monk didn’t even care if they had company; if he had a chance to show Simon his contempt, he would take it. That childish behavior convinced Simon of that man’s inherent wickedness, and it made him forget all doubts and guilt towards his behavior during that case. 

Simon decided to give Nahyuta reasons to be disgusted at his presence. 

Now, in every meeting or if he ever saw him around the office, Simon made it a habit to be a thorn in Nahyuta’s side. This was something the prince would not passively accept; If Simon mocked him, Nahyuta's retaliation would make any other adult cry their eyes out, but for Simon, it was a challenge. They behaved like this in private or in public, after meetings, and in common areas. Most of the time, their public ran away to leave them alone the moment they stopped talking about work and started taking jabs at each other. 

Simon enjoyed the viciousness Nahyuta showed since it was so different from his usual persona. It reminded him of when they first met in court. It was also nice to find someone who wouldn’t instantly cower and would be at his level, but the moment he surprised himself relishing in these realizations, Simon reminded himself that he shouldn’t enjoy getting insulted by a guy as dainty yet wicked as Nahyuta was.

But in the end, it did make the daily unbearable workload less tedious if he reminded himself of the excitement of at least one fight with Nahyuta.

However, their verbal sparring had its consequences. The Chief Prosecutor was notified by many about this new problem in the office, but the number of complaints he got paled in comparison to the great results both Nahyuta and Simon achieved with each case they worked on. Had it been any other prosecutor, he would have proceeded with basic disciplinary actions, but with the idea of messing with personalities like those two, Edgeworth needed to carefully think about his next step.

Maybe they could talk things through and find a middle point, only that after trying to reprimand them once, Miles got a first-row seat to their peculiar two-man show.

“The only problem between Prosecutor Blackquill and I, Mr. Edgeworth, is his inherent vulgarity whenever he dares to speak to me,” stated Nahyuta, praying as usual but looking slightly irritated.

“I would like to know why my honesty is deemed vulgar,” asked Simon. “I speak my truth, Sad Monk. It’s your problem if you can’t deal with it.”

“If you call that honesty, then you should focus on studying everything that comes off your mouth,” answered Nahyuta, opening his eyes to glare at Simon and not even trying to hide his disgust. “And if we talk about your inherent vulgarity, it is a much bigger problem that’s not limited to your words and that so-called honesty, Blackquill.”

Simon grinned and lowered his head a little, to meet Nahyuta's glare.

“You simply can’t stand that I pointed out where you were wrong last Monday.”

“I can stand many things. Patience is my virtue," he was in his meditative posture, deeply frowning. “But I won’t tolerate your abhorrent behavior.”

Simon crossed his arms. “I can’t tolerate your abhorrent mistake.”

“If you obsess so much over that simple mistake, then why don’t you take it and shove—”

Edgeworth raised a hand and interrupted him. “Let me stop you there, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, before you disgrace yourself.”

Both men exchanged intense glances after getting interrupted by their boss, who’d been silently analyzing the situation and trying to find a solution. He was quite surprised at the caliber of each insult and the creativity coming from both sides, yet their little show proved the many complaints right. Miles couldn’t let this go on any further.

“This needs to stop. Half of the prosecutors, secretaries, and even the building’s staff have come to me with worries. They think the both of you will kill each other one of these days,” explained Edgeworth while looking at the men in front of his desk. “No one goes to the break rooms because you both seem to fight there the most, and I’ve been told the elevator rides too have been made quite uncomfortable because you two can't seem to shut up.”

“… If they’re so tired of it, why can’t they be brave and tell us off?” asked Simon, avoiding his boss’ eyes.

“I don’t know, maybe because one of you is a 6’2’’ ex-inmate who terrorizes people for fun, and the other one is a prince, a detail that might deter people from getting in his way to avoid creating an international scandal!” 

“I get that, but—”

Edgeworth raised his hand again. “But nothing, Blackquill. I’m completely astonished by the childish behavior coming from the both of you; not only because it's as if neither of you wishes to behave as the adults you are, but by the caliber of the things you shamelessly shout at each other! In public nonetheless...”

Simon crossed his arms angrily. “Nothing worse than usual.”

Miles, in his surprise at how the shameless behavior he was complaining about was being displayed in front of him, grabbed one of the complaints and started reading from it.

“Fine, let's start with you Mr. Blackquill: You keep calling His Holiness, using your words, a vexing bitch, a moronic twat, and others I rather not articulate. More than once you have shouted at him to go back to his country, too. You do understand how critical this is?”

Hearing those words from Edgeworth’s stern tone amused them both, so Simon had to bite his tongue, understanding what the Chief Prosecutor’s point was. Nahyuta on his side was enjoying how Edgeworth admonished Simon after having to deal with the daily attacks; the smile quickly faded when he saw Edgeworth glaring his way.

“Don’t look so pleased, Mr. Sadhmadhi. I searched on the Khurainese dictionary Wright gave me for every insult you’ve thrown at Mr. Blackquill or the many ways you colorfully depict how he would suffer in hell. You’re as bad as him, which is astounding for a man of religion.” 

Looking apologetic, Nahyuta lowered his head a little and started counting the beads in his hand, trying to ignore the strict glare from Edgeworth, or the dumbfounded look coming from Simon. Miles sighed and rested his back on the chair.

“I would like to have some peace and harmony in the office, even during these tough times, and for each person working here to share that with me to some level. Whatever bad blood is between you two, fix it.”

To Edgeworth’s surprise, Simon and Nahyuta accepted the stern earful they received while looking at the floor and without trying to argue. What didn’t surprise him was that Nahyuta swallowed his pride first and spoke after letting out a sigh.

“I apologize, Mr. Edgeworth,” said Nahyuta. “It seems that Mr. Blackquill enjoys arousing dark feelings in me for his amusement.”

“True, I do that,” murmured the alluded.

“… But I’m also to blame for easily falling into provocations. I’ll try to control myself better from now on.”

Edgeworth examined Nahyuta from head to toe, then quickly put all his attention on Simon.

“And you?”

It was harder for Simon to cave in, but not even he would try to fight a lost battle against the Chief Prosecutor.

“I, too, apologize for my behavior the past week. It was wrong of me to go out of my way to exasperate Prosecutor Sahdmadhi or make such derogatory comments.” 

Oh, he can pretend an apology, thought Nahyuta, managing to maintain his expression as serene as usual.

Miles looked at them both, at Nahyuta’s empty smile and the almost imperceptible twitch under his eye, then at the fake calm in Simon’s semblance as he thought at least 3 different new ways to affront Nahyuta after this reprimand was over. In the end, the Chief Prosecutor pinched his nose bridge under his glasses. 

“It’s nice to hear you both saying those things, even if I don’t believe them. It seems I’m in the position of resorting to threats.”

“Excuse me?” asked Nahyuta, slightly shocked.

“What I mean is that if you cannot start getting along as coworkers, and I receive another complaint about your behavior, I’ll make the both of you work exclusively on cases as a pair. Did I make myself clear?”

“What?!” Shouted Simon.

“And for you, Prosecutor Blackquill, the punishment would be double since you maliciously keep trying to rile off His Holiness. Keep that behavior, and you won’t see the KH-9 files.” 

Nahyuta’s serene expression shattered, ignoring for a moment the last part of the punishment since he felt completely disgusted at the idea of working with Blackquill. As he tried to find what to say, Simon loudly complained.

“Wait a minute! That makes no sense! If you know we loathe each other, why would you believe working together would fix anything?!”

Edgeworth stared at them before smiling. “Because it will. You two are excellent professionals who wouldn’t stop at anything to reach your goal, not even working with the person you dislike the most as a partner. Having to truly work together would be punishment enough.”

“That’s… twisted, sir,” whispered Nahyuta.

“Thank you. Trucy thought about it last night over dinner. Though in her mind, she believed it would help you befriend each other… We all know that won’t happen so easily.”

The fact that the Chief Prosecutor casually let them know how their punishment was decided over his family dinner enraged Simon and confused Nahyuta. Neither managed to come up with something to say before Miles sent them off from his office to continue drinking his afternoon tea. 

They stood in silence in the empty hallway for a while before Nahyuta reacted.

“Your apology was faulty. It came off as fake, and he saw right through it.”

“My apology? Shouldn’t you be happy I degraded myself and apologized to you? ” hissed Simon. “And if that’s the case, calling me mister while showing that creepy fake smile was a stretch. Edgeworth-dono caught how you simply wanted that to be over.”

“What was I supposed to do, then? Stay there and keep getting scolded over your mistreatment towards me?” 

“ I’m the one that mistreats you? Please! If I could—”

The door opened behind them, and Edgeworth appeared with a deep frown. Neither Simon nor Nahyuta would deny they felt fear at the moment.

“I’ll let this one slide. Get off my door, now. ”

The door shut in their faces and both men made their way to the elevator in silence, reached their floor and each went to their own office. When Nahyuta sat on his desk, he couldn’t help letting his face fall on top of it. It enraged him that everything Edgeworth said about them was true, but what bothered him the most wasn’t getting scolded like a child, but having the pending threat of being paired with Blackquill if someone else complained about their squabbles. Still, it deeply embarrassed him to be in this position.

He tried to remember the last time he felt humiliated, and it sadly made Ga'ran’s face appear in his mind. 

The thought of her and the things he endured all those years made him jolt out of his seat, almost as if she had once again bargained in his private office to berate him just because she felt like it. His chest started hurting, and no matter how much Nahyuta stared at this office so different from the one back home, he couldn’t shake the sensation. He knew it was worthless to think of the past now, yet she kept haunting his present. 

A knock on the door thankfully pulled him out of his memories and Nahyuta didn’t doubt before telling whoever knocked to come in. Maybe seeing a friendly face would help, and to his luck, it was one of the friendliest ones. Klavier walked in, and Nahyuta never imagined he would feel such joy to see his handsome smile during work hours.

“Herr Sahdmadhi, is everything ok?” asked the prosecutor.

“Yes, please come in. Why do you ask?”

“The rumor mill started running the moment Herr Blackquill and you got called to the principal’s office,” Klavier tried to laugh, but he couldn’t help focusing on Nahyuta’s face. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Why the insistence?”

He tapped under his eye. “Your left eyelid… it keeps twitching.”

Nahyuta’s hand reached for his eye, and then for a compact mirror in his desk’s drawer to see it for himself. At the sight of that nervous tick, Nahyuta quickly took a pill for his upcoming headache and downed it with some water he pulled from a small refrigerator in a corner of the office. He tried to ignore Klavier’s worried stare, but it was impossible, knowing that now Apollo would find out.

“I’m not fired, if that’s what you believe,” mentioned the prince.

“Never thought Herr Edgeworth would fire either of you.”

“But he warned us, and demanded us to stop at once.”

Klavier laughed tiredly and sat on the couch. “Well, it was interesting to see you two go at it while it lasted. No one dares to call out Simon the way you do. If it helps, I applaud you and your sharp tongue for this past week.”

“You say that, but I know it must’ve been bothersome,” he sighed and even lowered his gaze. “Looks like even one can get blinded by petty rage.”

“... I get that monks don’t let themselves get taken by their feelings, but maybe you needed to vent that out. Simon’s nagging was a trigger, so don't worry about it. He's a grown man, I’m sure you didn’t hurt his feelings at all.”

“... Can’t say in honesty that I worried about his feelings.”

Klavier tried to change the conversation, but another knock on the door interrupted them. Nahyuta allowed this new visitor to enter, but his whole semblance paled when he saw Simon at the door.

He walked into the office with a severe expression while staring at Nahyuta. “We need to discuss something. Sorry, Gavin-dono, but I need to talk to him.”

Klavier looked at both sides of the room, at the discomfort in Nahyuta’s eyes and the uneasiness in Simon’s. The room grew tense, and Klavier broke the silence.

“You know that if something were to happen to Nahyuta, there would be an international issue, right?”

“I’m not going to harm him, if that's what you think,” retorted Simon.

“… Same to you, Nahyuta. If you got into a fight—”

The prince turned to him and smiled. “Thanks for the visit, Klavier. Please, leave us so we can fix this.”

He didn’t need to be told anymore to take his leave, but Klavier kept worrying about them for the rest of the day. 

When the door closed behind him, Simon stopped glaring at Nahyuta as his eyes panned around the entire office. It was the first time since Nahyuta arrived that he set foot in it, and now he noticed the place resembled the prince thanks to all the gaudy decorations and religious details; the scroll with the Holy Mother caught his attention because of her lack of a face. The place also smelled like Nahyuta now, like incense and floral perfume with a subtle peachy note.

“What do you need?” asked Nahyuta, standing in front of the desk and with his arms crossed.

Simon approached him and noticed the little twitch under his eyes before it disappeared. He thought his words carefully, but looking at the impatience in Nahyuta’s green eyes and the overall guarded attitude made him blurt out the first thing that came to mind.

“I don’t like you.”

Nahyuta stood dumbfounded at the comment.

“Aren’t you shameless? Do you intend to pick up a fight after being warned?”

“Wait, what I meant was… I wanted to get on even ground with you,” exclaimed Simon.

“Yet you chose that as your opening line.”

Simon cleared his throat. “I’m as gobsmacked as you are, Sad Monk. That’s why I took the time to cool down before coming here to tell you that… I believe I’ve been unfair to you.”

His neck tensed, and it seemed as if he had difficulty pronouncing those words. That’s how Nahyuta knew Simon meant what he was saying. He uncrossed his arms and relaxed his posture, which seemed to make Simon a little less tense.

“Continue,” said the prince.

“… We didn’t meet under the right conditions, and even if I still find you pretentious and odious, that doesn’t mean I don’t think you’re capable of working here.”

“I could believe you’re trying to flatter me, Panda,” he said with a feigned smile.

“Don’t push it. I came here to say this since I don’t want to be put in a situation where we’ll end up as a hindrance for the other.”

To Nahyuta, it seemed that Simon decided to use the honesty card for real this time. It wasn’t a perfect apology since he still had to sprinkle in some insults, but Nahyuta could accept the effort Simon made to come here and tell him about his worries. Which meant that he should say something too, but what? Nahyuta searched in his brain for something nice to say to break the silence, but the more he looked at Simon, the harder it got to form a sentence.

Nahyuta’s thick eyebrow furrowed and he looked up to the pair of grey eyes. “I don’t want to work with you either since you’re the type of person who gets good results by working alone. A second opinion would harm your method.”

“Thanks,” said Simon with a surprised look on his face.

“To avoid any more troubles, we need to get along,” Nahyuta sat on his couch, carefully thinking about the situation. “Please, sit.”

Simon stood silent before choosing to sit as far away as possible from Nahyuta.

“Have you ever found it difficult to get along with someone?” asked Nahyuta.

“Most of the time. But we were given a good reason to behave.”

Nahyuta stared at Simon, almost as if he were evaluating him. This bothered the prosecutor, who refrained from saying what was on his mind to avoid any more troubles.

“The thing you did with that note. Why were you testing me?” asked Nahyuta. “Did you honestly believe I wouldn’t find out the three were guilty?” 

“It wasn’t a test,” revealed Simon.

“Then what was it?” 

“A gag. You seem like nobody ever pulled a prank on you, so forgive me, but I was tempted to.”

Simon waited for Nahyuta to lash out at him. Instead, the prince stared at him, fascinated at his answer.

“That’s immature,” he said, looking at Simon with curiosity. “ A gag, you say. I thought that there needed to be some sort of trick for something to be a prank.”

“Mine was more of an evil deed,” He explained while avoiding Nahyuta’s gaze. “If what you wish for is a trick, I’ll booby trap your chair some other time.”

He laughed a little at his comment but only managed to get Nahyuta’s curious stare to morph into one of innocent confusion.

“… Sad Monk, that was a joke.”

“I know what a joke is. Yours wasn’t funny.”

The look that Nahyuta gave him was so serious that Simon cleared his throat, to try and ease his nerves that had been surprisingly sensitive lately.

“In any way, I never doubted you would get through those lousy liars,” continued Simon. “Not with the questions I prepared. Anything else bothering you about it?”

The prince’s eyes took on a more stern look, and what Simon found somewhat enthralling was how Nahyuta glared at him not menacingly, but more like someone trying to prove a point.

“I’m not a numbskull, neither am I coddled, not even as a child I was,” Nahyuta explained. “I don’t understand why you would call me that.”

For a second, Simon felt cornered having to deal face to face with the consequences of the things he usually spouted. Not because Nahyuta felt hurt about the tags Simon carefully created for him, but due to how the prince's glare seemed to call him out for being wrong.

“I call everyone variations of that, you’re not so special,” he felt the need to start an argument but backed down. “... Apologies. I was insulting you about things your outward appearance made me believe. It wasn’t as personal as you might’ve thought.”

“I see. Then, I accept your strange joke, seeing that you’re a strange man yourself.”

At that comment, Simon couldn’t avoid scoffing, feeling stunned at Nahyuta’s line of reasoning. Now that he sat with him, and had a conversation that wasn’t interrupted by their usual back-and-forth bickering, Simon managed to get to know a different face of the prince; a face that wasn’t cruel or faked niceties. Nahyuta’s perfect posture and serene features were hard to read, and Simon searched with his eyes for something that would tell him Nahyuta was feeling as self-conscious as him throughout this conversation. 

Instead, Nahyuta turned to him, looking as regal and serene as usual but with a hint of a frown.

“I’m sorry for calling you a vulgar, vile man… and all those other nasty things in khurainese. I might believe you to be those things, but it was wrong of me to say it out loud and in front of our workmates. You’re simply twisted, and I should learn to live with it.”

“What’s this? Is His Highness saying he will tolerate me?”

The way Simon mocked his title every time he spouted it was a pet peeve of the prince, however, Nahyuta was the bigger person, raising his shoulders and smiling as he adopted his praying position.

“What else am I supposed to do? I won’t change you. It doesn’t seem like you will change, either. Still, I appreciate the effort you made to come and dispel the main doubt I had about your person.”

“Which was?”

“That you aren’t such a lost soul as I believed.”

The answer caught him off guard, and Simon didn’t know how to react besides glaring.   

“… I do not fancy you at all, but I’ll follow your virtuous example and tolerate you each time we bump into each other.”

Nahyuta opened his eyes to see into Simon’s. “Thank you, Reverse Panda.”

“You’re welcome, Sad Monk," he returned the fake smile at Nahyuta.

Not having anything else to say, Simon took his leave. When he returned to his office, Taka was waiting for him on his neatly organized desk. The only reason for his desk being pristine was because he’d finished working on all of his current cases, and was waiting for a new pile of files to gracefully adorn it again. When he sat on the chair Taka approached him with curiosity, since he seemed to be deep in thought after his conversation with Nahyuta.

What a strange fellow, he now thought of his office neighbor. 

For the rest of the day, they both concentrated on their almost unending amount of work. 

The cases piling up made Nahyuta a little nostalgic; if a minister started following him around to sign documents he would feel at home. But he couldn’t avoid reminiscing about how enlightening his conversation with Simon had been and wondering how they would deal with each other the next time their paths crossed.

Something that happened sooner than later as they met again later that same day at the building’s entrance. The sunset colored the streets in orange hues as Nahyuta stood at the entrance, seeming to wait for something. Simon walked towards him without noticing it, since he was occupied sending a text. Both men raised their heads at the same time, and now it was too difficult to act like they didn’t see each other. Nahyuta seemed to be better at thinking fast in these situations and greeted Simon.

“On your way home, Prosecutor Blackquill?”

“Yes. And you?”

“I hope so. They’ve been making me wait for a while now.”

Simon raised an eyebrow but didn't return to making his usual walk towards the bus stop, staring as Nahyuta stood on the street while looking at the cars passing by and feeling too curious to keep quiet.

“May I ask you a question?”

Nahyuta seemed in disbelief that Simon would want to start a conversation with him.

 “Of course.”

“Do you take a taxi everywhere you go?”

“… Shouldn’t I?”

Something about his answer made Simon laugh, and Nahyuta was irritated because he couldn’t see what was so funny.

“I was wondering for a while now since you have no bodyguards or a chauffeur, and I can’t picture you taking a bus.”

“For your information, this morning I took my last taxi.”

The timing was surely divine, since the moment Nahyuta finished talking a nice silver sports car parked in front of them. The driver got out and recognized Nahyuta, who approached him and signed the documents handed to him before the man gave him a key and walked inside the building. Simon saw the expensive car in front of them and how Nahyuta put his belongings in the back as he sat in the driver's seat.

“This is what the khura’inese tax money goes to? Fancy sports car for a member of the royal family?” Simon pointed out.

“Taxes wouldn’t be enough for this model after we lowered them thanks to the princess’ recommendation. This one I got assigned by the prosecutor’s office,” he smiled and started the car. “Thank the American tax money for it. Good evening, Panda.”

As Nahyuta drove away, Simon scoffed and swallowed his pride as he walked towards the closest bus stop, getting psychologically ready to struggle to get a seat on his way back home.

After arriving at the suite, Nahyuta let his tired body fall on the bed and ordered his dinner. He arrived in this new home early for the first time, to the point the receptionist was surprised to see him since she’d gotten used to seeing his taxi arrive at midnight most times. 

Finally, with a proper car, a somewhat more acceptable schedule, and after having dinner, Nahyuta felt brave enough to grab his phone and dial Rayfa’s number. The phone rang three times before the princess picked up the call.

She wasn’t as surprised that Nahyuta called since Apollo already warned her that Nahyuta started making rounds calling his family, however, this calm of hers was new. That first week after Nahyuta left was heartbreaking for the princess, since she barely heard from him; in the end, Rayfa accepted what their mother told her: To let him be. It’d been harder for Rayfa to not see him every day, busy and going from one place to another, always seeming so composed, capable, and professional. She wouldn’t say it out loud, but she appreciated the majestic example he was setting for her. 

That made the realization of him hiding his pain to be so bitter and difficult for Rayfa to accept. When he started texting her at least once a day, she allowed herself to feel relief. Now that she got to hear his voice and Nahyuta sounded as peaceful as usual, she knew their mother's decision was for the best.

“Braid head, what a surprise. I thought you would only text,” she said, making an effort to not sound excited.

“It’s nice to hear you, Rayfa. How have you been?”

“Oh, you know, occupied. Only yesterday was that Horn Head and I finished with the reopened cases from 7 years ago.”

“Must’ve been quite the ordeal.”

“I think I haven’t danced as much as I did yesterday… But that’s my duty.”

Nahyuta couldn’t help smiling. Even if she wouldn’t let him treat her with lots of care, or if most of the time she was hard to read, Nahyuta couldn’t help but care for her.

“I bet you’re getting praised a lot too in my absence.”

“Praise isn’t something I should be preoccupied with. There are many things to do around here and…” she stopped herself and thought about her blunder. “Not like the work piled up while you’ve been gone! At all. Mother is so amazing at dealing with government issues! You should see the way she handles the ministers!”

“Is she?”

“She’s so cool, Braid Head. Last week alone she assigned the new consuls for the European embassies, and from what I heard, the international relationships with that part of the world are getting better.”

“She pressed me a lot about that the past year. It is good that she gets to arrange it by her hand.”

The comment was honestly what Nahyuta believed since, at times, he would sit in his office and relieve the past. The palace was a home for him only during his first year of life, he couldn’t remember his mother as an acting queen. From what Dhurke used to ramble about, she was a force to be reckoned with and a great leader. Not being able to be useful for her country outside of spirit channeling for 22 years must’ve been painful for her.

“… What about you? How’s the work over there?” asked Rayfa, confused about Nahyuta’s sudden silence.

“Well, the place has been a well-conducted chaos for a while now. The Chief Prosecutor is a great boss, even under these circumstances.”

“The man that kept saying the Plumed Punisher is a rip-off?… I’m not a fan of his artistic sensibilities.”

“Good thing he is a prosecutor and not an artist then,” he said and then laughed, to Rayfa’s surprise.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself. Good. Proceed with your vacations.”

“Does it count as a vacation if I’m at work?”

“... I don’t think so. I shall speak to Mother then, and you will get sent to someplace where you can completely relax. Like a resort!”

“A resort?”

“I saw them on a traveling show! They’re these nice places with private beaches and pools! With spas and many activities. Oh! There’s this thing called Zumba…!”

Nahyuta listened to his little sister ramble about the show she watched, how the beaches in the Caribbean seas seemed so bright and the pineapple drinks so delicious that she wished to taste one someday. Her excitement was endearing, and Nahyuta enjoyed it whenever she slipped into this childish side of her.

“I’ll make sure we all go together one of these days,” he said.

“Together?… Including Mother?”

“She hasn’t left Khura’in for so long. I’m sure a little trip would be good for her.”

Rayfa’s question was understandable. Even Apollo couldn’t help but drop hints about the subject of his mother. They hadn't spoken in almost a month, thanks to Nahyuta’s stubbornness, and he applauded his mother for not calling once, even if he was sure she wished to know about him and his health, yet kept in line and respected his anger. 

It just happened that every time he made the effort to call, his dissatisfaction reared its ugly head, and he knew it was better to cool down and wait for the right time.

After searching for Amara for almost all of his life, finding her, and losing her a second time, Nahyuta didn’t appreciate getting separated again, less when it was her orders that pulled them apart. He couldn’t understand the reasons to this day, but if Dhurke saw him rejecting his mother this way, he would be completely disappointed.

“Is Mother around?” he asked without thinking.

“I think she was in her room.”

“Could you take the phone to her? I would like to hear her voice.”

Rayfa didn’t bother to answer, freezing for a second as she understood the request then darting off from her private quarters, running into the garden and trying to not crash against any servant or guard. Luckily, she caught Amara on her way to her office. The queen was startled as she saw her young daughter jumping to her side. 

“Rayfa, why are you running? You should be careful to not fall and hurt yourself. You have two more trials today alone, so take care.”

The princess was out of breath, ignoring what Amara said and holding her phone in her hand, handing it to her confused mother.

“… Is… Nahyuta… He wants to talk to you.”

Amara’s eyes opened wide before she grabbed the phone. When she put it to her ear, Nahyuta greeted her as usual. The queen walked through the garden of the royal residence, holding Rayfa’s phone and struggling a little with the bejeweled charm hanging from it whenever it hit her hand. Rayfa wanted to know what they talked about, but she stood still in front of her mother’s room. 

Amara seemed as calm as usual, even if Nahyuta’s call came as a surprise. She paced herself in front of a small pond, her eyes going from the small frogs to the butterflies flying freely in front of her as she spoke softly into the phone. Something was said that made her laugh, and Rayfa admired her mother in silence.

When the rather short call ended, Amara walked towards Rayfa to hand her phone back.

“Would you like to accompany me to the office?” she asked, sounding content. “So you can take some notes.”

“Eh? What about Braid Head?”

Amara blinked, looking confused. “Didn’t you talk to him already?”

“Yes… But I believed…”

“It’s getting late for my meeting with the minister of education. Let’s go, Rayfa.”

Amara started walking and Rayfa followed, asking question after question that the Queen, who was in a better mood than usual, kept deflecting.

Nahyuta stared at his phone for a while after hanging up, completely lost in his thoughts before deciding to call it quits for the day. He took a shower, then struggled to catch some sleep. The conversation with Rayfa and his mother stayed in his mind for a while, and instead of reassuring him about them being safe at home, it deepened his anxieties about the distance between them. 

I should be there, he thought while staring at the ceiling through the sheer fabric of the canopy.

In the empty and dark room, a myriad of worries befell him.

He should be doing the government work his mother must be revising at the moment, to allow her to rest. He should be there to help Rayfa in everything she would allow him to do. He should be there at court to aid Apollo. He should be there for them to make up for the years lost. 

He should be there and deal with the aftermath of two decades of corruption that Nahyuta helped to thrive at some point. 

He should be in Khura’in continuing Dhurke’s mission and helping expiate his sins.

As he looked at the bed’s canopy, Nahyuta deeply missed his bed in the palace, his home, and his family, then pretended it was only his ignored duties worrying him instead of a rather profound bout of homesickness that now made everything feel worse than it was. 

He fell asleep with worries in his heart, which prompted an awful nightmare, one where there was silence and darkness surrounding him and It felt like floating. Not in the way that you’re free of your own body, but like an unnerving sensation one has when losing all control. 

As he tried to find himself in the dark, a shot resounded in the emptiness surrounding Nahyuta. 

He didn’t feel as if he possessed eyes to see, but still, he searched for the origin of the sound. The sound of a second shot filled the void. Then another. Those small explosions startled Nahyuta, who ran without direction until he crashed against something in the dark and fell on top of it.

The instant he opened his eyes, he was finally able to see something. What he was laying on top of had been his parent's sarcophagus materialized in front of him. There was loud crying coming from behind him that he recognized as Apollo’s. When he tried to reach the floor, the cover of the sarcophagus fell, and he had to see Dhurke’s two-day-old corpse lying in front of him. The gunshot holes that stole his life seemed larger and emptier as the cold sensation of a thin hand and long nails ripping into the flesh of his shoulder made him choke.

But the funeral is over, he thought. This was supposed to be over.

Nahyuta woke up from his nightmare, sweating and breathing heavily only to find darkness in front of him once again. He rushed to turn on the lamp on the bedside table, hitting his hands with everything that was in it as the shaky hands never found the button. He desperately looked around to check if he was somewhere safe, but the pitch darkness of the room made his anxiety grow. On a whim, he left the bed and went towards the curtains, ripping them open to see the bright dots of light of the Los Angeles skyline.

He was still in his hotel bedroom, and he was grateful for it.

While sitting on his bed, trying to regulate his breathing, he noticed the amount of sweat running down his chest and forehead. After running some cold water in the bathroom and refreshing himself, he saw the sorry state on his face again; it wasn’t the exhaustion that tormented him now, but the inherent sadness of being attacked by terrible memories.

The water he splashed against his face stopped him from displaying too much emotion, then walked barefoot towards his closet and searched inside one of the neatly stored suitcases for a small brown glass bottle with pills. He took one and searched for water, then laid on the bed. 

Nahyuta occupied his mind with thoughts about his present job before the medicine took effect and he dozed off again. The next time he regained consciousness was when the sunlight hit his face, since he’d forgotten to close the curtains, and his phone alarm rang loud enough to wake him up.

Nahyuta ignored he ever had a nightmare and prepared for the day to come.

Chapter Text

A month and a half had passed since Nahyuta started working in the district’s prosecutor’s office in L.A., and, as of late, relative peace has reigned in the building.

Ever since Nahyuta and Simon decided to tolerate each other, going to work stopped being a nightmare for many. The prosecutors and staff of the office didn't know how, but the radical change between those two was evident. The meeting rooms weren't used as a stage for their outbursts; both prosecutors now casually greeted each other in the hallways or neutrally discussed cases in the elevator.

Now, with that root of discord neutralized, it allowed everyone to return to the regular chaos caused by being understaffed.

Even Simon and Nahyuta had to accept their childish fighting was unnecessary and burdensome, and whenever they felt tempted to fall back into old habits, the Chief Prosecutor’s constant watch reminded them to behave like the best coworkers one could find: never too close, but able to make progress and produce results when helping each other.

Out of all the people who had witnessed the crude and venomous nature of those verbal fights, Ema was the only one who dared to show her surprise at this new development.

She'd experienced only one of their arguments when she took evidence to Simon’s office; her bad luck put her in the middle of their post-lunch break argument. Ema found Nahyuta and Simon going for each other’s throats in a hallway and opted to hide behind the wall, munching on her snackoos rather than interrupting them.

The next time she visited the prosecutor’s office, she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw them chatting peacefully in the lobby. Only after she silently followed Nahyuta to his private office did she dare to speak her mind.

“Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, it seems you’re the most benevolent man in the world,” she mentioned while sitting on the couch of his office.

Nahyuta smiled at her as custom. “You think?”

“Comparing your behavior now to last week, I do.”

“It’s been hard, but Mr. Blackquill has been doing his part by not eliciting my anger either.”

“I wonder why…”

She stared at Nahyuta with curiosity while he sat at his desk. Nahyuta could sense the real question hiding in that comment, and since he held Ema to a special level of familiarity and closeness, he agreed to reveal the truth.

“After we allowed ourselves to display our true feelings, and they were considered a public nuisance issue, Mr. Edgeworth was kind enough to threaten us with punishment."

The idea of punishment designed by Mr. Edgeworth gave Ema cold chills.

"And that punishment would be…?"

Nahyuta sighed and looked at the scroll of the Holy Mother on the wall, feeling some shame. "Being forced to only work in joint cases if we continued bothering everyone.”

Ema seemed to forget she was in the presence of someone she highly respected, and at times feared by the way she couldn’t control her laughter after Nahyuta finished talking. To her, that had to be the silliest solution to a silly problem. Still, it did the job as Mr. Edgeworth expected.

“What a crass laugh, Ms. Skye," complained Nahyuta, seemingly unbothered.

“C’mon, don’t you find it funny?" She tried to put herself together. "You dislike Simon so much you got told off by Mr. Edgeworth.”

Nahyuta saw the cheeky way Ema looked at him and felt as if it were the first time she directed that sort of look towards him. He found it odd at first, but let it pass.

“I know, it’s childish," he answered. "However, this turn of events managed to get that panda to respect me a little, or at least pretend that he does."

"While you're also being threatened, though."

"… That way I’m not tempted to insult Prosecutor Blackquill, and there’s peace in the office. Everybody wins."

She crossed her arms and seemed to relax. “Never thought you wouldn’t find a solution, but when you put aside the whole 'fighting during work hours' thing… I won’t deny it was kind of entertaining to see it. I mean, not everyone dares to go for the throat as you do, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, less so when going against Prosecutor Blackquill.”

That piqued his interest.

"Oh, no one has ever told him off?" he said, feigning disinterest.

"No one that I know of," she smiled.

Nahyuta looked thoughtfully at the detective but shook his head, then arranged all the documents he’d been reading into a folder. 

“Well, my apologies for stopping to provide that sort of entertainment," he handed the folder to the detective. "Here’s the revised witness account. You can take it to the courthouse later.”

“What about you?”

“I have some personal errands to run. Don’t worry, I’ll be there in time for the trial.”

After Ema left, Nahyuta continued his work until it was time for a personal meeting, while trying to avoid thinking about what Ema said. It was useless; whenever he wanted to know about something, his brain wouldn't stop putting it at the forefront until he started studying it in detail. It just so happened that what he now wanted to study was the least attractive subject matter.

Why did that man choose him as a target?

Nahyuta knew they both had clashing personalities, but so did Simon and many other people, and yet, he seemed to be cordial enough with whoever he found fun terrorizing from time to time, like some rookies, or Prosecutor Winner; that was part of the daily routine, though. Was it that Simon was personally picking a fight with Nahyuta only? And for no real reason, too. It was honestly unusual. They had no past story besides that case a year ago.

It wasn't until Nahyuta remembered his past actions that he seemed to reach an answer.

Ah, maybe he holds a grudge since I aimed at his dear friends, thought Nahyuta.

Simon seemed like someone who would fervently hold onto a grudge, even to his grave. Thinking back to the type of person Nahyuta was until last year, he couldn't help but begrudgingly accept that maybe all the attacks he'd been withstanding were deserved.

In the end, Simon was doing a lot by having to see every day someone who was dead set on sending his friend, an innocent man as Simon had been in the past, to jail. It was bound to stir up old wounds. It even painted Nahyuta as the type of person he despised the most.

An even more damning piece of evidence, which revealed why Simon hated him so much, was how Nahyuta magnificently orchestrated the worst situation for a person with Athena's sensibilities, all in his need to win a case he was wrong about since the start.

Nahyuta had aimed at her. At Athena Cykes, who was pretty much the only family Simon had left, and whom he protected with his own life. At least that's how Apollo put it.

Maybe all the insults and the disrespect hadn't been undeserving in the end.

In fact, Nahyuta thought it was refreshing. Until now, not many people dared to stand in Nahyuta's presence and confront him about his past mistakes. It didn't come as a surprise that someone as unafraid about his royal status as Simon Blackquill was would be the first to confront him.

These thoughts threatened to distract Nahyuta for far too long, until he felt that familiar weight of guilt threatening to take over. He quickly took his phone and car keys and chose to leave the office at once, but on his way to the parking lot, he stopped and stayed out of sight when he saw an interesting scene.

At first look, it seemed like Prosecutor Blackquill and the Chief Prosecutor were talking in the parking lot, but Nahyuta was too far away to even listen to what they said. 

It shouldn’t come off as strange to see them talking to each other, but Nahyuta knew Simon didn’t have a car, so he probably followed Mr. Edgeworth here, and only by his body language could Nahyuta deduce he was thrilled about something. When the Chief Prosecutor drove off and Simon returned to the building, seemingly pleased as he started making some calls, he said something that caught the prince's interest.

“Got the KH-9 files. Yes, let's meet whenever you can."

Simon was excited about his achievement, to the point he spoke loud enough for Nahyuta to hear, but that wasn’t enough to let his guard down. Nahyuta hid behind a wall when Simon turned in his direction, yet ended up leaving the parking lot after making sure no one was around. 

He didn’t know why he'd been spying on a man he didn’t care much for; probably it was a force of habit.

It made him reminisce about the many times he spied on people at the palace, waiting for someone to slip, but there was something about Simon’s behavior regarding those files that seemed to be mentioned in so many conversations that Nahyuta happened to eavesdrop on that intrigued him. It was too many times that "KH-9" reached Nahyuta's ears, and he didn't believe coincidences had any meaning, so he tried to remind them from now on.

After a short drive, Nahyuta reached a quiet area of the city, compared to the main spots and bustling zones. It was a gated area, and he mindlessly showed his ID to the armed guards at the large gate to enter. They stared down at him for a second before they recognized the prince inside the car, immediately dropping their weapons and bowing to him.

“Your Highness! A pleasure to meet you! Please go to the last building on the road,” exclaimed one of the guards.

Nahyuta didn’t react to the sudden outburst, nodding his head and smiling as he drove to the only building in that vast forest. When he arrived at the end of the road filled with luscious Jacaranda trees, painting the road with violet petals, he found a large building and garden still under construction.

The architecture wasn’t strictly Khurai’nese, but the details in the roofs and the color accents were enough to let Nahyuta know this was his country’s embassy. After he parked his car, a group of men and women approached to receive him.

“Good morning, Your Holiness. We were expecting your visit.”

The man who spoke was well-dressed, in a tailored dark blue suit and impeccable shiny shoes. He seemed to be around his forties and radiated charisma by his polite and soft manner of speaking. Nahyuta never got to meet him back in their homeland, but after many people recommended the young but experienced newbie from international affairs, Nahyuta didn’t waste much time in appointing him as Khura'in's new ambassador in the United States.

“Mr. Bats’al, glad to meet you,” he said as he shook the ambassador's hand. “My apologies for delaying this meeting for so long.”

“Please, His Holiness doesn’t need to worry. Words fall short of explaining how honored we feel towards your presence."

The entire group of diplomats couldn't help mumbling words of praise and excitement towards Nahyuta; one of them even recited a well-known mantra of khurainism, only due to being in the presence of a monk, and Nahyuta masterfully hid the way he felt a knot in his throat with a brilliant smile.

Most of the entourage seemed overjoyed by being in the prince's presence, and the pride in their gazes made Nahyuta feel carefully observed.

Maybe it was due to having spent more than a month away from anything related to the kingdom that he was this sensitive, but Nahyuta couldn't avoid feeling out of place at the demonstrations of that inherent adoration everyone from Khura'in felt towards the royal family, one that Nahyuta wasn't used to as Rayfa or his mother.

Then, from public enemy, he turned into a respected figure in the community, who was also branded as the right hand of the most heinous villain in the history of the country, but now he was supposedly the man in charge. Considering he'd been a public enemy for many, many years and was also the last remnant of Ga'ran's presence in government, it was understandable he felt a hinge of apprehension. Almost as if in any moment the group of people now appreciating his existence would wait for him to turn his back and stab him.

And still, even if everybody knew of Nahyuta's involvement with the old regime, most khurai'nese found it within themselves to look at him with eyes full of adoration, maybe too much for someone who felt undeserving of such.

They want to believe everything will be better from now on. It'll be when I'm gone, thought Nahyuta as a way to ease his nerves.

In the end, he was prince regent, a position that would come to an end the moment Rayfa came of age and was ready to be queen. Things would truly be better when he steps down, and with him, the remnants of Ga'ran would disappear from the public conscience. Nahyuta had already flirted with the idea of disappearing from the courts for a while, too. Something that would give both his people and him some peace of mind when he stepped down from the government; some years in the temple would do a lot of good for him.

That's what Nahyuta felt was the best he could do for his country.

"We knew you would be busy in your mission of helping with America’s law system after your great job with the kingdom," continued the ambassador. "But if I'm being honest, we were all excited the moment you called and said you would come."

Nahyuta smiled as he wondered if they would still feel so happy about his heroic mission in California if they knew it was actually a punishment. 

“That wasn’t my only mission," said Nahyuta. "I’m here to oversee the progress in the new embassy, too, but I imagined everything was running smoothly in the ambassador’s capable hands.”

“I wish we could have more to show His Holiness, but as you see, the construction isn’t finished yet. There’s a side of the building that’s completely functional, so we do most of the work there."

“I understand.”

The ambassador smiled at him with an honesty that moved Nahyuta. “Please, follow us. Even if it’s not ready yet, let me give you a tour.”

For the next hour and a half, Nahyuta meticulously inspected the embassy. There were still details that needed to be finished, but in a matter of months, and after a deep cleaning to get rid of the dust, this building would be a magnificent corner of Khura’in in the United States.

After a short meeting with the ambassador and giving some words of encouragement to the staff, Nahyuta left the embassy. 

As he drove back to the city, his mind was filled with many things regarding the embassy and the diplomats working in it, and Nahyuta felt somewhat relaxed after being able to see many things that reminded him of his home after what felt like a short eternity. The garden more than anything; the pond was still under construction, and so were the monuments, but Nahyuta could see something akin to the inner palace's garden that he used to ignore but now felt nostalgic about.

These sorts of thoughts occupied his mind until he found himself in a more concurred area. He stopped at a traffic light and turned his face to see the pedestrians when the loud laugh of a woman caught the monk's attention since he drove with the windows down; he noticed it came from a couple fooling around on the street, and, in the 3 seconds he took his eyes off the road, Nahyuta saw a somewhat unfamiliar spectacle. 

As the couple walked holding hands on the sidewalk of a shopping area, the man spun his girlfriend and passionately kissed her while embracing her. That's when the free hand that wasn’t holding a shopping bag caressed her back and went to fondle her butt over the short yellow sundress as she giggled. 

They walked away, and Nahyuta lost them in the sea of pedestrians while feeling slightly agitated.

The display of affection surprised him more than he expected because it'd been so long since he saw something like it. It was hard to ever see that sort of behavior in Khura’in, not even with the younger generations. Things like that were done behind the waterfalls or in hidden areas of the forest, never in the bazaar or public areas.

In vague memories of his childhood, Nahyuta remembered his parents hugging when they thought no one saw them, but never kissing, at least not in the way that couple just did. Dhurke was one to be shy whenever Amara teased him, but it was obvious they both would rather keep that sort of act behind closed doors. This scene allowed Nahyuta to reflect a little about how prudish the people of his nation could be at times. However, it also made him contemplate a certain fact he seemed to be ignoring for far too long and was now forced to deal with.

Nahyuta couldn’t remember when was the last time he’d been intimate with another person.

The light turned green, and he kept driving to the courthouse, entertaining himself as he drove while trying to recall when was the last time he had sex, since after being appointed as regent, he never had enough time to think about it. Even before that, it wasn't as easy for Nahyuta to make time for himself and deal with his chronic lack of intimacy. Of course, whenever Nahyuta accepted he had that sort of need.

He'd gone to great lengths to take complete control of his body and mind during his ascetic training; that was part of being a monk, but there were no vows nor rules that forced Nahyuta into celibacy. Neither was he interested in it. Accepting he was, in the end, human was easier than partaking in shame and guilt regarding sex; those feelings he reserved for things that Nahyuta believed truly deserved.

So, he was not the sort to reject intimacy. However, it was never that easy for him to participate in the act.

Before finishing his religious training and making a name for himself in the temple and the court, Nahyuta was considered to be the dethroned prince and an extension of his father nonetheless, of his sins and his crimes against Khura’in. There was nothing attractive about that, and no matter the amount of beauty Nahyuta naturally possessed since he was a teenager, not many would take the risk of being with him. 

He had fond memories of episodes with an acolyte and of a foreign monk-in-training at the temple, both of whom fell for his natural charms, but it wasn't more than a casual fling after giving in to temptation. Nahyuta always had more luck with lovers when he found himself working outside Khura’in as an international prosecutor. 

However, it was always short-term flings, never a relationship.

Even while far away from Ga’ran’s grip, the knowledge of her constant vigilance, even in distant lands, would doom every budding relationship Nahyuta would entertain. The difficulty of his situation never allowed him to have something that even resembled a boyfriend, whether he wanted it or not.

Then, he was released from Ga’ran’s guard shadowing him and his role as an insurgent, to then be known as prince regent, which didn’t help either. With time, Nahyuta forgot about that sort of desire.

He turned on the radio as a way to distract himself from thinking too much about something that would ruin his mood and to avoid feeling troubled over things he didn’t have either the time or energy to deal with.

After arriving at the courthouse and parking the car, he walked in a straight line to the lobby. Ema was already waiting for him to discuss the last strategy of the prosecution, and, for a moment, the large figure of Simon in the distance caught his attention as he walked through the lobby and into one of the courtrooms. Nahyuta didn’t know they were on trial at the same time, but he paid no mind to it as his trial was about to start.

Another murder case, another clumsy and loathsome lawyer, and a defendant that had the word Guilty tattooed on his face. In a matter of two hours of revising the case to leave no loose ends, the guilty verdict arrived, and Nahyuta was ready to return to the office. When he parted ways with Detective Skye, the prince walked through one of the wide hallways of the courthouse, stopping close to the stairs when he saw the courtroom Simon entered.

He saw the hour on his phone and allowed curiosity to win him over as he walked inside the room, took a seat in the gallery, and witnessed Simon Blackquill during his trial.

That man’s tactics seemed brilliant to Nahyuta when he wasn’t at the other end of his blade. The way Simon manipulated each of the witnesses in the cross-examinations Nahyuta managed to see was so well handled that Nahyuta himself almost didn’t notice when or how Simon was manipulating them.

“Would that mean that you were alone, miss?” asked Simon, reading some documents on his bench, with the usual feather hanging from his lips.

“Yes, I think that’s what I’ve been trying to say.”

The defendant agreed with such ease that the attorney didn’t find a way to bluff his way out of the hole the defendant got thrown into.

“And wouldn’t that mean, Your Baldness, that, as the witness just clarified to us, she was alone at the hour of the crime? Then there's a good chance the defendant could’ve been at the crime scene, mind you, murdering the poor victim.

The sly and calculating green eyes feigned kindness when they landed on the judge.

“Yes, I believe it does open the chance for the defendant to have been at the murder scene,” agreed the judge.

Simon cackled, enjoying the flustered state in which the lawyer tried to save the case while mocking his attempts to pretend he knew how the law worked.

“The alibi you were so proud of crumbled in front of your very eyes,” he grinned, visibly pleased with himself. “Next time, try and get a defendant that’s honest with you at least.”

The judge started pounding his gavel to calm the whispering that erupted in the gallery.

“I believe that thanks to the discoveries in today’s trial, more investigation will be—”

“Let me stop you there, Your Baldness,” Simon grabbed one of the files from his bench and took it to the judge’s stand. “Here I present to you the clear fingerprints found only hours ago behind the refrigerator in which the body of the victim was found.”

A loud gasp resounded through the gallery, and Nahyuta noticed how pleased Simon looked at this reaction as the defendant sunk into his chair. Nahyuta thought about how now the defendant couldn’t deny being at the crime scene, and Simon made a smart move by presenting the evidence right after he destroyed the defendant’s alibi. It made way for the possibility of him being the murderer. 

After another round of questions and seeing two more witnesses breaking down to Simon’s tactics, the defendant broke down due to pressure and confessed, ignoring everything the lawyer shouted. 

Nahyuta saw the prosecutor leave the courtroom after the verdict, and the pleased, cocky smile on Simon's face bothered him, but Simon had all the right to be content with himself after a trial like that. 

Now that the trial ended, he left the courtroom with the rest of the public in the gallery; that's when Nahyuta noticed the pouring rain falling outside the courthouse. He remembered hearing something about a storm on the morning news as he got ready for the day, but he’d imagined that the rain would start at nighttime. At least he had a car and could go back to the office without any trouble.

It wasn’t the same for Prosecutor Blackquill, standing all alone in the lobby, who'd lost that annoying pleased smile and now watched the downpour through the window with a sour expression on his face. Nahyuta hadn't noticed him as he made his way to the parking lot, but the moment they stood in front of each other, there wasn’t much else to do than greet each other.

“Oh, Panda. I didn’t know you were here too,” said Nahyuta with his default smile on. He preferred Simon not knowing he’d been on his trial. “Already done for the day?”

“At all. One case is done, and I have to go and pick a new one from the pile Edgeworth-dono keeps fattening on my desk. And you?”

“I had a trial too, but stayed a little longer.”

“And it seems you will stay even longer if it doesn’t stop raining,” he crossed his arms and looked at the sky while frowning. “Just my luck, catching a bus in this rain will be the most disgusting experience. And right during lunchtime.”

“You don’t drive, Prosecutor Blackquill?”

Simon looked at him from the corner of his eye; the feather he held in between his lips made him look as severe as usual, but he was a little surprised at Nahyuta trying to make conversation with him.

Nahyuta wondered if it was wrong to ask, but it seemed that the conversation distracted Simon from his anger at the weather.

“I have a license," he said.

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“… I don’t fancy driving. I can do it if necessary, but I would rather take a cab.”

He spent some silent seconds musing until his green eyes widened. “I see. You like other people driving for you.”

At the reasoning, Simon raised an eyebrow, surprised at the lack of filter in Nahyuta’s words. It was true; he couldn’t be bothered with all the things one had to be alert about while driving or having to deal with the road rage of every single person in that city. It was better to lay back and let someone else do the driving as he occupied his mind with more important things.

“I enjoy watching the scenery, too. I cannot properly enjoy it if I’m driving,” he explained. “But even if I call a cab, there's nothing to enjoy because of this bloody rain.”

Nahyuta stared at that strong profile and spoke the first thing that came to his mind.

“Would you accept it if I gave you a ride to the office?”

That simple question was followed by a long silence, so long that Nahyuta started answering messages on his phone as he waited for Simon, who stared down at him as if he were the strangest creature in the universe, to react.

The prosecutor snorted. “Oh, I see. You want to provoke a crash while taking the precautions to jump off first, as a way to get rid of me so we can stop pretending we get along. Smart, Sad Monk. Evil, too.”

The creative answer Simon gave baffled Nahyuta, but he controlled his expression as he hit send on his phone and looked at the man standing next to him.

“Interesting idea. But no, I was simply being polite.”

“Strange of you, at least towards me.”

Nahyuta smiled and accepted that Simon’s worries had basis.

“From what I see, you haven’t called a taxi yet, and I can’t imagine it is because you don’t have enough money for it. I speculate that you’re still here since you don’t have an umbrella, and you’re avoiding getting wet."

Simon gave him a familiar look, one of poorly hidden awe that was reserved for the times Nahyuta put his deduction skills to use with him as the subject, and he hit the nail on the head each time.

The prince smiled with a cheekiness Simon didn't appreciate. "The taxis can only park in front of the building, am I right?”

At the accurate assumption, Simon could only stare into Nahyuta’s green and shiny eyes in silence. He cleared his throat and tried to pretend that it wasn’t, in fact, as simple as him not wanting to get wet. His anger wasn’t about not being able to reach the office because of the rain either, but because he was famished and wished to get to work and some take-out food quickly.

“Will you wait for the rain to be over in, what? Maybe half an hour? Or accept me driving you to the office? Your decision," said Nahyuta.

“… Which way’s the parking lot?"

Nahyuta started walking, and Simon followed in silence, wishing he could’ve tried to wait and not give Nahyuta the satisfaction of being nice to him, but Simon’s stomach would start growling at any moment since he pretty much had coffee, a cookie, cigarettes, and witness testimonies as breakfast that morning.

He was glad this awful case was over, but landing on Nahyuta’s favors only showed him he didn’t possess a thing called Good Luck.

Nahyuta unlocked the car in the parking lot, but as he started the car, Simon seemed hesitant to get in.

“Please, come in. There’s no assassination plot to be afraid of," he said, trying to sound gentle since he worried Simon actually feared him doing something so rash.

The comment made Simon sit in the passenger's seat, and Nahyuta couldn’t help but notice he looked uncomfortable. His build seemed to not fit well in the seat, and he understood what the issue was.

“Apologies. No one has sat there since the car was given to me.”

With the simple touch of the screen, Simon was able to stretch his long legs and sit more comfortably in the car. Nahyuta started driving, and then they were both on their way to the office. The silence was filled by the sound of the rain crashing against the hood of the car and the windows, and what should’ve been a 20-minute ride seemed longer thanks to the traffic and the way both men ignored each other while being stuck in such a small space. 

It was one thing to be silent in an elevator while standing next to each other for no more than five minutes, but a different one to be stuck in a car together during a storm and, from the looks of it, in stopped traffic.

The car smelled a lot like Nahyuta’s perfume, too, which kept bothering Simon.

“Seems like we’ll be stuck here for a while,” mentioned the prince.

“With this amount of rain, I’m not surprised there’s traffic.”

“Does it always rain this much in L.A.?”

“At this time of the year, it does…”

The conversation Nahyuta tried to start quietly died again, and Simon wondered if it would’ve been better to just wait for a cab in the rain rather than be sitting next to the closest thing to an arch-nemesis he had, at least until last week.

Nahyuta paid no mind to Simon, even ignoring he might be feeling uncomfortable in their proximity. Instead, he thought with his stomach.

“Prosecutor Blackquill, do you know of a nice place to eat at this hour?” he asked while resting his back on the seat.

“Hmm, what?” Simon was surprised at getting alluded to.

“It’s already lunchtime, and I wanted to try some restaurants in the area since I have some time.”

“Ah, I see," he turned to see Nahyuta, who was focused on the road. "There’s a nice sushi place on the main street two blocks from the office.”

“Hmm… Already went there. Not in the mood for sushi with this weather.”

“Well, there’s also the Italian restaurant or the bistro.”

“I think I buy there almost every day. I wanted to try something different.”

“… The taquería in—”

“The shopping area? Had that yesterday.”

“Then why are you asking me if you know all the bloody restaurants in this corner of the city?” He loudly complained.

Nahyuta only smiled at Simon’s annoyance. “I thought you might know of one I haven’t gone to yet.”

Simon felt Nahyuta was toying with him. He wondered when His Holiness had the time to go around trying some of the best restaurants in the city, all while he was pulling as many hours as Simon did at the office. He searched in his mind's catalog for a restaurant Nahyuta might not have stepped in yet in the short time he’s been in California, and when he hit the jackpot, his lips curled into an off-putting grin.

“There’s this nice noodle place. A favorite of mine.”

The traffic started moving slowly, and Nahyuta used that as a distraction since he immediately knew what place he was referring to. At his sudden silence, Simon kept pressing.

“You know, the udon noodles there are to die for.”

He showed Simon a scowl. “That’s a tasteless joke, even for you, Prosecutor Blackquill.”

“I promise that the noodles aren’t.”

Nahyuta glared at him when the traffic stopped again. “Didn’t you respect the man that got murdered?”

Simon looked to the road with a slightly nostalgic gaze. “A lot, but there’s not much to do after what happened. So, are you in the mood for noodles or what? Do you feel gripping guilt about that one case too, as you did with the little magician?”

“I’d forgotten how insufferable you could be at times," said Nahyuta as he concentrated on not falling for his tricks.

“We’ve been stuck together for too long, so don’t blame me for surrendering to temptation.”

That comment made both Simon and Nahyuta engage in one of their usual glaring contests, one where Nahyuta frowned and silently prayed while Simon showcased a cocky smile. Nahyuta tightened his grip on the steering wheel yet let go as he accepted Simon had a right to treat him the way he did.

“I do,” he said while staring at the car in front of them, but Simon’s raised eyebrow told him he needed to be more specific. “I do feel guilty about my behavior towards your friend and Ms. Cykes. Does getting me to say it out loud make you happy?”

“A little,” he distracted himself by looking at the window to let Nahyuta be for a while. “But it’s a shame. I think the weather is perfect for noodles.”

As Simon made himself hungrier thinking of the noodles he would order when he reached the office, Nahyuta tapped something on the car screen. The traffic light turned green, and Nahyuta took a detour.

“Where are you going?" complained Simon. "The office is on the next street. Did you forget where to drive?”

“Thanks to you, I got a craving for noodles.”

At Nahyuta’s behavior, Simon chose to stay quiet, thinking he might have pressed the wrong buttons since he didn’t expect to get that reaction from the monk; he believed that next time measuring his words would be a must. 

Thankfully, the road to the Whet Soba was free of traffic, and when they arrived at the restaurant in a matter of minutes, the place was full, as it usually always was at lunchtime during a work week. One of the reasons Simon preferred getting his takeout or visiting after office hours or during weekends. 

After they walked in, Nahyuta observed the establishment with fascination. A bar filled with men and women drinking, eating, and chatting, while the servers looked busy taking plates of all types of noodles to the booths. The classic style of the restaurant made Nahyuta think of some old Japanese movies Apollo showed him some time ago. 

But what truly enchanted Nahyuta, other than the ambiance, was the smell of the food.

While Nahyuta felt hungrier than he thought he was, Simon walked towards the bar and greeted someone. Nahyuta stood quietly as he searched with his eyes for a free place to sit, and when he did, Simon was already on his way to sit in the booth. He called Nahyuta with his hand, and they sat together, face to face, with a small square red table between them.

“Looks like we'll still be stuck together," said Simon. "This is the only booth left. Even the private rooms are full.”

“A lot of people must be getting shelter from the rain," continued the prince.

Simon looked around the store and then at Nahyuta before he sighed with resignation.

“… I promise I won’t ruin your food with any comment, Sad Monk. I know better than to spoil the experience of getting to taste the Bucky's noodles. There's been improvement since last year.”

His eyebrow raised in surprise. “That’s mature of you.”

One of the servers appeared and gave them the menu before disappearing once again. When he came back 5 minutes later, Simon and Nahyuta each ordered a bowl of soba. They waited in relative silence, each one busy with their phones and not paying attention to each other. The ruckus of the restaurant was enough to fill the silence between them.

When their food arrived, Simon smiled at the man who was carrying their bowls of noodles to the table.

“Nice to see you around here, Simey! But it's weird for you to visit on a weekday,” exclaimed Bucky.

“Got brought here against my will by His Holiness himself. I’m famished, so this better be good," he answered.

“These are perfect for a rainy day,” both men exchanged knowing glances before Bucky smiled at Nahyuta. “Here, Your Highness.”

Bucky pushed the steaming bowl of vegetable tempura soba towards Nahyuta, whose eyes glistened at the sight of the found od, the smell of the broth, and his mouth watered at the sight of the large bowl of food. He looked up at Bucky, who seemed to be sober at the moment, completely focused as he gave orders to the workers and ran the place.

“Thank you. Mr. Whet," he said with a smile on.

“Please, Mr. Whet was my father. May he rest in peace. Call me Bucky," he said while feeling a little flustered. "Any friend of Simon's is a friend of mine.”

Simon choked on his water and cleaned his mouth with a napkin before clarifying their relationship.

“He isn’t my friend, Bucky. He just drove me here on a whim.”

“Well, he looks like he wants to taste the noodles. That’s enough for me!”

Nahyuta was about to go for the chopsticks and dig in, but the sight of the noodles suddenly reminded him of not-so-nice memories. He looked up again at Bucky, who was confused as to why he hadn't tasted his food so he could start praising it.

“In reality, Mr. Whet…"

"Bu-cky. Don't be stubborn!" He laughed.

"Yes, Bucky. Of course," Nahyuta giggled nervously, which caught Simon's attention. "I came here both for the noodles and… to offer an apology for my behavior on that trial,” mentioned Nahyuta with a sorry gaze. “I understand if you hold some resentment towards me, since I went to such lengths to incriminate—”

“Don’t sweat about that,” interrupted Bucky, who turned to tell something quick to a server walking behind him and then turned back towards the table. “I didn’t peg you to be the type that gets hung up in the past, though.”

“Me neither,” continued Simon before he started digging into his bowl of beef soba.

Nahyuta, who had gathered all his strength to apologize, now felt slightly hot in the face.

His apology had been heartfelt, yet it was now being dismissed as unnecessary. Now he felt like coming here, as if it was such an important mission to make amends, was a mistake, seeing how Bucky got busy while talking to one of the servers and then left the table to return to the kitchen; Simon couldn’t help but hold in his laughter as Nahyuta stared at him in confusion.

“Aren’t you going to eat? Your food will get cold, Sad Monk.”

“Ah, yes.”

Nahyuta accepted there wasn’t much he could do about Bucky, less when he was so busy on a rush hour and started eating. It was for the best to focus on his food, as he took with the chopsticks a piece of lotus root tempura and took a bite out of it; the taste was just as good as he imagined.

As he sipped on the broth, some strands of his hair started bothering him, so he pushed his braid back and his long bangs behind his ear before going for the noodles. All of this Nahyuta did while ignoring Simon’s gaze on him, being too enthralled by the taste of the food to care about his failed apology or his less-than-exciting companion.

“This is delicious," said Nahyuta.

Simon looked proud for giving a good recommendation. “Right? He’s gotten much better since that accident."

“I remember all the talking about noodles back then made me wish I could’ve tasted them… But certain situations got me on a plane back to Khura’in before I knew it.”

Simon noticed a subtle change in Nahyuta’s behavior, as if he remembered something he’d been avoiding. He quickly masked it by drinking more broth.

“Well, not like I would’ve let you in here after your act against that great big pillock and Athena," retorted Simon.

Nahyuta raised his gaze and smiled politely. “That's understandable. But isn’t that kind of overprotective of you?”

"As if. Seeing your face would’ve made the noodles go bland and the broth bitter after that trial.”

The reasoning he gave made Nahyuta laugh and even allowed himself to let go of some of his guilt since, in the end, he was now at the Whet Soba sharing a bowl of noodles with Simon while waiting the for rain to pass. He definitely held a grudge, and yet he would allow Nahyuta to enjoy this find without kicking too much of a fuss.

Nahyuta seemed to take to heart the last thing he said, though.

“What about now?”

At the request, Simon inspected Nahyuta’s face. He didn’t notice at what moment he grabbed a hairband, tying his braid and bangs into a perfectly round bun to avoid sweating. Looking at him like this made Simon accept the prince possessed a naturally gentle expression that did reflect his personality, or at least the part of it he fooled people with.

Seeing him like this, with such an ingenuous look on his face while waiting for an answer, made Simon force himself to return to his food.

“That’s a delicate face you got there, you know?” he said before putting a chunk of meat in his mouth.

Nahyuta was taken aback by the answer, even more by how nonchalantly Simon said those words.

“I’ve been told that all my life," retorted the monk.

“Bet you love when people say it," he snorted. "It helps people fall into the trap of believing you’re nice.”

Nahyuta’s instant frown made Simon cackle. Nahyuta had no answer to give and preferred to keep eating his delicious food rather than let a man like Simon Blackquill ruin his lunch and break the promise he made minutes ago. 

The noodles helped him distract himself from any strong feelings his lunch partner caused, and before he knew it, they were both asking for a second round. Nahyuta had asked for the beef soba this time around, since seeing Simon eat it made him curious about On. In Simon's side, he couldn’t help looking at Nahyuta as he ate his food from time to time, but the piercing gaze wasn’t enough to distract Nahyuta from his bowl of noodles.

Simon couldn't help himself from laughing. “You’re gobbling that up, Your Highness."

“Does it bother you?” he said after cleaning his lips with a napkin.

“I think I’ve grown used to your annoying presence, Blackguard.”

“Then focus on your food instead of staring at me.”

“It’s not that I’m staring at you," he mimicked the annoyed glare Nahyuta showed him. "But you eat with a lot of gusto. Hard to ignore when you’re right in front of me."

As Simon returned to his food, Nahyuta took into account what he said. It was true he did like to eat and taste new things he usually didn't have the chance to, and to think he'd been avoiding his meals not that long ago made him feel foolish for denying himself something as basic as a good meal.

“… Lately I’ve been enjoying my meals more," he said. "Thanks for the recommendation, Prosecutor Blackquill. I’ll try to come for these noodles and avoid you if we ever cross paths.”

Simon didn’t bother to answer and focused on finishing his second bowl. Before Nahyuta finished his food, he took his time to talk to Bucky at the bar after he paid their bill.

“I don’t know what’s more unexpected, Simey. You being here early on a weekday, or that you're here with the guy you whined about whenever you came," said Bucky as he fixed some plates behind the bar.

“It wasn’t every time,” he scoffed.

There was some truth to what Bucky said, though. Simon usually visited the Whet Soba either after getting out of the office or on the weekends. That way, he avoided the rush of people in one of his favorite restaurants. However, Bucky’s cheeky gaze reminded him of how he spent his last three visits fervently complaining about Nahyuta. 

There was something about the noodles, the alcohol, and being with a friend that would make the thoughts slip from his mouth easily after a long and arduous day at work.

“It wasn’t planned," he ended up revealing. "The Sad Monk was just oh so benevolent to give me a ride back to the office from the courthouse.”

“And you two had to stop for lunch together?”

Bucky’s accusatory gaze made Simon think his words carefully before speaking.

“He has a thing for tasting new foods, and I couldn’t remember if I had a proper breakfast this morning, so excuse me for being weak and taking a chance to come for some needed grub.”

“Aw, stop acting like I'm the lawyer pressing for answers! You’re always welcome here! Even more so when you’re accompanied by someone like him who's so…” Bucky felt quiet, not finding a good word, and started wriggling his eyebrows. "You get it?"

At it, Simon's brows furrowed. “No, I don't. What do you mean by that?”

He sighed and leaned over the bar. “Dude, come on. I know you kept on bashing that guy for days, but you gotta accept he is really cute. Wonder what sort of relationship you guys got.”

Bucky hit his friend's arm with his elbow, showing him a look that made Simon immediately know he’d jumped to the wrong conclusions. Hadn't it been because he secretly had a soft spot for the cook, Simon would've cut him in his own establishment.

“Are you insane?" He looked deeply offended. "The Sad Monk and I don’t have that type of relationship. We have no relationship at all. Whatever you’re thinking right now, it’s the contrary. That man’s evil and a bore.”

More than feeling threatened, Bucky only laughed at that reaction.

“Well, that’s a shame. He seemed kind and sweet when he apologized to me.”

Simon looked at him dumbfounded. “Don’t you even remember when he accused you of murder? The insults? The threats of sending you to hell?”

“I do, but again I was… So drunk, Simey,” he stated while leaning on the bar. “I was mostly seeing a violet dot attacking me and saying words I didn't understand. Now that I see this Sad Monk of yours with a clear mind… I get why you got so hung up about him.”

“I was never hung up on him. And he isn’t my Sad monk. He’s just a Sad Monk.”

He stared at Simon, rivaling his gaze, then rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say."

Bucky got called to the kitchen and didn’t let Simon continue his argument. It had been alarming to see Bucky having strange ideas. Not that he believed he would tell anyone, but the simple fact that someone could see Nahyuta and him and then think there was something more than reciprocated disgust disturbed him. 

To Simon, there wasn’t a person more annoying than the man he just shared lunch with. Yet, even as he reassured himself of his dislike of the prince, a fact that he didn’t want to confront reared its ugly head thanks to Bucky’s casual comment.

Simon didn’t want anyone to find out he thought Nahyuta was attractive.

It’d been enough that, even since Nahyuta returned to L.A., he'd been getting distracted by the prince’s otherworldly beauty, by that elegant and poised figure, the soft voice, and the way words lingered just by how he enunciated them. All of it had been hindering his day-to-day.

The worst thing, what truly hurt Simon's pride, was finding himself struggling to come up fast enough with witty comebacks each time they fought, all thanks to him getting lost in those green eyes. It was embarrassing how much he enjoyed looking into them.

Instead of loathing him entirely, after all the affronts, past and present, against him and the people he cared for, whenever he saw Nahyuta’s eyes and that special intensity the prince saved just for him, Simon felt anger at himself for delighting in them. 

Simon Blackquill hated that such a lovely package had been given to such a terrible creature, and he despised with all of his strength that Nahyuta was beautiful enough to have disrupted his life.

He never cared much for superficial things; neither did he consider himself more vain than most people, but it would be a lie to say it was the first time he'd been admiring someone beautiful. Nahyuta Sahdmadhi was, sadly, so well-favored that Simon had a hard time denying it or publicly accepting it.

His personality being terrible, at least towards Simon, was kind of a blessing; otherwise, he might feel tempted. Because of that, every time he caught himself thinking of Nahyuta, he only needed to remind himself of that sharp tongue of his or the perpetual abhorrence in his gaze every time they interacted.

That’s why Nahyuta being strangely nice to him since they agreed to get along confused him. Not to the point, Simon would delude himself with things he didn’t feel, but it would be something to get used to.

He looked at Nahyuta across the now almost empty restaurant, fixing his hair back into his usual hairstyle and looking around the establishment and the decorations with earnest curiosity.

After Simon approached the table they shared, Nahyuta stood up from his seat.

“Where can I go pay?” asked Nahyuta.

Simon sighed before walking to the entrance. “Lunch is on me since you’re taking me back to the office.”

Nahyuta didn’t try to complain, as Simon imagined he would. Instead, the prince stood quietly, looking at Simon’s back as he walked to the door. Simon had to turn around, since he couldn’t hear Nahyuta’s delicate footsteps behind him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Nahyuta looked at him with curiosity. “Klavier wasn’t lying when he said you could be nice.”

“Does it disgust you?” he smiled mischievously.

Nahyuta wanted to say something, but chose silence and a smile before walking out of the restaurant.

Bucky waved them goodbye and asked them to come back as both men left for the parking lot.

Chapter Text

May came to an end, and it was accompanied by a surprise rainy season at this time of the year that Nahyuta wasn't used to. It'd been two months since he moved to Los Angeles now, and to him, the progress made regarding his health and lifestyle made him hopeful for a faster return to Khura'in.

Not being able to balance work and his private life was the reason he got sent away, or at least that was the conclusion Nahyuta came to. That's why he poured all of his efforts into fixing the mess he'd made. He stopped skipping meals, made an effort to resume his yoga sessions in the mornings, concentrated on the morning and night prayers, and tried his best to be in bed at a reasonable hour, whenever work allowed him to. 

Sadly, Nahyuta was quickly forced to face that most of his efforts were in vain.

In the short time he’d been in America, he'd found a different way to overwork himself, all while sprinkling moments of relaxation once a week, then calling it progress. Whenever he felt like he was able to have time for himself, something happened that turned on the workaholic switch in his brain and, before Nahyuta realized it, he'd been following the same damaging patterns that made him forget he was a person, not a tool.

Having nightmares from time to time didn’t allow him to rest either. And as of lately, the amount of cases Nahyuta dealt with at the moment pushed him to the brink of collapse.

However, he wasn’t the only prosecutor going through a precarious situation.

“Was it necessary for Herr Edgeworth to fire another two prosecutors?” said Klavier as he poured coffee in his cup. “Yeah, I get they were falsifying testimonies, and they deserved getting kicked out but…”

“It only makes our workload heavier,” continued Nahyuta, battling to not close his heavy eyelids. “Though, I can’t blame the Chief Prosecutor. I would’ve done the same. Having them here would only further damage the reputation of the office and hinder us.”

“Ugh! Dummkopfs! I hope whoever handles their case throws them in jail for the maximum sentence allowed!” exclaimed Klavier, finishing his coffee and angrily pouring more into his mug.

Hearing Klavier scream startled Nahyuta awake. He shook his head and looked at his company, visibly angry and abusing the sugar and cream to disguise the burnt taste of the coffee they'd been drinking the whole day. Nahyuta's cup was also filled with lots of milk and sugar, and even a drop of vanilla essence, to hide the taste; he wished for a properly dripped coffee to wake him up, but at two in the morning, he had to make do with what he found in the breakroom.

“Never expected to hear such cruel words from you."

Nahyuta’s shocked expression made Klavier stop frowning, making an effort to stop thinking about this unfortunate situation. Regrettably, thinking about the crimes of others and how it hindered his work more than he could stand only worsened his mood.

“Aren’t you as angry as me?” asked Klavier.

“I am, but I’m also too used to the incompetence of others to let their misdeeds affect me," he looked at Klavier and his eyes narrowed. "I sense the root of this anger is mixed with something else.”

The depth of the perception Nahyuta possessed never stopped surprising Klavier. From the kitchenette counter, he looked behind himself at the almost empty break room, seeing only a man and a woman resting on a table at the other extreme of the room, then got closer to Nahyuta.

“It took a toll on me to have to work overtime right now," he whispered. "One day, I’m excited about releasing a surprise single, and the next one, here I am, tending to someone else's mess.”

“Oh? New music?”

“Herr Sahdmadhi! Please, keep quiet about it,” he leaned closer to Nahyuta. “It’s a surprise for my fans. Or was supposed to be one, but the court is my priority.”

Klavier forced himself to smile, but the dark bags under his eyes showed he was close to his limit. At 2 AM, many prosecutors were still there working a long shift. Even Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth was stuck in his office, helping the most he could to not abandon his subordinates in the newest crisis the office went through. 

If only Apollo saw them like that, he would use his chords of steel to reprimand them all and send them to bed. 

Nahyuta was so exhausted, that the idea of Apollo forcing him to rest even sounded tempting. Unfortunately, thinking about his brother only made him miss his home even more.

In Khura’in, he was just as busy, but now he noticed the great amount of help he’d received constantly from everyone surrounding him. In Los Angeles, Nahyuta was being treated as any other worker, which was already taking a toll on him. 

As Nahyuta refilled his mug, putting some sugar in his coffee to try and make it less bitter, he almost dropped his drink when the door of the break room slammed open. Everyone shared the sentiment, being jolted away as all eyes went to the entrance, staring at Simon’s tall and dark figure. He looked to be in a worse state than them, donning a scowl that made the other two prosecutors in the break room hastily excuse themselves and abandon the room.

Simon didn’t even notice them, neither did he pay attention to Nahyuta's eyes following him as he stomped his way to one of the coffee machines, then poured himself a large cup of black coffee with nothing else.

“This better be strong,” he grumbled before taking a sip and letting the hot drink energize him while ignoring the subpar taste.

“Are you alright, Herr Blackquill?” asked Klavier, a little cautious. “You look a little on edge.”

He turned to see Klavier over Nahyuta's head, ignoring the prince completely.

“I’ve been stuck here for four days.”

“.... You haven’t been home in four days?”

“Only to take a shower, but I immediately come back or go straight to the courthouse,” He said as he tried to rub the migraine away but opted to drink more coffee. “This ordeal will be the death of me. What’s with these new prosecutors? They can’t get a bloody testimony that works, so they fucking falsify them and have the gall to think no one will notice?!” 

Simon seemed particularly bothered that night. So much so that Klavier took some steps back; even Nahyuta chose to ignore him. There was nothing that made them wish to establish a conversation with Simon, who seemed to search for an unlucky passerby and use them as a recipient to pour out his anger.

However, Nahyuta had been awakened by Simon's presence. His disheveled state was evident, seeing that he wasn't wearing his coat and even his tie was a little loose. The man was so distracted, pushing the bangs out of his face, and breathing in and out with his eyes closed to relax, that he ignored Nahyuta staring at his strong profile.

Ah, that's what his entire face looks like, he thought while seeing the not-so-short lashes that were usually hidden, and the depth of those darkened spots under his eyes.

As he silently admired that side profile, he thought Simon's reaction was rather personal. Nahyuta imagined it could be related not to having to pick up the abandoned cases, but because of the questionnaire Simon worked so hard to implement in the office. He'd made it to make the job easier and more efficient, now it was being trashed by unfit prosecutors who couldn’t do their job and preferred to lie and save a petty amount of time. These were valid reasons to be this displeased.

When Simon finished his coffee, he walked next to Nahyuta, who couldn't help sneezing when the strong smell of tobacco in his clothes reached him.

“You reek of cigarettes, Panda," he thought out loud. "Did you smoke a whole pack?”

“Almost. Hope you guys don’t mind.”

Simon sat on a couch next to the open window, then pulled an almost empty pack of cigarettes and a metallic lighter from his pant pocket. He mechanically lifted the lid with his thumb, flicking the lighter and putting the flame on the end of the cigarette now hanging from his mouth. Nahyuta wished to complain but remembered this was the smokers' room, so he kept quiet as he tried to finish his coffee. 

The smell of tobacco was something Nahyuta didn't mind on the regular, but it irritated him that night. He couldn’t help but stare at Simon, sitting on the couch with his legs wide open, and resting his arms on the back of the sofa. His broad body took up so much space, almost half of the sofa, and his head rested on the back of the couch as he let out a big cloud of smoke, looking slightly more relaxed than when he arrived.

Maybe it was the accumulation of being exhausted, overworked, and drinking disgusting coffee that made Nahyuta want to break the ceasefire they'd agreed on. The more he glared at his coworker, the less could Nahyuta pray away the dark feelings Simon's presence put in his chest. In the end, he couldn't help but speak his mind.

“That’s a terrible habit,” blurted Nahyuta before covering his mouth as he let a yawn escape.

Simon didn't bother to raise his head to answer. “So is overworking oneself and missing sleep as you’re doing, but you don’t see me telling you to go to bed."

"The pot calling the kettle black?" retorted Nahyuta, turning around and resting his back on the counter.

"Oh, the mister is getting better at his English idioms," Simon found the comment amusing, staring at the smoke flowing towards the ceiling. "I don’t want to hear you complain about my smoking when you always stink of incense.”

“Incense is relaxing.”

“So are cigarettes. Smoke is smoke, Your Highness. I bet your lungs look worse than mine since I started smoking as an adult," he lifted his head to at least properly glare back. "You probably have been inhaling that stuff since you were a child.”

He hated that he had to agree with Simon there. However, Nahyuta didn’t have the energy to engage in anything that wasn’t the pile of work waiting in his office. He finished his coffee, washed the mug he was using, and left the break room. Klavier followed him with his eyes before the door closed and turned to face Simon.

“Don’t you get a little tired of bothering Nahyuta?” he asked.

Simon raised his head again, now to glare at his coworker. “Never. I hope you won’t try to raise a complaint to Edgeworth-dono.”

“... The only thing I can think about right now is when will I go back home.”

Simon laughed tiredly, and they both enjoyed the silence before they reminded each other they weren't done with work.

Simon took some time to finish his cigarette, then pretended to feel energized enough to keep working until the sun rose. After helping a listless Klavier go back to his office, Simon returned to his floor and walked down the brilliantly lit hallway that bothered his tired eyes. As he rubbed his eyes, he stopped next to the half-open door of Nahyuta’s office. Curiosity won him over since he forgot about the documents that urgently needed his approval. He pushed that door open, enough to take a peek inside, and thought he would see Nahyuta working hard, as usual. What he saw shocked him.

The office lights were on while Nahyuta slept, with his face on his desk on top of some files. Simon couldn’t believe he’d succumbed to the exhaustion, but it could only mean that Nahyuta was very much worn out, enough to be sleeping in such an uncomfortable position. 

Seeing that small head resting on the desk made Simon wonder if someone so prim and proper like Nahyuta would drool, snore, or say embarrassing things in his sleep; the distance was too far for him to catch anything, less when Nahyuta's arms were on the way. Before he noticed, Simon was inside the office, trying to catch a glimpse of Nahyuta's face.

This was an unnecessary and dangerous game he was playing, but ever since he allowed curiosity to win he approached the desk. To his surprise, Nahyuta didn’t even flinch. The guy seemed to always be alert, but now, when he slept due to exhaustion, he was entirely defenseless.

To Simon's chagrin, Nahyuta looked rather peaceful, beautiful even, when he was asleep. The prince wasn't wearing his white suit jacket, the head rested over his hands, and the face was delicately framed by strands of lilac hair. Even when a little disheveled, Simon couldn't help staring for far too long at the silky and shiny hair. 

When he noticed he'd been inside that office for far too long, Simon forced himself to snap out of his trance. He rolled his eyes at such a picture-perfect scene of Nahyuta, sleeping like some nymph in the forest, when he should be looking as bad as the rest of the prosecutors.

Still, he didn't abandon his spot next to the monk, taking in the image of Nahyuta napping a little longer than he noticed. It somehow made Simon let go of the anger he'd been using as fuel for the past four days. When he came back to his senses, Simon berated himself over this foolish behavior, one that could’ve gotten him caught doing something hard to explain. However, when the prosecutor tried to leave, he stopped after hearing moaning coming from the desk.

The peaceful expression Nahyuta had morphed into a pained one; his fist tightened and brows furrowed. The picture of grace and relaxation was exchanged for one of turmoil.

As a reflex he couldn't stop, Simon kicked the wheels on Nahyuta’s chair to wake him up. He tried to be delicate, a simple tap with his boot so the prince would wake up, but it seemed like he miscalculated his strength. Simon kicked back the chair hard enough that Nahyuta ended up slipping from the desk to the ground.

A short gasp and widened eyes in shock at his actions was Simon's reaction, but he kept quiet as he saw Nahyuta's rude awakening. Thankfully, the monk didn’t hit either his head or neck; he fell on his side on the floor. In a frightened state, Nahyuta quickly sat up and managed to catch a glimpse of his unwelcome company. The shock and startle disappeared when he saw Simon looming over him.

Nahyuta glared at him with ragged breathing. “What…?! Blackquill?! What are you doing in my office?!”

“Do you have a Post-it? I ran out of mine,” he asked.

Simon said the first thing that came to mind, trying to ignore Nahyuta on the ground, managing to hold in his laughter since he knew he was at fault.

“What would possess you to throw me off my chair for a fucking Post-it?!” he shouted.

“Language, Sad Monk," he crossed his arms and looked at a wall. "I like them in yellow if you have some.”

At his response, Nahyuta was left dumbfounded. He took a deep breath to calm himself, then pushed the hair out of his face before trying to stand up. It surprised him that Simon grabbed him by the arm and helped him get up, but the anger only made Nahyuta shake off that grip and search on his desk for an unopened Post-it pack, which he threw at Simon.

“There. Now begone and don't you ever come back!” 

“Thanks.”

Simon turned around and walked to the door, but when his hand was on the handle, he couldn’t play dumb and looked back at Nahyuta.

“Not that I care, but if you’re so tired, you should go home for the night.”

Nahyuta stared at him, irked by his presence, but too exhausted to keep on shouting. He put a hand on his tense neck and sighed, looking at the floor

“What are you talking about? Shouldn’t you be the one going home?" he said, still hiding his tired self behind the curtain of hair. "You’ve pulled more hours than anyone the whole week.”

“And you’re in second place, but I’m not the one falling asleep on my desk.”

Nahyuta pushed his hair back with his hand, revealing how aggravated he was.

“I can still go on, Blackquill.”

His voice carried a lot of strength, so much it surprised Simon who only seconds ago saw that same man about to whimper in fear. He sighed and let go of it for the night.

“Get an energy drink and be of use, then. This ain’t a nap room.”

After seeing how Nahyuta was gearing to start hurling insults in khurainese, insults that Simon already knew by heart, he closed the door and returned to his office. When he sat on the desk, he saved the unopened pack of post-its in the drawer and tried to occupy his mind with work; a way to avoid thinking too much about why Nahyuta would wake up shaking from a nightmare. 

It wasn’t like him to worry about others, less would he start caring about Nahyuta, but Simon was intrigued about what could scare a man like him. 

Two more days of arduous work in the District Prosecutor’s office were needed for things to go back to normal.

After dealing with his part of the pile of cases, which were previously assigned to the fired prosecutors, Nahyuta was able to start returning earlier to his hotel room. When he reached it, he dragged himself to bed and sank in it, ignoring anything that wasn’t catching up with some sleep.

However, right as he was about to fall asleep, his phone rang.

He cursed under his breath in khurainese but answered the call when he saw who called.

“… What is it, Apollo?” he muttered.

Nahyuta had tried to sound gentle, but even he noticed the obvious tiredness and irritation in his voice. So did Apollo.

“… Just checking up on you," answered his brother.

“That’s so kind of you."

"I’ve been texting you, but you didn’t answer, so I waited for the time you’re usually awake working," he said, and his voice was occupied by the sound of frantic steps. "Are you at the office?”

“I’m back at the hotel.”

This conversation made Nahyuta raise his tired body from the mattress, sit on the bed, and start removing his boots and jacket. He’d forgotten he saw the texts earlier but never answered. As he chatted with Apollo, who seemed to be at the courthouse waiting for his trial to start, he revised his message app and noticed he didn’t only forget to answer him, but also Rayfa. Nahyuta could already imagine her sulking after getting ignored.

"My apologies," He said while rubbing his forehead before he undid his ascot. "These haven't been the easiest of days. Please, let Rayfa know I'll answer her as fast as I can."

Apollo softly laughed. “… Klavier told me you guys had a rough week, but I think he fakes it better than you.”

"Oh, that's because you haven't seen the state of him," he laughed under his breath.

"…Why? Is he struggling? Is he sick?!"

"He's perfectly fine. Irritated and ready to cut heads off, but fine," Nahyuta put the call on speaker, then left the phone on the bed to unbutton the cuffs of his shirt. "Stop shouting on the phone."

"Ah… Sorry."

Just by the way he spoke, Nahyuta could imagine that little apologetic smile on Apollo's face. It made him feel warm.

“As I was saying, this wasn't a good week, but is also not impossible to deal with," answered Nahyuta, sounding more put together. "Sadly, we lost a part of the workforce, again, but things seem to be getting in order.”

“That’s good to hear. Did you eat?”

“Are you my mother?” asked Nahyuta before laughing.

“No, but she does ask that constantly. After Rayfa came to the office and told me you asked to speak to the queen, we've been exchanging your updates," he stopped for a second, thinking his words carefully. "… I’m happy you talked to her.”

Nahyuta stopped before unbuttoning his dress shirt, deep in thought before answering.

“… It’s not her fault that I was being immature, throwing a tantrum when she didn’t deserve that type of treatment. It was I who didn’t know how to fulfill my role. I can’t punish her for worrying about her son.”

“I’m glad you can see it now.”

“… And maybe, listen to me, maybe could you mention my sudden mental clarity to her, so I can go back to—”

“Oh, look at that! The judge arrived! I have to go, Yuty! Make sure to eat your breakfast and sleep a lot!” he spoke fast to hang up quickly.

After Apollo ended the call, Nahyuta threw his jacket on the vanity table's bench before laying on the beige sheets. At times, he wondered if Apollo could not only see through lies but also identify them in his speech, as his old co-worker did. 

Nahyuta only meant the thing about his mother, the rest he'd said as a way to see if he could hasten the return Khura’in. To get out of this particular hell he was not handling well. It seemed to him that it would be harder to fool either Amara or Apollo to get what he wanted. At least he tried, and the image of his home and his family made it so Nahyuta kept pushing forward.

It made him uncomfortable to be sleeping with half of his clothes on, but Nahyuta couldn’t help dozing off the moment his head touched the pillow. Thankfully, exhaustion brought along a mild nightmare, one in which he had to climb Mt. Poniponi barehanded. Compared to the other ones Nahyuta had almost every night, this one was kind of amusing, since he'd never done alpinism in his life. It helped him relax for once.

For the next couple of days, the office slowly attained some type of control; the chaos of the past week, with prosecutors running in and out of the building, had finally subdued. It was as if the final hurdle of those hellish two months was overcome, something that everyone seemed to celebrate. Everyone but a chronic workaholic like Nahyuta.

Finding himself free from other people's load of work had been a blessing, but Nahyuta was prepared to return to his routine, the one that helped him deal with those first weeks in the country. However, he quickly found a new challenge.

Now that a big load of work disappeared, he found a lot of free time he didn't know what to do about.

The usual routine took him from a crime scene to the police precinct, then to a trial, and back to the office, to continue putting together the pieces that made the puzzle of a crime. After that was done, and with the little time he had available, Nahyuta forced himself to relax, at least once a week. This time of rest consisted of taking a bath, followed by watching a movie in his room. Anything he could do quickly and without abandoning his suite since he was always ready for a call informing him of any new case.

This availability Nahyuta forced upon himself usually stopped him from going out to explore the city; the times he tried to, a call from the embassy, the police precinct, or the prosecutor's office made him drop his plans. He'd been postponing an important visit to Kurain village for far too long, too, but that was only one of the many things he'd put to a side.

Nonetheless, this counted as an excuse, too. Now, he had enough time to relax many times a week, and Nahyuta, who'd been acting as if he were allergic to free time, now had the availability to try multiple things, yet felt unable to choose and preferred to stay in the hotel room he called home.

This forced Nahyuta to face the fact that, somehow, he'd forgotten how to enjoy himself. Whenever he was free from work or any obligations, this paralysis and the lackluster excuses made Nahyuta believe he didn’t have much to do. That's how he'd established a rather monotonous routine for his free time, too. Every time he came back to his lonely hotel room with time to burn, he tried to distract himself with work. When he ran out of things to do, he would read any of the books he brought with him, or get on his laptop and research whatever obscure subject piqued his interest lately. When he felt exhausted and wished to give his brain a break, Nahyuta opted to see whatever American TV had to offer.

That's how, in between newscasts, classic Hollywood movie marathons, and shows with strange subject topics, Nahyuta found himself intrigued by something Apollo called trashy reality TV.  

It was fascinating to him. Like seeing humans being treated as a bunch of guinea pigs, who were psychologically analyzed while cameras recorded it all. Exploitative, but strangely engaging. Nahyuta found it amusing to see those people, well, be people, and have all sorts of relationships with each other. However, after seeing a lot of the same faces and personalities, Nahyuta knew he didn’t care much about the prefabricated drama, being far more intrigued by a specific detail of these shows.

He couldn’t help looking with wonder at the free displays of intimacy on the big screen.

It was like watching TV-approved pornography. After a while of seeing different couples making out, and then pretending to be living their best life at some island destination, Nahyuta had to stop acting like this was some deep psychological research, to allow himself to feel somewhat jealous.

Each couple on the screen reminded him of that one couple he saw weeks ago; the way they embraced each other, how they shamelessly touched everything they wanted to touch. How much fun they had. It got too much to bear, and he turned off the TV, covering himself more with the blanket and focusing on the heavy rain crashing against the window wall.

The silent room allowed him to organize his thoughts, but before he knew it, Nahyuta was once again trying to remember when was the last time he had sex.

Now that he was in his comfortable blue cotton pajamas, tucked in bed, and with time in his hands to think about his personal life, Nahyuta made the effort to remember the last time he got intimate with someone who wasn't himself. When Nahyuta was able to remember the guy he met at a bar during a short visit to Rome, after a meeting with some Interpol agents, he did the math and felt a void in his stomach.

He slowly hid under the blanket, as if he was trying to hide from his shame. The realization that the last time he had sex was a year and 7 months ago left him feeling pitiful. Not only because it helped him understand how quickly time passed after he became regent prince, but because Nahyuta was honestly surprised that he’d been relying on himself and his imagination to satisfy his needs, and worst, he never even noticed. 

Thinking back on it, Nahyuta noticed he’d been masturbating with a lackluster technique, too, since he was mostly trying to get by and get rid of unwarranted hard-ons; it left him slightly unsatisfied most of the time. He did it that way to be as quick as possible, just to get back to work whenever his own body tried to stop him, asking for things Nahyuta felt he couldn’t provide while stuck in the palace. 

But he wasn't in the palace anymore. Now he had all the privacy anyone in his situation could wish for. Being in L.A., with no royal guards or any secret police stalking him, Nahyuta finally allowed himself to feel, for the first time, a sense of freedom to do whatever he pleased.

The thick blanket he'd been covering his face with was pulled down, and Nahyuta looked at the heavy downpour slowly diminish. The rainy season would end soon, and maybe, his more than a year-long dry spell would, too.

He put it on his mental list to take this chance in a different country, where no one knew him and he was virtually free to do as he pleased, to try to have a one-night stand.

The search for someone to spend the night with came to a halt before it could even start, since Nahyuta prioritized his duty, as always. 

After having a free period that he was desperate to fill with work, his schedule seemed to fill up out of a sudden. It was Friday, and there was a trial in his schedule and a visit to the embassy, to oversee some work at his mother’s request. All this happened right after the idea of having a one-night stand got into his head. It made Nahyuta, who actively looked for things to occupy his mind with, grumble at his schedule.

At this point, he couldn’t deny or ignore anymore that he’d been pent up for an embarrassingly long amount of time.

It ashamed him to see how long he ignored his own needs, to the point that now it was almost unbearable to see couples on the street since it reminded him how fantasizing wasn’t enough anymore. Nahyuta wanted to quickly find a man who met his standards and have sex, at least once, and get rid of these troubling thoughts that would creep into his mind constantly. Just the realization of what he wanted had awakened in Nahyuta something he was battling to keep in line.

Now that he was allowed to indulge, he wanted to take advantage of this newfound freedom, one that allowed him to have casual sex without fearing something might happen while he was at his most vulnerable.

Nevertheless, work came first.

The trip to the embassy ended with a long meeting with the ambassador and some civilians who represented the khura’inese population in the United States. Nahyuta spent most of the day listening to them, who were thrilled to see an actual member of the royal family since the previous queen never cared for international relationships, besides the kingdoms surrounding the country. 

To Nahyuta, it felt good to finally be of use to his country. To speak his language nonstop for hours, and to feel less constricted by the fast pace of the city while being in a silent spot in the mountains. Even if this embassy was a small part of Khura'in in a faraway land, he listened to everything with care and made notes to then call his mother and make this information reach her.

Right when the meeting was over, the staff surprised him with a nice lunch, and when he walked into a private dining room, the familiar smells of khurainese cuisine took him back home. The magatah'man buns as a dessert were the cherry on top, and Nahyuta enjoyed them so much that the ambassador couldn’t help pointing it out.

“Has it been that long since his holiness ate a freshly baked magatah'man?”

“Last time I had them was the night before I came to Los Angeles," answered Nahyuta. "My congratulations to the cook.”

“There's not much khurainese cuisine offers in L.A. so we brought a great staff for the kitchen. We get the ingredients shipped from the kingdom twice a month.”

Nahyuta smiled “Sounds like this is indeed a small corner of Khura’in in America.”

The ambassador couldn’t help noticing the small hint of nostalgia in Nahyuta’s eyes before talking again. “I hope I’m not overstepping, Your Holiness, but whenever you feel like you want to taste something from the homeland, please come. The chef will be more than delighted to serve you.”

For a second, he reprimanded himself for being obvious, yet Mr. Bats’al looked at him as someone who understood what it was to be far away from home. Nahyuta fell unguarded and had to give in.

“…I hope it’s not an imposition, but I would love that.”

“We hope to open a Khura’inese restaurant in the city soon,” mentioned one of the representatives of the community, a woman in her fifties with a gentle smile. “My daughter will be the head cook, so I know it will be a popular spot, Your Holiness. You must come for the inauguration!”

Nahyuta’s eyes opened wider at the idea of having authentic Khura’inese cuisine so close to him. 

“I will be there, Mrs. Tah'man.”

When the meeting was over, Nahyuta returned to the office while enjoying some freshly baked magatah'mans that the embassy cook prepared just for him. He wished to eat them all, yet decided to share most of them around the office since his duty called on him to quickly go to his trial.

After he arrived at the courthouse and spoke with the detective, he noticed the building was packed with people. He'd heard that many trials were scheduled that day, but Nahyuta hadn't imagined this many. While he walked towards his assigned courtroom, a door opened in front of him and revealed Simon Blackquill with his hawk friend perched on his shoulder.

Both men stood behind the open door, staring at each other. Nahyuta, as custom, was the friendlier one.

“Prosecutor Blackquill, still on trial?”

“Just finished, in time for your trial, Sad Monk," he said before crossing his arms. "It’s a busy day if most of the courtrooms are in use and make us rush things out.”

Nahyuta smiled, but not at Simon. He ignored the man to focus on Taka, who looked charming standing proud on Simon's wide shoulders. The hawk quickly gave all of his attention to Nahyuta as quickly as their eyes met. If it weren’t because Simon was there, he would've flown towards the monk.

“Seems like you’re in good company too,” said Nahyuta, reaching for Taka with his hand, who leaned towards the thin finger now scratching him. “It’s been a while since I last saw him."

Simon looked displeased by what he saw. Taka, who tended to peck at anyone who tried to touch him, almost rip fingers at times too, was now leaning towards that pompous, perfumed prick. This was new to him.

“… When did you two grow close?” he asked, trying to scoot away, but Nahyuta was still close and playing with Taka.

“Well, you tend to send me things through him," answered the monk, smiling at the bird. "At times, he accompanies me while I work. You never wondered why he didn’t return immediately?”

“Taka tends to run errands for me. If he was slow in his return, I assumed it was due to him getting lost trying to find the way when I sent him to a new place,” he answered, and Taka turned his head at him, offended by the comment. Simon paid him no mind. “This explains why he comes back reeking of sandalwood incense."

“I hope that the smell brings you some peace, then," he said with his custom smile.

Simon showed him a smirk. “No need to fake the gentleness with me outside the office, Sad Monk.”

Nahyuta took a deep breath and sighed. “Alright. I hope it brings you hell and gives you allergies.”

Simon's belly laugh resounded in the half-empty hallway. It'd been a while since he got to hear mean words coming from that pretty mouth. Taka preferred flying away rather than struggling to stand still on the shaking shoulder. Since he still felt insulted by Simon’s comment, it wasn't hard for the hawk to ditch him for the day. Taka looked at both men while standing on the window sill at the end of the hallway, then flew away, probably back to his nest. 

“Not even your only friend stands your vileness,” mentioned the monk.

“Nothing that mice won’t solve later.”

“Excuse me?” he asked, though he regretted doing it right after seeing the grin on Simon’s face.

“His dinner. Taka fancies rodents.”

Nahyuta’s face remained unchanged. “I bet you enjoy starting conversations like that.”

“More like I enjoy ending them. Some of us have to work, instead of participating in useless hallway chatter. Goodbye, Sad Monk…”

Just as Simon was about to leave, a ruckus caught both prosecutors' attention. The bailiff close to them ran towards the stairs, and in a matter of seconds, there was loud screaming at the end of the staircase, followed by the sound of a bunch of bailiffs climbing the steps in a rush, struggling to catch the slippery convict still in his handcuffs and running as if his life depended on it.

It was a tall man, probably in his late thirties, who looked terrified as he ran away, pushing people out of his way in the hallway and looking back to see if the guards or the police were getting closer. The recently declared guilty man could taste the freedom, imagining the sensation of the sun kissing his skin as he saw the window at the end of the hallway and nothing else; jumping from it and to a tree would be the start of a new life as a man on the run, and he distracted himself with his overt confidence that he would get away with it.

That was his mistake.

In his tunnel vision that erased everything but the window he was supposed to jump from, the prisoner ignored the open door that hid Simon and Nahyuta. Before Nahyuta could react, he felt a light push on his chest and saw how Simon, in a swift movement, extended a hand when the convict passed in front of the door and grabbed him by the shirt. The short-lived escape of the fugitive ended when Simon lifted him from the floor, before slamming him against the wall.

Nahyuta stood speechless in front of that peculiar scene. He couldn't help but be in awe of Simon’s quick reflexes and raw strength, noticing that his big body wasn’t for show by the way he manhandled a man that battled his size, all while not breaking a sweat or struggling.

And he looked angrier than ever, too.

“Who let this murderer escape?!” yelled Simon, visibly enraged and ready to chew out guards and the whole department of police. “What’s the point of working so hard to get a conviction only if you guys let criminals loose?!”

“We’re terribly sorry, Prosecutor Blackquill!” shouted the first bailiff that arrived. “Right after your trial was over, he attacked one of the detectives and—”

“I don’t care for excuses! Imagine he'd been smart and taken a hostage! Or had hurt anyone here!" he barked, and the bailiffs could only look at the floor. "Don’t let this happen again! And you, piece of trash…!”

When he turned to see the man he’d captured barehanded, Simon was surprised at the pale face and limp body stuck in front of him. His anger seemed to fade as he shook the convict for a second, searching for a reaction.

“This man fainted when you threw him against the wall,” commented Nahyuta, with a hand on his beads.

The strong gaze of those grey eyes went to Nahyuta for a second, then back at the convict before he scoffed.

“… Where’s the strength he boasted about when he believed no one would catch him?... This one’s going to have a rough time in the clink,” he clicked his tongue and let the man fall to the ground, seeing him with disgust as he got dragged by the guards.

The hallway was quickly emptied by the court bailiffs, and only Simon and Nahyuta stayed. The only reason Simon hadn't followed the fainted defendant and the detectives, was because he was trying to cool off his anger; he'd reacted almost mechanically, even knowing that it was dangerous for a civilian to do. Still, it was better than witnessing a hostage situation or that defendant jumping out of a third floor to his death.

He was too occupied controlling himself to notice the way Nahyuta looked at him.

“… Quite the spectacle, Prosecutor Blackquill,” said the monk, getting Simon’s attention.

“One unbecoming of a prosecutor," he said and crossed his arms. "… Thanks for not getting in my way. It could've been dangerous."

Instantly, Nahyuta felt the spot in his chest Simon touched him heat up. He quickly dismissed it and continued fidgeting with his beads.

"I'm just glad you didn't push me hard enough to throw me into that room," he looked into the hallway that connected to the prosecutor's bench and smiled. "A missed opportunity for you."

He'd gambled with that comment, but when Nahyuta's eyes went from the empty courtroom to Simon, he found the hint of a smile Simon quickly erased from his face. It managed to take off some of the edge of that dangerous situation that lingered.

"Whatever you say. I'll take my leave since my evening is ruined because now I have to reprimand someone, so they stop hiring wusses and mistakenly call them bailiffs.”

The prosecutor walked away and Nahyuta, instead of also taking his leave, saw the place where Simon effortlessly pinned the man on the wall; the hand that played with the beads around his neck was now resting on his chest. He had to shake his head a little, wondering what could be fascinating him so much about it to almost miss his trial. 

Nahyuta blamed his chronic lack of intimacy. It fooled him into thinking, even for an instant, that Simon Blackquill and his strong arms were attractive.

Chapter Text

The long and tricky courtroom drama Nahyuta expected from his trial finished in an hour after he pressed one of the witnesses into confessing his involvement in the crime. While at it, he threw the defendant under the bus, too.

Neither the judge nor the lawyer could believe how things unraveled, but what Nahyuta was truly surprised about this development was that he now had a free afternoon.

The schedule he'd been complaining about the entire morning was suddenly cut in half. Now, Nahyuta found himself outside the courthouse at 5 in the afternoon, with no obligations to anyone but himself. Looking at the hour on his phone, the monk smiled and silently thanked this divine intervention, which allowed him to reward himself for once.

"I could take the evening off," he said to himself, then a glint appeared in his eye. "… I could do that."

After abandoning the courthouse, Nahyuta drove to the closest Burger Barn and didn’t care for the half-hour of waiting, knowing that it would be worth it by the time he had his food. For once, he wasn’t in a rush to return to the office and enjoyed his spicy chicken burger, and crispy and salty fries accompanied by a Vanilla milkshake. He'd enjoyed his food in a booth by the window, seeing the people going in and out of the establishment, groups of friends and couples loudly talking and laughing which made Nahyuta feel a little less alone.

When he finished his dinner, Nahyuta drove to the shopping area close to his hotel; there was a store that caught his attention whenever he passed by, and he was glad to see it was still open. It was a luxurious wellness and cosmetics shop, one with many brand names Nahyuta recognized and he'd been curious to try. On rare occasions, he would splurge money on himself, and since that morning he'd found out some of his cosmetics and body care were running out, Nahyuta stopped being so fastidious about using only khurainese brands he knew and rewarded himself with a small shopping spree. This was the first one he had in a long time since most of his money was spent on the rare gourmet adventures he's had since arriving in L.A.

As he walked into the store, the white granite flooring that matched the black and golden interiors and stations, displaying neatly organized products on opulent counters, let him know it was a high-end shop; Nahyuta tried everything that caught his eye. From a lightweight concealer and some lip products to hair oils, a lovely eye shadow quartet, and face masks, all of these things felt so nice on the skin of the back of his hands when he tested them. Before he knew it, a worker was behind him carrying a basket full of products. To it, he added a perfume and a bath oil he liked then called it a day.

When he returned to the hotel, Nahyuta prepared a relaxing bath using the bath oil he'd bought for this specific night. It had hints of cinnamon and roses which left his skin soft and glistening with a not so overtly sweet aroma. Then, wearing a bathrobe and sitting on the vanity's bench, he spent quite some time prepping his skin, brushing his hair, and putting some rose hair oil on it, to make it shinier than usual before braiding it.

From a white bag, he pulled out the cosmetics he'd bought, and seeing the hour, Nahyuta noticed there was enough time to enjoy doing his makeup. No meeting or trial rushed him, so he focused on blending the concealer and placing his bindi, putting the dark brown eye shadow on the crease and lower lid, then with his finger he dabbed a light golden glitter on the eyelid before doing the eyeliner and putting on mascara. He enjoyed how these colors highlighted the green in his eyes.

Then, he mused about the lip color he should use, glancing at the clothes resting on his bed and opting for the dark cherry lipstick in the golden packaging. After lip balm, he dabbed the lipstick on his lower lip, then finished blending it with his fingers and topped it with a shimmery lip gloss.

Now that he was pleased with his looks, Nahyuta dressed, putting on the high-waisted, well-fitted corduroy brown pants, boots, and a dark red blouse with a subtle side pussybow. The headpiece he wore was different from his earrings; instead of the bolder and heavier ones from his every day, Nahyuta opted for a pair of lighter, golden cascade earrings and a headpiece chain with a smaller red drop.

What excited him the most was his new perfume, which he sprayed on the back of his neck and the blouse, as Nahyuta enjoyed the notes of orchid and warm, bourbon vanilla that smelled delicious. Now that he was ready after looking at his reflection one last time, he almost took his beads but left them in the vanity knowing he would have no use for them that night. Nonetheless, he did return to the bedroom, but to leave a pack of makeup wipes on the bedside table and check under a pillow that everything he would need was in place, as a precaution.

When he walked out of his suite and got in the elevator, Nahyuta did not press the button for the parking lot floor. Feeling like it was better to stay in the territory he knew, Nahyuta opted to go to the most popular accommodation offered by the Rosewood Hotel: A bar-restaurant.

From what he heard from the bellboys and some of the staff, many people visited the hotel just to get a taste of the professionally mixed drinks and the five-star cuisine the place offered; the food Nahyuta had enjoyed in the privacy of his suite but never on the restaurant itself. When he arrived, the doors opened and revealed the popular spot which took all of the floor. He walked the hallway that was already giving an ambiance of pure luxury, with the black marble tile floor and glass walls that showed the dazzling city lights as if they were part of the decoration. 

The place consisted of an inner restaurant and a rooftop area that was an extension of the restaurant. The bar was right at the entrance and, just like the tables on one side of the room, it was packed that Friday night. It was the perfect place for Nahyuta to search for someone to spend the night with. The prestige and caliber of the hotel reassured him that most workers knew how to keep mum about the guests' private lives, so he pushed aside the worries of gossip or a leak of any sort, to simply find an empty chair and elegantly strut his way to it.

For once, it felt great to be able to walk into a place and get eyes on him, not due to his title, but because he was simply another pretty face in a sea of people enjoying an evening out in the city.

Since he’d already had dinner, the bar was his priority. He sat on a stool in the black bar, ordering a glass of red wine and relaxing as he tasted the dry and fruity flavor of his Pinot Noir. It was the first time in a while he had a drink, and he almost forgot how nice it was to take his mind off work, duties, and anything that troubled him with a drink in hand. He thoroughly enjoyed his glass of wine before asking for a second one, and then focusing on what he came to do. As he looked at the packed-up establishment, and the many people walking in and out of it, Nahyuta searched for anyone that looked interesting.

That night, after many days of thinking about it, unwinding with a partner was an unattainable dream close to coming true. After a year and seven months. Far too long when Nahyuta thought about it.

Had it been because he wanted to remain celibate instead of forgetting about his needs, he wouldn't feel so embarrassed about this situation. Nonetheless, Nahyuta wasn't worried about having forgotten how to find a partner that night. It’d never been difficult for him to do. Most times, he didn’t do anything in particular before someone approached him and initiated a conversation. Once, he explained to Apollo how he would simply sit at a bar, wait five to ten minutes before a man started a conversation with him, and then after asking some cautionary questions, they would end up in a hotel room.

This information, which Nahyuta felt was casual enough to have over lunch, hadn't been well received by Apollo, who tried to steer the conversation some other way since he wasn’t that invested in his older brother’s sex life. However, this was a trick that never failed Nahyuta.

That's because no matter how humble he was, he understood the allure of his looks well enough to use it whenever he saw fit. Since Nahyuta put extra care into dolling up that night, he knew it was a matter of time before someone came to him. And he wasn't fastidious about men, since he didn’t have a specific type he desired the most; if they caught his attention, then that would be it. The most he asked for was a neat-looking man and maybe a charming smile, as a plus.

Five minutes passed, and he already saw 3 different guys who fit that simple criteria and who were already eyeing him long enough. Of the three available options, one was Nahyuta’s favorite.

The man that piqued the prince's interest sat far away, at the other extreme of the bar, hidden at times by the crowd of people coming and going while asking for drinks. He seemed tall, probably in his thirties, and neatly dressed in a tailored dark emerald suit that looked good in contrast with his dark skin; his short black curls were well arranged, and he had a charming smile paired with clear eyes. The guy looked sophisticated, and after a little conversation, Nahyuta would find out if the man was tight-lipped, and then they could quietly talk further about safe sex practices in the comfort of his suite.

That would suffice for the night, to help Nahyuta relax and stop all of these bottled-up emotions, which kept creeping into Nahyuta's mind with meddlesome images that disrupted his every day. He was still admonishing about those lecherous thoughts born out of seeing Prosecutor Blackquill earlier that day. That had been the most unnecessary of things, and yet, he thought about it as he returned to the hotel, or during his bath. Or even right now. Nahyuta drank more wine and shook his head, feeling glad that he had a better option right around the corner.

Nahyuta's eyes clashed with the ones from the man in the bar once when someone left his seat, and a single soft glance from Nahyuta was enough for the handsome man to know he should make a move whenever he felt ready. 

Right after Nahyuta finished his wine and asked for a third glass, still not feeling any effect from the alcohol, Nahyuta studied the bottles adorning the wall across the bar, waiting for the gentleman with a charming smile to approach him. 

As he waited, a large group of people blocked his view of the restaurant. An entourage of maybe twenty people leaving the establishment passed right behind his seat, mixing with the people standing and leaving the bar and who now were filling the aisle between the bar and the restaurant. Some of them were loud, already intoxicated, and recording each other with their phones in their boisterous exit from the bar. They probably would leave the more exclusive ambiance of the restaurant for one of the clubs downtown; their raucousness as they made their way out of the establishment made Nahyuta follow them with his gaze to the door since they seemed to be having fun.

Instead of melancholically looking at the door for far too long, Nahyuta felt someone standing by his side, someone who pushed his way through the party-goers and now was signaling at a bartender. Nahyuta imagined it could be that handsome man across the bar making his move, yet the familiar smell of a particular musky cologne, and the hint of an already well-known cigarette brand made his mind try to remember someone. It wasn’t until whoever was standing next to him spoke that Nahyuta recognized him.

“A Gin and Tonic, please.” 

The familiar voice made his heart race, and not with excitement. When the group of party-goers left the restaurant and there was a semblance of quietness again, Nahyuta turned around to see Simon Blackquill asking for a drink next to him.

It was almost as if Nahyuta manifested the man just by thinking of him.

Simon too had turned to confront whoever was that imprudently stared at him, but when their eyes met, the complaints he'd prepared disappeared from his mind as he tried to recognize his vexing coworker in his out of work get up. It agitated him to see Nahyuta outside of the office, but what bothered him even more was how good he looked in another color that wasn't white.

Nahyuta noticed Simon in his usual suit, and judging by the hour, he was probably fresh out of the office. Seeing that Simon was occupied glaring, he spoke first.

“Prosecutor Blackquill? What are you doing here?” asked Nahyuta.

He got no quick answer, since Simon stared a little longer than he should, then quickly turned his gaze to the bar.

“Getting a drink to finish the day. Same as you, I believe,” he answered, looking at the half-drunk wine glass. "Though you look more like your night is starting."

"Excuse me?"

Simon scoffed and rolled his eyes, still avoiding seeing Nahyuta. "Your garb, Sad Monk. Out to party?"

The comment raised alarms in Nahyuta's mind, and he quickly came up with a lie.

"I was out dining with some acquaintances, but it was early by the time I came back so I thought a drink wouldn't hurt."

There was a stretched silence in which Simon looked at Nahyuta by the corner of his eye. The monk thought he was trying to catch him in a lie, but he kept himself serene. However, Simon frowned, still too focused on the heavy makeup and clothes that matched Nahyuta's elegant figure.

"Never imagined your 'casual' attires to be even more… paradeful," he muttered.

Nahyuta ignored the attempt of an insult and switched the topic. "Do you come here often?”

Simon relaxed with the casual conversation, as the shock of seeing Nahyuta with an entirely different look outside their work contexts faded.

“Not really. I was here for a meeting," he turned to see Nahyuta. "And you?”

“I’m currently living here.”

Simon smirked. “Presidential suite, I imagine, since they don’t have a royal one.”

“The presidential is good enough for me," he smiled then crossed his legs, turning his body away from his unwelcome company.

Nahyuta got so distracted when Simon manifested by his side that he forgot about the man with a charming smile he’d been trying to catch a glimpse of. Now, Simon’s body was covering his entire vision, and Nahyuta found himself in quite a predicament. The line of questioning that could be born if he made it obvious he wanted to look behind him, or if he kindly asked Simon to move was something Nahyuta refused to deal with. Simon was the last person he wished to know why he was alone at the bar that night. That's why Nahyuta kept calm and lied masterfully, praying to the Holy Mother Simon wouldn't care much for him.

Sadly, his company was more than curious about him, as Simon looked at the monk up and down, taking in his picture-perfect image and how nicely those clothes fitted his figure, before tapping on the bar to get his attention.

“… Oi. Is it usual for you to get a drink at this bar?” asked Simon.

“Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know if anyone told you, but you look out of place," he smirked.

Nahyuta blinked in surprise, before showing Simon that well-known look of disgust. He returned to his wine.

“It’s past office hours, Blackquill. And a Friday nonetheless. That means I won’t engage in any sort of argument."

At his answer, Simon cackled and leaned on the black bar counter while waiting for his drink.

“This time I mean no harm. I didn’t notice you, even when you tend to stand out like a sore thumb, thanks to that big party that just left, but also because I never imagined you in a place like this.”

Nahyuta frowned, still apprehensive towards him. “That makes me wonder what kind of mental image you have of me. One that doesn’t drink alcohol?”

“More like one that wouldn’t come to a bar that’s popular in the city for being an exclusive cruising spot," he revealed as a grin formed on his face.

Nahyuta stopped the glass from reaching his lips; the comment caught him off guard. He broke in a cold sweat, thinking he'd been found out.

“What do you mean by that?” he asked, feigning ingenuity.

To Nahyuta's surprise, when he looked at Simon, he didn't see a hint of maliciousness in his gaze. Instead, Simon was amused by the situation, laughing a little as he leaned closer to the prince.

“You're not a local, but since you stay at this hotel, I imagined you would know that this is a hot spot for that sort of thing."

"Is it…"

"Seeing you sitting here, unaccompanied and dressed like…" he pointed at Nahyuta then crossed his arms. "Whatever you're wearing."

"Get to the point, Panda," he grumbled.

"What I mean is, that getting a drink by yourself here is as good as putting a sticker on your forehead that says…” Simon stopped himself when he saw once more that curiously naive gaze on Nahyuta’s face. “Well, you’re a big kid, so you know what I mean.”

Nahyuta was, in fact, unaware of all of this. He'd been living in that hotel for almost three months, and only now he knew of the sort of fame it possessed. Had he been privy to this information, he would've chosen a different place to avoid coming off as obvious in his intentions. Now, his inherent prudishness made him flustered after he'd made a whole spectacle of how nonchalant he was about casual sex; Simon was the one to blame. It made Nahyuta feel hot in the face when someone like Simon was explaining that sort of thing to him.

“… I didn’t know this place had that sort of reputation," he whispered while looking at his glass. "This is the first time I've come to this bar."

"Not much of a drinker?"

"By the time I came back from the office, I was exhausted," he smiled tiredly. "Hardly the mindset to get a drink or find out this was a famed cruising spot."

“I'll have to agree with you on that. But you know, we’re not far away from the best clubs in town," continued Simon. "This place is discreet though. The type of people you could end up leaving here with are only bigwigs or insiders… Like you. Isn’t that hilarious?”

Nahyuta didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the glass as Simon waited for his drink, taking in the image of the prince a little longer. When his drink arrived and he was about to leave Nahyuta alone to search for a free spot at the bar, far away from him, Simon was stopped.

“Wait, what do you mean by that?” asked Nahyuta.

“… Well, aren’t you the prince of a faraway magic land?”

“There’s no magic in Khura’in," he glared at Simon. "Only the spiritual techniques left by the Holy Mother.”

Simon rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say. I’m too tired to talk about the intricacies of someone else's religion and culture.”

The comment sat poorly with Nahyuta by the way he glared at Simon, and he took that as his warning to leave at once, but the most outrageous thing stopped Simon in his tracks. Nahyuta, who was keen to avoid him, had softly laid one hand on Simon's arm.

“… What type of reunion did you have in a place like this, Prosecutor Blackquill?”

Simon looked at the manicured hand on his arm and then at the monk, who seemed dead set on getting an answer. This was probably the first time Nahyuta touched him; though more than once he'd seen the monk stopping himself from punching him, the thin hand with the tattooed palm that always caught his attention was now on his arm. This was more alarming than the idea of Nahyuta's fist directed at his face.

“It’s private. Mind your business," he shook off Nahyuta's soft grip.

“Maybe not for cruising, but could it be about those files Mr. Edgeworth once talked about?”

On that Friday night, after a long day of work, Simon found out Nahyuta's most obstinate side, since the monk continued talking and ignored how badly Simon wanted to put distance between them. Now he mentioned something he had no business knowing, and Simon could see the thin lips about to form a pleased smile, the same smile he had on whenever he thought he was winning.

Simon’s scowl grew as he glared down. “Why should I tell you, Blackguard?”

“Because the KH-9 file intrigues me.”

Simon's eyes widened in horror, but it quickly turned to anger. It’d been a while since Nahyuta last saw Simon look honestly irritated towards him. It felt like a win, strangely. While Nahyuta was amused at the way his coworker struggled to not yell at him and make a scene in the bar, Simon took a seat next to him.

“What do you know about that?” he said almost in a whisper.

“Probably no more than you, since you were so adamant to get those files.”

“Then why do you want to know about it? Are you that bored?”

Thanks to Simon sitting down, Nahyuta's gaze quickly darted to the other extreme of the bar, being confronted by the sad reality that the man he had his eyes on was already talking to someone else. However, Nahyuta didn’t get hung up on it. Instead, he preferred to toy a little with Simon as revenge for making him lose his chance for the night. Whenever Blackquill left the bar, Nahyuta would have enough time to find someone else.

“It’s simple curiosity born out of your mistakes, Panda," he continued, looking at his drink and rejoicing in the way Simon glared at him.

"And what would these mistakes be, Sad Monk?" he asked while resting his elbow on the bar.

"You made the blunder of revealing a little piece of information: Important people congregate here, and I happened to catch you in a secret personal meeting, but I don’t believe it’s related to a current investigation. You would prefer doing that in a police precinct or your office, rather than a place as exclusive as this one. It makes me believe whoever you met with is one of these insiders you talked about.”

He raised his eyes, and the golden eyeshadow sparkled as he stared with pleasure at how Simon's sneer slowly faded from his face, as he was honestly surprised at the deduction. He always hated to give Nahyuta his flowers, but there was no denying the man was good at his job.

“Your line of reasoning is so on point it annoys me," he said and finally tasted his Gin and Tonic.

Nahyuta enjoyed his win, and then he snorted, covering his mouth with his thin fingers. The not-so-elegant gesture astonished Simon.

"What's with you know?" he asked.

“Only thinking … There’s the option of you being here on the search for a casual fling, but I hardly believe you would sit by my side if that were true."

That comment was made with such nonchalance it daunted Simon, who answered by laughing.

“We seem to agree for once. If I’d come here for that, I wouldn’t waste my time with you. I’m merely here because I need to unwind a little, regardless of this place’s fame.”

“I’m right about the KH-9 thing then?” asked Nahyuta.

The green eyes showed his confidence and Simon took a sip of his drink to focus on something else.

“Yes, you are. Again, it’s confidential, so if you want to know more about it, you’re in terrible luck.”

“Don’t fret, I’m not that interested. However, I didn't believe you would tell me a thing.”

Simon was annoyed at how pleased Nahyuta seemed to be since he managed to hit the jackpot and stressed the prosecutor a little. He'd believed his discretion about this topic was fantastic, yet Nahyuta somehow found out who knows how. Then, said he had no interest in it. It felt insulting.

“Try to occupy yourself more with taking a nap in a bed instead of your desk than getting involved in someone else’s business," he complained.

The comment irked Nahyuta, and the smile on his face quickly disappeared. A reaction that made Simon smile.

“We went through some rough days at the office," he retorted. "I still can’t understand why you kicked me off my chair. Was it one of your nasty pranks?”

“As if I was a school bully. You fell to the floor by yourself after I lightly tapped your chair. Something must’ve startled you.”

Nahyuta crossed his arms. The chiffon of his blouse wrapped elegantly around them “Probably you, coming to my office unannounced while I rested my eyes.”

"You were asleep," he smiled as he put his glass against his lips.

"I was not," exclaimed Nahyuta in a severe tone.

The start of a petty argument was right there, but neither of them continued it, knowing that they could easily escalate things. The prince rolled his eyes and finished his drink to calm himself, however Simon caught his attention once more.

“Next time, work on your reflexes so that nothing catches you off guard. Or was it that I scared you?” 

Simon leaned closer, challenging him. Something in Nahyuta’s brain wished to follow his lead and spout all the things he’d been saving the past few weeks, but instead, he noticed how clear Simon’s eyes were under the bushy bangs for the first time.

That third glass of wine was already messing up with his head.

Nahyuta scoffed right in Simon's face. “The enjoyment you get from being this scary monster fulfills you that much?”

“It’s not the role but the reactions I get that I like. At this point, I thought you would’ve noticed.”

“You’re twisted.”

“One tends to be after spending most of his twenties in jail,” he laughed before returning to his drink.

That comment was a perfect conversation-stopper. Whenever he dropped any mention of his time in prison, it tended to make people so uncomfortable about what to say that they immediately stopped bothering him. Normal people knew better, at least. But Nahyuta wasn't normal. Instead of leaving him alone to continue doing whatever he did before Simon appeared, the disdain seemed to disappear from Nahyuta's eyes as a troubled look took its place. Then, the monk searched for Simon's eyes with a kind gaze.

“I’m sorry that happened to you.”

The words that left his mouth, in a softer tone than the one he was mocking Simon with seconds ago, left the prosecutor perplexed. Now Simon felt uncomfortable once again; Nahyuta didn’t have to look at him with such earnest eyes that showed him actual empathy. He would’ve preferred pity instead. Quickly, Simon focused on the bartender closer to them mixing a drink.

“Don’t be. That's in the past, and I learned a thing or two in the clink," he said. "Had to make use of those formative years."

“You did?”

Simon thought he could drop the subject, but Nahyuta stared at him with some type of fascination that pushed him to talk.

“... Look, it gets tiring to be moping around one's misfortune after a while. You have to occupy yourself with something. Otherwise, you lose your mind.”

The monk tilted his head, and the earrings he wore caught Simon's attention.

“Weren’t you on death row?” he asked.

“The funniest of people are on death row. Truly horrible people, though.”

“… Like who?”

Nahyuta's natural curiosity was quite delightful to Simon. It made it hard to say no whenever the prince wanted to know something, and before he knew it, Simon ended up talking about some of the many colorful characters he was forced to spend time with in jail. Usually, people avoided touching that subject; most were unable to comprehend what he went through and were also afraid of making Simon remember his deeply traumatic experience, almost ignoring that he constantly joked about it.

At least about the parts that didn’t haunt him at night and threatened to rob him of his sleep.

Athena was the only person he spoke to about the not-so-grim aspects of jail, but before he knew it, it seemed as if any random jail anecdote now bored her to death, or made her complain since she didn’t find them as funny as Simon did. To his surprise, Nahyuta reacted differently from others, but Simon already considered him to be an odd person. What he didn't expect was Nahyuta's honest interest in these old tales he seldom had the chance to tell.

And still, even when the conversation was somewhat nice, Simon didn’t know why he sat next to Nahyuta in the first place. Now, instead of going home after a drink or two, he found himself reminiscing about his time in jail and having a person he loathed the most lending him an ear with all of his attention. This wasn't Simon’s plan for a Friday night, yet he forgot about his past failed attempts to end the conversation each time he saw Nahyuta’s honest interest in whatever he had to say.

Before he knew it, it was close to midnight and they were both sharing drinks in a ridiculously exclusive bar, talking as if three weeks ago they weren’t close to attacking each other at the first opportunity they got. 

Simon thought that the alcohol here must’ve been abnormally strong to get him feeling so loose and relaxed with a man like Nahyuta Sahdmadhi. Or to make him so talkative since, whenever he laid eyes on the monk, his characteristically quick-wittedness seemed to struggle. However, Nahyuta was good at making a conversation flow, and Simon was either already tipsy or enjoying the chat that he forgot he could just stand and leave if he wished to.

"That's pretty much what happened to my last cell neighbor," said Simon before laughing. "He threw a fit when he found out I was free and sent me a lengthy scroll detailing how much of a traitor I was. He always thought that when I mentioned being innocent, I was joking."

“I'm still confused about his crime," said Nahyuta.

"He killed his boss in a fit of anger, what more do you need to know?"

"Why would a ninja be working at the post office, at this time and age?” asked Nahyuta, trying not to laugh. "That's ridiculous."

“I don’t know, why is a Khura’inese monk working as a prosecutor in L.A.?” retorted Simon.

“... Touché,” he laughed to himself, passing his hand through his hair and taking his bangs off his face.

The subtle blush on his cheeks caught his company’s attention. Simon leaned a little closer, to verify if that blush was natural and not part of his makeup.

“Are you drunk already?" he asked. "Never expected you to be a lightweight.”

Nahyuta’s eyes opened wide and he straightened his posture. “Not at all. Though it’s been a while since I last indulged in the liquor.”

“Couldn’t the prince regent get the best drink Khura’in had to offer?”

“They’re mostly sweet peach drinks. I like them, but they’re mainly used for religious rituals," his joyful expression suddenly soured. "Every time I drink them, I can't help but remember the High Priest's sermons that would go uninterrupted for hours.”

Simon raised an eyebrow, turning to see the monk. "Wasn't that your favorite torture method? Skye-dono complained about it at length in the past."

Nahyuta's blush was now one of embarrassment, being reminded of past misdeeds.

"I stopped doing that a long time ago," he explained. "Anyways, me and Peach Wine don't get along."

"… Whatever you say."

Nahyuta relaxed, and his eyes, now a little shiny, looked at the distance before he giggled to himself.

“Why was that?” asked Simon, completely enthralled by Nahyuta’s behavior while inebriated. 

“Something silly. I was thinking about the first time I tasted it. I was eight and Apollo seven when we found some wine for the year-end celebration. We went a little crazy since it tasted like juice rather than alcohol.”

"At eight years of age? What a mischievous boy," Simon said, accompanying Nahyuta in his laughter.

"It was wrong, but the wine tasted like candy. In the zone we lived in, it was hard to get sweets," reminisced the prince who laughed again. "Still, not a good excuse for Apollo and I to drink two full bottles of peach wine. We got drunk before the adults, and the party hadn't even started."

Simon, with his chin resting on his palm, was enthralled by the honest way Nahyuta laughed at a childhood memory.

“Two drunk kids on New Year's? I bet you got grounded," he said.

“Oh, we did! Our father—” Nahyuta suddenly stopped himself, and his eyes went to the now empty glass as his fingers started playing with the bottom to help distract himself. “… As I said, where we lived it was hard to get goods, so it wasn’t the best quality of wine. The hangover afterward was part of the punishment. I think Apollo even got a fever.” 

He fell eerily silent after he finished his story, and the tension surrounding Nahyuta was obvious. It dampened the casual mood they somehow managed to get just by talking and not trying to outsmart each other, and the frown on the prince's face demonstrated he felt bad about getting sentimental. Though Simon understood and didn’t blame him. A year wasn't enough to grieve, he knew that well. Instead, Simon preferred asking the bartender for something.

“It’s true that you should drink good liquor to avoid hangovers. I’ve rarely had them, not even when I first drank after getting out of the clink, but my luck ended with me having to take care of Bucky’s lame drunk self," continued Simon as he pushed both his and Nahyuta's empty glasses to make space. "That was enough to give me a headache while trying to enjoy a drink."

The bartender arrived with a small and round white bottle. Simon poured the clear drink into round plates and handed one to Nahyuta.

"Here, taste this.”

“Sake?”

“Taste it.”

Nahyuta accepted the plate and thanked Simon before drinking. The Sake had an earthy flavor and it was warm and sweet. He enjoyed it since the small amount Simon poured for him was gone quickly.

“Take it easy. Let’s not repeat the peach wine incident," joked Simon.

“I can handle my alcohol, Panda," he frowned.

How he spoke made Simon believe him, but it wasn’t long before Nahyuta started showing off a new facet of himself. Simon appreciated that the monk took his time to savor the sake, but after another hour passed, the prince let go of appearances and acted as tipsy as he'd been for a while.

To his surprise, Nahyuta turned out to be a chatty, giggling type of drunk. Well, he was already a chatty person to begin with, just never to him. However, that didn’t stop the prosecutor from being amazed at the incessant yapping coming from his companion who, after switching topics who knows how many times in a matter of minutes, had landed on retelling the events of that afternoon.

“When you slammed that guy against the wall, y’know?” he said, already slurring some of his words, yet retaining some propriety. “I couldn't stop thinking about it. I don't approve of violence in the courtroom, but it was a good thing you didn’t let him jump off that window.”

“Don't remind me of that,” said Simon while laughing, also slightly drunk. “I chewed out the head of all the bailiffs and three rookie detectives for that blunder. Who knows what could’ve happened hadn’t I been there? That bloke could’ve taken a hostage, or gotten himself killed jumping from that height.”

Nahyuta giggled before resting his face on the palm of his hand and glancing at his companion. “It seems like you were the hero of the day, Mr. Blackquill.” 

The lack of the nickname suddenly sobered him up. Nahyuta was too gone to notice what he’d done or how that affected Simon, who now stared at his companion struggling to put his braid behind his back. The movements were slow and somewhat clumsy, and the red color that subtly tinted his cheeks matched his clothes and was now all over his cheeks and nose. That and the glassy green eyes told Simon the evening was now over.

He didn’t feel like taking care of a drunk that evening, and more than anything, he didn’t want to learn what strange drunken habits Nahyuta might have.

“Blimey, look at the hour," he looked at his wristwatch. "Almost 2 AM. I better go home.”

Nahyuta looked at Simon with shock in his eyes when he heard the hour, then looked around at the almost empty establishment and for some reason unknown to Simon, he seemed to be disappointed. Even when drunk, the knowledge of the bar being almost ready to close, and how quickly the time passed before they noticed, alarmed Nahyuta.

Somehow, the night was over, and now Nahyuta was left feeling frustrated when he noticed he'd forgotten what his original mission was. Instead of getting a partner for the night, what he ended up achieving was drinking who knows how much alcohol with a man he didn’t like that much to begin with. Drinking that much wine so early in the night was the first mistake, one Nahyuta could understand since it'd been a while. Spending quality time with Simon was too much for him to accept.

That night, Nahyuta accepted all that sake Simon gave him since he was overtly confident at how much he could take. All that alcohol mixing, combined with the unexpected company of Simon, which Nahyuta refused to accept he'd encouraged, ruined his plans. The worst of all, he was now leaving the place with no companion at all. A waste of his miraculous free evening and all the preparations he'd made.

“…I'm… Screw this,” he whispered to himself, resting his face on one hand. “My apologies, Prosecutor Blackquill. I seem to have entertained you far too long. Please let me call a cab for you…”

“What do you think I am? Some teenager? I can get back home without a problem,” he crossed his arms and glared at the prince.

Nahyuta rolled his eyes but talked to the only bartender working at that hour.

“Please, add everything the mister and I consumed and charge it to my suite.”

Simon tried to oppose this, but before he could the bartender left and Nahyuta was busy trying to stand up to listen to his complaints. On a whim, he grabbed the back of the stool Nahyuta was sitting on to get his attention.

“Why did you pay for my drinks?” he asked.

“Why did you pay for my lunch the other day?” retorted Nahyuta.

“To repay you for the lift. It wasn’t like you owed me one.”

“Now we are even, I believe.”

Nahyuta got off his seat, but the moment his feet touched the floor, the alcohol went to his head. If it weren’t for Simon, who'd been quick to grab the prince by an arm and a wrist, Nahyuta would’ve starred in an embarrassing scene by face-planting on the floor.

“Take it easy, Sad monk. You’re absolutely smashed," he mindlessly whispered into Nahyuta's ear, trying to not catch unwarranted attention.

That deep voice and the heat Nahyuta felt on his wrist and through his blouse in his arm had done something to him. It'd been a clueless mistake of Simon to get that close, one that worsened as he didn't let go.

“I don’t… No, I’m not. I’m fine, I’ve just been sitting for too long,” he said, ignoring his slurred speech and thinking if he wanted to shake Simon's grip.

“Being drunk makes you even more obstinate."

Simon kept whispering close to his ear, even laughing a little and Nahyuta couldn't get enough of it. Was his voice always this rich and sultry? It couldn't be. Most of the time it was obnoxiously loud and grating on the nerves; Nahyuta was just too drunk and confusing things as the room seemed to warp in front of him.

“...Shut up, Blackquill. Your voice makes me dizzy," whispered the monk.

After getting insulted, Simon let go of him, wishing to see Nahyuta try to go back to his suite while intoxicated. It would’ve been amazing to even record it, but for some reason, his slightly inebriated mind possessed a clarity that let him know that Nahyuta humiliating himself in public was different from any other simple mortal. Maybe anyone else could get pissed off drunk and make a public scene, get a slap on the wrist then call it a day. 

Nahyuta was a special case since he was royalty.

The temptation he felt to let Nahyuta embarrass himself in the bar got replaced by the knowledge of him getting recorded, the video getting posted online, and then this being the international scandal Edgeworth kept imploring him not to cause. Knowing society, that guy being drunk would be the talk of the tabloids and netizens for months. Simon didn’t care about that. What worried him was Nahyuta getting called back to his country as a way to hide the national embarrassment, losing another prosecutor in the process then going back to the hell they recently were freed from.

Perhaps some other day he would leave Nahyuta to his luck, but at that moment, he slid to his side and grabbed the prince’s arm once again, ignoring his complaints.

“What are you—?!”

“Be quiet and walk slowly. I’m taking you to your room.”

Nahyuta looked up to find again those alluring clear eyes, glaring down with severity and he had to look the other way.

“... I never asked you to do it.”

“It's my charitable act of the month. Unless you want to make a scene?”

At the tightening grip on his arm, Nahyuta wished to fight back, but even in that state, his mind was clear enough to know that he desperately needed help. So, he let Simon guide him towards the exit.

Nahyuta was indeed a lightweight, the moment they abandoned the bar he fell quiet and concentrated on being dragged towards the elevator. He closed his eyes and lowered his head so the room stopped spinning, which made Simon hurry to press the number of the floor for the presidential suite after he managed to get Nahyuta to mumble it.

At some point, Nahyuta's long braid got a little disheveled; his bangs covered his face as he leaned against the wall, trying to stand still and berating himself in his head at the sad end of his plans. 

Why was Simon Blackquill, out of all the men in the world, taking him to his suite? 

The rising body temperature that he couldn’t identify the meaning of got difficult to bear each time Simon pulled him closer to help him keep his footing. He'd released his wrist, but the touch lingered on the skin to the point it burnt. It didn't help that Simon wrapped an arm around his shoulders to help Nahyuta stand, and the heat emanating from that man's body was enough to make his heartbeat fasten. This sort of closeness was one Nahyuta hadn't felt in a long time.

The last time someone who was this much taller than him put an arm over his shoulders, was when he had to say goodbye to his father as he returned to the temple. That one time it'd been hard to let go of that familial warmth, but now, Nahyuta was battling not to lean into the touch of a different type of feeling he couldn't quite put a name on it.

He must've been truly desperate if he was getting so flustered over someone like Simon touching him. It deeply bothered him, to the point that Nahyuta wished to get rid of him and take a cold shower as quickly as possible.

When they reached his floor, he pushed Simon with little strength and abandoned the elevator. Those troubling sensations he'd been battling for days now intensified. His mind and body were confused, to the point that Nahyuta feared embarrassing himself more than he'd already done. That's why he tried to pull himself together as he stumbled his way to his suite.

After he weakly got shoved, Simon had a million things he wanted to say, mostly jokes made at Nahyuta's expense, but even he was a little tipsy and chose silence before stumbling with his words. He stood by the elevator, thinking he'd done more than enough by taking Nahyuta to his floor, and that now he could go home. At least that's what he thought until Nahyuta leaned against the hallway wall, frozen and unable to reach the door that was just some steps away.

In the end, Simon reached Nahyuta, took him by the waist, and guided him towards the only door on that floor.

“Where’s your card key?” asked Simon, dangerously close.

There was no answer, and since Nahyuta was looking down, it was hard to even know what was he thinking. If it weren't for the monk pulling the black card key from his pants pocket, Simon would've believed he'd fallen asleep.

After both men were inside the suite, Simon couldn’t help looking around the room and swiftly taking in the luxury of it. In his distraction, he ignored how Nahyuta, feeling overwhelmed by the heat and the electrifying sensation of the touch, managed to grab the hand on his waist and shake off its grip. Hadn't it been because Simon still held him by an arm, he would've fallen on his way to the living room. 

“Wait there, Sad Monk. There’s no rush.”

“I can… do it myself," he hid his flushed face. "Thank you for bringing me here, you may leave now.”

Those simple words elicited an indescribable anger within Simon. To him, there was nothing more humiliating than having Nahyuta dismiss him as if he were a servant of his. However, the anger was quickly replaced by worry the moment Nahyuta shook off his arm, turned around, and almost hit his face with the corner of a wall. Simon was fast enough to rush to his side and put his hand in between the wall and his forehead, to then pull Nahyuta towards his chest.

“Stubborn brat! Stop looking at the floor and watch where you're going!”

Now the heat worsened. Nahyuta felt Simon's presence and body heat enveloping him from behind, and it immediately stirred up a well-known sensation in his groin that made the prince wake up from his drunken haze. He reacted poorly, trying to shake off Simon's grip without any explanation. However, Simon had run out of patience and proceeded to push Nahyuta to the living room, throwing him onto the couch. That way he wouldn't hurt himself.

The sudden and rough way he'd been treated made Nahyuta furious, as he forgot the way Simon’s proximity had given him goosebumps only seconds ago.

“Pohlkunka!” he shouted, struggling to sit and face Simon. “Why would you throw me?! What is your problem?!”

Thanks to being thrown to the couch, Nahyuta’s soft hair was even more disheveled now, and as he glared up at the man standing in front of him, it gave the monk an interesting look Simon couldn’t stop appreciating no matter how angry he was.

“My problem is that I could be home right now but instead I get the butler treatment by you, the prince of wankers!” exclaimed Simon.

“When have I asked you to do it?!”

“Ungrateful much?” he scoffed. 

“I don’t care if I come off ungrateful to the likes of you,” spouted the monk, with an amount of venom injected in his words that even surprised Simon. 

Now would've been the perfect moment to leave and avoid the fight they'd been postponing for months. And yet, Simon took a deep breath to calm himself and then looked at Nahyuta, who struggled to hold himself up on the couch, glaring at him. It made it difficult to stay silent.

“... Should’ve left you to embarrass yourself, probably your country and the prosecutor's office then?" he criticized, crossing his arms and looking at anything that wasn't Nahyuta. "Not that I care about that, but I don’t need us losing another prosecutor at the time being. Less one that does the amount of heavy lifting you do around the office.”

Nahyuta was about to retaliate, but he could only gasp at the realization, and his glare softened. It seemed like he finally realized the favor Simon made him, yet not even that would calm his ire nor the hot feeling in his entire body that he’d been trying to control for days now and was now unendurable.

Looking up at his unexpected guest, Nahyuta couldn’t care less about faking niceties anymore.

“… I hate you,” he said, not knowing how to better articulate any of the things he felt. 

Simon sighed, perplexed by the situation. He closed his eyes, feeling how his anger mixed with the alcohol was making him more lightheaded than he wished to show, and yet he wasn't as bad as Nahyuta. Those words had been so honest Simon couldn't take offense. For a while, he wished to see Nahyuta drop the facade with him, and yet he didn't know the reason for such a declaration.

“... Why are you so angry at me all of a sudden?”

It seemed like Simon's question fell on deaf ears. The prince’s mind was already spinning by the time he sat on the couch, and the light fabric of his blouse, and the cold sensation of the A.C. made his hot skin crawl. Feeling tired and overwhelmed, Nahyuta rested his forehead on the tattooed palm and voiced his worry as he forgot he wasn't alone.

“ … Of all those men in that bar… I wasn’t supposed to come back with you.”

All that alcohol made the prince spill out his thoughts.

Some drunk words are sober thoughts, thought Simon, as this revelation came out of nowhere and confused him at first. The speech was a little slurred, but how the monk frowned with his eyes closed assured Simon that Nahyuta knew what he was saying.

Now, he paid more attention to Nahyuta's state, instead of labeling it as the usual behavior of a drunk. When the prince started talking to himself in khura'inese, Simon noticed the erratic breathing, the redness that was due to the alcohol and something else, and the way those magnificent green eyes looked up, then shied away from his. It all made sense. Now he knew what troubled Nahyuta so much, and his rage swiftly disappeared as Simon was physically unable to contain his amusement as he gasped, and then quickly looked away which bothered a dizzy and overstimulated Nahyuta.

“What's your problem now?” he asked, staring at his feet.

“You… You did go to that bar trying to shag?” exclaimed Simon, before a malicious smile appeared in his face. “You out of all people?!”

Nahyuta quickly looked up, and there was no trace of his serene and well-trained expression. For the first time, Simon saw him embarrassed and mortified.

“Don’t call it that! You… despicable and vulgar man!” he yelled.

While the room was moving and his head felt light, Nahyuta managed to throw one of the sofa cushions at Simon and hit him in the shoulder.

“I call it for what it is, Lewd Monk," he retorted.

The moniker made Nahyuta see red. He tried to throw another cushion at Simon, but this one didn’t hit the mark and ended up crashing against the wall while Nahyuta fell to his knees after failing to stand up. Now he felt defeated, with the background laughter of Simon, who was enjoying himself too much at his expense, filling the room. Nahyuta managed to stand up when he closed his eyes, and pushed his hair out of his face, to then show Simon an unkind gaze.

“There’s no khura’inese scripture that says a monk can’t indulge in… that, but your ignorance doesn’t surprise me!”

“I don’t care about what religion says or doesn’t say about sex. I’m laughing at you!” The shocked expression on Nahyuta's face was so enjoyable, and Simon couldn't stop looking at it. “The level of your awkwardness… I can’t believe I interrupted your search for a partner and you didn’t say a thing. Instead, you yapped for hours and forgot? That's what happened?"

Nahyuta seemed taken aback and nervously retorted.“W-What was I supposed to say?!”

“I don’t know, maybe Move the fuck away, I’m trying to get laid?” Simon raised an eyebrow, perplexed by Nahyuta's ingenuity. "Come on. Was it your first time picking up someone to fuck you?"

“You…! You vulgar and immature Panda!” he yelled, clenching his fists and feeling humiliated. “That’s what you are!”

“And you’re horny," he looked at the monk up and down and smirked. "And repressed too, by the looks of it.”

Too occupied laughing and enjoying the immature and unimaginative way he was insulted, which paled to the usual taunts Nahyuta threw at him, Simon didn't see Nahyuta walk towards him until a pair of hands touched his chest. Now he felt the weak attempt the monk made to push him, and since Simon too was quite drunk, it managed to make him take some steps back.

"Get out…," Nahyuta weakly commanded, struggling to push Simon out of the room.

He was too intoxicated to properly kick him out. Instead, he tried to shake Simon in a rather pathetic display of his weakened strength. He knew it too, so after a while, Nahyuta stopped fighting after hitting Simon’s chest with his forehead as a last resort.

The sudden stillness after the fiery joke of an attack amused Simon, who'd been standing like an immovable statue all this time. Only to embarrass Nahyuta just a little longer before he felt like going home.

Simon glanced down at the ball of lilac hair in his chest and sighed. “Oi, I'm not your bloody pillow for you to fall asleep."

He tried shaking Nahyuta, but the way the thin hands gripped the fabrics of his coat let Simon know he was awake. Their short struggle stopped when he noticed Nahyuta’s strange behavior that wasn't akin to that of a blackout drunk. After throwing a little tantrum like a spoiled brat, Nahyuta rested his head on Simon’s chest, and the rage he felt at being mocked was subdued by finding some type of comfort in someone else’s warmth and the woody notes of his cologne.

Ever since Simon helped him get to the elevator and his suite, he’d been getting confused while feeling that man touching him through his clothes. Suddenly, the smell of his cologne, now mixed with his natural scent, the smell of the sake, and a subtle hint of tobacco, was everything Nahyuta could think of. 

It was tempting.

For an instant, Nahyuta considered Simon, who was now here and holding him, to be a perfect candidate to help him get rid of these troubling sensations. Yet he quickly shook his head. The amount of alcohol Nahyuta drank was messing up his head if he was letting himself get seduced by Simon’s entire presence.

When he felt two hands on his shoulders, carefully pushing him off his chest, Nahyuta held strongly onto the black coat. He refused both to let go and to look up and deal with Simon’s mocking expression. However, when he felt a hand touching his hair, softly tugging on his braid, Nahyuta quietly gasped and buried his face deeper. Simon had finally given up on the temptation of touching Nahyuta's hair.

“Do you have such an urgency to be touched to the point you forget whose chest you’re snuggling into?”

Simon whispered again, distracting himself while touching the soft ends of the braid and ignoring Nahyuta, who felt the heat in his crotch and lower belly grow. The monk didn’t answer, unable to stop himself from clenching onto the black and white coat. The silence was unacceptable, and Simon tried to get his attention by shaking him a little, but Nahyuta refused to be humiliated even more by that well-known grin Simon made every time he had the upper hand. He'd resisted to let go of Simon, too. A situation full of contradictions.

Only when a hand rested on the back of his head, Nahyuta could feel a tug in his hair that forced him to look up.

The grin he'd feared was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Simon stared at him with an indescribable gaze. He didn't know if it was lust or anger in those grey eyes or both; the hand that tugged on the lilac hair went to hold his chin, while the thumb caressed his lower lip. Simon looked at the shiny and pretty lips, at the perfectly formed cupid bow, and the little amount of lipstick and gloss still coloring them.

Those hands on his face weren’t as coarse as Nahyuta imagined they would be, and the sudden invitation almost made him lose his mind. 

“… I could do you the favor…" muttered Simon, feeling his cheeks warm up. "Though I won’t like it myself, since it’s you.”

Hadn't it been for the taunting way he proposed it, Nahyuta would've accepted it without complaint. However, he found it in himself to put shame to a side and could only sneer in Simon's face before answering.

“Says the man who can’t stop checking me out and believes I haven’t noticed.”

The embarrassment that seized Simon was evident, as his eyes widened at the cocky smile forming in Nahyuta's lips. He tried to hide it to no avail and ended up switching his careful touch of Nahyuta’s face to a strong grip on his jaw.

“Even like this you can’t help getting on my nerves," he groaned.

The insult overjoyed Nahyuta, who kept smiling only to challenge Simon to do his worst.

The kiss was unexpected.

Even if Simon had made quite the scandalous proposal, one that Nahyuta thought was a joke, getting kissed was surprising. Even more when knowing that the one that initiated it wasn’t him, the one that was desperate and turned on, but Simon. 

Rather than pushing him away and cursing, Nahyuta's grip on the coat tightened before closing his eyes and deepening the kiss himself. He didn’t care that he was getting embraced so hard it hurt, or that he thought the worst of the man he was now so desperately returning the embrace. Nahyuta’s logic was completely shut down at this point, and his body and its needs took control of all of his actions.

The kiss was messy since Simon wasted no time to press his tongue between the monk's parted lips, tasting the sweetness left behind by the wine and sake they shared minutes ago; and Nahyuta was weak on the knees and hanging onto Simon's coat for balance. The hand that tightly gripped his face now grabbed the back of his neck, and the skin-to-skin contact was something he silently thanked. 

Nahyuta too reached out to touch Simon, at first cautious, but after he interlocked his finger behind the thick neck, he could feel a smile forming against his soft lips before Simon licked them and kissed him again. A hand slowly went down Nahyuta’s back, giving him shivers all over, and when it started fondling his ass, it made it real that this was going to be more than a messy kiss fueled by despise and lust. Before he could notice, Nahyuta’s pants were unzipped and started slipping down his legs. 

The prince pushed Simon off and looked to the ground. In a strange moment of clarity, Nahyuta blushed and avoided looking at Simon, even pretending that the way he grabbed his waist wasn't everything he desired.

“W-Wait… a shower—”

“... If you could look at the state you’re in, you would know there’s no time for that,” interrupted Simon.

He did not care for this interruption and kissed Nahyuta again. Not wishing to act meek and demure as he got undressed, the monk clumsily kicked off his boots and pants. Down to his blouse and underwear, Nahyuta let the remaining doubts in his mind dissipate as Simon’s hands found their way inside his shirt, whimpering at the contact of those hands on his naked skin.

The kiss persisted, even as they took short breaks to breathe, but the closeness between their bodies prevented them from letting anything get in the way of what they were about to do.

Nahyuta almost complained when he stopped feeling Simon on his lips, but as he looked up, he felt somewhat shy at the severe gaze he found. Before he could react, Simon grabbed his wrist and walked toward a big open door, imagining that it was the bedroom. When he saw the majestic bed in the dark bedroom in which Nahyuta rested, he felt like laughing, if it weren’t because Nahyuta grabbed him by the necktie and pulled him into another kiss.

He bit Simon's lower lip, clearly enraged by the lack of attention. A bite hard enough to hurt him. That was enough for Simon to softly push that staggering drunk onto the bed, then ignore the complaints as he passed a finger on his lips to ease the pain, and take off some of the lip gloss too while looking at Nahyuta.

“So you're the impatient type…”

Nahyuta didn't try to answer, his complaining stopped as he now focused on the way Simon took off his coat and unbuttoned his suit jacket. The green eyes lingered on all those effortless movements and softly gasped at how Simon pulled off his belt with one hand and his tie with the other, before unbuttoning the white dress shirt. Seeing him undress made Nahyuta close his legs, trying to hide his already aroused self.

At this point, after getting kissed and, most importantly, touched, Nahyuta could feel his cock getting harder, and Simon keeping eye contact while showing off his broad and brawny build only made Nahyuta more impatient to get what looked on the dimly lit room like a perfect body on top of his own.

It was the perfect time to tease him, that’s what Simon thought when seeing Nahyuta in that state, with the slightly messed up lip makeup and trying to push himself up on the bed and failing to. However, the number of things he prepared in a matter of seconds went quiet in his head when Nahyuta gave up on talking and let himself fall on the bed, covering his face while trying to hide his blush with his arms.

It had to be something Simon had never seen in his 30 years of life: Someone that had gotten so horny and drunk that was unable to speak. 

At that point, Simon pitied him. That's why he pulled down his zipper before climbing on top of Nahyuta, pushing away his arms to kiss him with the same amount of want as they did back in the living room.

All this kissing was startling, though.

Simon could allow himself to do this guy the favor of fucking him once or twice to satisfy not only Nahyuta's needs but most importantly, to satisfy his own. Trying to deny how tempted he'd been by Nahyuta's entire self had been a lost battle from the start; he should've known it by how much attention he gave to Nahyuta's eyes that held so many emotions, the elegant figure that he just certified perfectly fit in his arms, or by the smell of his perfume Simon forced himself to hate. Now that he saw Nahyuta almost throwing himself at him, and he found out how the prince looked seconds before getting messed up, Simon had been forced to confront his infatuation with the most odious person he knew. Yes, he needed to quench this thirst once and for all, otherwise he would go mad.

But kissing was too intimate, especially for a one-night stand.

And yet, there was something in Nahyuta's hateful glare, a glare that didn't bother to hide his raw disdain for him, but the more Simon looked into the glassy green eyes he could also see unfiltered want. He felt in danger even, it was as if Nahyuta wanted to take a bite out of him. It was so flattering that Simon only found kissing the monk as a good enough distraction.

The moment Simon climbed on top of him, Nahyuta was once again comforted by the warmth of the massive chest that was hidden by the layers of clothes he always wore, unable to control how his hands touched it. Simon moaned into their kiss for the first time at the sensation, and with a free hand, he slipped off the golden clip that held together the braid so it undid itself, same with the small button on the neck of the red blouse; he didn’t bother to take his time anymore and slipped off the blouse once and for all, not caring about the prince's whining. The shock helped Nahyuta regain some control of himself.

“Beast! That was unnecessary!” he shouted.

He ignored Nahyuta’s complaints. "Do you have protection? Or lube? Otherwise, it won’t be as comfortable.”

After calming down a little, Nahyuta avoided those grey eyes and stretched his hand to grab a clear bottle and a pack of condoms from under his pillow. Simon forced himself to keep quiet, so he grabbed the box and the bottle of lube and then pulled Nahyuta up on the bed.

“Oh, you were indeed prepared," he smirked as he saw Nahyuta avoiding his eyes. "Nice to know you aren’t a virgin, even if you act as sloppy as one.”

Nahyuta gave him one last look of disdain. “Will you make a mockery of me the whole night, or are you going to fuck me?”

Simon grinned at hearing such words from that man. He appreciated the boldness.

“My apologies, Your Holiness.”

A hand pinched one of Nahyuta’s nipples, eliciting a sharp cry. Simon continued pulling it before he switched his fingers with his mouth, and sucking on Nahyuta’s chest provoked some of the lewdest sounds that he’d never dare to imagine could come from such a holy man. Nahyuta was fully naked in a matter of seconds, not noticing since he devoted all of his attention to the sensations of Blackquill licking and kissing his chest and neck and the warmth that was left anywhere he touched. 

The cold and sticky sensation of the lube, sliding down his already erect cock to his ass made Nahyuta close his eyes. Simon kneeled on the bed and spread the slender legs that didn't oppose being opened to see that pristine body, the long and lovely cock twitching as the hole did when Simon caressed it with a lube-coated finger. He enjoyed seeing how his thick fingers entered the monk, and how his body squirmed, with his back arched and biting his hand to not moan.

“Stop that," he whispered as he went deeper.

Nahyuta only bit harder into the skin, feeling Simon twisting the fingers inside of him, first fast enough that he thought he would come, then slowing it down. The sudden change in velocity made it hard for the monk to control his voice. In Nahyuta’s eyes, this exacerbated lecherous behavior was unbecoming for a member of the royal family, and a monk on top of it. Even if he was becoming undone by skilled fingers, he tried so hard to get out of this situation with a bit of his pride intact; something impossible as he'd allowed a man who wished to mess him up to do his worst.

With his free hand, Simon grabbed one of Nahyuta’s legs and pulled them open before touching a spot that made Nahyuta groan into the pillow. He liked it there, it showed in his body and by the way he clawed onto Simon’s forearm. And yet, even in this excited state, Nahyuta noticed light scars around the wrist and forearm, he instinctively moved his hand to dig his nails on Simon’s shoulder.

“Ngh… S-Stop that…!” he whispered, trying to control his voice the best he could. “... Get it over already.”

“You’re dead wrong if you think I’ll let you boss me around now,” he hit the same spot that made Nahyuta squirm.

“Ah!…. So you enjoy… fingering me that much?” 

“No more than seeing the idiotic face you have on while I'm edging you.”

“Rot in hell,” groaned Nahyuta.

The vicious words excited Simon. He started stroking Nahyuta’s hardened cock, already glistening with drops of pre-cum sliding down its length. That managed to shut him up since, no matter how much he clawed onto Simon’s skin or kept squirming under his skillful touch, Nahyuta couldn’t form a single coherent thought that would overpower his basic need for release.

“… Almost there,” murmured Simon, seeing how wet the hand that stroked Nahyuta already was.

Even when it was tempting to keep playing, to tighten the grip on his cock the moment the monk was on the verge of spilling, satisfying an urge to dominate a man as prideful and holier-than-thou as Nahyuta was, Simon honestly took pity on him. It was the evident desperation shown by the way he wriggled his hips, wanting to keep getting fingered and hitting that sweet spot, that made Simon kind enough to let him cum. 

Nahyuta rested on the bed while feeling overwhelmed as he covered his face, wishing to moan for once, but there was the stubborn need to save face that made him avoid Simon’s gaze. He struggled accepting he’d surrendered his body, out of desperation, to the first guy he saw; It was so mortifying it didn't allow him to let loose. However, the sensations erased any type of negative feelings he might be harboring against Simon. 

Yet it was a sight to see for Simon. It didn’t help that he was drunk too, which made him a little more generous. If he already thought Nahyuta was enticing, seeing him come undone under him made the prince breathtaking in Simon’s eyes. 

He felt Nahyuta tighten around his fingers right before spurts of thick white semen flowed out of the prince, who let go a choked-out moan as he gripped the bed sheets and arched his back. His seed covered the tight belly and chest, and drops of it slid down through his crotch, but Nahyuta was too far gone thanks to the orgasm to notice either the mess he’d made, or the eyes gazing down on him.

“That was fast. And a lot… You don’t wank on the regular, do you?" asked Simon.

With the last of his strength, Nahyuta swung at him, hitting his bicep. It was weak and it made Simon smirk before grabbing both of Nahyuta’s legs and forcing them open, pulling the prince, still reeling from his orgasm, towards him. The sound of the condom wrapping alerted him, and when Simon started rubbing his cock against Nahyuta’s, he flinched and closed his eyes. 

The reaction made Simon, who was a little lightheaded, aware for an instant. An awareness he used to also put condoms on both of them as Nahyuta looked at the glass wall, trying to relax while gazing at the blurry city lights and feeling a sudden rise of anxiety as he knew they were going all the way. By grabbing his cheeks, Simon forced Nahyuta to look at him. 

"... Getting second thoughts?" he asked, giving Nahyuta a chance to stop everything.

Instead of looking into Simon's eyes for too long, the green eyes stared down, gazing longingly while trying to assess the massive size of Simon’s cock, twitching as he rubbed it against his own that slowly got hard again. The ragged breathing and gleaming eyes enticed Simon to kiss him, and Nahyuta embraced it, relaxing as his fingers found their way into the thick mane of black hair.

It was a pity that Nahyuta’s moans were muffled by their kiss the moment Simon thrust into him, but nothing could make Simon break it when he enjoyed so much the taste of wine in his mouth with a hint of cherry, which he imagined came from Nahyuta’s lip gloss, and the overall softness of those lips. With each half-thrust, their moans were lost in the kiss.

When Simon, who’d been struggling to move thanks to Nahyuta’s tightness, managed to go all the way in, he enjoyed how the prince loudly groaned as he felt completely full. Simon had to stop for an instant, burying his face in that thin neck to sigh softly, smelling the well-mixed scents of Nahyuta's perfume and all the other things he used to look as nice, and trying to deal with the cramped and slightly painful sensation around his cock. He imagined it was as hard for Nahyuta as it was for him.

“Fuck… That's too tight, Lewd Monk. Relax a little.”

As a response, Nahyuta reached Simon’s hips to finish pushing off his pants and underwear, then dug his nails into the hips. He wasn’t thinking, instead, he felt powerless and overcome by the inherent eroticism of another man’s body. And even if it was hard to accept, he greatly enjoyed Simon's physique, and the feeling of his cock, opening him up and not even reminding him how sex used to be, but revealing how it could feel for the first time. 

It made him start being demanding.

“D-Don’t stop. Move again!”

“Is it desperation I hear in your voice?” he asked, taunting Nahyuta as looked down at him. “If you want me to fuck you, ask for it.”

They stared into each other’s eyes, and it seemed that not even being in that position would quench the fiery rivalry between them. Nahyuta was sweating, strands of hair stuck to his face and forehead, giving him such an erotic look that Simon was close to surrender and forget about the mind games, giving him what he so desperately wanted. When he felt a soft hand caressing his back, Simon’s expression relaxed as he almost got lost in the commanding gaze of his Royal Highness.

“Do it,” he whispered, yet still had a demanding tone.

Another weaker man would've given in, by the manner in which Nahyuta's enchanting gaze and soft voice sweetened that command.

Simon was not falling for such a cheap trick.

“... I’m not your servant to get ordered around, nor am I getting manipulated by a pretty face, you bloody idiot," he taunted.

Nahyuta bit his lip, feeling woozy and unsatisfied. A dangerous combination. The knowledge of this night would probably haunt him for the rest of his days, but he was too focused on his present urges to keep wasting more time thinking of some type of comeback. He was still hard and wished to cum, so he closed his eyes and threw away the last remnants of his pride to give Simon what he wanted.

“… Please, fuck me.”

Simon didn’t spout a word before getting rid of the pants and underwear hanging from his legs and kicking off his boots, kneeling on the bed, and lifting Nahyuta’s hips before moving.

Either each thrust seemed to be perfectly aligned with the right spot, or Nahyuta was overtly sensitive, that he closed his eyes and let himself get lost in the sensations of Simon Blackquill fucking him. When he pulled out entirely, and Nahyuta choked out a moan at the sudden emptiness, Simon didn’t hide his groans. He started dragging the tips of his cock on Nahyuta’s rim before thrusting hard into him.

“Ah! You Bastard!” he shouted, grabbing onto Simon’s hair and pulling it with the little strength he had. “I am not your toy— Ngh!”

Nahyuta grew quiet when Simon licked a hard nipple, and the tight grip on the black hair loosened as did his insides when Simon started thrusting harder and faster. His head now hung back, the now loose lilac hair falling as a cascade onto the mattress while both long legs were entangled around Simon’s hips. The clouding of his senses made him know he was close already.

“Haven’t you already gotten used to my cock fucking you, Your Holiness?” taunted Simon, with a blush on his face and a smirk. “It got easier since you already are shaped like me down there. And in a matter of minutes.”

“Be q-quiet…!” he yelled, avoiding a fight because he wanted Simon to focus on that perfect pace.

“I’m quiet, you’re the one screaming like a bitch in heat.”

Nahyuta got lifted a little, the back arched while his hand was now holding onto the bed’s headboard.

“D-Does it…. Turn you on… Insulting… and degrading me?” he battled to say as he concentrated on how good it felt.

Simon smiled. “You have no idea how much I’m enjoying this.”

Each thrust came with the mixed sounds of their skins crashing against each other and their moans. Simon dug his short nails into Nahyuta’s narrow hips, feeling close too, but he didn’t want this to end so quickly. Again, he pulled out entirely and teased Nahyuta, who looked furious every time Simon dared to interrupt him and his pleasure. But Simon couldn’t help pestering him, not even when he craved to fuck him as much as Nahyuta wanted to get fucked.

After Simon reached that spot and started hitting it with all of his strength, Nahyuta came a second time; untouched and getting tight around Simon, who paid no mind to it and kept fucking the prince as he came, gifting him the pleasure of that continued orgasm until Simon too reached his own. The condom avoided Nahyuta feeling the warmth of the spilled semen flowing in, but he felt each throb from that cock inside him before it was pulled out.

Nahyuta whined at the emptiness while falling completely limp on the bed, his legs still surrounding Simon's hips until they lost their strength and fell on the bed. Simon tried to catch his breath while seeing the prince sprawled in front of him, skin glistening with sweat and his thin frame covered with streaks of white. The messed up lilac hair covered the expression he so wished to see. 

He couldn’t stop himself from reaching Nahyuta’s face, pushing away the hair to see the ragged breathing and half-open eyes. The long lashes were dampened by teardrops, yet his eye makeup was still impeccable; the tanned skin on the cheeks felt hot as he blushed. Simon grabbed his chin, and just like in the beginning, he started caressing that lower lip.

To no surprise, Nahyuta showed him he was awake by biting his thumb, making him know he still had some fight in him. The same lustful eyes from a while ago looked up, and Simon let himself get enticed to another kiss while he searched for another condom from the box.

He made it his mission to not let Nahyuta rest until he erased that look from his eyes.

Chapter Text

For the first time after countless sleepless nights, the unsettling nightmares that interrupted Nahyuta's rest were replaced by a rather pleasant dream. What came to him was a memory of the recent past, around the time when the old regime came to an end.

The dust had settled in Khura'in, and after a quick funeral to honor Dhurke, Nahyuta wasn't given that much time to process how life radically changed in a single day. He'd been occupied caring for his grieving brother and mother, who'd been recently discharged from the hospital; he also had to look out for a saddened and conflicted Rayfa. Too much was going on for him to even pay attention to his conflicted feelings regarding his father's murder.

While praying during the public funeral, Nahyuta maintained a poised demeanor; visibly sad, but controlled enough to fulfill his role next to the acting Head Monk.

Neither in public nor in private  Nahyuta had been able to shed the amount of tears that were usually required after the death of a beloved father, and he didn't know the reason; maybe he remembered his father's words. That boys didn't cry. He'd taken that to heart and it'd served him well all those years. However, now that he'd been released from the tailored cage Ga'ran enjoyed making for him, the life he forced himself to endure ended after one trial; there was no reason to keep pretending, but it'd left a deep mark on him emotionally.

Nahyuta didn't know how to fix this.

He chastised himself for what he labeled as cruel indifference, worrying deeply that maybe this was the way to be, and apologized to his father in prayer. However, he had no time to search for a solution, since right as his family arrived at the palace, Nahyuta was swarmed by a group of government officials with worried expressions; the state of the royal family was a great concern, and everyone wondered how long mourning would last.

Nahyuta was thankful Apollo was there to accompany both his mother, still recovering from both the emotional and physical wounds, and Rayfa, who’d been on the best behavior someone in her confused state could be. That way he could tend to the kingdom.

The regency was, to his surprise, accepted by everyone with open arms, and the stigma Nahyuta carried with him since he had memory suddenly vanished. On the day of the announcement, there was a collective relief as the people of Khura’in cheered for the regent prince and the princess. The country knew what freedom was, and Nahyuta could rejoice at the realization of his father's dream.

Still, it was hard to accept that Dhurke wasn’t there to see it.

There wasn’t a party after the parade. The royal family was still in mourning, and as quickly as the parade ended, Nahyuta and Rayfa visited their mother's chambers. The bedroom was cozy and smelled like jasmine perfume and fresh flowers, but there was also the hint of antiseptic and medicine since Amara had been on bed rest for days now. She'd been quietly reading a book, her long hair braided and resting on her shoulder, and her lap was covered by the purple and white comforter on the great bed; when the door opened, her seemingly tired eyes lit up the instant she saw her children.

"Mother, can we come in?" asked Rayfa, peeking her head through the half-opened door.

"I would enjoy a visit, I've been so bored," answered Amara.

The princess smiled, walking with ease into the room and sitting on the chair next to the bed. Nahyuta didn't have it as easy, as he stood by the door, silently admiring his mother and sister as they had a conversation regarding the parade. Rayfa easily lit up the room as she talked about people's excitement, and how she'd never been in a parade like that; she even took her time to praise Nahyuta.

"His Holiness was as dignified and elegant as usual, Mother," she exclaimed with a smile then looked at her brother. "You were so nervous before it started for no reason at all."

Amara glanced towards the door, noticing how Nahyuta kept his silence, pretending to pray as he adorned his face with a smile. She found his sheepishness endearing.

"Rayfa, dear, you have more experience with these royal affairs than your brother," she reminded her and smiled while seeing the realization in Rayfa's eyes. "Let's congratulate him for his great work. That is if he wishes to join us instead of making himself at home by the door."

Amara lightly tapped the spot beside her on the bed, and Nahyuta opened his eyes, tempted to accept the invitation as he saw both his mother and sister and their kind expressions. Nonetheless, his eyes closed again as he smiled as usual.

"That would be delightful, but there's work waiting for me," he said with a modest smile. "Please, keep resting and I'll send for someone to bring you both tea in a second."

Before Rayfa could loudly protest his decision, Nahyuta had already closed the door gently behind himself and made his way to the palace. The room was silent until Rayfa abandoned her seat and went to push open the curtain, only to see Nahyuta's graceful steps as he abandoned the royal residence.

"... He could've stayed a little longer," murmured Rayfa.

"Let him be," continued Amara, "He's shy, that's all."

Rayfa tilted her head and returned to her seat, looking perplexed until she landed her eyes on the comforter covering her mother's lap. She slowly rested her head on it and was glad to feel the tender and familiar touch on her cheeks. Still, it didn't take away the worries she had. Something that Amara noticed.

"… Rayfa, do you feel like going out after drinking our tea?" said the queen as she played with the black locks of hair. "I feel like taking a stroll, and there's a place I want to visit."

The princess looked up and nodded, enjoying the idea of having an afternoon out with her mother.

That warmth and cozy space that belonged to the queen's room, which was only made more comfortable due to Rayfa's presence, almost pushed Nahyuta to take the afternoon off, yet he would rather get his hands on the work waiting for him than be distracted from it. When he arrived at what used to be the queen's office, the prince regent saw the servants fulfilling the order he gave before leaving for the parade. To clean the place and empty it.

As he stood by the hallway, Nahyuta saw how the servants and housekeepers were almost done with it, taking out many things and getting ready to throw them away. Things that belonged to Ga'ran. Things he didn't bother to see as they got taken out of the palace.

By the time they were done, Nahyuta was now in a room empty of ornaments, books, or furniture except for the new desk he asked for; on top of it rested a pile of documents regarding incarcerations of the past six years he'd had his doubts about. He completely forgot about most things as he worked for the rest of the day, stopping only when he decided it was a good time to pay a visit to Apollo.

Nahyuta managed to slip out unseen from the palace in the late afternoon and enjoyed how the sunset made the scenery of the city a nostalgic one. Only a week ago he was running around with guards on these same streets, quieting the complaints in his heart as he desperately followed orders. Now he walked the streets not as Ga'ran's most obedient follower or as the exiled prince, but as someone who was free.

His stroll was met with greetings by some citizens, but also by cold glares from people hiding in alleyways. The ill intent was palpable. That was bound to happen, yet Nahyuta didn't fear for his safety. Whoever had a grudge, was more than free to come for him and take vengeance however they saw fit, or wait until Nahyuta started doing his rounds around every single victim's family to truly humble himself for once in his life. He sighed as unfortunate memories flooded his mind until he reached his destination.

The prince stood still in front of what used to be his father’s law office, staring at the sign that now said Justice and Sahdmadhi. It made all the sense to Nahyuta to see those names attached. He knocked on the door, and when Apollo opened it, he was surprised to see his brother standing in front of him.

“Nahyuta? Shouldn’t you be at the palace doing kingly things?” he asked.

“I finished early today," he raised his head and smiled. "The new sign… I like it.”

Apollo shared the smile and made way for Nahyuta to come in. He was alone in the office after Ahlbi and Datz left to get dinner, and Nahyuta saw how the space finally seemed like a proper office. The dust was gone, and so were the damp spots and peeled-off paint of the walls; it was all replaced by clean furniture and the evident smell of a fresh coat of paint. Sadly, he had no recollections of how that place looked 20 years ago, but after seeing their father’s coat, framed and hanging on the wall, Nahyuta approved of what Apollo did with the place.

“We finally finished the deep cleaning earlier today,” said Apollo.

“Good. It would be a hassle for all of your new clients to have to deal with bugs and that much dust," retorted Nahyuta.

Apollo laughed a little but then asked something that had been in his mind ever since he got the keys to the place.

“… Did you ever come to this office?”

“Father never brought neither of us here,” he said, looking at the framed picture of the three of them on the desk.

“No, I mean… After you became a prosecutor.”

“… I passed next to this place many times, knowing it was a base for the Defiant Dragons, but I also knew he wouldn’t risk getting so close to the city,” his gaze turned gloomy for an instant. “Maybe he knew I could snitch and didn’t want to put himself in danger.”

Apollo softly gasped. “Don’t say that.”

“It’s the truth.”

The silence in the room made the oppressive atmosphere that suddenly surrounded them almost unbearable, and Apollo, who already struggled while looking at Nahyuta’s back, tried to come up with what to say.

It'd been only a week since he chose to stay in Khura'in while leaving behind the life he knew, a decision born not only out of his wish to return to the place that harbored all of his childhood memories, but also dreaming that, even if Dhurke was gone, he could be with Nahyuta after all these years.

It'd been a fool's dream. The Nahyuta he encountered was a stark difference from the gentlest soul he'd met as a child.

By the end of that wretched trial, Nahyuta had smiled, and Apollo honestly thought it would be that easy to get his brother back. However, after the Defense Culpability Act was abolished and Khurai'n showed all the cracks the previous regime tried so hard to hide, Apollo knew that dealing with Nahyuta would be a slow process.

Why was so hard for them to talk? Apollo remembered Nahyuta to be so easy to talk to when they were kids; he would sit down by Nahyuta's side, who had his eyes closed as if in permanent meditation, accompanied by a tiny smile as he heard Apollo blabber until he got tired. Now, Apollo kept trying to reach Nahyuta, but the most he'd gotten lately was a pat on the back during their father's funeral and some written messages sent through servants. Only some days ago was it that Rayfa, alarmed and angry at the request for their brother's phone number, took his phone and saved Nahyuta's info in it, admonishing Apollo for wasting precious time instead of asking Nahyuta directly.

The thing is, there hadn't been a single moment for them to talk. In the week he'd been organizing the office, Apollo didn't get a chance to meet Nahyuta, and knowing that his brother was busier than ever he didn't press for a meeting. Now that he paid a visit, Apollo wished, at least once, to properly talk, to get up to date, to know what sort of man Nahyuta turned out to be. An impossible mission seeing how guarded his brother was as he dealt with things Apollo couldn't even imagine.

Somehow, even if they were this close, Apollo looked at his brother's back and touched his bracelet, wishing for Nahyuta's defense to slip. To show him his face so he could drag some sort of truth, that way Apollo could lend him the help he needed. That's why he stayed.

“That’s not why I asked," declared Apollo. "It’s just that I imagined these past six years must’ve been rough. Didn’t you feel curious about how this place looked?”

Nahyuta, still showing his back to his brother, left the framed picture on the desk.

“Almost all the time, but if I dared to enter it would have alerted… Her.”

The simple idea of his aunt made his voice tremble. The wound was too recent, and he couldn't bring himself to utter that name, as thinking of her made Nahyuta visibly tense up. Somehow, the smile Nahyuta showed by the end of that trial, as everything was finally over, had been hard to regain. His anger must have been indescribable after years of being used by the same person that destroyed his life.

Apollo knew that the wound was still open and painfully throbbing in all of them, but what Nahyuta felt was something that no one could compare to. That's why, in a naive effort to reach his brother, Apollo said what he thought would help.

“I don’t blame you for being fooled into believing in her. Dad didn’t either if that makes you feel better.”

There was no answer from Nahyuta, so Apollo kept talking, thinking it would somehow make them feel better.

“I mean it. Dhurke and I got to talk a lot and he just missed you... So did I. And It’s weird to think I’m back here, the place where my memories start. Y'know, I… kind of had given up on seeing Dhurke or you ever again.”

Suddenly, Nahyuta turned around with guilt-ridden eyes. There was no need for his bracelet as the prince let those expressive green eyes break in some emotion Apollo hadn't seen until that day. It made his heart tighten in his chest as he quickly tried to fix what he'd done.

“Not that I blame you! I mean, it’s not all the time you end up embroiled in a great plot like this. As a child, this was not my war to fight," he said, forcing a smile as his hands slightly trembled. "I understand why I was sent away… At least now I do!”

“Apollo…”

“And It’s fine! I’m fine, Nahyuta. I got to see Dhurke once again, and you’re fine or will be one of these days. You were the most reliable person I knew as a kid so I trust you’ll be fine!”

That hint of a smile on Apollo's face burned. The guilt Nahyuta had been trying to hide in a faraway corner of his brain started coming to the front, seeing one of the persons most affected by the many necessary yet cruel decisions taken these past 20 years. Nahyuta hadn't even stopped to think about himself ever since he chose to visit, he just wanted to check in on Apollo. Now, crestfallen and fighting to show a smile, Apollo was quiet as his brother allowed himself to empathize with him.

“… I can’t even fathom how you felt all these years," muttered Nahyuta.

Apollo massaged the back of his neck, hiding his anxiety. “It wasn’t as bad. Nothing like what you had to deal with…"

"It doesn't matter what I had to deal with," he retorted with a severe tone. "We left you behind because… In the end, they took Mother, and Rayfa too. That one mission failed, but at least you were safe. It was a cruel decision, but one that kept you safe."

Nahyuta turned his face to the window as bitter memories of the day his mother and sister disappeared came back to him. It was already nighttime, and Apollo, too distracted by his turmoil, wasn't able to catch the way Nahyuta's breath shortened when he finished speaking.

"But you met good people," continued Nahyuta with a calmer semblance. "Mr. Wright was of great help."

"Yeah… I lived such a different life back in the States. I got to study and meet great people like Mr. Wright and Mr. Edgeworth. Then there's Klavier," his gaze softened. "Oh, we need to talk about that guy."

Nahyuta looked at his brother, tilting his head in confusion which amused Apollo before he continued.

"And I made friends too! Like Trucy and Ema, Athena…Or Clay,” the apparent cheeriness in Apollo's voice disappeared. “... He was my best friend, but he was murdered a year ago.”

Nahyuta's eyes widened at the revelation. Apollo was by the couch, grabbing onto it with his eyes closed and brows furrowed as one does while trying not to cry. Once again, silence reigned in the room. Nahyuta knew there were no words that could help Apollo right now, as his grip on the couch tightened while he battled the tears dwelling in his eyes. Nahyuta walked towards him and, after hesitating, laid a hand on Apollo’s shoulder. That seemed to be enough for Apollo to let out the tears he’d been fighting.

“It’s infuriating… Why did I lose Clay and Dhurke like this?” he said, looking at the ground and sniffling, pushing his voice through the knot in his throat. “It's as if I couldn't help the people I love, because I came back thinking my help would somehow help fix everything…! And yet…! What I found was Dhurke being a damn ghost, and you in pain!”

“Calm down. My own decisions are but my fault,” he spoke in a soft tone, ignoring the crushing weight in his chest since that wouldn’t stop him from comforting Apollo. “If anything, the one that caused Dhurke and you such distress was me… Please, forgive me.”

Apollo couldn’t help resting his forehead on Nahyuta's chest. The smell of incense, mixed with the sweet hints of the fresh peaches he enjoyed snacking on, suddenly took him back to when he was 4 and Nahyuta played with him in their little cabin in the mountains.

“Am I wrong... for feeling abandoned again?” asked Apollo.

“… Not at all.”

They stayed like that for a while until Apollo started trembling, which worried Nahyuta. When the sound of muffled laughter reached his ears, he pushed his brother away.

“What's wrong?”

“Man, why are you so tense?” asked Apollo, cleaning the tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand. “You wouldn’t mind me hugging you when we were kids!”

For some reason, Nahyuta concluded that Apollo wanted an embrace, so he opened his arms and tried to reach him. The awkward manner in which he approached made Apollo backtrack a little, staring at Nahyuta in awe before covering his mouth with a fist. If he laughed at Nahyuta in his face, it would only destroy this attempt at a beautiful bonding moment and make him mad.

Instead, Apollo was surprised to see Nahyuta put a hand on his chest to fidget with his bead and look the other way, visibly nervous. This was a first. A reaction that wouldn't fit the Last Rites Prosecutor, but most definitely reminded Apollo of the boy he used to know.

Nahyuta frowned not in anger, but embarrassed. “… I’m sorry, I just… I’m sorry.”

I haven’t hugged anyone in years.

It was such a big revelation that Nahyuta preferred to keep it to himself. Not even after Amara got out of the hospital he dared to hug her, even if that's what he'd been craving for years, yet Nahyuta accepted the tenderness in her touch when she caressed his face and hair with her cold and soft hands. Still, Apollo looked at him not with pity at his strange behavior, but with understanding as he tried to imagine what happened to Nahyuta ever since they were separated.

“Again, stop apologizing!... Will you be like this in court too?” he teased.

That had been enough to make Nahyuta correct his posture and look at his brother from the corner of his eye, accepting the challenge.

“You wish, Justice. I won’t rest until we help the people falsely incarcerated as quickly as possible.”

“And that means ruthless investigation, questioning, and trials.”

“But one that would be truthful, for once," retorted Nahyuta and his voice carried a hint of sadness with it.

Apollo smiled and cleaned his face, even if he still had many tears to shed. That made Nahyuta ignore his unshed tears, and before their conversation could continue, the door opened with a crash to reveal Datz carrying bags of food into the office. Both of them were startled by it and by the way their uncle's eyes seemed to brighten up at seeing them together.

“Ah! Yuty! I’m so happy to see you!”

Datz left the food on a small table next to the couch and ran towards Nahyuta, shaking him by the shoulders and hitting his back. The excitement of the man was understandable, but Nahyuta wanted to shake him off completely.

“Y-Yes, hello Datz. Good to see you too.”

“Why are you so cold? It’s Uncle Datz, for both you and A.J.!”

Nahyuta searched for Apollo’s help with his gaze, but he only shook his head and smiled as he started fixing the plates.

“Anyway, It’s good that Yuty’s here, that will save us some time!” exclaimed Datz.

“Us…?” asked Nahyuta.

As he tried to understand what  Datz could mean, a familiar silhouette appeared through the door. It was Rayfa, who panned the entire office with bright and curious eyes. Nahyuta wasn’t expecting to see her there, though the visit didn't come as a shock. As of lately, Rayfa had been asking things about Dhurke; Amara was happy to reminisce about him to their daughter, but Nahyuta had no time, neither the peace of mind, to do that yet.

Nevertheless, when their mother appeared behind her, being accompanied by Alhbi, he was left puzzled.

“Do you need more help, Your Mercifullness?” asked the boy.

“Thanks for your help, Ahlbi. I can walk on my own now," said the queen.

“Mother! Why…! You should be resting in bed!” exclaimed Nahyuta when Amara walked in, but she was too distracted looking around just like Rayfa did.

“This place is almost the same. Is dinner ready?” she asked.

“I’m on it!” shouted Datz, finishing what Apollo, shocked at seeing the queen, stopped doing.

“Nahyuta, close your mouth. It’s unbecoming of a prince to be in awe.”

He did as he was told and even straightened the already impeccable posture, just in case. Still, he was too surprised to leave it like this.

“Mother, the doctor asked for you to maintain your bed rest.”

She smiled at his honest worry. “And I was also told to walk from time to time. I was bored of reading in my bedroom and walking by the garden every day.”

“Braid Head, Mother is allowed to go whenever she wants!” shouted Rayfa, trying not to get distracted by the many decorations in the office. “… Is this our father’s office?”

“Yes, Rayfa. It’s almost unchanged,” mentioned Amara, sitting on the couch with her daughter’s help. “Just like when I was a young woman and visited Dhurke from time to time.”

The princess's eyes wandered, liking what it been done to the place, until they landed on a picture on the desk; she was taken by the bright smiles Dhurke and his sons had on it. Rayfa looked away for a second, though couldn't avoid confronting the rash manner in which Datz grabbed that picture and stood in front of her.

"Don't be shy! Grab it if you wanna see it closer!" he exclaimed, pushing the portrait onto her hands. "You see, I took this one! There's a nice story behind it!"

Before Rayfa could refuse fervently that man's invitation for a story, she was already intrigued by the idea of knowing more about the people in that photo. To know more about Dhurke, who in the end was her father. That's why she allowed herself to sit by the couch and listen carefully to everything Datz said.

Datz had an easier time talking about Dhurke and protecting his legacy than anyone else. He could do it without quickly getting overcome by grief, at least in public.

At this strange familiar and cozy scene, Nahyuta and Apollo could only admire while being dumbfounded. Datz kept talking non-stop as he and Alhbi poured soup and served meat dumplings on the plates, then handed them to Rayfa and Amara. The queen also joined in retelling anecdotes from her youth with Dhurke, with such ease that it erased the image of a woman hiding in her chambers Nahyuta caught once after the funeral. At last, it seemed as if she found her peace. Rayfa sat quietly and even Ahlbi joined her too, both carefully listened to anything Datz and the queen had to say, to unlearn years of lies that had been law for anyone born after that tragedy.

“… The food will get cold, Yuty,” said Apollo, teasing his brother to help him get out of his trance.

Apollo's smile was brighter now, as he sat on the couch and started eating. Amara looked at him with a tenderness in her eyes, right before she called her son. After seeing the family he had left sitting on the couch and sharing dinner, Nahyuta forgot for a moment all of his grievances and sat with them.

He'd almost forgotten that evening. Dreaming about that simple dinner mended something within him that he couldn’t explain.

Nahyuta woke up feeling the most relaxed he’d been in months. That dream left his mind and body feeling well rested, more than a warm bath and light exercise had done the past weeks.

He felt so comfortable that the idea of leaving his bed didn't cross his mind for a while. Most mornings, Nahyuta jumped out of bed as fast as he could when his alarm started blasting the Plumed Punisher theme song, which made its way to his phone thanks to Rayfa. That morning however, he'd missed the alarm and, for the first time in a while, Nahyuta understood what lazing around felt like while sleeping covered in the soft sheets from head to toe, stretching his limbs and feeling his naked body against the bed sheet as it sank on the cushy mattress.

Being naked was the first thing that alerted Nahyuta that something was off. It was unusual for him to sleep in the nude.

When he was awake enough to open his eyes, Nahyuta removed the bed sheet from his face and stretched once more before sitting on the bed. The relaxed sensation in his muscles disappeared as he felt his body aching in different places, and as he rubbed his neck, Nahyuta noticed he'd fallen asleep with his jewelry on.

The same scenario from most mornings when he didn't collapse on his desk or the couch was in front of him. The white ceiling looked blurry through the sheer, embroidered fabrics of the canopy, the closed wooden double doors, and the vanity, well arranged as he left it; next to him, there was a night table with his cell phone, a landline, and other belongings hidden in the dark. Next to it, there was a chair in the corner of the room, with a black jacket covering the seat, a coat that slipped to the ground, and a pair of boots on the floor.

Black boots. Boots that were too big and not even his style.

Right, I was searching for a partner yesterday, he thought as he started taking off his earrings and headpiece, leaving them on the bedside table.

That was the reason for that soreness he felt all over, and still, it was nothing compared to the exhaustion after a long day of work. Nahyuta tried to pick up his phone to look at the time when his hand stumbled with the makeup wipes, and he admonished himself from sleeping with makeup on as he could now feel the layer of creams and powders in his face, and the heavy sensation in his eyelids too. Nahyuta quickly removed it all, hoping that he hadn't been too unsightly for his visitor.

Finally, he was awake enough to hear the water running in the shower, which let Nahyuta know where his partner was.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, since Nahyuta planned to do this for a week. He put a hand on the back of his neck and stretched it from side to side, still sleepy and looking around the dark room. Thankfully, the canopy curtains were tied to the bed posts, making it easy to see the bathroom door for the moment his partner finally presented himself.

With the touch of a button next to the bed, the curtains of the window wall opened, and Nahyuta covered his eyes due to the brightness. After slowly recalling how much he drank the night prior, he was pleasantly surprised at the lack of a headache, however, he wasn't that thrilled about not being able to remember who he'd spent the night with. The most Nahyuta remembered was that he enjoyed himself.

As his eyes got used to the light after blinking twice, he leaned down to be polite and picked up his partner's coat from the floor, thinking it would help him attach a face to the body he'd clung to. The darkness had hidden most details of the clothes he saw seconds ago, specifically the black and white details or the familiar crest on the back of the coat that revealed who the owner was.

The first reaction was evident puzzlement since Nahyuta couldn’t understand why Simon Blackquill’s clothes would be resting on his suite’s floor, but after making the effort to dig into the memories of the previous evening, Nahyuta didn't have to struggle anymore to put a face on the man in his fuzzy memories. Now he could easily remember with whom he’d been drinking the entire night.

It all came back to him. The drinks they shared at the bar, the seemingly tame conversation, and the fuzziness in his memories as he didn’t know how he arrived at his suite. Then the most damning of it all, pieces of the things that were said and done on that same bed.

The smell of woody cologne and tobacco that usually bothered him came back accompanied by memories in broken pieces, and Nahyuta froze as the coat slipped from his fingers and back to the ground. He tried to swallow to get rid of the knot in his throat, then shook his head thinking it was all a mistake. However, after leaning to see the coat once more and certify it was, in fact, Simon's, Nahyuta's heart started beating wildly, as he was unable to react to this wretched piece of knowledge.

He had sex with Simon Blackquill.

The idea of it made the monk dizzy for a second, then it gave him a headache he wasn’t able to deal with for too long since the water from the shower had stopped a while ago. Before Nahyuta had time to process anything, Simon walked out of the bathroom with only a white towel around his hips, drying the wet ends of his loose hair with a smaller one. He tried to be silent as he walked on the marble floor with slippers on, but it was hard not to notice Nahyuta sitting on the bed and staring at him in a stupor.

Simon's breath caught in his throat for a second, seeing how Nahyuta, now without his makeup and with loose hair falling over the naked shoulders, stared at him in calm disbelief.

“... Fuck, you’re awake,” he mumbled to himself while standing in front of the bed, thinking what to do before he sighed. “I tried to get out unseen…”

Nahyuta didn’t react. His focus went from Simon’s face to the naked torso; the figure he remembered clinging to with so much desperation the past night was just as brawny, and the sight of it made it hard to breathe.

At his lack of reaction, Simon sighed and sat on the end of the bed to finish drying himself off, getting his pants and underwear off the floor to slide them in under the towel.

“Apologies, Sad Monk," he said. "I wished to leave this place as fast as possible since you sleep like a damn log. I’ll be off in a jiffy.”

Nahyuta blinked and was finally able to react. “Oh… No, don’t fret…"

The calm reaction was enough to make Simon hasten and put on his clothes faster. The silence that followed could only mean bad news, and he'd been right because it wasn't long before Nahyuta properly snapped up while Simon looked for his shirt in that tense bedroom.

"Or do fret. What are you doing here?”

The tone in Nahyuta's voice started so nonchalant, then turned severe as he gripped the sheets in his fist, frowning as the colors rose to his face. Simon wasn’t going to deal with that, so he started dressing faster, but the whereabouts of his belt detained him. By the corner of his eyes, he caught a new sort of rage he'd never seen in Nahyuta, so he put on his white dress shirt and bravely faced him.

“There it is. What I was trying to avoid,” he laughed awkwardly. “You won’t ask me to take responsibility or anything, right?”

Nahyuta gasped at the insolence, as words got stuck in his throat. Simon’s apparent indifference while buttoning his shirt made the hollow in the monk's stomach grow, but seeing him was good to verify his memories as real.

An assortment of insults came to mind, but he didn't have the strength to make a scene at the moment; Nahyuta hugged his knees and rested his head on them, while both hands went through his hair. In his mind, the monk tried to push away the memories, focusing on whatever prayer came to mind first, or repeating any mantra he could remember at the time to calm down. That was his go-to technique whenever he felt agitated and needed to ground himself.

But Simon was still in the room with him, shirt half unbuttoned, and distracting him by walking around the room searching for something. It was enough to make Nahyuta lose his temper.

“Why haven’t you left?!” shouted Nahyuta, exasperated. "Get out at once!"

“Am I supposed to leave without my clothes?!” responded Simon, already bothered by the prince’s behavior.

“Who told you to throw them around?!”

He opened his mouth, ready to retort, then grinned.“… You did.”

Simon lied, but it was worth seeing the discombobulation in Nahyuta’s expression as he tried to remember if he’d requested that.

It didn’t matter to Simon if he too was in an uncomfortable position while trying to find the most elusive belt in the world and flee that hotel as fast as he could, Nahyuta’s face was a picture. The usual self-possessed behavior he so gracefully carried himself with at the office was nowhere to be seen, and the cold indifference that was always directed at Simon had been replaced by Nahyuta's over-self-consciousness of his presence.

He felt even more shame than Simon did, and it was a treat to the eyes to see the prince like this.

It didn’t help that Nahyuta ignored that he was still naked, and how the only sheet covering him was dangerously slipping down to show some of his hips.

Maybe Simon stared too long since Nahyuta grabbed the sheet and pulled it up, covering everything up to his chest.

“Didn’t you have enough yesterday you… you… Lascivious Panda!” exclaimed the monk, with his eyes closed.

Simon sneered at him “… That’s your best one? Last night’s insults were more creative.”

“W-What…?”

The green eyes surrounded by the light hints of smudged makeup looked up at him, begging for an answer but also terrified of whatever that answer was. Simon thought he should let it be and grab his things, dress in the living room, and enjoy his Saturday after forgetting whatever happened last night; however, this new side of Nahyuta, one full of confusion and who acted so prudish, was too much for him to not fall into temptation and toy with him a little longer.

Simon pushed the bangs off his face and smiled, as he slowly started buttoning his shirt.

“You don’t seem to remember most of it, but I don’t blame you,” he said while looking out the window wall. “Mixing Sake and that Pinot Noir wasn’t your smartest move. Though it made your tongue, and even your behavior, loose."

As he started doing the cuffs of his shirt, the grey eyes went to look at Nahyuta. The face he made as he started remembering things thanks to Simon was priceless, so he continued.

"Are you that much in the dark, Sad Monk… No, Lewd Monk is more fitting after seeing your behavior from last night. Truly outstanding."

"Will you be a pest until the day you die?" Nahyuta struggled to act controlled. "If what you want is to boast about bedding me, you're lower scum than I thought."

Whatever apprehensions Simon might've felt disappeared after Nahyuta bared his fangs like that; seeing the invitation to an argument coming from the prince was tempting enough to go as low as the situation asked for.

"Boast is a stretch, but if you want my review, well, your act in bed was risible," Simon retorted with an indifferent and uncaring gaze in his eyes as he looked towards the window. "I kept fucking you, even when you insulted me both in English and in khura’inese, calling me a vile pervert and other things I’m sure would make your Holy Mother weep. Yet it was strange. I didn't know if you were cursing at me or asking me to go harder," his eyes slowly turned to Nahyuta's now defenseless expression. "I always knew that holier-than-thou act was bullshit, but I never thought I would get front row to see the desecration of your persona."

When Simon finished talking, he’d prepared to get something thrown at his head, maybe the telephone on the night table or his shoes, and have Nahyuta properly kick him out after insulting him like that. The reaction Simon got instead was a little lackluster: Nahyuta rested his head on his hands and sighed in total defeat. It was a rather dignified way of giving up without putting up any fight, but Simon would’ve enjoyed it if the monk had been more violent, though. To satisfy his curiosity.

When Nahyuta raised his gaze, Simon noticed the way the dark remains of eyeliner around his eyes made the glare directed at him more chilling.

“Your enjoyment of this gross mistake disgusts me,” grunted Nahyuta. “It’s too much for something that happened once.”

“… It happened more than once," he clarified. "You were knackered after the fourth round so, at least, I applaud your stamina.”

Nahyuta's glare faltered as he groaned, not knowing what hurt more, his used body or his trashed pride. Even so, he refused to give Simon the reaction he was trying so hard to get. He pushed his hair back with a hand and tried not to glare at his terrible companion.

“… I don't care. Did you at least use protection?”

“Of course I did," Simon sounded and looked offended by the question. "Even while drunk I'm not that careless. I also don't know where you've been.”

That comment would've been a perfect excuse for Nahyuta to finally blow a fuse, rip the landline off the table, and throw it at Simon, but he somehow maintained himself serene. The nervous tick in his lower eyelid made a comeback, and Nahyuta took a deep breath before searching for the silk robe hung on a corner of the wooden headboard.

The prince pushed the bed sheet while sitting on the edge of the bed, slipping on the maroon robe and standing to tie it close. Nahyuta stopped caring about Simon catching another glimpse of his naked body, he already saw every single sacred place that was usually covered and enjoyed taunting him about it. More than acting prudish about being seen, he refused to keep giving that man a reaction.

After Nahyuta closed his robe and pulled his hair out of it, he walked to the other side of the bed and quickly found the belt hiding under it. He threw it at Simon, who managed to catch it when it hit his chest.

“Oi, don’t get so violent out of nowhere!” he barked while rubbing where the buckle hit him. “I get it, you like to get piss-drunk and fuck the first guy that comes around; each to their own strange bed behaviors. That doesn’t mean you can wake up the next day with regrets and attack your benefactor.”

Nahyuta turned to face him with his arms crossed, trying to control his ire. He breathed deeply, then glared towards Simon coldly enough that the prosecutor had to stay still and listen.

“If what you want me to do is lose my mind, let me tell you I’ve handled situations more dreadful than this one, and demons worse than you, Blackquill. Nothing you do or say could faze me in the way you wish, not even having sex with you.”

A little taken aback, Simon scoffed. “...Whatever you say. Though what surprises me is you go to bed with commoners, Your Highness.”

The exasperated groan coming from Nahyuta amused him deeply as he pretended to focus on putting on his belt.

“Khura’in it’s not the type of kingdom your feeble imagination thinks it is," exclaimed the prince. "Neither do I feel insulted whenever you mockingly use my title. Now take your belongings and begone!”

They glared at each other shortly, and Simon had to bite his tongue to not keep going. No one would win this round when Simon too was as shocked at what he’d agreed to do the night before in a drunken state.

It didn’t matter how enthralled he was by Nahyuta’s looks from time to time, that wasn’t an excuse for having sex with a man he’d been making an effort not to fight for more than a month. Nahyuta’s outrage was valid, even more when taking into account the plans he had for himself when Simon got in the way by mistake.

Their predicament was a cliche.

Simon finished fixing his shirt and his pants, put on the troublesome belt, and sat on the chair to slip in his socks and boots. Putting on his tie would be a waste of time, so he saved it in his pocket where he found his phone then buttoned his jacket. His hair was now dry enough to put it in the usual ponytail.

All this time, Nahyuta stood quietly facing the large glass wall with his arms crossed— Anything that would distract him from Simon.

Uncomfortable silences weren't anything Simon couldn't deal with, however, this one alarmed him. Maybe it was his guilty conscience he could now hear while sober, telling him that a better choice would've been leaving Nahyuta by the door instead of being uncharacteristically kind towards him and getting into the suite. The deed was done though, and Nahyuta's evident unease was enough for Simon to drop his act for a second to try and say something that wasn’t an insult. Yet Nahyuta, who managed to calm down, turned his face to see him and spoke first.

“I will apologize for my behavior last night," he said with a surprisingly poised nature. "All those drinks mixed with… my seek for entertainment ended up getting you involved in my personal life. I comprehend my faults in this so I'll ignore all of your affronts, and I’ll be most grateful if we can forget this and move on.”

“Hard to see me boasting about it, as you put it, since this is something I’m not proud of either, so don’t worry about it,” replied Simon, grabbing his coat and walking towards the room’s door. “… But Lewd Monk has a nice ring to it. Especially now that I know it’s true, and you’ll have to live with that.”

The monk glared his way one last time. “Insufferable panda…”

Simon smirked before leaving, and the sound of the bedroom door closing with a light click, followed shortly by the suite’s door made Nahyuta drop the facade. His hands went once more to his hair, and he clenched it in his fingers, then he stumbled with the bed and fell on it, groaning into the mattress and even hitting it once. He stopped himself after noticing this was nothing more than throwing a tantrum.

After regaining some composure and forcing himself to let go of his shame, Nahyuta checked the hour and saw it was already 10 AM; his entire morning had been wasted by dealing with yet another traumatic event of his adulthood. When he was done feeling bad for himself, Nahyuta walked into the bathroom and started running the hot water to relieve the soreness in his body.

The bathroom mirror was still foggy, and he quickly cleaned it to see his reflection which showed his disheveled state with the slightly dark bags under his eyes thanks to his lack of sleep and the hints of smeared makeup, plus the bed hair with knots on the ends due to the friction of the bed. Curiosity won him over, and Nahyuta opened the robe to see himself naked in the large bathroom mirror. His tanned skin wasn’t marked by teeth in any other place except for one bite in his collarbone, but there were the marks of hickeys in his back, and most egregiously, the ones of Simon’s grip on him. The light prints of fingers on his waist and around his arms startled him to the point he covered them up again.

Seeing them made him think of the positions he was put in.

The memories of it made Nahyuta opt for a cold shower instead.

After he meditated long enough under the cold stream of the shower, Nahyuta returned to the bedroom with a bathrobe and a towel covering his damp hair to change into a pair of pajamas. Now that Simon's overwhelming presence wasn't there anymore, he allowed himself to notice that, for a one-night stand between two drunks, the room was in pristine condition. Nahyuta was shocked to find the clothes and shoes he wore last night were also on the chair, hidden earlier by Simon's suit jacket.

They wore protection, but the bed and even Nahyuta’s body were rather immaculate considering how much they fooled around. It made him realize that Simon, even in his drunken state, took some time to put things in order after Nahyuta fainted.

Had it been someone else, Nahyuta would’ve found it charming instead of mortifying.

As quick as the elevator door opened, Simon abandoned that hotel the fastest he could and jumped on the first cab he saw, wishing to reach home.

After a 20-minute ride where he occupied his mind with silent meditation as he looked at the city's scenery, Simon arrived at his apartment building in a quiet residential zone. It was a relatively old 7-story building, with a beige exterior and open-air corridors that made the place fresh on summer; since it was Saturday, Simon hoped to not stumble with any pesky neighbor, not after the morning he had.

The sight of people walking their dogs, jogging, and walking towards the shopping area not far from there reminded Simon it wasn't as early as he thought, and so did the hot midday sun as it shone brightly. Simon made his way through the building’s entrance garden and ignored everything to go into the elevator. Finally, he reached his floor and walked down the dead salmon-colored corridor, avoiding the bright sunlight that was burning his tired eyes. He felt peace when he saw his apartment's wooden door and thanked himself for not forgetting his keys in that hotel room.

When he entered his home, the first thing he did was kick off his boots and walk into his one-bedroom apartment. Ignoring everything about the living room, Simon heard the light tapping on the balcony and saw Taka waiting for him; he opened it and went to the bedroom to change out of his suit for a pair of grey sweatpants and a black tank top.

While he prepared coffee in the small kitchen, he checked his forgotten phone, and the messages on it reminded him that he was supposed to go out with Athena later that day, but feeling the lack of sleep was about to catch up with him soon, Simon had to postpone. Thankfully, Athena accepted it without making a fuss or asking too many questions.

As he sat on the brown leather couch, with a GYAXA mug that belonged to his sister in hand filled with black coffee and some milk, Simon noticed the place was a little messy; some court files rested on the big black rectangular coffee table beside his laptop and a book he was almost finished with. He had no strength to start tidying up, so he took the remote to turn on the TV, only to stop himself when he saw his reflection on the wide black screen before things started dawning on him.

“… Why did I do that?” Simon asked himself, slowly losing his grip on the calm demeanor he pretended to have.

The sudden jolt when Simon stood up startled Taka, who was perched on the couch, and he now followed Simon with his eyes as he paced around the living room. The prosecutor stopped at times, and it seemed as if he regained his composure, but then that troubled expression appeared on his face again and he raised both hands to his head.

“No, because, what the fuck was that?!… Am I bad in the head?! It has to be! I've gone mad…”

The question was directed at Taka, who answered with a blank stare.

"There was no reason to brag like that either," he muttered, remembering Nahyuta's expression and shaking his head to make it disappear. "Oh, but I had to in the end. I couldn't just grab my things and go, I had to act like I wasn't as much of an idiot as he!"

Taka's head tilted to the side, then he scratched his neck. Simon could see into those golden eyes and find some sort of answer since he stretched his neck at looked at the ceiling.

"You're right. I was the fool for sitting by his side and talking as if we were friends, then helping him back to his room. Now look where it landed me…" he continued, covering his face with his hands as he allowed to properly feel overwhelmed in the safety of his home. "Was I always a weak man who falls for a pretty face?!”

Taka now showed his concern at Simon’s agitated state. He flew towards the kitchen and grabbed an unopened water bottle; when the hawk dropped it on him, Simon understood it was his friend’s way of telling him to calm down. Sitting again on the couch after having drank his water, Simon composed himself, and slowly, more memories stopped being foggy.

Yes, he’d been cocky a while ago, boasting about his lucid memories of the previous night to a still-in-the-dark Nahyuta. Nothing he said was a lie, but that didn’t mean he could remember everything, though, especially everything he did.

Simon was deeply troubled by the images coming back to him until the embarrassment seemed to wear off and he gave himself the chance to enjoy them. He'd blatantly lied like a dog to Nahyuta about how bad it'd been just to save face because, instead of just fucking Nahyuta once since he was that desperate, they'd enjoyed themselves and kept going the entire night, to the point Simon overstayed his welcome until the day after, making for an uncomfortable morning for the two of them.

What tormented Simon the most hadn't been the fact that Nahyuta and he spent a night together; he accepted it was a drunk mistake, one that was also fueled by his curiosity. However, the knowledge of how much he’d kissed and touched every single place in Nahyuta's body that Simon never imagined he craved gave him chills. It all had been somewhat more intimate than any other one-night stand he ever had.

It was crazy, thinking of their past interactions, that things ended up developing in such a way. Even if he'd fulfilled some sort of well-hidden desire of his, Simon couldn't help but be self-conscious of his actions; this was the first time it happened to him.

And yet, no matter how he tried to distract himself, he couldn’t forget Nahyuta’s voice or the sweet scent that mixed orchids and cinnamon, with a delicious hint of vanilla. A blush tinted his cheeks when that new look in those green eyes came to mind.

“... The hell am I acting like a hormonal teenager for?”

He turned on the TV on the news channel for background noise and opened his laptop to continue working on whatever he found until he managed to calm his nerves. To try and distract himself from his mind.

Chapter Text

Monday arrived, and with it came a sensation that was new for Nahyuta. As the Plumed Punisher theme played in a loop on his phone, he stayed tucked in bed, covered by the cream colored comforter and hiding from the world under it. Wide awake and staring at the ceiling through the sheer fabrics of the canopy, he was unable to leave the bed while thinking about the pros and cons of not going to the office that day.

It was a first for him, being seduced by the idea of skipping work, and this was due to the image of the office he'd grown to like now making him sick. A week ago, he would've thought it foolish to call in sick with a lackluster excuse, but now, after the weekend he had, Nahyuta felt that leaving that bedroom would only bring him doom and damnation, and Simon had all the blame for it.

The feeling of dread at the idea of seeing someone wasn't unusual for Nahyuta, but to feel completely paralyzed by it was, and now, as this particular coworker appeared in his mind's eye, he could only groan and cover his face with the comforter and the sheet. The only thing these intruding memories made him feel was regret for talking to Simon, retaining him instead of letting him go his way, for accepting all those drinks and the opportunity of a conversation, or even waisting a good outfit and all the pampering and effort made before leaving his suit on that man, and worst of all, he regretted having sex with Simon Blackquill. Or at least he forced himself to feel that way.

After his plan of getting a partner for the night was somewhat successful, Nahyuta spent the weekend trying to forget who the partner was. He made an effort not to overthink about what he labeled as a disgraceful act, nor the joy provided at his own expense to the man Nahyuta could consider a worthy nemesis. To achieve this, he used everything within his reach to calm the storm within his mind that weekend: Yoga and longer praying sessions helped, and the free schedule was filled with a movie marathon, the novel he got to finish, or the documentaries he found online.

He'd made great use of his time by nurturing his mind with information on varied topics for two days straight. It wasn’t as if Nahyuta was so perplexed by his actions that he self-isolated in the suite, not daring to confront the real world unless forced to. Not at all. In his words, he was resting. Just as he’d been advised to do. There was nothing to fear, other than rotting his brain with the amount of screen time he consumed over the weekend.

Nonetheless, Nahyuta’s sedated brain woke up programmed for work that Monday morning, and the effort made to forget everything was useless as memories came back, accompanied by a whiplash of regret that hit him with all its force.

The levels of his anxiety felt exaggerated and uncharacteristic, and yet, Nahyuta was doing his best to not allow the stress paralyze him any longer; however, it’d taken all of his strength to abandon the bed. He shook his head, stretched his body, then went to take a shower and prepare for the day, knowing that "distress" and "anguish" weren't valid excuses to not fulfill his job; he made the whole hair and makeup routine painfully slow that morning, though, just to stay in the safe haven of his room a little longer.

The reason for his current suffering was Simon, just as it had been a month ago when Nahyuta had to deal with their silly ego war; it just so happened that this time around the usual disdain that was inherent of their relationship was now permeated by embarrassing memories that got Nahyuta digging his nails on his palms. It was evident that now, after having mastered the art of dealing with a problematic man as Simon Blackquill was, it would be hard to pretend that his presence didn't bother him. It always did, but back then, there was hardly a crack in Nahyuta's poker face. Now, he was sensitive enough to give Simon a reaction, which crushed his pride.

This weighed heavily in his conscience because, in all of his adult life, Nahyuta never thought himself capable of this level of imprudence.

He could commit blunders at times; he was, in the end, human. Maybe he would have a hard time reading complicated interpersonal relationships; there were subtle cultural differences that made him rethink his actions, or at times, Nahyuta would be too harsh while trying to make his point come across. Those were blunders he knew himself capable of and that could be forgiven, but getting drunk and sleeping with someone he hadn't first laid down the rules with was unfathomable.

That someone being a coworker turned the situation into something unpleasant.

The fact that said coworker was Simon, the man he considered to be the devil incarnate, made Nahyuta want to crawl out of his skin.

This fact made it hard to attain an ounce of peace that morning. As he slowly buttoned his dress shirt, Nahyuta started planning the precautions to take, visualizing a mental map of the office and the many places he could escape to avoid Simon Blackquill if he was unfortunate enough to meet him. Even if he had to run away and always use the stairs to avoid the uncomfortable silence of the elevator, or use someone, probably Klavier, as a shield, he had to avoid Simon until he was prepared to face him.

A weekend wasn't enough to let go of this shame, but maybe a week of avoiding Simon would suffice and help him return to normal. That way he could deal with him as per usual and be a part of their regular banter and mutual dislike, all without having unnecessary feelings showing on his face. Like when Nahyuta was finishing fixing his hair and he remembered the sensation of those fingertips on his face. The reflection on the mirror showed a blush that felt accusatory, and he considered it repugnant.

He tried to drink a nice chamomile tea and enjoy breakfast while reading something on his phone to relax, but all attempts of relaxation were frustrated by the knowledge of Simon having seen him in a vulnerable moment. It made the tea bitter and his reading unenjoyable, so he used this moment of silence to sort out the other root of his anxiety.

It was Simon, of course, who'd seen a private side of Nahyuta that he didn't deserve to know about. And since he could remember part of his shameful, inhibited state that night, Nahyuta knew he'd given that man the perfect ammo to be more odious than usual. Whenever he remembered Simon's creativity  for comebacks and taunts, his stomach hurt and he felt helpless to form any valid counterargument, mostly because this time around Simon would be right in whatever he said.

It oddly made him feel unsafe, too. How much would he say? And would he allude to that night in front of others just to anger Nahyuta? He was a malicious person, but would he be that ill-intentioned? Now that he sat to think things with a cool head, he made himself the most important question: What did he know about Simon? Absolutely nothing, besides the fact that the prosecutor hated his guts and would enjoy making his life hell for the twisted fun of it.

Nahyuta couldn't stop avoiding the fact that he was somewhat nervous about Simon being the type of man that would boast about that night. Everything that happened Friday night after he returned to his suite had been a spur-of-the-moment thing, which meant Nahyuta didn't ask the usual questions regarding the shared privacy of both parties involved in the act of casual sex. It truly was a formality and more like an oral contract; he'd never gone as far as to make anyone sign an NDA just to have sex with him. Still, talking things through, either before or after, was something that gave Nahyuta peace of mind when his partner left after the deed was done.

This was something he couldn't do with Simon, as he'd been too agitated not only for having sex with him but also after getting insulted the morning after. Nonetheless, Nahyuta's intuition told him that, just as him, Simon wouldn't tell a soul about that night. But intuition wasn't enough; he was restless about it but knew it was better to calm himself and search for his suit jacket, and before leaving the suite, he implored the Holy Mother to bestow him enough patience for the days to come.

The drive to the prosecutor's office distracted Nahyuta and helped him prepare mentally to enter the building. That morning, the lobby was almost empty, most prosecutors tended to be stuck working that early in their private offices or at the courthouse. It was good to see his walk through the lobby and into the elevator was Simon-less. However, his heart skipped a beat when he reached his floor and the elevator doors opened; Nahyuta's heightened sense of alarm made him believe that it was time for the fatal meeting.

The only person he saw waiting for the elevator on that floor was Detective Skye.

“Good morning, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi," she said while smiling.

He quickly smiled and left the elevator, feeling relief at the first friendly face he'd seen in days. “Good morning, Detective. What brings you to the prosecutor's office so early?”

“Oh, Prosecutor Blackquill requested the original transcripts from previous interrogations where his questionnaire was used,” she sighed, seeming tired. “It hasn’t been applied that much yet, but I had to bring the full transcripts from the station, so the boxes were heavy. At least he helped.”

The mention of Simon's name this early in the day took him aback, but Nahyuta kept his expression serene.

“… Surprisingly, Prosecutor Blackquill knows the meaning of being of help.”

“Yeah, but he enjoys complaining while at it,” she laughed and went into the elevator.

“He does…” he muttered and turned around to flash a gentle smile. “Have a nice day.”

Ema waved goodbye as the doors closed, and Nahyuta felt some sort of relief after seeing her and not Simon, but he still went into his office quickly, avoiding an unnecessary meeting with the specter of the hallway. There was some time before his trial that day, so Nahyuta had to occupy most of the morning with work, which helped him forget most of his anxieties.

To Nahyuta, this was the perfect distraction whenever something he couldn't fix deeply worried him; he still couldn’t understand why his family would be so mad at him for enjoying work as much as he did. If checking pictures of bloody crime scenes would soothe and help his concentration, then so be it. He didn’t care anymore. Anything would be better than this neurotic state he found himself in since Saturday morning, just because he didn't wish to face his office neighbor.

When the time for his trial approached, Nahyuta took brave steps out of his office, slowly opening the door and peeking into the hallway to check if the path to the stairs was clear; he refused to wait defenselessly for the elevator. A muffled laugh coming from behind him almost made him stumble, but thankfully, when he looked at the source of the laughter, it didn't come from the person he’d been avoiding; instead, Athena Cykes stood behind his door, holding a thick folder and glancing at him with curiosity.

“Mon dieu! Have you lost something on the ground?” she asked and started looking around to help.

“No, not at all,” he regained his calm semblance and stood straight. “It’s been a while, Ms. Cykes.”

She showed him a bright smile. “It has... but it’s a surprise! Of all the time you’ve been in the country, we haven’t seen each other once. Not even in court.”

“Has your office dealt with many cases these past two months?”

The answer to his question was clear enough by the way Athena scrunched her nose. It seemed like the Wright Anything Agency was going through a drought, as Apollo tended to put it. Something usual for them until the next big case arrived. Still, Nahyuta found it strange how even with a big amount of fame attached to the name, they weren't the busiest legal office around.

Well, he didn’t know if that fame was the good kind or the bad one.

“I’ll pray for the Holy Mother to send whoever needs help to your office's doorsteps," said Nahyuta while elegantly assuming his praying stance. "It would be nice to see Mr. Wright in court again."

"Eh? Do you mean it? Not many prosecutors say that. If anything, they avoid The Turnabout Terror," she giggled, then a light blush appeared on her cheeks as she played with her hair. "All but Mr. Edgeworth, but well, they got their reasons."

"Oh, well, there's truth to that." Athena's blush rubbed on him at the implication. "However, talking from a spectator's point of view… Mr. Wright always stages a captivating show during a trial. I fear those aspects might've rubbed on Apollo by the way he commands attention in the khura'inese court."

Athena's smile, characteristically bright and welcoming, suddenly turned nostalgic, and Nahyuta worried he might've said something wrong. Maybe mentioning Apollo was a miss since she probably missed her dear friend. Nonetheless, his worry was cut short as the lawyer literally shook off whatever concern she had and now loudly sighed.

“I bet Apollo's doing so good! Almost all cases go to him since he's the top lawyer in Khura'in! Please pray a lot so we get a juicy case, too! We got to make this month's end!” she said, controlling her sobbing and then switching up to her sunny disposition once more. “But enough of us! How about you? Have you been liking your stay? Have you done any touristy things? Oh! Did you go to the burger tour you were excited about? Apollo told me about it.”

The rapid-fire questioning amused Nahyuta for a second; Athena's enthusiasm was just like his brother had portrayed it during their conversations.

“Seems like Apollo can’t keep things to himself," he said, unsurprised.

“At all. Did you know that some time ago he asked me to keep an eye on you? Why would he even ask that?!"

This comment managed to fluster the monk. "Unbelievable… Who didn’t he recruit to nanny me? It seems that he's forgotten I'm the oldest one, not him."

Nahyuta allowed his expression to show his annoyance but was happy to see Athena laugh, even if it was at his expense.

"I told him it was weird to ask such a thing, then when I pressed for a reason he refused to give explanations," she continued. "I hope there's nothing wrong with His Holiness that requires constant vigilance, but I don't feel that's the case since I notice you have no guards."

She started looking around the half empty hallway and even got to peek inside Nahyuta's office. As she thought, he was the only one there. It wasn't that much of a surprise since even in Khura'in she noticed that, for being such an important and even controversial figure, Nahyuta came and went as he pleased on the streets with no one by his side.

"Is it alright, though? To have no guards?" she asked, somewhat worried.

"There's nothing to fear, Ms. Cykes," he found the worry in her gaze endearing but undeserved. "If anything, one of the joys of being so far away from Khura'in is that I get the freedoms of being considered a regular person by the public."

"If you say so… And plain Athena is fine outside of court. No need to be so stuffy on a casual conversation."

She started laughing, ignoring how Nahyuta was left baffled for an instant. The lack of an answer made Athena fear that getting overly chummy with a man like Nahyuta, a prince out of all things, hadn't been smart. These worries dissipated when he smiled at her kindly.

"I understand. Then, plain Nahyuta should be fine too," he said.

Now it was Athena who was baffled, being confronted by this openness she never imagined could hear or see coming from him. And yet, there was an underlying sense of distress in Nahyuta's voice she couldn't quite shake off.

It explained why, around two months ago, she got that strange number of texts from Apollo vaguely explaining why his brother was leaving Khura'in. Athena could only try and not laugh at her friend as he requested something impossible, but maybe not unfounded. Still, there was no way she could go and check in on Nahyuta regularly, not when she'd never held an entire conversation with him until now.

Even if they were somewhat acquaintanced, Athena knew to stay in her lane regarding Nahyuta, whom she held some reverence for mixed with a little bit of fear, at least until minutes ago as she saw the prosecutor oddly looking around his door with a funny expression she'd never imagined him capable of doing.  It made her curious enough to forget her apprehensions and talk to him.

"… Apollo! He's like, crazy for asking people to check on you," she smiled to hide her surprise and returned to the original conversation. "I imagine he got Klavier hounding you."

“Practically every day. Apollo's a worrywart. But enough of him." he was amused by how nervous Athena got. "To answer one of your original questions: No, I haven't done any touristy thing, as you put it. With the current state of the prosecutor's office, I haven’t had much time for anything besides work. Though I’ve visited many good restaurants during my lunch breaks.”

“Which one did you like the most?”

Nahyuta stopped for a moment to think, though he didn’t have to search in his memories too long before a name came to mind.

“I enjoyed the Soba at the Whet Noodle. Though I imagine you must think I’m joking since… Well, the obvious reasons.”

“Hmm?… Oh! Right…"

The flustered look on his face and the apologetic sound carried by his voice surprised Athena as she realized what was being implied. Yet what shocked her the most was catching the well-concealed restlessness in Nahyuta's behavior peek through as he played with the beads around his neck, a surprisingly new look for a man that she always thought resembled a religious sculpture rather than a human being at first sight.

Now that he mentioned it, it was surprising they've been casually talking like this. Mostly because the memories she had of Nahyuta were not so pleasant, at least the ones of going against him in court.

First meetings were always important, and that's why, when Athena first confronted Apollo's brother, she was astounded; never had she met someone so vicious while boasting about his piousness. At instants, Athena thought that this venerable monk could rival Simon's cruelty, maybe even surpass it. That's what Athena strongly believed for a while, until she got to hear an amount of distress and sadness she'd never found in any other person till that point, all while Nahyuta kept an unbreakable mask. It put things into perspective.

Thanks to the strange silence between them, Nahyuta opened his mouth but closed it to rethink his words, then looked at the young girl in front of him. The gaze from his eyes mellowed, almost shied away from Athena's.

"Ms. Cykes… Athena, I mean. Now that I've seen you, I feel like I should offer you an apology," he confessed.

"It's fine. I know that at the time you probably didn't mean to," she retorted, feeling weird about the change of atmosphere. "I wouldn't hold it against you."

He was taken aback by that response. "How can you… Ah, right."

Athena pointed at her ears and smiled shyly because even now, she could detect an abundance of honesty that was nowhere to be found in Nahyuta's speech last year. She was taken by surprised by that, but not by the apology. Apollo had mentioned that Nahyuta might try to go around apologizing for his past misbehavior, but she imagined Trucy was the obvious target for his apologies, not her.

Getting to listen to him talk with that soft and gentle voice was enough to get rid of her fear, maybe even exchange it for honest friendliness. In the end, she held no grudges.

Nahyuta frowned a little, not knowing what to say until Athena took the reigns of the conversation again.

"… But it's good you got to taste the Soba! That one time you sounded excited about it."

"Yes, but I wasn't so shameless to go and place an order after my act in court to both you and Mr. Whet," his timid gaze went to the ground.

"But it is superb, right? You liked it?! I enjoyed the spicy special Bucky added for a limited time last month.”

"Oh, I missed that one," he looked saddened.

"Don't worry. By popular demand, he'll bring it back," She leaned closer to the monk and wriggled her eyebrows. "Popular demand as in I'll go there and request him to do it, so get ready for it."

At this, Nahyuta could only laugh. Now that they had a conversation, he found out how easy it'd been talking to someone like Athena. The way she steered the conversation to more enjoyable topics helped Nahyuta give up on worrying about the past, to the point that he forgot that Simon could appear at any second in that hallway and ruin the joysome mood.

The conversation extended longer than they expected; Nahyuta had to leave her when he saw the hour of his trial getting closer, but not before taking note of the many restaurants she recommended. Eldoon’s seemed to be a favorite of hers since you could see Athena almost drooling at the thought of a bowl of salty noodles. It piqued Nahyuta's curiosity, and he thought about getting his lunch for the day there.

When Nahyuta left, Athena mused for a while in silence before she returned to what she'd come to the prosecutor's office for. She went straight to Simon’s office, walking in unannounced and finding the prosecutor focused while reading something on his computer.

“Has no one taught you to knock, scamp?” he asked without moving his eyes from the monitor.

“If you didn’t want no one coming in, you would’ve locked the door," she replied. "And you knew I was coming.”

“Fashionably late, as usual.” he abandoned his work to walk towards Athena. “You brought what I asked for?”

“No, I think the prosecutor’s office is so nice to visit without a reason! I don’t care about prosecutors staring daggers in my back each time I come.”

Her great sarcasm amused Simon, who couldn't help grinning at the way the girl's eyebrows furrowed.

“Your fame precedes you. Or your boss’s fame, that’s why those blokes can’t see anything related to Wright-dono. Try to be a little more like him and stop caring about prosecutors that got their feelings hurt.” He extended his hand, and Athena rolled her eyes before handing him the documents she brought. “Thanks for this.”

“You're welcome. And, not to be Miss Obvious, but maybe I don’t have Mr. Wright’s audacity to strut myself on enemy territory since, you know, I’m not publicly dating the Chief Prosecutor?”

Simon snorted a laugh as he got a soda can from a small fridge under his desk and threw it Athena’s way.

“And I don’t believe they're looking for a third, so you’re out of luck.”

“Ugh, shut up,” she glared and opened her can. “Why are you always giving me orange soda?”

“It suits you.”

She sat on the black couch against a wall of the office while thinking about the comment; Simon was shameless with his jokes, but it wasn't a lie that whenever she visited this building, sticking to either Mr. Wright or Mr. Edgeworth was the best shield. While drinking the fizzy drink, Athena observed Simon reading the file she gave him—meticulously, but with speed. His eyes widened as he grabbed many posts-its and started marking pages and writing notes.

“Is this the one you wanted?” she asked. "Will it be enough?"

“Your mother’s work is always more than enough. Did you have some time to read it? You could make good use of it, too.”

“I did. It was insightful!” Athena smiled as usual until Widget started weeping without her permission. She quickly covered it with a hand and avoided looking at her friend. “… Sorry about that.”

That easily, the lighthearted mood seemed to shift. The office grew silent as Simon stared at the girl, who was now fidgeting with the can in her hands, and his permanent harsh stare softened; whenever Athena made a face like that, looking down and being uncharacteristically timid, he tended to get strangely nostalgic. Suddenly, the reckless and hyperactive Athena, who would turn into a grown woman in the blink of an eye, resembled more the little girl that used to follow him around.

It was that melancholic expression on her face that had tugged at his heartstrings, a thing not many people were capable of doing.

Talking about Metis was never going to be easy for them, yet as his pupil, Simon refused to hush her name. Athena too would speak of her mother more and more as time passed, but it was foolish to think that there wouldn't be times the memory stung. As Athena stared at the ground, probably thinking how to fix the mood, Simon left the document on his desk and sat by her side.

“No need to apologize. I don’t find it easy either, but I’m sure Metis-dono would like you to use what she discovered too, whenever you’re ready," he assured her.

"… Would I be able to use it?"

Simon softly nudged her with an elbow. "If I can, you can. Her studies on speech patterns and personality are your strength, aren't they? These articles she never got to publish are all about it. With this information, if I focus, I'll find a way to catch the most subtle of hints of turmoil, which leads to lies. This only by paying attention rather than listening to the witness' voices, like you do.”

She snorted. “And you only care about that, catching lies or manipulating people at court.”

“Am I supposed to do something else? I believe these witnesses have enough with your free therapy."

“That’s not what I mean," she groaned.

"Oh, I think you did. Can you imagine me giving therapy?" he said and smiled when Athena laughed at the image.

"You would suck at it. You can always identify the issues, but only use that to ruthlessly press harder on witnesses."

"You'll make me blush with all this praising," he grinned.

Athena answered by rolling her eyes. "Anyway, I do believe a little empathy for the defendant and witnesses wouldn't hurt you! Stop only focusing on the weak spots."

"Sure, Athena," he rested his back on the couch and his cheek on the palm of his hand, "We can have this debate again, but you know my opinion won't change."

"You're obstinate like that," muttered Athena before drinking her soda.

"Me? Obstinate?" he feigned insult.

"Yes, you. Always refusing to listen to other's opinions because you are so sure your method's the only useful thing."

"Here we go again… Finding a weakness in my witness and then attacking it with all I got will forever get me the truth in court," he raised his eyebrow, confused as to why Athena gets so passionate about this. "It's my beloved method, I don't need all your sensibilities in it. It would only be a burden."

"Simon! Getting to understand and caring for other people's emotions is not a burden, at least not to me," she nudged him on the arm, which was harder than usual and it only ended up hurting her elbow. "Ow! you didn't have to flex! Show off…"

"Looks like you're out of shape. Focus on exercising instead of forcing your failed method onto others."

"You're so annoying. Being perceptive and empathetic is not a failed method!" she complained. "The smallest hint of it always alerts me before something goes down and lets me plan my next steps to help a whoever's on the stand!”

“Since your skill helps you sniff out troubles and plan ahead so easily,” The sarcasm in his tone annoyed Athena.

“Well, yeah! It’s really helpful, and my quick wit instantly acts up, so I can help whoever needs it.”

“For example…?” he asked, toying with her and not expecting an answer.

She frowned at the challenge and said the first thing that came to mind. “Just about now, I ran into Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, and the subtle turmoil in his voice while talking about noodles let me know I should call Apollo ASAP.”

When she finished speaking, confidently thinking she'd won that one against Simon for once, the proud smile in her face disappeared and she covered her mouth. Simon looked at her reaction with a raised eyebrow, amused at her loose tongue, but even more surprised that she would have a friendly conversation with someone that not that long ago had been such a malicious man towards her; casually talking about noodles, out of all things.

After boasting about her skills, it seemed as though she wasn’t clever enough to notice that, of all the people in the world, the last person she should reveal that sort of information to was Simon.

“Oh, you fucked up,” he said with a smirk on. “But why do you care so much about me knowing that?”

Athena stared at him in disbelief. “Because you can be an extremely insufferable person! And I know you do not like him.”

"That's true. I don't, and I don't know why you're being so friendly with him," he raised an eyebrow. "Or have you forgotten…"

"No, I haven't. You also never let me forget because you can't help yourself from complaining about Nahyuta whenever you can."

"… First name basis with that man?" he was aghast.

"Yes. He allowed me to."

"Unbelievable," he whispered in genuine shock.

She rolled her eyes, ignoring how startled Simon was at this budding relationship, but ended up looking pensive. Maybe he had his reasons to be against it, but that was his problem, not Athena's.

"In any way, that's Apollo's brother, too. There's nothing wrong with getting along with him, and he… He hasn't had it easy, either. I'm way more comprehensive than you; that's why I hold no grudges against him."

Simon quickly studied her expression, and since Athena honestly seemed not to be troubled by Nahyuta's presence, he decided to end that discussion.

"Fine. I'll hold the grudge for the both of us. As usual," he grinned at how Athena scrunched her nose. "Bad luck for him that you are this bad at keeping secrets and revealed a potential weakness of his."

"Ow, just… don't be such a pain!" she groaned. "From what I've heard, Nahyuta has enough on his plate already, and when you put your mind to it, you can become so… despicable."

Simon put a hand on his chest and pretended shock. “You think of me as someone capable of using this insignificant piece of information to make the Sad Monk's life hell?”

“Ain't that your modus operandi?" she retorted.

He rolled his eyes. “… As you said, the lad is miserable. That's enough to make my day. I don’t kick people already on the ground.”

The answer he got was the dumbfounded look in Athena's face, with the bright blue eyes staring him as she was baffled about what he said.

“Simon, you particularly kick harder when people are on the ground,” she raised an eyebrow, then finished her soda and threw it in a trash can. “Do me a favor and forget I said anything. And thanks for the soda! But stop giving me the orange ones just because you think I match the can! Bye!”

Athena left the office as fast as she'd entered it, leaving Simon on that couch, sitting alone with his thoughts.

Up till now, Nahyuta hadn't popped into his mind that much since he somewhat made his peace with the events of Friday night around yesterday's evening. After properly panicking about it during the weekend and having unnecessary hot flashes thanks to intrusive memories, Simon understood there was no point in feeling confused about something two consenting adults had done while inebriated.

Less when it'd been something he enjoyed.

At first, Simon didn't feel proud about it, but that was just his most stubborn side overpowering the voice in his head that constantly begged him to catch a glimpse of the prince. That same voice was more than pleased about Friday night's events. When Simon let go of the initial shock, the slight amount of embarrassment, and the disappointment in himself for giving in to vain temptations, he was left with the overall nice memories of the once-in-a-lifetime event that was bedding a man like Nahyuta Sahdmadhi. 

Pride be damned, it'd been the best sex he had in a long time, and there was an added layer of enjoyment when he remember how much Nahyuta reciprocated.

When Simon put logic and negative feelings to the side, what happened between Nahyuta and him hadn't been anything more than the accumulation of tension finding another way to be released. Hadn't it been for all that alcohol, they wouldn't have ended up in bed, yet Simon couldn't help pondering about his feelings regarding that night that weren't lust-driven, to try and come to a conclusion that seemed to evade him even now, days after.

What he did know was that he'd delighted on the way he'd undone a pompous and prideful individual as Nahyuta. And most importantly, that he would enjoy using all of this against the monk. That was a given. However, it seemed as if luck was on Nahyuta's side that day since he hadn't caught even a glimpse of that silky hair, nor heard the elegant sound of his step, neither smelled that pesky floral scent ever since he arrived at the office.

The monk made a good job of hiding in his office to avoid crossing paths. Simon hated that. After thinking of the heinous possibilities of bothering Nahyuta with such a delicate topic, he kind of wished to see him at least once that day.

Knowing Nahyuta, who wasn’t dumb enough to not know Simon was already planning how to taunt him worse than the last time they saw each other, he would do his best to not see Simon for at least a month, or until he returned to his home country, if possible.

A shame, because Simon wished to get a look of that face at least once that day, just as the voice in his brain asked him to.

It was another long day for Nahyuta, one that involved coming back to the office after he closed a case and got his guilty verdict, only to hide in his private office to finish pending reports. At least he got to taste the Eldoon noodles for lunch in a far away corner of the city during lunch. The saltiness of the noodles made him forget his worries for a second, just as the cook said they could do.

When Nahyuta noticed the empty streets as he went to close the window due to the cold breeze, he saw the hour and felt like wrapping up for the day, but there was one last thing he needed to finish before going back to his hotel: The pending report for the Chief Prosecutor on the implementation of Blackquill’s questionnaire, which had been requested to all prosecutors that used it the previous month. That he could finish in half an hour, but there was a problem: to make that report, he required some information he could only find in the interrogation's transcript.

Nahyuta searched in his laptop for the files, only to find out he didn’t have the final copy for some reason. It wasn't on his documents nor his email. Then, he remembered how he deleted most copies, right after he got rid of the physical one weeks ago by shoving it right into Simon's chest. His broad and strong chest.

He stopped typing on his laptop and then groaned. As his brain tried to take Nahyuta into a path he refused to go into, he shook his head and focused on finding a solution for his actual predicament. There was the option of using the other physical copy, the one from the police precint which he knew was in the building. This wouldn’t be advised, since Simon probably had all of them at the moment.

In the end, he opted to call Ema for help since she might have a copy of the file. When she picked up her phone, even as late as 10:00 PM, he started by apologizing and explaining himself, then apologizing again.

“I’m truly sorry for calling this late, Ms. Skye, but I would be so grateful if you have a copy of the transcript that you could send my way.”

“Don’t worry, I was stuck in the lab until late, so haven’t finished my shift yet,” she said, turning to her computer and clicking on the keyboard until she suddenly stopped. "Wait a second, I thought Prosecutor Blackquill had the originals with him. Isn’t he some doors away from you?”

“… I don’t know if he’s still at the office this late. Wouldn't it be better for you to send the file my way?" he bluffed to try and change the direction of the conversation.

“That night owl? After all the documents he made me bring to his office, I’m sure he’s getting through a pack of cigarettes as he's gearing up for the rest of the night at this hour," she retorted. "You should ask him for the copy. I'm sure he would give it to you faster than waiting for me to find it since... I haven't organized my files in a month."

"I see, but I don't think —"

"Also, it's more comfortable to read from paper at this hour, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi," she continued. "You have to take care of your eyesight and your sleep cycle!"

"That's… so kind of you. To worry about my health, but I can get by —"

"Don’t you have Simon's number to ask if he’s around?” she interrupted him again, as she focused on the work she did in her cubicle.

“… I never bothered asking him for it.”

She laughed. “I imagined that was the case. I’ll call and let him know you need those files. Good night, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi.”

“Wait, I don’t—”

She ended the call, and Nahyuta sat on his desk, disoriented for some minutes by the quick conversation he had no say in.

He felt a knot forming in his throat at the idea that Simon would think he needed something from him. The prince tried to maintain his calm, resigning himself to open the window for Taka to bring the documents; it was better than having to see Simon, and maybe petting Taka for a while would soothe him. The vibration of his phone on the desk stopped him, as he saw the message from an unknown number popping up on his screen.

*** **** ****
Unknown

I’m not taking it to your office. 

Come and get it yourself.

Nahyuta didn’t try to guess who the sender was. That crass manner of speaking was telling, and it already made the colors black and white appear in his mind. What did surprise him was that, somehow, the meeting Nahyuta had been masterfully avoiding the entire day was now required. He pinched the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling the exhaustion of the day falling on his shoulders and wishing to devise an excuse to not go, but it was difficult not to seem like he was avoiding the man.

The least he wanted to do was give him any more reasons to be annoying or think himself superior as he'd acted that morning after. Nahyuta decided it was better to just get it over with once and for all.

In the end, he was forced to walk into the hawk's nest, to see that obnoxious grin and those piercing grey eyes that once bothered him, but now could only make him shiver. All because Simon wanted to see him crack under the pressure. Nahyuta refused to give him that sick pleasure.

"Holy Mother, help me," he said under his breath, still stuck to his chair.

After thinking about it for some seconds, Nahyuta went to the hallway and walked towards Simon’s office, the slowest he could while reciting a mantra in his mind. He arrived at the door and took a deep breath, which allowed him to put on an nonchalant expression before knocking.

“Come in,” shouted Simon from inside the office.

The grip on the door knob tightened before Nahyuta was brave enough to open it. This was the first time he'd been to this office, but Nahyuta couldn’t bring himself to admire the neatly decorated room and the nice view Simon had of the city, with his large window that covered the entire wall in comparison to the single arched window of his office. The moment he closed the door, Nahyuta focused on the figure sitting behind the desk, with his legs on top of it and with that signature feather between his thick lips. It gave him an air of nonchalance as he ignored his visitor.

Simon didn't greet him, nor did he look up and start mocking him; instead, he kept reading a thick file while taking some notes with a black pen. He didn’t display any sort of emotion, show interest, or bother to look at his visitor. The document in his hands seemed to be far more interesting than Nahyuta himself.

“Good evening. I imagine Ms. Skye filled you in already," said the monk, managing to sound as usual. "May I have the transcripts?”

“Search in those boxes.”

Simon pointed with his pen at the two boxes on the couch, eyes still on the document.

Nahyuta was left baffled at the lack of interest, but didn't make it evident. When he opened the door, he imagined Simon would be waiting on his desk, grinning like a demonic apparition and ready to cut him with his sharp tongue, throwing the best of his repertoire at him just as he'd done that Saturday morning. So many atrocious remarks regarding Nahyuta’s drunken state and messy, loose behavior could’ve been made, and yet, Simon kept quiet.

The disinterest kind of irritated him, but Nahyuta regained his composure and sat next to the white document storage boxes resting on the couch to search for what he needed. The office was deeply silent; only the sound of Simon’s chair or the flipping through pages filled the room. It disturbed Nahyuta how he was being completely ignored, but he knew this was one of his mind games.

The faster I find the transcript, the better. I’ll be gone, and we’ll never talk about it, he thought, too rapt by what he was doing to notice how Simon raised his gaze to look at him.

Simon moved his legs from the desk, and when the boots hit the ground with a loud thud, Nahyuta didn’t flinch at it, no matter how high-strung he was at the moment. Maybe that’s why he had such a hard time finding what he needed in those boxes. Even when he read the names of the files, Nahyuta wasn't paying attention, concerned more about getting out of that place than his task. With his attention divided, he found himself having to re-read things since Simon’s presence across the room was distracting.

“Haven’t you found it?” asked Simon.

“I fear not.”

“Tch. It’s the oldest one. Search at the bottom.”

Nahyuta did as he was told, carefully shuffling through the documents and reaching for the one at the bottom. It wasn’t the one he required, so he stood up and started searching the second box, ignoring Simon’s exasperated groan.

“Still?”

“Why didn’t you send it with Taka as usual, since you’re this troubled by my presence?” Asked Nahyuta while feigning to read a document.

“He’s never around this late.”

Nahyuta stopped and thought about it. It was true that Simon tended to send off the bird before night fell, and now, the prince felt like a fool for thinking that not sending Taka was an excuse to lure him into his territory. The cool indifference that Simon exuded mirrored his behavior of that terrible morning after, and for an instant, Nahyuta thought he was the childish one by being this tormented about something he should try to forget, just as Simon seemed to have successfully done.

However, Simon was more than capable of pretending this indifference, and Nahyuta didn't lower his guard as he kept searching. When he heard Simon's soft groan, it was enough to make Nahyuta stand up and frantically search in the boxes, but when he heard footsteps approaching, he turned around only to find Simon standing next to him and saving the file folder he’d been reading on the bookshelves over the couch.

That reaction was the perfect opening. Simon quietly looked down at Nahyuta with a raised eyebrow.

“Aren’t we jumpy?” he asked almost in a whisper.

“I don’t know what you mean," calmly retorted the monk.

“… Of course."

He searched into the box Nahyuta had previously perused, then pulled the document he needed, before dangling it in his face. It was the same one that he'd beein feigning to read some moments ago, and as Simon showed it to him, he held Nahyuta's gaze and saw the way his eyes trembled before they widened at seeing the document.

"Isn't this the one you want?" asked Simon, who kindly handed the file to Nahyuta.

"… Yes. Thank you," he muttered, grabbing the document and closing his eyes as he felt the upcoming tick under his left eyelid.

"Do I also have to help you with something as simple as locating a file?"

Nahyuta didn't answer, not knowing what to say for once, and Simon only observed him. He took in how long the prince's lashes looked when his eyes were closed, how he couldn't control the tension in his neck, and all those little tells that showed Nahyuta was on edge. It was too tempting, so Simon cut to the chase.

"You're a ball of nerves, Sad Monk. Better try to relax a little; there’s not a chance of anything like that happening at my office,” he said with a smirk on his face. “Or is it that you want it so bad that you couldn't focus on reading the print on the paper?”

A thick eyebrow twitched, and something as simple as that gave Simon a great pleasure. There it was, the precise sword thrust that got Nahyuta pushed over the edge. Simon was pleased to see even that subtle reaction since he had magnificently set the stage and played with his emotions and weaknesses to the point that Nahyuta felt and looked small in his presence, and there was nothing to do about it.

Nahyuta tried to handle his emotions gracefully at the moment. Something difficult to do when his instincts begged him to wrap his hands around that thick, pale neck and choke the man standing in front of him. The most he could do now was glare at him before looking away and refusing to look Simon's way.

At times, when he was in the grip of strong emotions, the English language wouldn't suffice for Nahyuta to express himself properly. Right now, he had to resort to silent meditation, his extensive catalog of Khurai'nese insults wouldn't have any effect on Simon other than entertain him.

Simon waited patiently for any answer or reaction, and Nahyuta, who felt the beating of his heart regulate, was kind enough to give it to him.

“…. This is how things are going to be from now on?” asked the monk, sounding defeated.

“Absolutely," answered Simon with a grin. "Get used to it."

Nahyuta, in a sudden move that surprised Simon, managed to show him that hypocritical smile with which Simon was well acquainted.

“Fine, then let me be clear: I have no interest in repeating what happened that night," he whispered, as if fearing they could be heard outside the soundproof office. "I don't know how I committed such a blunder, but it will never happen again, and I will kindly request your discretion from now on.”

“I am being discreet. Unlike you, who is too loud. Made me worry it was your first time,” Simon kept talking, observing Nahyuta carefully to try and catch any change in his expression. “That would be too much of a compromise, but thinking back to how you managed yourself… No virgin would be as indecent and unrestrained.”

The choice of words had been perfect, because Nahyuta paled and even took a small step back, but Simon was quick to close the gap between them almost instinctively. However, one of the boxes fell to the ground, startling them both, and Simon noticed how close he'd gotten to Nahyuta. He did it by mistake, so he took some steps away as he saw Nahyuta going to the floor to pick up the documents. There were no more signs of alteration in his face, yet his hands slightly trembled as he arranged the document on the box.

For an instant, Simon saw the same troubled expression from Saturday appear, but it was strange. This time around, after having waited so long for this particular meeting, the result of his taunts had displeased him. That's when Athena’s early visit came to mind. What she mistakenly revealed to Simon was supposed to be used against the prince; it shouldn't be making him rethink his words as he saw Nahyuta standing up and fixing his jacket before looking at Simon in the eyes.

“Fine, make a mockery out of me all you want, Blackquill," he said with a stern tone. "However, I’m serious when I ask for complete discretion. Or have you forgotten who I am?”

The smirk on Simon's face slowly faded at the reminder. One of the reasons he’d been troubled over the weekend, besides being entangled with the enemy, was Nahyuta’s bothersome royal status. Because of it, Simon was extra careful when he left the hotel, trusting that the staff were professional enough to not have anyone getting interested in whatever they did, so he could understand Nahyuta’s turmoil.

“If you worry about me running my mouth in public or calling the news to gossip about how you behave in bed, rest assured I have no interest in people finding out I mistakenly spent the night with you," Simon frowned, acting insulted at the insinuation. "Unlike others, I'm not proud of it. Neither do I care about creating unnecessary scandals for some foreign royalty, since one of his members can’t keep it in his pants.”

Nahyuta released some tension after hearing that, even if he was still offended by the things said. Simon never seemed to be the type to do that sort of thing, but more than the embarrassment of having slept with him, Nahyuta worried about how that could harm him in more ways than just some teasing during work hours. His visible relaxation intrigued Simon.

“Did you have such a bad image of me that you thought I was capable of that?” asked Simon.

Nahyuta’s eyes avoided his. “Well, I don’t know you.”

“Neither would you know any guy you randomly pick in a bar, especially after being that drunk.”

“For that, I have my measures,” he said rather timid. "I just… happened to slip up with the drinks, that's all. It'd never happened to me before."

To Simon's surprise, he had no urge to keep teasing Nahyuta. He looked down at the prince, who was forcing himself so hard to keep his correct posture and serene expression that he didn't notice the hands holding the documents against his chest were still trembling. He was acting as frazzled as when they saw each other the morning after, and Simon wasn't finding it as entertaining anymore.

"… Fine, I had enough fun at your expense for the night," he said as his eyes landed on the bookshelf. "Stop being so uptight, Sad Monk. We had sex, and then we regretted it. That's all. No one's harmed, and this happens to more people than you'd believe. This is nothing to be losing sleep over or getting all shaky."

"… Has it happened to you before?" he asked, surprised at Simon's effort to comfort him.

"No, it's a first for me, but also the last, too," he crossed his arms and looked at him. "You see, unlike you, I don't go around cruising spots trying to find someone to get laid." A blush tinted Nahyuta's cheeks, and Simon only wished to double down. "What would've happened if you ended up drunk and with some fame-hungry prick that did a Google search of your name? Your hotel might be exclusive, but that exactly is what attracts all sorts of arrivistes, especially the ones capable of blackmailing and such."

"I didn't know it was a cruising spot…!" he groaned, and the blush grew as he pressed his eyes closed.

"Well, you know now. Next time, be more careful because, at least the night you were a boozy mess, you ended up with someone you knew instead of a stranger. Weirdos and lowlifes congregate in places like that," he said with a surprisingly severe tone. "I don't fancy that I had to sacrifice myself that night, but rest assured not even torture would make me tell a reporter how Khura'in's regent prince likes to get fucked. But a more immoral man would for some money and bragging rights. I would believe a prince would know this."

He frowned at the crass language but accepted that Simon was right.

"I'm… Thanks," mumbled Nahyuta, ashamed and with his eyes stuck on his feet.

"Also, if you're that much of a lightweight, maybe looking for hookups in bars is not the thing for you. Try a coffee shop next time."

Nahyuta's eyes were still stuck on the ground, but now, he was confused about the road the conversation was going.

"Blackquill… Why are you scolding me now?"

It wasn't until Nahyuta pointed it out that Simon noticed that instead of mocking the guy, he sounded more like a worried adult nagging some lost kid on the street. It was in times like this that his age showed, and he hated it. So, Simon massaged the back of his neck and sighed.

"… I don't know, your entire behavior bothers me. Anyway, let us end this here at once."

Nahyuta felt like he could breathe again.“Then, we agreed. It was a mistake, and it won’t happen again."

Simon crossed his arms. “Of course it was. A drunken mistake no least, you lightweight monk.”

“You’re the one who sat with me and kept pouring me that Sake," he scoffed.

“And you were the inviting me and trying to drown the loneliness.”

Nahyuta stared at him, angered at the truth in Simon's deduction and thinking carefully if he should engage or just leave, since he finally had what he needed. Instead, he used this chance to ask something that had been bothering him the past few days.

“… Did I ask you to take me to my suite that night?”

Simon looked down at him once more, and he could sense the honesty from that green gaze that begged for more clarity over that night.

“No. I took pity on you since you couldn’t walk straight. That was the first mistake,” answered Simon, looking the other way after not being able to deal with Nahyuta’s gaze. “… And after that, my memory gets foggy, so stop asking.”

He lied so well that Nahyuta couldn’t imagine he remembered almost every event of that night, specifically how they managed to get from the chatting to the fighting, then to kissing, to lying in bed together. The memories of it gave Simon goosebumps that he somehow managed to hide.

“I’ll stop bothering you then," said Nahyuta while holding the file in his arm. "Good night, Prosecutor Blackquill.”

“G’night…." he looked at Nahyuta, who was walking towards the door, but called him. "Before you go and we resume the usual fight schedule, I had this curiosity… why is your alarm a strange version of the Steel Samurai's Theme song? You're into that sort of shows?"

They looked at each other for an extended silent, where Simon couldn't help grinning as he noticed the manner in which Nahyuta masked how that silly question almost pushed him over the edge. With a tight grip on the door handle, he turned to say one last thing.

"… Good night, Prosecutor Blackquill," he said, his voice sounding deeper and severe.

Nahyuta left the office as he could hear Simon holding in a laughter, not understanding how that man could find a way to mock every single thing about him. But he was too tired to keep going, so he left without giving unnecesary explanations and allowed to be mocked one last time.

Now that he was alone in the office, Simon returned to his chair. The flowery scent that was distracting him from his work still lingered in the room, and seeing Nahyuta for the first time after that night wasn’t as hard as he thought it would be. He also didn't imagine he would give Nahyuta a stern talking, but those dangerous decissions of his were enough to concern even Simon. There was a limit to his cruelty, even if most people wouldn't believe it.

If anything, that scolding coming from him embarassed the prince more than any allusion to the things he said and did in bed could. That sufficed Simon's need to poke fun at him, because even he didn't see that coming. Nonetheless, he was still feeling the linger of unease that Nahyuta rubbed on him, which made hard to ignore what Athena revealed earlier since he saw it play in front of him. Even Simon could sense the turmoil in Nahyuta's entire demeanor, and it wasn’t only because of what they did.

Dealing with Nahyuta from now on would be interesting, though a part of Simon’s conscience worried about the future.

Neither of them crossed each other’s paths when they left the office that night.

Chapter Text

Life without having to deal with Simon was, unsurprisingly, enjoyable.

Their last conversation assured Nahyuta there was nothing to fear regarding that slip of theirs, other than maybe a little joke once in a while at his expenses; he could live with those, and with the fact that Simon didn't have any intention of getting in his way for the foreseeable future. Thanks to this, Nahyuta was now able to release a big chunk of stress, to act like himself again and continue with the routine he'd been constantly reprimanded for.

It'd been good to pour himself into his duties, to calm the surprisingly sensitive nerves. However, the lingering shame was now ingrained in him.

In the end, he overreacted at this mistake, to the point Simon had to console him in that particular way of his, while emphasizing on the do's and don'ts of drinking out. An embarrassing situation and a rather uncomfortable exchange, but one that left the monk feeling somewhat calmer, to the point that going to the office wasn't dread inducing.

The way he reacted felt like a wake up call by the manner in which his behavior, usually demure and controlled, was exchanged by the terrible state of his emotions which were on full display; it made Nahyuta understand his family's worries. He'd been agitated, high strung, overtly anxious, neurotic and irritable to the point of throwing tantrums; something unfathomable for a person of his age and status. It also made him rethink how he needed to be kinder to himself, to give this issue time and space so it properly faded, before it started robbing his of sleep again.

However, after coming to a resolution that was supposed to help him get over this mistake, Nahyuta knew there was no logical reason to keep dwelling on the issue, and yet, he dealt with remnants of their night together far longer than expected. What stood out to him was this strange feeling that night left behind. It wasn't shame, but something the monk struggled to put a name on, and what his characteristic curiosity pushed him to resolve.

That would be difficult to do since he'd been practicing a sort of out of sight, out of mind approach to deal with his obnoxious coworker, avoiding the man the most casually he could.

Since he abandoned Simon's office after their conversation, the most Nahyuta saw of him was that familiar silhouette at the lobby or the building's coffee shop; always from a safe distance. He had the feeling Simon was avoiding him too, which was for the best. They were never close to begin with, so it wasn't as if they ruined a relationship that was worth saving, yet this absence was only good to put the prosecutor at the forefront of his mind at times. Something he kept reprimanding himself for.

It was out of character for him, who was used to let go of the things he could not control, to let them linger to the point that they got in the way. To any other problem, he would've been successful in pretending it didn't happen; now, Nahyuta didn't know why was it that Simon's absence, which should be celebrated, was only good to make him feel uneasy, confounded and even bored.

To no surprise, his vanity was bigger than imagined, since Nahyuta felt somewhat rejected by the continuous lack of interest Simon showed. Where was the teasing? The comment made in public with hidden innuendo to torture only him? The hounding for a reaction? Simon was good at making himself seen and heard, and now he knew the prosecutor was also good at getting out of the way, which only made his disinterest cut deeper, to the point Nahyuta over-analyzed the situation.

Had Nahyuta been that much of a lousy lay to make a man as crude and vulgar as Simon, one with surprisingly high standards, unable to face him to at least make fun of him? Nahyuta could only torture himself thinking this way. It was a fact that Simon held no interest for him; he'd toyed with the prince once, and that was enough. Realizing this enraged the monk for an instant, until he quieten down his hurt pride to reminded himself who he was feeling so sad about.

He'd been perturbed far too long, to the point that now he was feeling jilted by Simon Blackquill, a behavior Nahyuta immediately shut down. Even as he could sense the feelings of inadequacy creeping on him, he had no intentions to confront Simon about it nor face him again, if possible.

Now, most of Nahyuta's hours were spent secluded in his private office, avoiding the break rooms when possible and opting to lay down on his couch from time to time to get his rest. He even refused all of Klavier's invitations for lunch, since more than once he'd noticed him or even Ema tried to get the group together by asking Simon to go with them, all in an attempt for Nahyuta and him to get along. Something unnecessary and impossible.

They worried about that punishment Edgeworth promised for them, and maybe a week ago, Nahyuta could've accepted a group outing that included Simon's presence, only for the curiosity of seeing his behavior outside the office. However, their already rocky relationship took a greater damage, and now it was completely unfathomable for Nahyuta to think about ever sharing a drink with Simon again.

He couldn't even see him in the eyes; there was something he hadn't attached a word to yet that made it so difficult. That's why Nahyuta would not risk having to spend time with that man if it wasn’t necessary.

Nonetheless, as they worked in the same field and office, it was inevitable for them to meet. Their little game of Hide and Seek came to a sudden end when the Chief Prosecutor called for a general meeting, asking for all the active prosecutors to be in attendance. This Nahyuta couldn't skip, but he now felt confident enough to even politely greet Simon if they were to see each other. To at least keep up the appearances.

There was no reason to use the great hall for a meeting when the amount of prosecutors wasn't enough to fill a third part of the seats. Still, Nahyuta had to applaud Edgeworth's decision to use one of the conference rooms instead. The smaller yet cozier space was a refreshing setting for a meeting that could be stressful, and Nahyuta arrived early to find a good spot on the large table in the middle of the room. The proximity between the seats was good to reinforce the feeling of camaraderie between the prosecutors, and he knew that Simon would be more than delighted to sit far away for him. That was a given.

Nahyuta sat in the middle seat on the left side of the table, opened his leather bound notebook, and started reading the last things he jotted down to past time as the rest of the prosecutors arrived. When Klavier and Eustace both sat on the seats to his left, they added Nahyuta to their conversation, something he appreciated as it was a great way to distract from his thoughts. When Edgeworth arrived, they knew the meeting would soon begin, but the conversation Nahyuta was having had been so entertaining that he ignored Simon being the last to arrive at the conference room.

As the prosecutor scanned the room and saw all the occupied chairs, he noticed the back of Nahyuta's head, small and without a single hair out of place; the prince was busy talking to Klavier to notice the only empty chair was the one to his right. Simon silently made his way towards the table and sat on the last free seat in the room, greeting Klavier and even Prosecutor Winner, ignoring Nahyuta and the careful look by the corner of his eyes that the monk gave him on purpose. All his focus was put on the Chief Prosecutor.

Nahyuta noticed that the nonchalant attitude Simon showed the last time they spoke was still present and, instead of letting it get to him, he followed the example and didn’t struggle to act the same, turning the back of the chair to Simon and focusing on the presentation at the end of the room.

The meeting started and the Chief Prosecutor talked about the improvements over the past months, but Nahyuta couldn't focus on anything that was being said while knowing Simon was close. Their proximity made it easier for the subtle hint of the irritating musky scent of his cologne reach him; the one he used that day had notes of amber, mixed with the smell of cigarettes. The slides that were being shown at the moment and everything the Chief Prosecutor said turned into background noise for Nahyuta, who kept getting distracted and pretended to pay attention to it and not at the fact that he felt overly conscious about the man sitting behind him.

Having Simon so close for the first time in a while was enough to make unnecessary memories resurface.

It all felt like a joke, to have his mind and body play these dirty tricks on him, as if all those years of ascetic training were nothing when confronted to an ominous presence that captured his attention. As if he didn't have enough with the fact that Simon rejected all of him, now Nahyuta was fixed on everything about him. It felt like he had eyes on the back of his neck, that he could already know what sort of face Simon made: one that feigned boredom, which hid that he was carefully paying attention to what was important while softly turning on his chair at times, or tapping the table with the tip of his finger.

Those same fingers which felt so good wrapped around his legs, slowly making their way between his thighs to help Nahyuta get rid of all the worries in his mind.

The monk bit the inside of his cheek hard enough to stop that thought right as it appeared. This was complete insanity; now he was daydreaming about sex with the man sitting behind him. To think that, instead of focusing on the meeting, he would be having an assortment of unfortunate thoughts as he struggle to pretend he hadn't noticed Simon was laughable; the fact that he didn't find it within himself to stop was worrying.

It just so happened that the current graph being presented on the screen was uninteresting compared to the image of Simon's naked body on top of his, in the dim light of the hotel bedroom.

Thankfully, the room's lights were turned off, and the only source of light was the presentation. This helped hide the small blush that was now heating up his cheeks. He profoundly thanked the Holy Mother that their seating hid this state from those keen eyes; his paranoia convinced him that, even in this dark room, as all eyes were on the Chief Prosecutor, Simon would only look at him.

The simple idea of it made Nahyuta breathless.

However, their seating arrangement made him ignore the manner in which Simon, resting a cheek on the palm of his hand, focused on the tip of his braid since the beginning of the meeting, as it dangled from the back of the chair. The small golden brooch keeping the hairstyle in place was captivating, and he'd been looking at it for the entirety of the meeting; Simon couldn’t avoid thinking back to how such a little accessory could hold together that thick lilac hair, which easily spread all over the white sheets. The same silky hair that made his skin tickle whenever Nahyuta rested a soft cheek on his naked shoulder.

In vain he forced himself to look someplace else, only to have his gaze naturally return to that hair, and at times, when he was lucky and Nahyuta turned his face only a little, he would catch a glimpse of the prince's beautiful profile.

After the meeting ended, most prosecutors left the conference room except for Nahyuta, who was distracted reading the notes he forced himself to take from time to time and pretend like he was working. He'd been so focused on them that he completely ignored Simon was still sitting behind him, occupied by the text he'd been typing on his phone. Neither noticed the other, and when Nahyuta turned the chair to leave, they rose at the same time and almost crashed against each other. The quick reflexes made him hold the prince by the arms, stopping him from crashing against Simon’s chest. A rather familiar scene for both of them.

The smell of incense and what Simon recognized as orchid and vanilla notes in his perfume made him softly push Nahyuta away.

“Look where you’re going, Sad Monk,” he said, slowly letting go of Nahyuta's arms.

Nahyuta stood silent after realizing Simon avoided his eyes before pushing the chair under the table and leaving the room. This left him perplexed, still sensing the gentle grip on his arms and not knowing why he wanted to know what sort of expression Simon made before leaving the room. However, he caught what seemed to be tension, and an unusual softness in his voice; in any other occasion, he would've pushed him out of the way then laugh while Nahyuta was on the floor.

This time, Simon handled him carefully.

That's when it dawned on him.

Maybe all the avoidance and this rejection he felt was all due to Simon sharing some part of the embarrassment that burdened him.

This interesting development made all those feelings of inadequacy dissipate in the blink of an eye. Just like him, Simon was affected by their night together; he was just superior than him at faking normalcy. He wasn't as shaken as Nahyuta was, and besides some embarrassment, it could also be annoyance at the current state of their relationship what troubled Simon. Still, this was good news to the prince.

Nahyuta didn't win anything from this piece of information, other than the pleasure of knowing he'd caused an effect on Simon; the way this stroked his ego was enough to fill him with energy for the rest of the week. But now, alone and still unable to put a name on what he felt, Nahyuta forced himself to snap back to reality and return to his office, to his work and the things that always help him put Simon in the back of his mind, so he could continue with his life as usual.

Nahyuta managed to get by the rest of the week without issues, unnecessary memories nor needless meetings with Simon, but it would be a blatant lie to act like he wasn't thinking about the man on the regular, and this time around, feeling less anxious about it.

Even now, while trying to enjoy his weekend in the comfort of his suite, Nahyuta was unable to focus on whatever he did on his laptop as he reminisced on that last shared moment at the conference room. Whenever the sensation of Simon's touch appeared on his skin, the world seemed to stop so he could dwell on the feeling. As his gaze wandered to the window wall and he saw that the day was sunny but probably a little cold, not even that perfect weather could distract him from the realization he randomly had on a Saturday morning after a light breakfast.

An exact week was needed for Nahyuta to accept that, without a doubt, he'd enjoyed having sex with Simon Blackquill.

Well, enjoy fell short to how much Nahyuta delighted only in the memory of it. The act itself was something he would categorize as outstanding and, most importantly, something new. Until now, he never experienced sex like that, one where he felt capable of completely letting go of all worries and inhibitions, were the only thing he could focus was one thing alone: pleasure. Unfiltered and raw pleasure, and a feeling of ecstasy that was more than welcomed.

Now, Nahyuta couldn't talk poorly of his previous partners, since sex in the past had been pleasant enough and served its purpose; he was thankful for it. However, he'd never been left feeling for so long the effects of it, like the lingering sensation of teeth dangerously grazing his skin, or a skilled tongue and fingers undoing his tensions with so much ease, nor a sensation of intimacy he'd never allowed himself to have.

In his short life, he'd never felt this way. Not even in prayer had Nahyuta reached any sort of religious ecstasy, but he usually blamed his deficient soul and the way he'd sullied Khurainism the past six years of his life for it. However, he knew that the euphoria he experienced was linked to what happened Friday night; the way in which his heart beat wildly in his chest while thinking about it was proof of it.

All of this was swirling in Nahyuta's head for days as he tried to understand what, other than the physical aspect of it, could make him be this taken with such an odious partner.

One thing he was sure about, now he understood the cocky attitude Simon had both before and after they had sex. It was because, without a doubt, he wasn't teasing Nahyuta just to tease; he knew he was good, and not even their drunken state could mess up with Nahyuta's memory so badly he wouldn't accept it.

That was the worst part of this issue, that he was right and Nahyuta now had to give him his flowers.

Still, being able to accept the pleasure allowed the monk to comprehend this nagging feeling he struggled with a little more, and it was all thanks to noticing how Simon fucked him as if he'd been wanting to do it for a while. It was still an alcohol-induced spontaneous hookup, but not even the disturbingly cruel act of the morning after would fool Nahyuta into thinking Simon hadn't wanted him.

Being want. That's what it was. The thing that troubled Nahyuta the most.

Being lusted over wasn't new. He'd dealt with the feeling since his teenage years after he properly started blooming into the man he would end up becoming, and even if he mocked Simon for the poorly concealed glances during work, deep down, he was flattered by them. Nonetheless, Nahyuta knew that what happened between them was more than the sort of attraction one would feel for some stranger you pass on the street or a coworker you find attractive.

It was the sensuality that was felt all through that night and which lingered even now that had shaken Nahyuta to his core. Everything about it was oddly intimate, at least for a one night stand. The kissing was a good example of it.

And yet he liked it, and it forced him to see Simon under a different light.

Every other day, he was a vicious man and an eyesore, but that night alone made Nahyuta notice that this enemy of his was something really dangerous for him: A handsome man. One that was terrific in bed, even while drunk, and who was capable of abandoning that vexing grin and exchange it for a charming smile. A weakness of Nahyuta. That smile had been enough to confuse a drunkish Nahyuta, to the point he forced Simon to sit by his side on a bar and all of the consequences that brought.

It was a shame that it'd been Simon and not any other man who gifted him such an experience. Because of it, Nahyuta forced himself to believe the instant chemistry between them was nothing more than a fluke, that alcohol exalted his memories of that night, and that, whenever a hand slipped into his pajama pants at night when the heat reappeared in his groin, it wasn't Simon who was at the forefront of his mind. But the more he thought about it, the harder it was to deny.

To let it go and move on, that’s what he’d decided to do.

Still, Nahyuta couldn't avoid how in moments like this when he was deep in thought, he would raise a hand to graze the back of his neck, feeling the now permanent sensation left behind by Simon's lips on his nape. The tip of his fingers caressed the strangely sensitive skin and he sighed in defeat.

“I yearn for intimacy to the point I’m letting myself get enticed by that man…" he muttered with a nostalgic look in his eyes. "I must be out of my mind.”

As he silently mused, the cellphone next to his laptop rang and pulled him out of his reverie, and Nahyuta couldn't be more thankful for Apollo’s call since this would be a well received distraction.

“Good morning, Apollo, or afternoon," he said, wishing that the heat that appeared in his cheeks disappeared quickly.

“Hey, are you busy?” asked Apollo, with the sound of rustling papers in the background. He was busy at his office, even on a weekend.

“No more than usual. Did you need something?”

“I do, but I want to check on you first before asking for favors.”

“Yes, I had breakfast, took a shower, I have been sleeping at a somewhat acceptable hour, and I'm enjoying my free day,” stated Nahyuta while sounding irritated. “You could ask my mother for this type of information instead of interrogating me.”

“Sorry, force of habit," he giggled nervously. "But I’m glad you’re doing alright, that way I can ask for something. Remember Trucy?”

“Mr. Wright’s daughter, yes," he answered while mindlessly looking at his nails. "Is everything alright?"

“She kind of needs some help at the moment. She’ll have this important solo show in a theater that’s close to downtown, and she was supposed to have everything ready for tomorrow, but there was a little accident.”

A sudden feeling of alarm made Nahyuta forget about his recently manicured nails, as the eerie coincidences with past event made him think of the worst.

“Is anyone hurt?” he asked.

“It's not like that! Don’t worry," laughed Apollo. "Earlier, Trucy texted all her contacts because she needs help with the last batch of decorations. The company that was supposed to work on the finishing touches can't go to the theater because of some overbooking issue. She was too busy to explain when I called.”

“And this is how you ended up recruiting me to do arts and crafts for her?” he asked, a little amused.

“… If it's not too much to ask?”

Nahyuta pondered for a second before closing his laptop and leaving for his bedroom to change out of his pale blue pajamas.

“Send me the address," he answered, as he started raking through his loose hair with his fingers to start brushing it. "If it’s the theater I think it is, I’ll be there in 15 minutes.”

“That was fast. You really have a free Saturday?”

“I told you I did. In any way, I owed her an apology. Painting and decorating is the least I could do.”

Apollo sighed “C’mon, Trucy has nothing against you, and also…”

“What is it?”

“… Nothing. Have fun today, and be careful with the paint on the clothes!" retorted Apollo. "I lost good pairs of jeans because of pink acrylic paint.”

The call ended, and he ignored why Apollo sounded hesitant for a second. Nahyuta quickly changed the comfortable pajamas for a pair of jeans, a light brown sweater and ankle boots, then grabbed a wine colored coat, his car keys and left the hotel. Following a short drive, Nahyuta parked inside the theater parking lot, where he found the place almost empty. There was one security guard at the door who let him in when Nahyuta mentioned the hall name, and when he opened the door to it, he saw Trucy and Klavier standing on stage, talking while surrounded by props waiting to be finished and arranged in place.

Nahyuta walked down the stairs and met Trucy’s gaze when she turned around.

“Prosecutor Sahdmadhi! You really came!” she exclaimed. “Now we will make it on time! You’re a lifesaver!”

“I was rather close,” he smiled at the girl. “What do you need me to do?”

“We just need the finishing touches, and when the paint job dries, we will start arranging the props and decorations!”

Nahyuta took off his coat and left it on a chair before getting on the stage to listen at Trucy's instructions. He then went backstage, only to find that it wasn't just Klavier and her hard at work, but Athena was also helping them out; her hair was being held with a blue star claw clip and she was dressed down with a green t-shirt and jean overalls. The young lawyer was now putting the lids on paint buckets behind the curtain, raising her gaze and being surprised at Nahyuta standing there, then pulling down her headphones to wave at him.

“Apollo got you involved too?” she said, standing up from the floor and dusting off her clothes. "He has no respect to make His Holiness do this type of work."

"You're right about his lack of respect at times," he smiled and so did the girl. "But this type of work is not beneath me. Whenever holidays would approach, I enjoyed helping with decorations at the temple. Also, there wasn’t much to do today, and by the looks of it, the help is needed."

He went to grab the paint bucket off Athena’s hands and helped her store them, going back to the stage while talking casually in a manner that uplifted Nahyuta's spirit.

Under Trucy's rigorous guidance, the three worked hard to finish the background scenery. Nahyuta was a great addition thanks to his painting skills; he meticulously painted flowers and little garden bugs on the backdrop, and with Athena and Klavier's help, plus Ema, who arrived some minutes after him, they were ready in under an hour with the details of the scenic background of a forest.

“Rather interesting choice. What’s the theme this time?” asked Nahyuta.

“A secret magical garden!” exclaimed Trucy, eyes twinkling at the caliber of the paint job.

“I see. That explains the gigantic bunny,” his eyes went to the ground, where the figure of a white bunny wearing a crown and a cape waited to be dry. “Is he the king of this garden?”

“Yes, for now,” she said with a mischievous smile on her face. “If you wish to know what I mean, please come to see the show tomorrow!”

Instantly, Trucy searched in her pink clipboard and pulled a ticket for her show. Nahyuta almost rejected the invitation as a reflex, but as he saw the big pair of eyes Apollo always complained about, he had a taste of their convincing power that forced him to give in on her whims. He accepted the invitation and saved the ticket in his wallet, feeling rather excited to have something to do that Sunday.

He spoke with Klavier for a while, but since everything that needed to be done came to a halt as they waited for the paint to dry, Nahyuta walked outside the hall to get some fresh air, leaving Athena and Trucy listening to Klavier play in his guitar some songs he’d been working on, and Ema pretending like the impromptu concert wasn't the worst thing that she was made to watch.

Walking down a corridor, he went through the emergency exit which connected with the building's courtyard. The greenery was vibrant by the radiant morning sun, and the place looked lonely enough for him to silently unwind after spending so much time talking and even laughing more than he remembered doing the past months. As he closed the door behind himself and stretched his arms, shaking away the exhaustion after painting while keeping up with four persons that were chatty too, Nahyuta ignored his surroundings as he felt the cold morning breeze and the warm sunlight on his skin.

This state of relaxation was cut short when he sensed a pair of eyes on his back; he turned and recognized the man hiding on the building's shadow was Simon.

"Holy Mother…!" he muttered under his breath as he quickly turned to face his company.

The good mood he'd built that morning with the people Nahyuta dared to call friends was suddenly crushed. To see Simon, resting next to the door while smoking and looking his way with a cunning smile, immediately made Nahyuta guarded. He almost didn't recognize him in casual clothes; the pristine suit that he'd always seen the prosecutor wearing was exchanged by grey jeans, a basic black shirt and leather jacket. A simple look that only a man like Simon could give an attractive sort of edge, and mixed with a smile that showed he enjoyed having startled the prince was… a very Simon-like picture.

The calm Nahyuta worked so hard to attain after all the things he'd accepted about Simon seemed to disappear just by confronting him again. It was that inescapable presence the prosecutor possessed, eerie and overpowering, that used to annoy him but now made him timid. As Nahyuta struggled to say something, Simon, who quietly saw the monk arrive and enjoyed to see again that hint of fear in his eyes, smirked at the way the prince frowned. He pulled the cigarette of his mouth and effortlessly exhaled the smoke through his nose before talking.

“Surprised to see me?”

“… Why are you here?” asked Nahyuta.

Simon showed one of his hands, which had thick signet silver ring on his thumb and index finger, and where he still had light stains of dark purple paint on the tip of his fingers. He put the hand inside his jacket pocket again and took another drag of his cigarette.

“They needed all the help possible, and I happened to be with Athena when she got that emergency text," he said, looking disinterested. "She dragged me here."

“I didn’t see you earlier.”

“Oh, but I did. After finishing with that pesky bunny’s cloak, I went to rest at the back of the hall. When you arrived, I imagined they wouldn’t need me until they it was time to carry heavy stuff.”

Nahyuta now wondered why no one let him know about Simon's presence; probably, they felt that mentioning it would make Nahyuta turn on his heels and leave the theater, and maybe, they wouldn't be wrong. Still, he would've liked to get a heads up and be told Simon too was on the theater, so he could prepare his most hypocritical smile and maybe hide behind Ema and Klavier for the rest of the day. Instead, Nahyuta was off guard the instant they met; just as Simon wished, he imagined.

All of this was unexpected, but seeing how Athena was there, Nahyuta should’ve imagined that Simon could be around, since they seemed to be so close. It was a mistake on his part.

In the end, this search for tranquility ended with Nahyuta walking right to the source of his new anxieties, and now found it hard to relax as he stood in place, tense and stressed while knowing that turning around and leaving would only give that man more ammo. Maybe a month ago, Nahyuta would’ve rolled his eyes, insulted him a little if provoked then return to friendlier acquaintances, but now, simply looking at Simon made him cautious and shy.

He stood still under the sunshine that now was forcing him to close his eyes, feeling incapable to make any sort of graceful exit and fearing, for the first time, what could come out of Simon twisted mind.

“Want one?” asked Simon.

The question startled Nahyuta, and he forced himself to look at his coworker.

“Excuse me?”

Simon showed him the box of cigarettes, one of them was sticking out.

“Take one," he said, as he shook the box in his hand. "You seem on edge."

“… And don’t you enjoy that?” retorted Nahyuta, suspiciously looking at the cigarette.

“Most times I do, but that’s the office routine, Sad Monk. Let’s call a truce for today. For the girl, to not disrupt the emergency arts and craft club she put together.”

Nahyuta was wary of this behavior, but he ended up accepting the cigarette; his curiosity, as usual, overpowered his better judgment, and he wanted to see what this would lead to. Simon pulled his lighter from his pants pocket and offered to lit it up for him; Nahyuta leaned closer, holding the cigarette between his lips to light it up and pushing some hair behind an ear, then effortlessly exhaling a cloud of smoke.

Simon couldn’t help getting a little captivated by that image.

"I know I offered it, but I didn't imagine you smoked," he said.

"Thought you would get to see me cough and choke?" retorted the monk.

Simon didn't answer, too enthralled by the vision that was the monk smoking with a subtle frown in his face. Nahyuta went to stand under the shadow cast by the small roof over the emergency exit too, at a safe distance from him, making an effort to not seem anxious or tense, which only made him look high-strung, to the point Simon couldn’t help mentioning it.

“Oi. Don’t you meditate?" he got no answer and pressed further. "Pray tell, why are you this antsy?”

Nahyuta opted to keep quiet and Simon sighed at his stubbornness.

At this point, he believed things would move forward, that they could pretend the mutual dislike was the same as the first time they met. Instead, Nahyuta turned into even more of a stranger, a meek and overtly conscious version of the at times regal and impressive man he knew and grew to hate. Not even his silent treatment had the feeling of disregard that made Simon want to argue with him even more; no, this time around, Nahyuta was way too alert about his presence.

To Simon, this was unacceptable, and seeing that their last conversation was fruitless, he opted for some honesty, for once. Having a normal conversation with him wasn't something Simon looked forward to, but if this behavior kept going, he could see troubles approaching in the horizon. So, to get Nahyuta's attention, he decided to go with one of his classic tactics.

“Skye-dono is right when she says you possess lackluster social skills,” he blurted.

The comment forced Nahyuta to look his way, even if it was a rather intense glare. That didn’t stop Simon from saying what was on his mind.

“Yes, you happen to be an awkward lad at times, but I used to believe it was due to cultural differences," said Simon, with his gaze lost on the trees close to them. "Now I see this skittish act you put up... May I be honest? The switch is gross. Where's your feistiness?… I must confess that I miss it.”

The confession left Nahyuta speechless, but he quickly looked to the ground to hide his eyes.

“I’ve decided to not get myself riled up so easily by you. To not give you the pleasure," he retorted.

“Of course, that's what this is. You're resolute on our usual push and pull. This has nothing to do with the fact that we shagged and how it deeply troubles you,” he lowered his voice in the end, but that was enough to make Nahyuta visibly tense again, hiding behind his cigarette. “Has it been so hard to accept we hooked up?… Or you enjoyed yourself so much that its hard talking to me now?”

Nahyuta grimaced and opted to lie. “… It was nightmare inducing.”

Simon couldn't help grinning. “Stop, you’ll make me blush.”

No matter how much he didn’t want to have this conversation, Nahyuta felt Simon cornered him only by bringing it up. He took a drag of his cigarette which helped him warm up and faced his annoying company.

“Blackquill, I believed that would be a secret.”

Simon looked around, then leaned closer to Nahyuta.

“We’re completely alone," he whispered only to mock Nahyuta. "Maybe in the royal palace you have ears and nosy servants everywhere, but this place is empty. Stop tormenting yourself with that.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

The uncharacteristic sheepishness in Nahyuta's behavior as he looked at the ground was fascinating; the red ears surprised Simon, but in the end, this weakness displayed by the prince could only disgust him.

“… If you wish to keep stressing yourself this much every time we’re close, do it, but you’ll make yourself sick, and I refuse to lose another prosecutor, less for such a worthless reason,” he said and looked down at Nahyuta. "You're a grown man. Suck it up and act the part."

"Are you going off on the scolding again? What are you? My teacher?"

He tried to inject some of the usual edge to his speech, but his words carried more worry than any other feeling.

"As if I would allow a student of mine to be this bratty," scoffed Simon, who then returned to smoking. “But I am disappointed… I thought one would need more to break you.”

That comment managed to irritate Nahyuta, as the redness of his ears dissipated and he felt ticked off by the words.

“Sorry for not being enough to amuse you then.”

“I’m just saying that I expected more of you," retorted Simon before whispering to himself. "Bloody hell, I even wished for it."

“You’re quite the shameless asshole, you know that?”

They both fell silent again, and while seeing the ash of his cigarette glow and fall to the ground, Nahyuta understood what Simon meant. It wasn’t nice to be losing sleep over this anymore, and even after coming to terms with his honest feelings, the advances in his health all this time away from home were now ruined, all because he couldn’t deal healthily with his embarrassment. This tension Nahyuta felt probably was rubbing on Simon, who managed to have such a serene outlook of their situation. The only one who seemed to perpetually reflect on it and chastise himself was Nahyuta; a bad habit ingrained on him. That's when he understood how bringing Simon into it was rude.

“... Apologies. I probably made you uncomfortable,” he said before taking a drag.

“Never been a fan of your presence, but it’s fine,” acknowledged Simon then turned his face away. “… If anything, I should apologize too. For the hair pulling, at least. Not everybody is into that."

The prince looked at him in confusion, then the memory of the first kiss they shared came to him, and with it, the light pain of the hair being tugged on the back of his head. What looked like the shyness he caught on the conference room made a comeback, and Nahyuta, surprised by what seemed like vulnerability coming from Simon, only smiled.

"It's fine, Blackquill. I did pull yours too," he muttered. "Won't hold that specific thing against you."

They shared a silence for a while, but this time, the tension wasn't as grave as in the start, which allowed Simon to continue talking.

"You're over-worrying too much. I have my part of the blame in this," he said, looking at a pair of canaries flying on the courtyard. "Though I might understand where this comes from. By the looks of it, you probably haven’t gotten around that much to get this troubled over a one-night stand, and this time you happened to have an unpleasant guy as a partner.”

"At least you're self aware," Nahyuta honestly laughed, feeling a little hot in the cheeks.

For some reason, the now inviting smile in Nahyuta's face made Simon feel it was alright to keep talking.

“But I wonder, Is your overtly dramatic and visceral reaction caused by your religious upbringing?"

"That's a…. specific question," he said, feeling somewhat nervous about how well he'd been read.

"It's such a cheap cliche, but also a useful starting point," he continued. "I mean, Is Khurainism strict? I hope you didn’t break any important religious rule that says you can’t get plastered and have casual sex. ”

“… I don’t believe me breaking my vows would cause you any sort of guilt.”

“At all. It would make me respect you a little.”

Nahyuta’s eyes narrowed but he let it pass. “Well, no. Khurainism is strict, but there's not many stipulations on sex. I’m not the type of monk that takes chastity vows either, if that’s what you’re asking. Even if I was interested in them, I’m not allowed.”

"What do you mean?”

“Being part of the royal lineage makes it difficult to take on those vows since having offspring is important.”

Simon looked at him by the corner of his eyes, rather confused. “... Doesn’t matter much since you’re gay, innit?”

Nahyuta opened his mouth, ready to make his counterargument, but there was nothing to say after being confronted with a big truth. This was something Simon wasn't the first one to point out, either.

“Yes, that too,” he rolled his eyes. “You sounded awfully like my mother right now.”

“Queen mother must go hard on you for it, huh?” he asked and smirked.

“Stop grinning while saying that," he frowned. "May I ask, is this questioning your way of psychoanalyzing me? That's rude”

“Not really my field, and I’m just asking things to kill time.”

He glared at his companion and sighed. “Well, if you wish to know, she doesn’t mind. In the end, I’m not the next in line for the throne.”

Simon finished his cigarette, but didn’t mind lighting up another.

“Of course, you got a little sister. That’s why you’re regent, because you can’t see ghosts like she does. Am I right?”

Nahyuta turned to face him, with a raised eyebrow and honest curiosity.

“How much do you actually know about Khura’in, Panda?” he saw Simon raise his shoulders with disinterest and wasn’t surprised. “We don’t see ghosts, we channel them. Well, my mother does, and my sister will too, one of these days. Such a strong ability to communicate with the dead skips the men in the lineage.”

“Ain’t that a bloody shame?” he said, distracted by the cloud of smoke he exhaled.

“I’ve never seen it as a shame. It’s how things were meant to be. The women rule, and the men aid.”

“A real matriarchal society. Must be an interesting country.”

“… It’s really nice at this time of year,” he turned to see Simon, now completely relaxed. “There are many festivals, too.”

“Do the ghosts participate?”

“No ghost wanders the streets of the city, if that’s what you’re insinuating. Regular people can’t see that… Though I’ve felt things.”

The eerie calmness in his voice alarmed Simon, who wondered if he should keep asking more questions, but his phone rang and he flinched, which made Nahyuta smile. Simon wondered if it had been a joke, but of all the things he knew, he was almost sure the prince didn’t lie about paranormal activity being common in his country.

Athena was the one who called, and that was their signal to go back to work. The flow of this strange conversation had been just like the one in the bar a week ago, and to their surprise, chatting on a cigarette break was not the worst thing that could happen to them on a Saturday. They wouldn't repeat it, but it was nice to know they could show their faces to everyone without unnecessary feelings getting in the way.

They both put out their cigarettes in the trash can next to the door and went back to the hall, surprising Ema as she saw them returning together.

“Hell froze over today,” she said, lifting her glasses. “Trucy, are you blackmailing them to help? Your dad and I explained you that's illegal.”

“No, I did not blackmail anybody! They were kind enough to aid a girl when she needed it the most!” answered Trucy.

“Skye-dono, please, the Sad Monk and I only fight during office hours,” said Simon. "Outside of work, even this guy can be tolerable."

"I should say they same," continued Nahyuta, walking past Simon and back to the stage.

Suddenly, Athena looked alarmed while glaring at Simon, as a myriad of things regarding her past slip worried her; she ran to Nahyuta and profusely apologized to him. He didn't know what she apologized for, but immediately reassured her there was nothing to worry about.

"I swear I forgot he was here too! Had I known, I would've warned you…," she said, seeming nervous then glaring at Simon. "You weren't pestering Nahyuta, right?!"

"I haven't done anything to your newest best friend, if that's what worries you," answered Simon. "I was resting when that guy appeared and bothered me."

"I thought you left after saying you wouldn't do detail work," interjected Klavier, also surprised to see the pair returning together. "Were you two together all this time?"

"At all. I encountered Prosecutor Blackquill on my way back," said Nahyuta as he calmed Athena. "Don't worry about that silly panda, he must be jealous to see his best friend spot, as he put it, being overtaken by a newcomer."

That comment had won a nice round of laughter by everyone present except Simon, who, more than feeling insulted, was amazed at the quick way in which the prince lied, only to then elegantly insult him. He wasn't pleased by being the butt of the joke, still, he did congratulate Nahyuta in his mind for being less jittery and more assured as Athena and him laughed at his expenses. A definitive upgrade and the sort of attitude Simon could deal with more easily.

“Are we done for today?” he asked, crossing his arms.

“We will be after hanging up everything," answered Klavier.

By afternoon, the stage was ready for the next day, and Trucy let her helpers go after reminding them to come see the show. Nahyuta made a mental note to actually go instead of making an excuse at the last minute, since even he felt the tediousness of his routine was already unbearable.

On Sunday, Nahyuta had the pleasure of being captivated by the wonder of Trucy’s magical act for the first time. With her outstanding skills and enchanting personality being at full display, he understood what Apollo meant whenever he would mention her, and how she was born to be on a stage.

It wasn’t until the end of the show that he greeted the star of the show in her dressing room. When he knocked on the open door, he saw a lovely family picture as Trucy, dressed in an enchanting golden getup, was taking off many of the adornments with the help of her father as Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth gave her a water bottle and a blue hand towel. Nahyuta offered Trucy his congratulations and showered her with praises.

“Mr. Wright, Mr. Edgeworth. You must be really proud,” he said. “The show was a complete success, and one of my favorites.”

“I’m mostly glad no one died,” said Phoenix, seemingly relaxed as he put away the golden top hat.

The comment won him a glare from Miles, who'd been helping Trucy put on a robe on top of her shiny stage costume. Unlike him, Trucy laughed at her father’s comment while approaching Nahyuta.

“I’m glad you liked it so much! And Thank you for that arrangement! I loved the flowers!”

She looked at the table full of congratulatory gifts from friends and family, and right next to the usual flowers she got after every show that came from Lamiroir, there was a nice arrangement with daisies and yellow roses on Nahyuta’s behalf.

“Is a thank you for the invitation," he said. "Please, let me know when your next show will be. I won't miss it.”

A knock on the door interrupted them; Athena walked in, being followed by Simon and Klavier. After greeting everyone, she took the pink lilies bouquet Simon was holding for her and gave them to Trucy. Both girls cheerfully celebrated on their corner, while Klavier joined both Phoenix and Miles, leaving Nahyuta alone with Simon by the door.

“Sad monk,” he greeted him.

“Panda. Didn’t think you would come.”

“Knowing tonight's star, she would’ve sent me into another dimension if I didn’t show my face.”

“Now that I know she has some grasp into properly disappearing things, I must ask her to do it someday,” he said, looking pleased at the way Simon frowned. “For a second I thought you had a soft spot for this type of thing. But I don’t peg you as the type, or the type to give flowers, either.”

“Athena’s idea. She made me hold them after she kept pricking her fingers. You do seem the type to bring flowers, though.”

“Oh, it’s the yellow arrangement next to Klavier’s roses,” he bragged.

Simon saw the big basket full of flowers and scoffed. “Hmph. Showoff.”

Nahyuta simply smiled and was even inclined to make small talk with Simon, at least until Ema arrived and his focus switched to her, since he found the detective's company more enjoyable; this was a detail that made both Klavier and Edgeworth exchange curious glances for a second at the surprising development between those two.

For Nahyuta, It seemed as if things now could return to how they were when he first arrived in L.A., at least on appearances, since they behaved so well that Edgeworth couldn’t even notice anything wrong with them. However, this apparent truce between them made Edgeworth investigate further. After a little inquiring with Trucy on their drive back home, he was pleasantly surprised to see the severe warnings he'd been forced to make were fruitful, also, this issue between the most eccentric prosecutors in his office somehow morphed from a problem for the office into a solution for a pending issue of his.

Still, he wasn't quite sure, so he continued asking.

"And their behavior yesterday, they didn't argue?" he asked, concentrated both on driving and the questioning. "No sort of violent behavior or absurd name calling?"

"At all!... Well, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi is not kind to Prosecutor Blackquill, but he was tolerant," she said, sitting on the backseat while checking her phone.

"To see His Holiness be unkind again… Ugh, I'll rather not think about it," continued Phoenix, sitting on the passengers seat. "But I bet Blackquill has lots of fun making him act that way."

"He does... is ridiculously childlike," answered Edgeworth, looking displeased as he remember their behavior months prior.

“When you told me that people complained so much about them, I thought Prosecutor Blackquill would leave when he saw Nahyuta came to help,” explained Trucy. “Instead, they were a lot of help yesterday. It was honestly thanks to those two and their organization skills that we even wrapped up early.”

“I see,” muttered Miles, focusing on the road yet already thinking of something else.

“You’re thinking too loud,” pointed out Phoenix, who easily noticed what Miles was doing. “Is making me curious.”

“I’m not! In any way, did you already order dinner?”

“The celebratory lasagna will be there when we get home. But don’t switch topics: What are you plotting?”

“I kind of want to know too!” exclaimed Trucy while leaning forward.

It usually worked whenever she helped her father by staring at Miles. In a matter of seconds, he usually ended up telling them what was in his mind; Edgeworth would fall easily to their shared charms, which he tended to bow down to on their daily family life, only that the issue now worrying him was too confidential to let himself get pressured by those two.

“Fine. But before I tell you, I have to explain the inner bureaucratic workings of the tax crimes division of the office, so you can properly understand my plan," he said.

“… What if we listen to some music, daddy?” asked Trucy, sitting back on the seat.

“Good idea,” he said and put on the radio.

Phoenix could see how pleased Miles looked after shaking them off, but he left him be for the time being. He didn’t forget, though. Phoenix played the role of having forgotten through dinner, then sent an exhausted Trucy to bed early, and patiently dealt with some of his work until bed time arrived. Only in the privacy of their shared bedroom he started inquiring when Miles, already in his pajamas and night cap, got into bed with a book, ready to read for a while before falling asleep. The enjoyment of his novella got cut short when Phoenix softly took it off his hands and returned to the topic of his subordinates once more. Getting questioned about it confused him, but Phoenix couldn’t help pressing.

“It was the face. You put on that pensive face when something worries you," he said.

“I’m not worried. Instead I think I finally found the solution to... something,” clarified Edgeworth.

“The thing is that the solution’s worrying you,” he said while getting into bed, dropping his head on his partner’s lap. “So, a penny for your thoughts?”

It was hard for Miles not to give in when Phoenix looked at him that way. He started petting the black hair, giving him all the attention he demanded.

“There’s been some pressure about a certain unsolved case lately. The police reopened the investigation not that long ago, and it seems it could go to trial rather soon. Still, they’re being careful about it or a scandal might break out."

"Oh? Is the criminal someone powerful?" asked Phoenix, eyes closed and enjoying the touch.

"… You'll see. It will be a case that could change many things, and exactly that's what makes the work load too much for a single prosecutor, and a lot to ask for a rookie or someone not well qualified.”

“… So you wish you could do it yourself and show off.”

Miles pinched his nose only for daring to mention it, but let go when Phoenix laughed and pretended to beg for mercy.

“Be serious for once. I can’t even try to prosecute that without raising alerts," he said. "That’s not what the Chief of Prosecutors does.”

“Fine, sorry. Won’t ever talk about your ego again," he took the same hand that pinched him and put it back on his head. "Proceed.”

“Thank you. What worries me is that I found the perfect candidates for the team but…”

“But?” repeated Phoenix, holding the hand that was playing with his hair.

“It will sound crazy to everyone, but I’m sure Prosecutor Sahdmadhi and Prosecutor Blackquill are ideal for the job.”

Phoenix laughed at the idea. “That’s a volatile duo from what I’ve heard.”

“And that’s what troubles me,” he said before sighing. “Everything points to it being the perfect choice, but they seemed to not get along until recently. It won’t help that I threatened to exclusively make them work together not that long ago.”

“Yeah, bad move,” he laughed. “But does your gut feeling tell you that is the right thing to do?”

“Gut feeling? Of course you would tell me I should trust my gut feelings instead of the facts," the comment made him smile.

“But does it, Miles?”

He confronted those deep grey eyes and sighed. “… It does.”

“Then just do your work. Propose the idea and let them choose. Now, stop thinking about it or your hair will gray out even more.”

Phoenix lifted his head to peck Miles on the lips before getting to his side of the bed, ready to call it quits for the day. Miles followed shortly, having felt relieved by talking about it.

The next day, after calling both Nahyuta and Simon to his office, Edgeworth was prepared to present this idea.

At first, when Nahyuta arrived at the office and saw Simon sitting on the couch, he kindly greeted him, until the confusion of seeing he'd been called too sank in; you could see them pale in fear at the thought of having gotten in the troubles they tried to avoid, so Miles did them a favor and clarified the situation.

“Thanks for coming. No, you’re not in trouble, neither I called you both here to punish you. In fact, I wanted to congratulate the both of you for having fixed that issue so quickly.”

“It was wrong of us and unprofessional to cause troubles,” replied Nahyuta, who sat on the couch at a safe distance from Simon.

He accepted the cup of tea Edgeworth offered him and was honestly relaxed, even with Simon’s presence. This reassured Miles in his decision.

“Now that your squabbles are a thing of the past, we can talk about work," he said.

“Is something wrong?” asked Nahyuta, exchanging a curious glance with Simon.

“Both of you are up-to-date with the current situation of this office, and how we’ve been pulling through work with the utmost level of skill, but also fighting tooth and nail to achieve that with a handful of prosecutors.”

“Things have been hectic, for sure. Lately, it seems our situation has gotten better,” said Nahyuta.

“The rookies help a little, but I’m not completely sold on them yet,” said Simon, leaving a half empty cup on the table. “They’re young, which makes them prone to make a mistake one of these days.”

“Mr. Blackquill, I’ll recommend you stop complaining. Otherwise, the bulk of the work regarding tutoring the rookies might fall on you,” mentioned Nahyuta, drinking his Darjeeling tea and enjoying the slightly alarmed look in Simon’s face.

“Please, forget what I said, Edgeworth-dono.”

“It’s fine. The handling of the new prosecutor's is not what I was going to ask of you two. However, there is something I believe you both to be skilled enough to take on,” Miles went to sit back behind his desk, knowing that their reaction might require him to put some distance. “This will interest you a lot, Blackquill. They’re re-opening the KH-9 case.”

The only answer he got from Simon was a stunned look. Those letters sounded familiar to Nahyuta, who remembered that evening drinking together and part of the conversation Simon and him held. It must’ve been more important to Simon that he let Nahyuta know since, after the initial shock, he started asking questions.

“That’s big.... and unexpected. Why? Are there new leads? Did someone finally slip and confess something?”

“After an investigation regarding tax fraud, the police somehow got a new lead regarding that case, but you are getting ahead of the facts," explained Miles, amused at Simon's eagerness. "Prosecutor Sahdmadhi still doesn’t know about that case.”

Getting alluded to surprised Nahyuta. The last thing he remembered about that case was using the name to tease Simon, and in a way, it ended up doing more harm than good. But even if he didn’t understand yet what that case had to do with him, Nahyuta showed interest in what Edgeworth was about to say.

“This case is an old and popular one, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. 20 years ago, one of the richest heiresses in this country got murdered. She was one of the daughters of the Noval family. They’re the owners of the Noval company.”

“… The name sounds familiar. Isn’t that a makeup brand?” asked Nahyuta.

“Exactly. One of the oldest in the country, and 20 years ago tragedy struck when the youngest daughter was murdered. Much has been said about the situation in which she died and who did it," explained Edgeworth.

“How did the victim die?”

“Rather gruesomely,” interrupted Simon, resting his arms on the back of the couch. “The murder took place during a big party at the Noval's family state, and we know for a fact it wasn't an accidental death. The victim was first poisoned and then stabbed multiple times.”

“Poisoning and stabbing?… Sounds like whoever did it couldn’t make up their mind,” he mentioned and then smiled. “Unless, of course, we are dealing with two killers who didn’t know the other had already harmed the victim.”

That simple comment Nahyuta made caught Simon’s attention, who couldn’t contain his awe as he looked at the monk, holding his chin and quietly letting his mind put together a scenario with the small amount of details he got. Miles wasn’t surprised; Nahyuta's natural sagacity only made him feel reassured about his decision.

After he shook the initial surprise, Simon retorted. “Aren’t you jumping to conclusions, Sad Monk? You don’t even have all the details…”

“Oh, it was simply a hunch," said Nahyuta. "Please continue, Mr. Edgeworth.”

Edgeworth rested his back on the chair. “The case was a media chaos. I wasn’t yet a prosecutor when it happened, but from what I investigated it was something too big, even for this office. You see, the Noval family members aren’t simply the owners of a worldwide popular makeup brand, but through the years they’ve mingled and mixed with some powerful figures in the country. To put it simply: All the members of the family are well-married and connected.”

“Obnoxiously well-connected and guarded. One of the aunts was the wife of a previous head of congress, and almost made it to first lady," added Simon. "They’re important people in the most exclusive circles, which makes it extremely hard to get a hold of them.”

"That difficult?" asked Nahyuta while looking at Simon.

He looked at the curious green eyes and smirked. "Unlike you, your royal highness, who waltzes around freely without a care in the world, those blokes have so many security rings even taking a picture would be a feat. Getting an interview? Impossible. I've tried and failed too many times to count."

Simon started explaining everything directly to Nahyuta, who nodded at each thing he said. They ignored how astonished Edgeworth was only by looking at them have a conversation that didn't end in a petty argument. When Simon turned to look at him, the Chief Prosecutor pretended to look at the file in his desk before standing up and giving it to him, who opened it up on the table and showed the details to Nahyuta.

“But sir, how is it that they’re reopening that case? Didn’t they find one of the maids guilty?” asked Nahyuta.

“They did, and she was on death row.”

“Was?”

“… She got the death penalty, but as you see, it’s been 20 years already. The maid died 7 years ago,” explained Simon. "The night before she died, she left a rather strange letter behind. She never denied her guilt on the stabbing, but tried to confess that she didn’t do it by herself. You noticed the way the victim died was also strange. The prosecutor that dealt with that case made the argument that the maid poisoned the victim and then, in a fit of anger, couldn’t wait and stabbed her.”

“What motive could she have to commit such a violent crime?” he asked, picking up the picture of the defendant and seeing a dainty lady of brown hair and that looked prim and proper in her uniform. Not like someone capable of stabbing a woman to death.

“The maid was allegedly sleeping with the victim’s fiance. A crime of passion.”

“And the fiance?”

Simon sighed, “The poor man was the one that found the body. The shock made him go into a catatonic state for the entire duration of the trial. He was never questioned properly.”

“Strange. There are too many loose ends. And the accused died 7 years ago after leaving a cryptic note like this,” Nahyuta lifted the note from the file which was in an evidence bag. “Mr. Edgeworth... What is the exact reason they're reopening a case this tricky?”

“Two reasons, actually,” answered Miles while looking through the window. “During an investigation regarding tax fraud in a Noval branch office, they found out some millions sent to suspicious accounts, which could means it was used as hush money. The police was working to unravel that when a family member, which will remain anonymous, reached out to me a week ago. What they had to say was enough to fill in some gaps of the original investigation, and they even had real proof of someone else's involvement.”

“And the second one?”

“I think I found the prosecutor that can unravel this mystery," Edgeworth's eyes went from the window to the pair on his couch. "But we have to act fast, because the Nodals are not happy about all these investigations, and the prosecutor I have in mind can’t work on this alone in such a short amount of time.”

At the confused look of both men, Edgeworth raised an eyebrow. It was enough to convey what he meant. Seeing their relaxed expressions morph into ones of disgust didn’t give Miles good prospects, but he continued.

“I can offer you the lead prosecution, Mr. Blackquill. You know this case better than anyone else in the whole district, maybe even the country. Still, this is too much work, even for you. Of all the prosecutors in this office, I considered Mr. Sahdmadhi to be the most capable to help you thanks to his experience and set of skills.”

Simon opened his mouth, but paused and cleared his throat. “Excuse my rudeness, but I remember how you threatened us to work together as punishment weeks ago.”

Miles smiled. “It used to be, but looks like the fear of it made you get along somehow. I consider that the threat fulfilled something at last.”

“We don’t get along, Mr. Edgeworth,” said Nahyuta. “We simply tolerate each other.”

“That’s enough for me.”

The office grew silent, and Nahyuta couldn't help looking at the other prosecutor by the corner of his eye. The calm behavior took him off guard, as he would've expected a bigger complain, akin to the shouting and complaining displayed by him when he first saw Nahyuta came back to L.A. months ago. Instead, Simon rubbed his hands, deep in thought for a long period of time before voicing his worries.

“… It has to be him? What about Gavin-dono? There's good rapport between us and we've worked together in the past.”

“He has too much on his plate already,” replied Edgeworth.

“… What would happen if I refuse?”

“I would ask for a prosecutor in another district to take the case… But you don’t want that. You want to prosecute this one.”

After sighing, Nahyuta noticed Simon started rubbing his wrists for some seconds before sitting straight on his seat and looking at his boss.

Miles stared into his subordinates eyes. “You just saw it yourself. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi is quick, and understands the complexities of this case the same way you did last year when you started asking me about it. He would be a great aid to you, if he accepts, of course.”

Simon mused for some seconds, and seemed strangely calm when he accepted the proposition.

“… Fine. I’ll take the case, even with those conditions.”

Suddenly, the decision fell upon Nahyuta. It wouldn’t be the first time he was helping instead of leading a case, but what put him in an awkward position was how Simon stared at him. He wasn’t one to break under pressure when it was about work, so he took his time to check the file again, to ask the Chief Prosecutor more questions and see if it was worthy to spend who knows how much time working side by side with Simon. The gaps in the investigation were visible, and if they get to properly question the fiance, they would definitely get answers, but it was the letter that sealed the deal for him. Nahyuta could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“I’ll do it," he said, leaving the picture of the victim on the coffee table.

“You will?” asked Simon, honestly surprised at the answer.

“The soul of the victim, and maybe even the one of the accused, are unable to rest because there are too many lies within one family. I’ll help Mr. Blackquill in everything he needs.”

“I’ll send the rest of the files and evidence to your office later, Mr. Blackquill," said Edgeworth, looking pleased. "I wish you both luck.”

With those words from the Chief Prosecutor, both men left the office in silence, one that accompanied them all the way to the elevator and to their offices. Nahyuta took with him the folder Edgeworth gave them and was eager to study it a little more in his office, but Simon calling him stopped Nahyuta in his tracks.

“Why did you accept, Sad Monk?" he asked, with a perplexed expression that was new to Nahyuta. "I thought you wanted to keep your distance from me.”

“And I explained it already. These souls are desperately seeking rest, and I’ll do my best to help,” he said, showing him a gentle smile. “It’s work, Panda. We are just going to work. There's no reason to worry about that.”

“… What surprises me the most is that you accepted to work under me,” now, instead of being confused, Simon showed him a cocky smile. "I'm not a kind boss."

“I’m humble like that.”

“A truly humble man wouldn’t say it.”

Nahyuta laughed a little before walking closer to him, standing so close to Simon he had to raise his face a little to be able to see into that icy glare.

“I need to quench this curiosity, too. What’s the thing that makes you so interested in this case, to the point the Chief Prosecutor personally offered it to you? From what I understand, after being released from prison you were interested in this case. You even started investigating weeks prior to it being reopened... You’re too young to have been personally involved with anyone in this case.”

While looking down, Simon couldn't help gazing a little too long at Nahyuta's face, into that expression that was a mixture of eagerness, cockiness, and curiosity, while being somewhat dumbfounded at how well he'd pieced all that information from observations he'd made and the short conversation they recently had. Having to accept how adept Nahyuta was as a prosecutor always made him feel a knot in his stomach, but he could see exactly what Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth meant by choosing him as the co-counsel in this case.

“Maybe not with the family or the defendant, but there’s a connection,” he said, lowering his face to get closer to Nahyuta and then grabbing the prince’s chin. “Since you’re so curious, I’ll let you find that one out yourself.”

Nahyuta slapped the hand away, feeling the touch almost electric on his skin, and being completely insulted by it, too. Simon seemed pleased enough with the alarmed reaction he got before walking towards his office.

Not knowing exactly what he’d gotten himself involved in, Nahyuta took a deep breath and ignored the sensation of Simon's touch, thinking it was a great time to squeeze in a prayer session before lunch to ease his wildly beating heart.

Chapter Text

The investigation Nahyuta embarked on related to the KH-9 case was illuminating, to say the least. Not only did he discover the seedy underbelly of one of the most prestigious families in the country, but he now shared Simon’s eagerness to solve this mystery too. It was a complex one, and after finding out that there was a chance to question people that seemed to be untouchable twenty years ago, it made Nahyuta excited to lend a hand and take the culprits to jail.

Still, he struggled to find out the exact connection Simon might have with this case.

For days, Nahyuta checked every nook and cranny while studying the evidence, read the testimonies until he almost learned them by memory, and made the mental exercise of deducing how the victim, a member of the Nodal family, or any of the people in the case could've been related to Simon. He got no answer, and the more time it passed, the more distressed he felt.

Not being able to find this piece of the puzzle almost robbed him of sleep at night. That, and the fact that Simon hadn’t contacted him yet to have a formal meeting and work on the case. Maybe he’d been waiting for Nahyuta to call and show off how he solved the personal connection on his own, but he hadn’t yet, and that fact pushed Nahyuta to work harder to no avail.

Even now, as he sat on his desk and pondered about it, none of his suspicions seemed to prove worthy of Simon's special interest in this particular case.

It didn't help much how little he knew about Simon, either. This detail was what stopped him from solving the puzzle for days now, but the most he new about this coworker was the outwardly stuff: That he was a vulgar and vexing man who'd crafted the most annoying persona possible, who enjoyed toying with and manipulating people for his work, and that had no qualms regarding his methods to get what he wanted. That's everything Nahyuta knew about Simon Blackquill.

That, and the fact that he was an amazing lover, and a terrific kisser, too, but such things had nothing to do with the case. Yet the memories of it were pervasive enough to distract him.

The short pause he took to indulge, only for a bit, on the memories of their one night together was cut abruptly by Nahyuta himself, worrying that he was wasting valuable time. He tried to remember any other thing about Simon that could help unravel this mystery to no avail.aybe a familial connection? However the only family he knew Simon had was a sister who was currently incarcerated, and the other two people that could illuminate him where either Bucky or Athena.

Maybe, if it weren't because he still felt somewhat shy about it, he could text Athena, who was more than happy to share her contact info with him, and ask if she had a clue. But then, she could slip and tell Simon about their conversation, and Nahyuta could already imagine himself as the laughingstock of that awful man once more. No, he had to find the truth on his own. For his pride. However, he reached a dead end, and after feeling stuck for too long, Nahyuta resigned himself and did something unthinkable, at least for his standards.

After some pondering, he sighed in defeat, logged in his computer and into the digital archive of the prosecutors' office to search for a specific case report in the digital archive: The UR-1.

Of the string of events that landed Simon in prison, he knew the necessary. That he'd been wrongfully accused, how he took the fall of it, and that the law system failed him. A tragedy that always managed to soften Nahyuta's heart whenever he thought about it, and no matter how much he disliked the man, Nahyuta avoided digging deeper in the grotesque details of that case; it wasn't pertinent neither to him or his work. Also, it was rather invasive to check on such a dark chapter of Simon’s past in depth like he was about to do. If he had to put himself in Simon’s shoes, he wouldn’t like that to be done to him. And yet, there he was about to do it.

The file opened on the screen, and as he geared to read the entire document, Nahyuta stopped at the beginning, seeing that the name of the prosecutor in the UR-1 and the KH-9 matched.

There it was, the connection.

He could finally breath, relieved about finally resolving this, and after meditating for a while about reading the rest of the document, he chose not to. However, his eyes were fixed on the picture of a younger, less jaded Simon; the shorter hair made the eyes visible, and there was a kind, inviting and youthful shine to them. To his entire demeanor. The smile was... friendly, charming even. A trait that managed to survive to this day.

This young man that looked so not like his regular tormentor made Nahyuta smile.

“There was a time this man was cute… What a shame," he muttered, as he looked at the picture far longer than he noticed.

Nahyuta closed the file since he didn’t need anything else from it, then picked up his phone and sent a message that got answered in a matter of minutes. The answer made Nahyuta grab a thick file and leave for Blackquill’s office, who was already waiting for him at the door.

“Eager to work with me?” Simon couldn't help the grin plastered in his face.

“I should be the one asking, to have you open the door so gallantly," retorted the prince.

“And I could also throw it on your face. Gallantly, of course.”

Nahyuta rolled his eyes and pushed Simon out of the way to find a comfortable spot in that unknown office. This time, more calm and without being blinded by anxiety, he sat on the leather couch and took his time to observe his surroundings. The office was neatly decorated with black tile floors and minimal furniture. For some reason, he’d expected the place to be old-fashioned and monochromatic, like the man that resided in it, but there were some splashes of colors thanks to the wood shoji screen and a decorative Japanese ginger jar resting by the window.

"… Why is it most offices have window walls compared to mine?" asked Nahyuta, unable to not notice the structural difference. "Klavier's has one too."

"Because we don't like you and we all thought it would be fun," retorted Simon, who couldn't help laughing. "I jest. Your office is on a corner of the building, those have the single window. That's another reason those evidence falsifiers used that specific office to meet up: sound proof like the rest, with the added touch of making it easier to hide from nosy window cleaners."

"I see."

Nahyuta continued studying the place with his gaze. There were some katanas perched on the wall, as expected, but other than that, the place was sleek and modern, even with the antique collection pieces decorating the office. The place possessed a chic flair to it, which only made Nahyuta notice more and more how, even in his simplicity  regarding the way he dressed, how he decorated, and even in his choice of cologne, Simon Blackquill was a man of good taste. As a maximalist himself, maybe their aesthetic senses crashed, but Nahyuta had to sit down and quietly admire the place for a while.

Simon interrupted his silent admiration of the office when he sat by his side, still keeping some distance between them.

“What did you find?” he asked.

“The prosecutor. That’s your personal connection,” said Nahyuta, still looking at the wall. “The swords are real, right?”

“Authentic katanas. Passed down to me, but pay attention to work now.”

“Excuse me. As I said, the same prosecutor for the KH-9 was the man that prosecuted your case.”

“And?”

He blinked in confusion. “…. And? There’s… more?”

Simon severely glared at him, like a teacher disappointed in his star student by the lackluster answer he just gave, then cackled at Nahyuta’s worried face. That loud laughter was so annoying that Nahyuta wished to leave instantly.

“Apologies, Sad Monk, but I had to. That’s pretty much it.”

Nahyuta sighed and let go of his anger to continue. “… I was surprised that's what you cared about, but again, I imagine you must bear a grudge against him.”

Simon looked nonchalant about the subject. “At all. I don’t think much about him, or the poor lawyer that tried to defend me when I purposefully made all the evidence point my way.”

“Still, it was a false charge, and from what I was able to find out, the prosecutor handling it made a career out of it,” said Nahyuta as his gaze softened. “Doesn’t that… weight on you?”

He'd managed to ask even when he felt a knot in his throat. Nahyuta didn't know why he dared make such a personal question, and he even feared getting cussed for a valid reason this time by him. However, as he tried to not think about the false charges that had his signature, he wanted to know Simon's outlook on the situation. To give him some fake sense of peace, at least.

Still, It'd been a selfish thing to ask; to his surprise, Simon was open to answering.

“It’s been too long now, and if I need a reason to hold a grudge against that prosecutor… I didn’t like the way he treated Athena on the stand. That’s all.”

For an instant, Simon seemed pensive, but he brushed it off quickly, and Nahyuta couldn't look at him in the eyes.

Probably how I treated her on that case, he thought, and made an effort to not show the distress in his expression.

Simon grabbing the thick file resting next to him and handing it to Nahyuta was the thing that made him concentrate. It was filled with notes and many testimonies, the latest one being from ten years ago. As Nahyuta checked it, he ignored Simon leaving his side and going to pour two cups of tea inn the white porcelain set on the table next to his couch. He then put both cups on the table in front of to the couch.

Enthralled by the document, Nahyuta finished looking at the most important details in it in a matter of minutes; his own little file paled in comparison to this one.

“Drink your tea before it gets cold,” said Simon. “Are you done?”

“Ah, thank you. And yes, I see you’ve done the leg work already.”

“Most of it. We only need to talk with the star witness, and we can start sending arrest warrants and preparing for trial. I believe next month this case will be closed for good.”

He tasted the Darjeeling that was recently prepared, which had a different, stronger taste than the one he drank in the Chief Prosecutor's office; it was obviously prepared to fit Simon's taste, and the floral scent and strong flavor enchanted Nahyuta for a second before he put the cup on the saucer and returned to his work.

“To think that they managed to get a guilty verdict without questioning the person that found the body…" he said while looking at pictures on his lap. "It seems as if the bloodied uniform was enough and no one wished to ask more questions. Or couldn’t.”

“Seems like you’ve done your own research too,” Simon took a bit of his tea and pointed at a page on the file. “This family is foul: Extortion, corruption, who knows how many hidden crimes, and a lot of hush money being thrown around. They’re the reason we don’t know what truly happened that night.”

“Who do you think did it?”

“That’s an easy question. It was the oldest sister who poisoned the victim."

He pointed at a picture that had the victim, Veruka Nodal, a woman of 26 years of age when she died and who seemed so happy with her older sister, Mary Anne, as they hugged in the garden of one of their states. They resembled each other. Veruka had bright copper hair and a gentle look in her eyes, and Mary Anne was a blonde with a more subdued smile. Nothing about that picture could say that Mary Anne was capable of killing her sister, but Simon had complete confidence in his affirmation.

“And the motive?” asked Nahyuta.

“A classic one: Power. Guess who came to inherit the majority of the actions after Veruka’s death and is now the CEO of the Nodal beauty brand? And not only that, Mary Anne isn’t simply the head of the company, but also the head of the family who rules it with an iron fist."

"Is she? She seems so… not evil," said the monk as he examined an updated picture of Mary Anne from last year.

The picture was from a beneficence party, where Mary Anne looked prim and proper, put together and elegant from head to toe. Nahyuta could recognize in her expression that public relations smile she showed; a complete control of her character in public. A thing not many could attain, since even he struggled at times.

"My sources tell me that no one in that family does anything unless it’s been approved by her first," continued Simon, seeing the picture too. "An evil dictator of a matriarch, if you ask me.”

Hearing that title made Nahyuta pale before he quickly trained his expression again. The chills he felt made him wonder if the A.C. was running too cold, but he couldn’t fool himself, the more he looked into the picture of Mary Anne, the quicker her restrained expression turned into Ga’ran’s wicked smile. For a moment, he felt completely disgusted, but managed not to show it. He never got personally involved with the cases he worked in, the most he did was feel empathy towards the victim and their families as he did his best to search for the truth and justice, however, seeing those sisters in that photo stirred things inside Nahyuta that he’d tried to forget.

“You seem to be sure of this,” muttered Nahyuta while returning the picture to the file and finishing his tea.

“Because of the facts. You made your investigation, right?" he rested his back on the couch and looked at Nahyuta. "Quiz time: Why do I believe she did it?"

"Your obnoxious test is futile," he answered as he glared. "I know your suspicions are born out of Mary Anne's lack of testimony, and that she got away from testifying by drinking off the same wine glass the poison was in."

Simon looked at the subtle frown, however what made him smile was seeing Nahyuta and him came to the same conclusions.

"She did. That woman pretended to not know about the poison, then drank so little that she got away with a hospitalization while the maid’s trial happened," the clear grey eyes went to the picture on the table and he scoffed bitterly. "The police got the maid, who seemed to attack Veruka out of an act of jealousy, and were so lazy that they instantly pinned both sister's poisoning on her.”

“But still... Poisoning herself…" he turned to face Simon. "She could've killed herself, and all would've been for nothing. Mary Anne wouldn't have enjoyed all the benefits that killing her sister got her. Why go that far?"

"Unhinged people that crave power are all the same," he answered. "The will step on anyone and do anything to reach their goal. Do you have any other good reasons to not think she did it?"

He, in fact, didn't, but Nahyuta simply didn't wish to agree that fast with Simon's deductions. He could be petty like that when it came to the prosecutor. Still, his animosity towards him wasn't enough to meddle in his job.

"Fine, I’ll help you in everything you need," said Nahyuta while closing the file.

“Great, you’ll drive then,” he retorted while finishing his tea and taking away Nahyuta’s empty cup.

“What?”

“We’re going for the fiance. He lives in some spiritual retreat home in the mountains and agreed to talk to us.”

“Wait, you found him him already?!” shouted Nahyuta, astounded by this development. "And contacted him too?!"

“Not me, but the anonymous tipper Edgeworth-dono mentioned. Finding the fiance had been virtually impossible all these years, but we got a lead, and it seems he’s refusing to talk to the police.”

“Why is that?”

“He doesn’t trust them, and I don’t blame him,” Simon stood up from his seat and put the cups away. “Better for us because I’m curious to personally see what’s wrong with him or where he was hiding all this time.”

That comment managed to leave Nahyuta speechless as he stared at his new partner, but it was so on brand for Simon to make such remarks that he let it pass.

“Knowing what this family has done, probably nothing good," he checked on a document the little information they had regarding the fiance. "Please, have some tact when speaking to Mr. Anse."

Simon smiled at him with surprising honesty. “It’s fine, I’ll let you do the questioning today. I fear he might be too soft and delicate for me to handle.”

Nahyuta raised both eyebrows. “You can be self-conscious at times. I’m surprised.”

“… Anyway, what worries me is how we know nothing about the place except the address.”

After handing Nahyuta a brochure that said The Forestier Manor retreat, without a warning, Simon grabbed the file from Nahyuta’s hands and walked to the door. In a hurry, Nahyuta followed his steps, sensing that following around Simon and his whims would be something he will have to deal with the entirety of this case.

This was but the start of the most mismatched duo.

Both men were comfortable discussing the case, because for them, work was the easier thing to deal with; but when they ran out of things to talk about, there was a palpable sense of unease. After silently deciding to act as if nothing ever happened between them, both men ignored the obvious tension that reared its head whenever work wasn't the main topic. Trying to focus in the case and nothing else was for the best, and even if he wanted to complain or ask questions, Nahyuta believed that keeping quiet would make this day pass faster.

For their little day trip, Simon was pleasantly surprised that the passenger's seat accommodated him without issue this time, that way he could avoid requesting for it to be fixed and talking to Nahyuta more than necessary. The radio immediately started playing some music when the car started, and the silence was filled.

The car drive wasn’t as bad as they imagined it would be. Nahyuta was too preoccupied with driving to even feel perturbed by his company. Instead, whenever the monk looked by the corner of his eyes at his passenger, he found rather appealing the unusual gentle image of Simon enjoying the mountain landscape as he looked through the window. That man honestly enjoyed the scenery on a car ride. His eyes seemed to follow each tree, enjoy all the greenery in the road and try to catch all the birds flying in the blue sky, all while looking rather peaceful. The green forest surrounding the lonely road to the retirement home was enough to distract Simon, even captivate him. Nahyuta threw well concealed glaces his way, curious about that serene look in his face when the reason dawned on him.

He couldn't see much behind bars, thought Nahyuta, and the realization was bitter, but he didn't get to think much about it as they arrived to their destination.

The moment they reached the gate, Simon snapped out of the trance he’d been in and put on the same severe expression he usually had. Nahyuta spoke to the guard on the gate, who quickly let them in, and right after passing the private road which led to a great mansion hidden in the woods, both men knew something was up.

“… I don’t know, but this place seems too fancy to be a spiritual retirement. I was picturing a commune,” said Simon while leaving the car. “Don’t you know about those?”

“I would know about temples, Prosecutor Blackquill," he clarified, a little ticked off. "But yes, this looks more like a luxury rehabilitation clinic.”

Nahyuta checked the pamphlet with the name of the establishment, which curiously had no pictures of the place but a rather minimalist design. The brochure barely had any written information as to what happened in that place. The Forestier Manor retreat seemed to be more like a mixture of luxury retreat and something else.

“… The Nodals sent their problem here to disappear,” whispered Nahyuta after approaching Simon, who’d been looking around the main gravel road. “Now I see why it’s been so hard to reach this man.”

“You got a nice gut instinct, Sad Monk. Let’s fetch the bloke and have you put it to use with him.”

On the outside, the place was deserted. The gardens in the front seemed pristine like the main building, but the lack of people made Nahyuta alert, so alert that Simon couldn’t help pointing it out.

“Are you afraid something will happen?" he scoffed. "The worst you could find in this sort of place is corruption.”

Nahyuta didn't answer immediately to the taunt, instead, his sharp gaze went from the guards on the entrance to the garden trees and then to the mansion. The vigilant behavior was too much for Simon to comprehend, and before he inquired, the monk answered.

“Quiet places like this are a little unnerving to me. That’s all.”

Simon didn't expect that answer. At best, he imagined the monk was still anxious about being alone with him, but that quick asses of their surroundings seemed uncharacteristic of the quiet monk persona he was used to.

"… Oi, are you perhaps…?"

Nahyuta started walking towards the building, completely ignoring Simon and whatever he was about to ask. He wasn’t in the mood to recount the instances of his teenage years when he would have to sneak into government facilities to aid the revolutionaries; neither would he reveal such delicate information that easily.

In the end, Simon followed him and chose to ignore this behavior for the time being. After they reached the lobby, they finally met some of the staff, and when Simon spoke to the receptionist, they were led to a room on the last floor.

They both marveled a little at the luxury of the mansion, and Simon even recognized some faces of the patients they crossed from TV and movies. It was a truly exclusive and private rehab center, but why would they put the man they have been searching into rehab, out of all places? Nahyuta kept wondering about it until they arrived to a bedroom and, to their surprise, were left alone by the nurse that guided them. Simon wasn't surprised by this, since he already knew the anonymous tipper made all the accommodations for this meeting to happen.

When Simon knocked on the door, a soft and meek voice told them to come in. The room was as clean and pristine as the rest of the building, but also empty if it weren’t for a bed, a small table with two chairs, a TV on the wall and a closet. The naked powder blue walls seemed to oppress whoever entered the room, and the short middle-aged man, with already grey hair and who looked more aged than he should sat by a table next to a window and with a book in his hands. He stood out to the eye in those surroundings.

“Good morning, Mr. Anse. We’re from the prosecutors' office,” said Simon, with a soft tone in his voice that took Nahyuta by surprise. “Are you feeling ready for the interview?”

“I’ve been for the past 20 years… You guys are late," he retorted, closing his copy of White Nights and taking of a pair of glasses to subtly glare at his visitors.

Simon smiled at the hint of courage. “We apologize for the delay.”

Nahyuta closed the door and walked towards the table where the man who seemed both deeply mournful but completely resolute sat. For some reason, Simon stood by the door. Even when Nahyuta was supposed to handle the interview, he wasn’t expecting Simon to not meddle at all. They both exchanged quick glances, and Simon motioned at Mr. Anse with his head so they could start. Nahyuta took a seat on the table, right in front of the witness, who at least smiled somewhat kindly at him.

When Nahyuta opened his mouth to start the questioning, he was abruptly interrupted by their star witness.

“Let’s cut the chase: Mary Anne did it. You know that, right?”

“… We have come to assume it, Mr. Anse,” said Nahyuta, trying to keep it professional. “Could you tell us why you believe that?”

“Because I saw her. That day… The day they took Veruka away from me… I saw Mary Anne in the kitchen putting some liquid in a glass of wine that ended up in Veruka’s hand.”

Nahyuta stopped himself from asking if he was sure. The man’s gaze was mixed with so much grief and rage, and his words carried it in a way which only someone that was firm in their beliefs could have. He was taken aback for an instant, but only because he knew what that feeling was like.

“I imagine you weren’t able to tell this to anyone for the past twenty years," continued Nahyuta.

“They didn’t let me. After I saw Veruka… I… It was a big blank in my memory for a while. But I got better, and as fast I remembered, I demanded to talk to someone about this.”

“Yet there’s no record of it. Mary Anne Nodal working her magic?” inquired Simon.

“She’s tricky. Always has been like that," Mr. Anse laughed tiredly. "I knew both Veruka and Mary Anne since we were teens, and I constantly warned Veruka about the two faced nature of her sister. She loves to play the victim, you see… But Veruka was too kind. Her own family couldn’t do wrong in her eyes.”

The room fell into silence when Mr. Anse couldn’t keep talking. He looked down at his hands with his blue eyes, seemingly calm, as if he was used to this pain. He’d already been living with it for two decades, but Nahyuta couldn’t stop to extend some sympathy immediately. In his mind, he was trying to search for all the testimonies of the night Veruka died. No witness account mentions anything about Mary Anne being in the kitchen, so proving it would be difficult even if they had an eyewitness that, due to his recent past, could be put through hell if he was forced to take the stand.

If it were possible, Nahyuta would opt to not re-traumatize this man. The issue was that his opinion wouldn’t matter, since he wasn’t the lead prosecutor in this case. His eyes slowly went to Simon, resting his back on the wall and with his arms crossed while looking unbothered, and choose to continue the interview, managing to get a surprisingly detailed recount of the events, even of the moment the witness found Veruka's corpse.

In his eyes, the maid, a young woman by the name of Heather Custer, was to blame too; yes, she'd been manipulated by Mary Anne, who also was guilty of creating the rumor about them having an affair, into trying to ruin Veruka's engagement. Still, she had a part in this violent crime, and this unfortunate event had been enough to taint the reputation of an innocent man, to have everyone suspect he had an indirect involvement in the murder. The unstable maid did brutally attack Veruka for what he believed was the masterful manipulation of their new suspect, and at the moment, only a part of the justice had been served in this case, and Nahyuta was feeling somewhat impotent the more he talked to another victim.

An hour passed, and Nahyuta felt there was nothing else to ask, and neither did he want to keep torturing the man with memories.

“I’m done, Prosecutor Blackquill,” he said, closing a folder with the information and some notes.

“Good job, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. We’re ready to go now,” said Simon.

That answer surprised him, yet Nahyuta did as he was told. After bidding farewell and standing up, he stopped himself when Simon curiously looked around the empty room.

“You like my decoration, boy?” said Mr. Anse, managing to laugh a little. “Compared to other patients, I’m not allowed to do much around here.”

"But you read some good stuff."

Mr. Anse looked at the book in the table, in great conditions even for being twenty five years old, and opened it to see the little message left by Veruka when she gifted to him. His eyes watered, as they tended to do whenever he opened the book, but he managed to control his emotions.

"The only thing that's worth to occupy my time with," he said.

“Your patrons seem terrible, old man. Not even a picture to keep for yourself," Continued Simon.

“They’re too cautious. Just look at how long it took for you guys to find me.”

The prosecutor scoffed, but after musing for a second he approached the table. He seemed different in Nahyuta’s eyes, but he wasn’t able to look at him for too long since, rather swiftly, Simon reached for the folder with the case’s file to pull a single photograph, a head shot of the victim, and handed it over to Mr. Anse.

“A prize for your marvelous memory.”

Simon and Nahyuta didn't stay longer than that, turning around to leave the man weeping in peace as he saw Veruka once again in that photo.

They left the building and walked towards the car, and the entire time Nahyuta silently followed Simon’s footsteps while admiring the broad back. He'd been so focused on Simon in front of him that he ignored three suspicious men in the surroundings of the building, glaring at them before hiding; he was too stunned to be as careful of his surroundings as he'd been when they arrived.

It was hard to not be this surprised since all the worries Nahyuta previously had were completely unfounded. In fact, they felt insulting after witnessing the generous gift Blackquill gave to the witness. Seeing such a caring act coming from the most unexpected of places managed to shake Nahyuta’s rooted perception of his coworker against his will. For the first time in the months he's gotten to know Simon, he saw a great deal of kindness coming from him. As Nahyuta started the engine and drove off the premises of the clinic, he was able to break the silence.

“Seems like we solved the mystery.”

“But not the case. To demonstrate this in court, we need more than this poor bloke’s testimony,” mentioned Simon with his chin resting on his hand and eyes lost in the forest outside the window. “I’m not putting him on the stand. Even if a sob story is always great to sway the judge and the public…”

“… Your conscience wouldn’t let you do it,” he got no answer, yet Nahyuta knew he was right. “But still, I’m surprised we didn’t find any type of inconvenience in the clinic.”

“What did you imagine?”

“Many things that range from Mr. Anse being incapable of properly remembering to getting attacked by Nodal’s goons.”

“I would love to mock you and your imagination… But I was also prepared to confront something like that.”

“That’s why you stood guard on the door the whole time," retorted the monk.

“Of course. I must say, I wasn’t so pleased with letting you do the whole interrogation, but this was important.”

“And I did well," he bragged.

Simon scoffed, and his gaze softened a little while looking at Nahyuta. “Yes, you did good.”

The praise came out of nowhere, and it was paired by a unknown look coming from Simon. He was amused by the way Nahyuta fished for a compliment, and had been generous enough to give it to him. The only thing the prince could do was smile back and forced himself to focus on the road. The silence was again filled by the music on the radio, but Nahyuta could feel those gray eyes lingering on him from time to time, almost as if he was also part of the scenery now. When they reached the office parking lot, Nahyuta handed over his notes to Simon, yet stopped him before he opened the car door.

“My perception of you changed a little today.”

“Oh? What is it? Do you hate me more?” he asked, rather curious about it.

Seeing the usual eagerness to start some petty argument, Nahyuta could only scoff, even more comparing it to that surprising and honest kindness he'd seen the prosecutor was more than capable off. Instead of following in the game, Nahyuta gently answered.

“When you handed that man the photograph… It was kind of you, Blackquill.”

His smile slowly faded. “What does that mean?”

“That you showed me that you can be kind. Not from doing a superficial favor or something like it. You're just… capable of it,” Nahyuta smiled as he saw Simon’s frown grow deeper. So he hit his usual praying position to add to it. “True kindness is a good step to reach peace, Prosecutor Blackquill. It is nice to see you haven’t strayed off too far.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

Simon left the car, irked by the sound of Nahyuta muffling his laughter with a hand and avoiding to get preached to.

Even as he'd enjoyed having the upper hand this time, and delighted in bothering Simon, Nahyuta couldn’t help to reconsider some things about that day. While sitting in his office, checking all the information and conclusions Simon Blackquill arrived at in a matter of half a year since he started his personal investigation regarding the KH-9 incident, Nahyuta could see a second connection between Simon and this case.

It was so obvious now, after seeing his uncharacteristic gentleness towards Mr. Anse, that Simon wanted to right a wrong. It didn’t matter to him who the original prosecutor had been, who the victim was, or if he was personally related to the case in any shape or form. He simply wanted closure, and Nahyuta felt humbled for a moment as he came to accept Simon’s ethos was more profound and righteous than he allowed himself to notice at first.

The picture of a youthful rookie Prosecutor Blackquill came to mind and Nahyuta was, once again, thrown into private contemplation regarding his co-worker. The image of Simon when he was barely twenty one years of age reflected the tragedy of a promising career and life that was cruelly paused and forever changed. How much did those years wrongfully incarcerated weighted on him? Nahyuta wondered but could never ask, and it didn’t matter how much he tried to empathize with it, that was Simon’s pain.

In comparison, at least Nahyuta’s disgraceful youth was free of a physical cage, even if shunned out by his own country; both experiences managed to shape them as professionals somehow.

“So that’s what justice and being a prosecutor is to him…” he muttered to himself while looking through the window.

Acquiring a better understanding of Simon as a person wasn’t in Nahyuta's plans for the day, neither it was to spend his valuable time thinking about his coworker and feeling something he couldn't describe, so he started working on his individual cases that had been waiting for him.

The next day, Nahyuta didn’t hear much of Simon. He imagined that the prosecutor would call him whenever he got more evidence, or needed him to do the annoying paperwork. That's pretty much what he should do as aid in this case. However, late in the afternoon, a knock on the door and the way someone opened his door without permission startled Nahyuta. It was Simon, standing by the door.

“Oi, are you free?” he asked nonchalantly.

Nahyuta looked up and glared at the man standing by the door. “… Was it hard to pretend to wait for me to let you in?”

“Answer my question, Sad Monk,” he muttered.

“Yes. What do you need?” he sighed, ignoring Simon and typing on his computer.

“Let’s grab some supper.”

The typing stopped as Nahyuta looked up, dumbfounded by the petition.

“Excuse me?”

“Be quick, I’m famished and craving noodles.”

“I haven’t said I would accompany you," retorted a baffled Nahyuta. "If you need to talk about work, we can do it here. Or wait until tomorrow and let's have a meeting.”

That should’ve been enough to make Simon give up on this strange petition. Instead, he looked behind the door and walked into the office and towards the desk. Nahyuta kept focusing on his work, but a sudden jolt of his chair made him face Simon, who leaned in closer to his face. He’d sensed Simon approaching him and knew he would try and fail to scare him into submitting; what Nahyuta didn’t prepare for was the return of the friendly and charming smile.

“Come with me, please," whispered Simon.

That behavior gave Nahyuta chills, so he obliged and took his belongings before quietly following Simon to the elevator. The moment they walked through the lobby, he could sense that something was off. Simon starting a conversation raised red flags, but Nahyuta calmly answered and acted as if talking about the weather or Taka’s diet were the greatest conversation topics to be had. A quick glance around the Lobby showed him a lot of unknown faces casually sitting or roaming around the public spaces of the prosecutor’s office that evening, and Simon walked fast enough to worry Nahyuta, only that he didn’t know about what yet. Finally, inside the car, Nahyuta started the engine and drove off to the street.

“Are we clear?”he asked.

“Start driving, Sahdmadhi.”

They left the office quickly, and only after they left the car in a park at Simon’s petition was that Nahyuta felt somewhat at ease, even when his partner refused to give explanations. The park was close to the Whet Soba, which they reached after a short walk; the place was bustling as usual, but not as loud as the last time Nahyuta ate there. Bucky popped out of the kitchen and after greeting the both of them, he sent them into a private room at the end of a hallway. Simon visibly relaxed after sliding the door of the private room open. He removed his boots at the genkan and walked in to sit on a red cushion on the floor, letting his head fall back. Nahyuta took off his boots too and sat across the table in silence; he couldn’t help but enjoy how defeated Simon looked while massaging his exposed forehead.

“Next time I tell you to move your behind, do it. Annoying prick.” Grumbled Simon.

“Thanks for dropping the act, it was unsettling,” he said, feeling more comfortable now. “What’s this all about?”

He raised his face and looked more tired than he let out. “They’re onto us. Seems like Ms. Nodal finally knows she’s getting investigated, which reduced our time greatly. All of our visitors this afternoon prove it.”

“Rather shamelessly.”

“That family thinks that because they’re well-connected and powerful they can do whatever they want," he growled but took in a deep breath. "Edgeworth-dono was furious seeing them walk around searching.”

“What were they searching for?”

Simon laughed tiredly and let his head fall back once more. “Me. Somehow it leaked I'm the prosecutor in charge and it seems they want to… have some tea and biscuits and discuss things."

Nahyuta immediately understood the euphemism and scoffed at the idea.

"Oh? They'll try to bribe you? Or something worse?" he speculated

"Definitely something worse because I would never accept a bribe," he said and started massaging the back of his neck.

"Of course you wouldn't. Now I understand why you wanted to leave so fast."

"And you almost got me in the trouble I was trying to avoid," he glared and Nahyuta feigned not noticing it. "… Anyway, the office and even my apartment is a no-go until we settle this in court. So, what do you feel like eating?”

Simon casually took one menu resting on the table and started searching for whatever plate grabbed his interest. At this, Nahyuta could only stare in confusion.

“Oh, we are eating," he muttered.

“What else could we do while we wait?”

"Wait for what?"

"The trial, you fool," he answered while looking through the menu.

In the silent restaurant room, Nahyuta could only stare as Simon focused on picking a plate as if they were having a regular dinner date. It made it hard for Nahyuta to not start feeling rather angered by this act.

“… Prosecutor Blackquill, if they’re searching for you, why am I here? I don’t think it’s to be your company while hiding," he joked and enjoyed seeing Simon's expression souring. "I’m the last person you would choose for that.”

Simon was too occupied searching for a plate through the menu to bother looking up. “Since you’re part of the investigation, they'll start hounding you too. Better keep you around to avoid blunders and ruin the case while this passes.”

The comment was done mindlessly, since Simon's attention was put on getting a nice bowl of spicy pork udon that evening; he ignored how easy it was for Nahyuta to take offense with his words. That's why, when he felt Nahyuta glaring and looked up, he confronted the deep frown formed by those thick eyebrows of his that made Simon sit straight. This was a first for him. Nahyuta was mad, to the point Simon feared having overstepped an unknown boundary, and even if he enjoyed pressing Nahyuta's buttons at random to see what reactions he might get, the monk seemed to not be in the mood to joke around anymore that evening.

“Your lack of trust in me is understandable yet misplaced. Even if you see me as liability, and no matter how much I despise you, I wouldn’t hinder any case I’m involved in,” said Nahyuta while standing up and going for the door. “I'll return to the office. Good evening.”

“Wait… Wait!" Simon shouted. "That’s not what I meant."

“We both know you did.”

He hastily stood up and put himself in between Nahyuta and the door. The last thing Simon needed was to argue with his case partner, but it seemed as if that was exactly what he tried to do with his words and actions. Getting Nahyuta out of the office out of nowhere was already pushing it, but Simon had been alerted too late to properly plan an escape and let him know. All of this added to the fact that communication between them was impossible at times didn't help.

“Even if I did, and I did not, I trust you’re good at keeping secrets,” he almost touched Nahyuta’s shoulders to push him back to the table, but refrained from it. “Since it looks like I need to work faster than planned, I brought you along to finish the preparations. The trial will be held in two days. The Chief Prosecutor arranged for it.”

“… Why so hasty? We don’t own decisive physical evidence.”

“He trusts us, and he’s also wishing to see that woman behind bars as fast as possible before she tries to undermine him,” said Simon while walking toward the table to the place Nahyuta was sitting in. “And I hate… Hate this so much, but your collaboration is duly needed. So sit here and eat some dinner as we wait for the files to arrive… Please.”

For an instant, Nahyuta wished to be childish and just leave to see how far this little act would go. Seeing Simon ask him so kindly through gritted teeth tempted him to start putting his boots and see if he could make him beg, but he conceded and sat again on the cushion, even accepting the menu Simon handed to him. A short while after, a waitress appeared and took their orders, then put a thick black folder in Simon’s hands, then brought a small box with evidence and left it on the table. Nahyuta abstained from asking how he managed to hide important evidence at his friend’s restaurant, proceeding to discuss the case with him even when the food arrived and after they were done eating. They continued working in that room until 3 AM.

To spend a night together again wasn’t in their plans, it didn't matter if it was in an hotel room or stuck hiding in a restaurant while working overtime. God bless Bucky and the amount of coffee he kept bringing them, even when the restaurant was already closing; it kept them on track most of the night. Nahyuta ignored his exhaustion as usual, taking off his scarf and suit jacket to try to feel more comfortable, even in this situation. Simon too opted to remove his coat and walk around the room, muttering to himself.

“The testimony fits perfectly with our speculations, even with the original witnesses from the first trial,” mentioned Nahyuta, writing something on a leather-bound notebook with his golden fountain pen. “But I’m sure her lawyers will shoot us down in the evidence department.”

“I despise them when they do that. That’s our trick,” said Simon and chuckled before pinching the bridge of his nose. “We have no evidence, and that's a gaping hole for our case.”

“Wouldn’t your mind games help to make Ms. Nodal fail and confess?”

“It pains me to say this, but I wouldn’t be a match for her. This is no petty criminal nor an unintentional killing perpetrated by some klutz. She got away with this for 20 years, a conversation with me wouldn’t make her slip.”

“Then we need evidence," he dropped his pen and started massaging a stiff shoulder. "Maybe something from that party that the police might’ve missed, but going to the Nodal’s mansion is impossible until we get a warrant, and that would only alert her… Unless you got someone already in.”

Simon stopped in his tracks and looked at Nahyuta, who was trying to focus on the notes he took, but the heavy eyelids begged him to close his eyes and sleep. What he said had been pure genius for someone fighting to keep himself awake.

“That’s it. Good job, Sad Monk,” he went to grab his phone on the table to make a call, and couldn’t help to ruffle Nahyuta’s hair to try and keep him awake, but also to annoy him. “I think we’re almost done for the night. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Nahyuta lazily slapped the big hand away and started fixing his hair when Simon left the room. That quick contact startled him, as the sensation of those fingers in his hair felt more familiar than he wished to accept, so he tried to distract himself by taking notes about whatever came to mind regarding the case. Sadly, he could only think about little fragments of their hook-up, because Nahyuta was sensitive and prone to remembering at the smallest touch they shared. In the end, he let his pen fall on the open notebook and stretched his neck, ignoring the unwelcome blush.

After drinking some water, he closed his eyes only for a second to see if he could get some rest. Before Nahyuta noticed, he’d fallen asleep on the table, so profoundly that he only woke up hours later when the sun rose up. The smell of food and tea made his stomach growl, and he turned around uncomfortably, fearing he’d awoken once again on the floor after staying up late working in his suite’s office, but some cushions poorly placed under his lower back were bothering him, so he opened his eyes to see an unfamiliar sight.

After slowly sitting down, his jacket, which was covering him, fell to the ground; he didn't remember covering himself with it, neither falling asleep on top of the poorly made bed of cushions. Nahyuta quickly put together his memories to know where he was, stretching his neck and covering a yawn with the back of his hand, and he was greeted by the image of Simon in his white dress shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow and drinking tea across the table.

“Was I asleep too long?” he asked, ignoring on purpose seeing Simon's arms.

“4 hours more or less. Bucky brought us some breakfast,” he said and pointed at a plate with steamed buns wrapped in plastic.

“I must thank him properly,” he unwrapped the plate and started eating. “… These are good!”

“A specialty of the house. The pork ones are the best.”

In his distraction, as he filled his stomach with delicious food, Nahyuta ignored Simon’s intense glare; he was too tired and hungry to care about anything that wasn’t his steamed bun. When he was done, Simon poured some tea on a cup for Nahyuta, who thanked him for it.

“You eat a lot even this early,” pointed out Simon.

“It’s the only way to start the day well. I prioritize breakfast,” he lied, but when he was younger he did enjoy a hearty breakfast.

“I thought the first thing a person like you would do in the morning was look in the mirror and fix the messed up… everything.”

The pleased smile in Simon’s face irritated Nahyuta, who went to pick his phone to check his reflection. The battery was almost drained, but what worried him was the state of his hair and face. It wasn’t as bad as Simon made it out to seem, however, the sleep deprivation was visible. The face was puffy and even a little oily, so he lightly tapped his shiny forehead with a paper napkin to not mess his makeup anymore while ignoring Simon’s chuckles.

“… You couldn’t help being odious this early," he muttered.

“Not like I enjoy waking up and seeing your face first in the morning.”

“Oh? That’s why you tried to cowardly run away before I woke up the other day?” he said, distracted as he fixed his bangs and looked at his reflection on the screen. “Bet the runny mascara and tangled hair scared you.”

The comment left Simon not knowing what to say, and Nahyuta resumed drinking his green tea and praising the taste. It'd been a while since they last talked about that episode, and Simon was sure it would never pop out casually in a conversation unless he wanted to use it to see that delightful mortified expression on Nahyuta’s pretty face. Now that it was being used against him, he felt unable to properly react.

“… It wasn’t… Actually, you’re right. You’re so ugly in the mornings,” he said, trying not to stumble with his words.

Nahyuta laughed at him in a way only a confident person could. “Keep telling that to yourself.”

It came as a surprise, but Simon couldn’t deny to himself that he’d liked the way Nahyuta laughed at him. The mixture of disdain and enthrallment he felt while looking at the prince taking off the braid, brushing with his fingers the long and silky smooth hair, then redoing the braid confused him. His hands itched now, he wanted to touch it too. The best he could do to dispel these thoughts was rest his cheek on a hand and look the other way.

“How long are we supposed to stay here?” asked Nahyuta.

“…You’re free to go. Thanks to your great idea yesterday, we got ourselves a nice piece of evidence.”

The puzzled expression on Nahyuta’s face made Simon open the folder he closed not that long ago to pull a photo. It was old and in a battered state, and when he put it on the table, Nahyuta recognized it was taken inside the Nodal mansion. The date was the same as the one of the murder, but what shocked Nahyuta was recognizing a younger Mary Anne in a corner of the picture behind a group of people celebrating, slipping something into the same glass of wine that was a part of the evidence.

There it was, the hard proof of the crime they needed to put an end to this tragedy.

“After what you said before giving up for the day, I made some calls and got Edgeworth-dono to put me in contact with whoever was snitching on Mary Anne," explained Simon. "It was her own daughter. She's in the house and was able to search for something to incriminate her mom. She hit the jackpot with this piece of evidence, but wants to stay out of the trial.”

"Her own daughter?"

Simon raised his shoulders. "Don't ask me, I did not press her much. Though I'm sure Mary Anne is not Mother of the Year material."

Nahyuta looked at him disheartened. “All of that happened as I was asleep? Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“It’s not like I needed you to receive a picture.”

“… I would’ve liked to help,"

Nahyuta finished putting the hair ornament at the end of his braid, to hide how dejected he felt. Simon only sighed at the sorry picture in front of him.

“You've done enough, Sad Monk," he said. "Even after I went and disrupt your agenda yesterday, you were diligent enough the whole night."

Nahyuta stared at Simon, now recognizing the particular tone his voice took whenever he would try to comfort him. It happened twice now, but this time, it wasn't accompanied by reprimands, but by some sense of sorry. Maybe for bringing him into troubles. That's when Nahyuta started putting on his jacket and he couldn't help asking.

"Excuse me… but did you cover me too? Or arranged the cushions under me?" he asked while looking at the floor, seeing the red cushions were more than he imagined.

After getting so casually confronted, Simon started fixing his clothes too and ignored the question.

"Better finish your tea and go home," he said. "We’re not done until the trial is over, and I plan on finishing this in just one day.”

Reluctantly, Nahyuta let go of the subject, though he enjoyed how shyness looked on Simon. When he drank all his tea and arranged his clothes, he set out to leave the restaurant, but stopped to talk to his partner, who had been ignoring him as he checked something in his phone.

“Do you fear she might do something to you, Blackquill?”

“She can try, that’s why I’ll lie low until the trial," he raised his gaze to meet Nahyuta's and was surprised to see worry in those green eyes. "The Chief Prosecutor even offered to give me police protection if necessary.”

“It’s as serious as it seems, then.”

Nahyuta's worries grew for an instant, but Simon dissipated any concerns.

“That woman knows better than to mess with foreign royalty, so you can rest assured and go to the office or your hotel. You’re virtually untouchable.”

“What about you? Are you staying here until the trial?”

“Even if I like the noodles here, I would go crazy having to put up with Bucky for that long, and I enjoy sleeping in beds rather than the floor. Don’t fret, I have other options…," he put his phone down and rested his chin in his hand. "Or I could stay with you and use your royal status as a shield. That seems like a nice idea too.”

The comment made Nahyuta laugh as he finished putting on his boots. “I’ll let the reception know to give you a room if you want it so desperately, but if you wish to avoid troubles, do not approach my suite.”

There was no way to answer that threat, so he stared in silence when Nahyuta bid him farewell and left the restaurant with his possessions in hand. A little after Nahyuta left, so did Simon, but he got stopped in his tracks by Bucky, as he was opening the restaurant while carrying a sack of flour.

“I saw that pretty coworker of yours some minutes ago. I’m surprised you didn’t leave with him,” mentioned Bucky.

Simon scrunched his nose in disgust. “Don’t call him that. He once tried to send you to hell, remember?”

“It was prison, Simey!”

“Same thing.”

Bucky sighed, dropping the large sack of flour behind the counter. “Even so, the guy seems really nice now… and you guys were awfully quiet yesterday in that little room.”

That suggestively raised eyebrow and the manner in which Bucky spoke bothered Simon.

“Get your mind off the gutter, you big pillock. It was delicate work we were dealing with.”

“I can only imagine, and yet…”

The prolonged silence was enough to irritate Simon, who groaned in frustration and looked at Bucky walking towards the kitchen.

“Out with it," he pressed.

“It’s just that I’m surprised at that exquisite taste of yours, that’s all.”

“… Excuse me?”

“In noodles…! You haven’t praised me much lately!”

The comment made him nervous, but he wouldn't give Bucky the pleasure of ruffling his feathers. Though, it was a sensitive matter if Bucky had noticed something. The last thing Simon tried to do was to give off any hint of the non-existing relationship between Nahyuta and him; even if asking for a private room in a friend’s restaurant was the safest and most innocuous place he could think of quickly, it wasn’t until late that anyone without all the information could jump to strange conclusions, just like Bucky appeared to have done.

“There are days you do well, days you don’t. Work on it," he answered.

“Hmph, now you’re a food critic?”

They both said goodbye to each other, and Simon jumped into a police car that had been waiting for him outside the Whet Soba. It drove him to one of the safest places he knew besides his own home and stood parked on the street as requested by the Chief Prosecutor.

When Simon got out of the elevator and pulled out his keys, he could already hear some familiar ruckus in the apartment. The moment he opened the door, he took off his coat and jacket and left them in a hanger, as usual, then was greeted by the colorful entrance of the hallway, decked with pictures of Athena in the many places she's visited, of her and her mother, some of her and Simon, and others of Athena and Juniper, both as children and adults; there were diplomas and a lot of decorations a girl like Athena would enjoy to look at when she left her home and right as she came back. The smell of breakfast being burned and the loudness that was everywhere Athena was made him feel at home.

“Oh Scheiße! He’s here already!” She screamed.

Athena’s voice could be heard from the tiny kitchen of her apartment. The smell of pancake and lots of syrup filled the air as Simon greet Taka, who flew from the window to perch himself on his shoulder. After petting him a little, he left his things on the small and brightly colored green sofa in the living room, then peeked into the kitchen to see whatever mess his friend was embroiled into.

There was Athena, trying to deal with three different frying pans with the flames too high, and Simon calmly stood behind her and turned them all off.

“Burning your apartment to the ground is part of your morning routine lately?” he asked while opening the kitchen’s window to let the smoke out. “Why are you panicking?”

“Don’t mock me! I’m in a hurry!”

Athena, who was half dressed and pouring pancakes and eggs in the plates, seemed a little on edge that morning. Simon was kind enough to stay quiet and help organize the table. It was already 8:30 AM by the time Athena sat down to eat and try to do her hair at the same time.

“One thing at the time, Athena. What’s with you today?” he asked.

She let her hair fall, feeling defeated as it was hard to style, and focused on her breakfast. “I have 30 minutes to go to the office. Mr. Wright got a ton of work out of nowhere and needs both me and Trucy to help the most we can.”

This information took him by surprise. “The Wright Anything Agency is full of work? That’s unexpected.”

“I know right? Bunch civil cases! Since becoming a lawyer I've been handling mostly homicides. I forget we can do something besides fighting with your office," she said, thrilled at the idea of having to deal with no prosecutors for the time being. "No offense, but at times is better to argue with another lawyer."

Simon rested a hand on his palm and stared at her friend, laughing to himself at Athena's interesting outlook of her job.

"None taken," he said . "Having honed your blade against the eccentric personas of the prosecutor's office definitely makes you superior to any unpracticed lawyer you'll be against with."

Athena stopped checking her hair in the reflection of a small mirror she got from her work bag and stared at Simon.

"Are you… praising me?" she asked, astonished.

He scoffed. "At all. I'm mostly thinking about my own experiences with your boss. It might not have been a civil case, but the man was ruthless when negotiating for my miscarriage of justice compensation."

He smiled at the fond memories of sitting down in a private room of the courthouse, quietly seeing Phoenix Wright drop the affable and scared man act only to put to shame a prosecutor the more he upped the amount requested. Simon had no idea why he'd been so passionate about it, but for sure he enjoyed it.

"Is Wright-dono finally doing divorces?" asked Simon, grinning at the idea. "He would excel at those. The people at family court are heartless, but I believe he can translate his winning streak there."

"…. Yes, he is… And he's… too scary, so I'll rather not talk about it," she sighed but then got herself in a better mood. "Anyway! I need to thank Nahyuta for this sudden change of fortune! The praying worked!"

The mention of the monk made Simon roll his eyes, but then Athena and her ever changing state of emotions attacked him when she glared at him.

"We've been so busy! It doesn’t help that you called me on my morning jog to tell me to pick up Taka, who wasn’t nice and refused to cooperate…!” she glared at the bird eating on the kitchen counter. “... And tell me you were going to hide here!”

“I apologize for that. It wasn’t in my plans either, but this case is huge and I can’t let those villains get to me and jeopardize it,” he said, taking a bit out of his not so burnt eggs.

“… I’m just glad you’ll be safe here. Will you go to the office?”

“Edgeworth-dono was clear when he said that the next time he wanted to see my face was at the courthouse. I’ll be stuck working from home until then.”

“I brought all your things like you asked me,” she pointed with her fork at the laptop on the coffee table and a grey bag with clothes sitting next to the couch. “But this is rather funny. It’s been a while since you stayed with me.”

“You’re a lass of strange habits. It makes me avoid your company.”

“… I don’t want to hear that coming from you.”

Simon laughed and their conversation continued until Athena left for work. After finishing her hair, Simon handed her the jacket and keys she almost forgot by being in a rush, and saw her leave; now he was alone with Taka for the day.

The small studio apartment was simply cozy, colorful and it looked tidier than you would imagine a place a human hurricane like Athena lived in would be. The pastel greens and yellows of the walls, with all the decorations, some which used to be Metis', made for a comforting space. The only thing that bothered Simon about her place was the size of her green couch which was alright to sit on, but it simply didn’t accommodate him properly on the times he wanted to sleep on it.

He clearly remembers the first time he tried to do it: The same day he spent his first night out of prison.

That day would be embedded on his memory until his death. As the judge gave his verdict and the sound of the gavel pulled him out of the longest nightmare of his life, Simon was finally acquitted of all charges and free to enjoy the rest of his life, which was suddenly returned to him. However, he found himself with nowhere to go, as Aura’s apartment was seized by the police after she got apprehended. He didn’t fancy the idea of going back to the cell he’d been living in the past years, but being thrown into freedom suddenly left him rather confused about what the next steps should be, or where to find a place to sleep. For all that he knew, that morning he'd been prepared to die, so there was never a backup plan in case he lived and got out; he couldn’t even bring himself to remember his savings account number at the moment, if that thing still existed.

Standing in the defendant lobby after being tucked away from reporters by the Chief Prosecutor, Simon's gratefulness towards Wright and Athena was abruptly exchanged by the sort of directionless that can make one crazy the longer you feel it. He spent around 10 minutes of pure freedom in which he felt extremely lost, as lost as he felt every single day in his cell, at least until Athena held his hand. As Mr. Wright and Mr. Edgeworth tried to make arrangements for Simon, seeing that his only family member was now whisked away to jail, Athena confidently stated there was no need to worry, since Simon would spend the night in her place. That today was a day for rest and they could worry about permanent living arrangements, compensations and the such tomorrow.

Before he knew it, Simon got pulled into a cab and brought to the apartment complex Athena lived in. The entire trip she talked, and Simon could only listen to her and pretend as if he didn't notice the sniffling and the covert way she cleaned the corner of her eyes. When they arrived at the apartment, the first thing Simon saw were pictures of himself and Metis hanging in the hallway which he couldn't even remember posing for. Many of his memories regarding his everyday life before prison seemed to be blurry, though it was about time he allowed himself to think back of the things he missed the most. He stared at a younger version of him in that picture and then at Metis, standing by his side in some University campus outside a coffee shop until it finally clicked for him.

"This… Of course, this is from that Psychology congress at the University of…"

Simon couldn't finish what he was saying since Athena appeared in front of him, handing him pajamas. They were simple, a black pant and a white shirt, and Simon didn't know where she got clothes that would fit him so quick, ignoring that for years, Athena was ready for this day to come.

They spent that night eating all the take-out food Athena could order and that Simon asked for, sitting in the living room as she turned on the TV and started getting him caught up with the times. Both of them were making an effort to not be overcome by years of grief in a moment that should make the two of them happy.

When it was time to sleep, Athena offered her bed to Simon who refused it as he wished some more time alone, to deal with the complex feelings of managing to live another day but now worrying about Aura; about being out of prison and sharing this freedom with Athena, and what was next. But the sofa was indeed too small, and his legs were left dangling from the arm the whole night. After two nights and increasing back pain, Athena got him an air mattress for the time being as he found a place to live.

Thinking about those days made Simon nostalgic as he tried to relax under the water in the small shower of the apartment that he barely fit in, and changed into more comfortable clothes; that same pajama Athena got him two years ago and which was a pair of his go-to clothes whenever he stayed at her place.

Finding himself alone in the living room, he sat on the couch and started working. Knowing Athena, she would want to spend the entire night talking, and Simon did his best to finish tidying up everything about his case before she reached home later that day.

Chapter Text

For months, Simon carefully put together a plan that would effectively put an end to a case as disruptive as the KH-9 was.

From finding witnesses the police initially ignored, to getting valuable information from Mary Anne's inner circle, he had put on his private investigator coat for this personal project of his and, after an arduous and long labor, crafted an almost perfect road that would led him to an instant guilty verdict.

However, the plan suddenly came to a halt. Being practically out of the investigation and, against his will, leaving all the last minute preparations in Nahyuta's hands was something he now begrudgingly accepted.

But Simon wasn't worried. In the end, it'd been a good call to have a second prosecutor on the case, and an even better one for it to be Nahyuta, even if he would never say it out loud.

Still, as he gazed down from the small balcony in Athena's apartment, smoking a cigarette in that chilly morning, with his eyes fixed on the patrol car that stayed on guard on the street, he couldn't help feel a certain itch. It was a need that was pushing him to discard his casual clothes and change into his suit, ignore that a bunch of Nodal's men would tried to kidnap him as fast as he lowered his guard, and go finish what he started.

The dedication he'd given the case surprised even him. At first, the KH-9 incident and the glaring holes in the original trial bothered Simon when he first read the case file, then, he turned this curiosity into a passion project, which was born out of the sentiments he got every time he caught Mary Anne's image on TV.

When he saw that villainous woman in the news, smiling and posing with orphan children or sick people at some charity she was funding, Simon felt more than compelled to personally destroy the mask. Knowing what he knew, Simon couldn't believe her friendly facade, and he took issue with hypocrites, especially the murderous ones. It reminded him of the ghosts of his past.

Nonetheless, more than it being personal, the KH-9 felt like a job poorly done, and sensing the challenge it would provide, Simon pestered enough about it that the Chief Prosecutor gave him this golden chance, one that was now being ruined by some stupid henchmen and a deranged power hungry lady.

Now he felt even worse about Mr. Anse's conditions, wondering how he dealt with this for 20 years.

If, for some reason, they were to fail tomorrow at court, Simon imagined himself being stuck on the room next to him in that clinic for the rest of his days; that is, if Mary Anne had pity on him, otherwise what awaited for him was a cruel death and his body being eaten by coyotes in the Mojave desert.

This gruesome image Simon made in his mind didn't scare him, but after reflecting, he refrained from the irresponsible behavior that was leaving his hideout, knowing that his disappearance would hurt the almost perfect case he worked so hard for.

And he wasn't worried about the last details, since Nahyuta was on the job.

If there was a certainty Simon had, was that an overachiever like Nahyuta would be done with the to-do list he sent him earlier; the monk would even be able to find things Simon initially missed, that's how efficient and professional he was at the job. There was nothing to fear, other than having to deal with that pretty face looking pleased at his own achievements.

By now, Simon had grown accustomed to that particular expression Nahyuta made whenever he had the upper hand: The half lidded eyes were fully open, and the regal attitude was thrown away and exchanged by a rather childish expression that showed the enjoyment he got whenever he could rub in Simon's face that he was better.

Simon liked that look on Nahyuta, and he finished his cigarette while picturing it.

After arriving at his office and opening the window so fresh air could fill the stuffy office, Nahyuta was startled by Taka's sudden apparition as he tried to get in.

His reaction made the bird stay put on the window sill, looking at the prince with what seemed like confusion. Taka's visit was unexpected, but almost as if it'd been carefully planned, Nahyuta received a text. He checked the message in his phone from the still unsaved number he recognized as Simon's (one he seemed to refuse to save) and quickly read the list and specifications regarding the last arrangements for the upcoming trial.

Ignoring the bossy tone of the prosecutor's words on the screen, he gave his full attention to the hawk.

"You'll be my companion today?" asked Nahyuta, staring at Taka, perched on the window sill of his office.

The hawk stared back at Nahyuta, and answered by shaking himself then, thinking of it as an invitation, he flew to the desk. When Taka started looking at the files, he felt a certain chill, as if he was being carefully glared at; he looked back at the prince for a second, silently staring his way, and Taka feared he'd made himself too at home in this office.

This was the first time he entered Nahyuta's office. Until now, he'd never crossed that invisible line on the window, respecting the space and presence of this curious man that suddenly occupied a place in the office, but was now a fixture in his life. Taka flew outside this window all the time whenever he went to Simon's office, so stopping by when it was open, and seeing the kind gaze of the monk directed at him was something the hawk grew used to.

The green eyes now weren't that kind. They were unreadable, and it made Taka wonder if his audacity had angered the prosecutor. Taka entered in the foreign room out of reflex, being that, whenever Simon went, if called, he followed, not really caring for invitations and such. Now, nervously looking down at his claws, he had to stop and reflect.

Simon does this all the time with the others… but this one doesn't like Simon, thought the bird.

Nahyuta approached the desk, and they exchanged glances for a second; Taka considered leaving the desk, but Nahyuta sat on his chair and showed the bird the documents, which he imagined Taka was searching for.

"I received Simon's message already," the prince smiled. "Don't fret, you've always aided him in his investigations so I don't doubt your skill, and I'm sure I'll enjoy your company even more."

A hand went to rub on Taka's neck, and the bird screeched at the familiar and soft touch. He couldn't really understand why Simon complained about this guy so much; out of all the humans in this building, Nahyuta was the only one besides Simon he enjoyed sharing time with. He never tried to touch him by surprise, or kicked him out, enraging the hawk in the process. The prince also talked him normally, which was something Taka appreciated.

Taka also considered that Nahyuta had the most gentle touch and was nice to be with, and it saddened him to feel how the prince stopped petting him to check the

"Now, where should we start today?" asked Nahyuta. "There's that new witness that wished to collaborate, but it's still too early for that meeting."

Taka's gaze drifted to the folder by his side, which he opened and, with his beak, he pulled a picture then placed it on Nahyuta's hand. It was the picture of a man in his sixties, with almost no hair, a rather lost gaze and pale skin. Nahyuta recognized him from Simon's original investigation as a doctor that was in charge of Mary Anne's hospitalization, and seeing the notes on the document the picture was in, he understood what Taka's plan was.

It was surprising how alike Simon and Taka thought, and Nahyuta could only admire their bond.

"The doctor?… We did find his new address. I wonder if he will cooperate," he looked pensive. "…. That Panda wanted to question him so badly that is quite a shame he'll miss it, but if this man has anything to say, it will add to our case. Should we go there first?"

Taka's answer was flying out of the window, seemingly knowing where the direction was, and Nahyuta didn't stay in his office too long, trusting that the hawk might reach the doctor before him.

Just as expected, Taka was perched on the branch of a tree next to the doctor's house by the time Nahyuta arrived. He was resting after his long flight, seeing the prosecutor park the car on the street next to a run down little house in a rather abandoned part of the city. When Nahyuta left the car, Taka flew and perched himself on his shoulder; this weight was new to the prince, but he grew used to it quickly.

Taka stood still for a second, but then, he was transfixed by the flow of scarf that decorated Nahyuta's attire.

The monk proceeded to knock on the old and beaten up door. It opened a little, enough for the owner of the house to take a careful peek at his visitor.

"Who is it?" I'm not buying anything," he stated.

"Good morning, Mr. Pell. I'm Nahyuta Sahdmadhi, a prosecutor from the district attorney's office," he said, almost in a whisper and getting closer to the door. "I wished to talk to you about a certain case we'll re open. The Nodal case."

Both Mr. Pell and Nahyuta stared at each other for a long and silent second. Imagining the worst, Nahyuta expected the reaction to be the door closing shut, followed by the sound of many locks and even threats of violence to leave the house after mentioning that name. Instead, the door opened wide; the man pulled it with so much strength it almost abandoned its hinges. This startled Nahyuta, but he kept calm as he saw the man, poorly dressed in old clothes, but even while frazzled, he looked decided in cooperating.

"You guys will? For real?" he asked with a shaky voice. "At last?"

Nahyuta smiled to reassure him. "We will. And it came to our attention you were her doctor, and that you had some issues regarding her treatment back in the day."

"Shhh! Get in. Now"

Mr. Pell made way for Nahyuta to enter and, to his surprise, the place was tidier than expected.

It showed signs of age, from the old and peeling yellow wallpaper, to the visible lack of furniture and the old nails on the walls were family pictures once hung. The emptiness of the place told a story of abandonment, as if joy and life in the place came to a sudden halt and then it simply deteriorated, which was an effect Nahyuta couldn't help but notice permeated this case.

He followed the owner to the living room and sat on a battered chair, seeing him close every door and window carefully before turning to look his way; the paranoia in his eyes was suddenly exchanged by confusion.

"…What's with the hawk?" he asked.

"My dearest partner," retorted the prince, smiling as Taka screeched, pleased by the title. "I hope this detail won't bother you."

Mr. Pell, who didn't seem used to interacting with other people, simply left Nahyuta alone and went to search for something in a bedroom. As he waited, Nahyuta couldn't avoid noticing that Taka, after giving to temptation, started biting on his scarf, playing with the sheer fabric that had fascinated him for a long time now, and that he feared the hawk might break. Nahyuta sighed as he closed his eyes.

"There's an specific punishment for creatures that mess with my attire, which was blessed by the head monk and made by an excellent tailor," he whispered, looking at Taka by a corner of his eye. "Is not getting any more rubs, even if they ask for them."

The threat, which was made so gently, made Taka's beak abandon the scarf, as he sat still on Nahyuta's shoulder. The monk couldn't play this stern role for too long before laughing, then conceded and rubbed Taka's belly.

If only Blackquill was this obedient, he thought, seeing the usually sharp gaze from the hawk look tender.

They got interrupted by the abrupt return of their host, who didn't say much before he handed Nahyuta a yellow envelope.

"Here, I don't wish to be involved anymore, please. Because of her I lost my license… my family… my entire life down the drain for trying to make the right thing."

There was a lot of bitterness and regret in the doctor's voice, and Nahyuta kept silent as he understood the apprehensions of a man that probably has been under surveillance for the past two decades. He took the envelope, and when he read the contents, he was more than surprised to see it was a twenty years old toxicology report.

It was Mary Anne's.

It showed in detail the amount of poison she took and, most importantly, a glaring error from the original investigation: The poison she took was a different than the one found in her sister's system. A milder one that couldn't even kill a small animal, but would cause some uncomfortable symptoms.

They've been building a case out of a mistake all this time, and this evidence, paired with the photo, were the perfect proof that Mary Anne deliberately poisoned herself at some point of that evening to avoid participating in the original trial.

Nahyuta kept checking the documents given to him and found that, besides the toxicology report, there were testimonies of other doctors and experts explaining how the poison was ineffective in killing an adult human, no matter how much it was ingested. Also, they all pointed out at the same suspicions: the patient ingested an exact amount that would make it hard for the worst symptoms to appear.

Nahyuta couldn't believe the solution had fallen on his hands and wished to ask more questions, but he also knew that saying too much out loud would be dangerous.

"This is… too perfect," whispered Nahyuta, "Please, Mr. Pell, rest assure I'll make good use of it."

No more was needed to say and, fearing his presence could put the man in danger, Nahyuta bid him farewell. This rather quick exchange was enlightening, proof that this case needed to be done for, once and for all. For all the lives Mary Anne bulldozed over in her search for power.

After they left the house, Taka abandoned his shoulder and flew on the direction of the witness they had an appointment with. Nahyuta left this new piece of evidence in the passengers seat, then started driving, focused on the road ahead and trying to ignore a sense of discomfort that was now bothering him and wouldn't go away.

It wasn't until he arrived at the building where the witness, an old worker of the Nodal state, lived, that Nahyuta knew that what had been nagging him after his great discovery was his intuition telling him something would go wrong.

When he parked in front of the four-story building the witness lived in, he saw the street was filled with people shouting, moving furniture and bags of their belongings; all of the residents looked perplexed after getting kicked out of their homes. A flier on the main door of the building that said SOLD OUT is bold black letters let Nahyuta know what was going on.

Every single apartment was getting vacated. After making some questions to a family packing a TV and an old mattress on top of a truck, they revealed that the owner of the building kicked every out without proper notice, and when Nahyuta inquired about his witness, they told him he suddenly left everything behind and abandoned the country the day prior. These news, coming from a man that looked tired as he wondered what him and his family would do, left Nahyuta feeling perplexed.

The most he could do was hand them his business card if they needed help, and even point them on Phoenix Wright's direction if they wished to partake in a class action lawsuit against his previous landlord.

He stayed on the street until he saw people slowly give up and leave, searching for for some place to spend the night, and as Nahyuta was standing on the street with Taka on his shoulder, he was able to see the Nodal's power at full display. Seeing how, with just one call, that woman ruined homes, he comprehended the type of adversary Simon and him had; it was one that used techniques well known by Nahyuta, and that were making him nauseous.

For an instant, Nahyuta felt how the weight of memories almost overcame him, yet Taka's presence helped him, as he loudly screeched next to his ear to get his attention. Looking into his golden eyes and seeing worry in them made Nahyuta rub his neck.

"It's fine. This has a solution," he whispered before turning to the car.

Seeing that his appointment had been now canceled forever, and that talking to this new witness would be impossible, he sent the bird back to the office and decided to return, to at least keep the new evidence safe.

Already on the driver's seat and about to close the door, Nahyuta heard his cellphone ring, and he stopped himself from starting the car when he saw that it was Bats’al, the Khurainese ambassador, calling; he had postponed everything in his agenda that didn't involve the Nodal case, so a call coming from the embassy was unexpected.

"Good evening, Mr. Bats’al. How's everything going?" he asked.

"Pardon me for calling without a previous message, Your Holiness, but... we seem to have a problem," said the ambassador, whispering into his phone.

Nahyuta didn't like the tone in his voice. "What is it? Is there an issue with the building?... Has my mother called you?"

"Is nothing regarding Khura'in or the royal family, rest assured. Is... about you."

Nahyuta blinked in disbelief. "Me?"

"There's a group of men here wishing to concert a date, saying they need to talk to you urgently," whispered the ambassador. "They're being awfully pushy and I completely refused, saying that you were occupied with your prosecutor job at the moment, but I'm afraid that's not enough for them."

This information was unforeseen for Nahyuta who, after quickly meditating about the subject, imagined who sent for him

Suddenly, the discomfort he felt intensified, but not because he was scared. What Nahyuta felt was anger. He was being treated as a mere civilian, someone that could be used and abused by people in power who would have no consequences afterwards; the sort of people he'd been dealing with for years now in a position where he couldn't fight back. But that was in the past and when he held no title.

The part of his pride he usually controlled, the one that made him nastily prepotent and dislikable, wished to break free and make life for the Nodal's hell. The gall of Mary Anne Nodal managed to surprise him; it seemed that not even his royal status would be enough to shield him from her attempts to hide the truth.

Nahyuta could only force a smile at the audacity power gave to some people as he tried to remind himself he shouldn't go lower.

"You did me a great favor, Mr. Bat'sal, and I'm aghast my job as a prosecutor is now stopping you from doing yours," he said as he started his car. "Refuse them definitely. Get the guards to kick them off the premises if necessary. That embassy is legally protected, even if unfinished."

"Should I worry?" asked the ambassador.

"No. This will be solved tomorrow."

"Understood."

The call ended and Nahyuta, feeling a mixture of anger and awe, drove back to the office, wondering if it would be prudent to call Simon and let him know the latest developments. He abstained from it in the end, and when he arrived at the prosecutor's office, he could see the now familiar faces of Nodal's goons doing a poor job at hiding their presences in the Lobby.

Seeing them was only aggravating his ire, but as he breathed in to calm himself, he encountered Klavier on the elevator and with a severe look in his face; the frown deepened when he encountered the prince.

"I'm glad you're here, Herr Sahdmadhi," he said in a whisper. "I was sent to look for you."

Not many things would make Klavier frown the way he did at the moment, and Nahyuta only entered the elevator, closed his eyes and sighed.

"… What is it now?"

Klavier tried to smile to reassure him, though the scowl was hard to mask. "You should go to Herr Edgeworth's office. You have special visits."

The prosecutor pressed the button of the last floor for Nahyuta, then accompanied him to the office and waited outside when the prince went in. He'd been prepared for what he would confront, and, to no surprise, he found the Chief Prosecutor begrudgingly sharing a cup of tea with Mary Anne Nodal.

The Nodal's interference was happening back to back, with a quickness that Nahyuta could only explain as the typical American behavior: They did things in a fast and incredible manner that constantly left him in awe. Nonetheless, he maintained himself serene as he saw his visitor.

There she sat in front of the desk, her blonde hair perfectly quaffed and neat, dressed in a white set of blazer and skirt and looking angelical, in a way. She turned to see Nahyuta and smiled in a manner that made the prince return the same hypocritical gesture.

"Mr. Edgeworth, did you call?" he said. "My apologies, I wasn't in the building."

"Yes, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. You have visits," Edgeworth put down the tea cup he hadn't taken a single sip from. "This is Ms. Mary Anne Nodal. She's here, wishing to speak to you out of some concerns regarding an old case. Does the code KH-9 sound familiar?"

"… It does. I've been revising it the past few days," retorted Nahyuta, following the bluff.

"Ms. Nodal seems to be confused, you see. I've been trying to explain that one of our newer additions to the office, an international prosecutor, was curious about old cases. A thing he does to familiarize himself with the history of this office," continued Edgeworth. "The fact that someone has been studying such a dark chapter of her family's story has Ms. Nodal concerned."

"Please, don't. I was merely curious about this country's law system. I apologize if this has brought you terrible memories," continued Nahyuta.

Finally, Mary Anne opened her mouth, and neither Nahyuta nor Edgeworth were prepared for the tears that fell from her eyes and that were quickly dried with a white handkerchief. The nausea Nahyuta felt earlier came back.

"… Losing Veruka has been the greatest tragedy, even if I can't remember it all myself," mentioned Mary Anne, cleaning her reddened nose. "I was poisoned too, you see. Everyday I wonder that maybe, if Veruka hadn't been stabbed, she could've been taken with me to a hospital and we would be together now."

The sob act was superb, Nahyuta had to give her that. The way her eyes looked somber and her perfect smiled dropped for a more subdued expression of sorrow could fool anyone that hadn't seem Mr. Anse's. That one was the face of pain, compared to this well crafted mask of sadness. Mary Anne's lacked proper grief, because she didn't grieve her sister at all.

"My condolences, Ms. Nodal," quickly continued the prince. "But do not worry, I won't be doing any more questioning."

"And what about the other prosecutor?" she asked. "A man called Blackquill."

Now she's making the real questions, thought Nahyuta.

"What about him?" he asked.

She sniffed and then looked at her hands, holding a handkerchief over her lap. "I wanted to know, since I got some requests from him a year ago to talk. Back in the day I refused, thinking it was again someone's morbid curiosity coming back to haunt my family."

"I'm not that well acquainted with him you see," he continued, approaching the table and looking friendly. "He's a coworker, but I don't know of any private investigations of his."

"… Excuse my bluntness, but it would be hard to miss a person like him poking around other people's tragedies," she said, now looking down on her cup. "I never felt comfortable knowing that a man of… his condition, had a prosecutor badge, which gave him so much access to confidential data. I keep trying to put this behind, but he kept bringing it up."

Nahyuta stared at her dumbfounded, "Excuse me? What condition?"

"He's an ex-inmate. Didn't you know? A rather peculiar pick for a prosecutor."

Through sheer willpower Nahyuta maintained himself serene, though he noticed the Chief Prosecutor turning on his chair for a second, maybe to hide the way his frown grew.

"Ms. Nodal, please, don't worry yourself with—"

"You wouldn't make me say it… It's odd, you know? I was warned he had strange methods, too, and I'm not surprised," she interrupted, now pretending to be scared. The shaking hands were a great addition. "That man might've been innocent of that killing, but he spent too many years in prison. A good apple surrounded by rotten ones can easily go bad."

She drank her tea, to try and calm herself while waiting for some reaction. On Edgeworth's side, he was more that furious about the lies being spouted regarding his subordinate's behavior, however he returned to his tea and glared at Nahyuta who, to his surprise, seemed to break character by the way his lower eyelid twitched like crazy as he glared at the woman.

This whole exchange was strange to Nahyuta. That woman was provoking them by insulting Simon's character, and for being someone that enjoyed insulting the prosecutor to his face, Nahyuta felt more incensed at the insinuation than he allowed himself to show. What could she know? After avoiding law for so long, she had no right to talk on Simon's capabilities; only thinking about this irked Nahyuta, to the point of starting to recite the usual calming sutras in his mind.

To break character and let her win now would be destroying all of Simon's hard work. He wouldn't allow it. Thankfully, Edgeworth noticed his irritation and continued the conversation.

"You don't need to fret about Prosecutor Blackquill, as I said earlier. He's out of the country at the moment. I'll properly reprimand him if there's any misdemeanor against your family,."

The bluffing had been done so masterfully that Nahyuta could've believed it too. For a second, he saw Mr. Wrights influences as Mary Anne pretended to believe the lie.

"That's all I want. I can't keep dealing with private investigators, amateur crime bloggers and the such, thinking they know what happened that night better than the people that were there," she said.

"We won't partake in such sensationalism."

"I'm sure you wont, since you were even so kind to receive me in such a short notice. But that's enough, let me leave you gentlemen to your duties."

Mary Anne grabbed her bag and left her seat, but instead of leaving the office, she coyly looked at Nahyuta and approached him after searching for something in her white hand bag.

"Please, let's talk more privately and come to an arrangement. Any information about the case, I'll muster up the courage and tell you the complete truth," she handed him her business card. "If someone has to tell my dear Veruka's story, it should be me."

Nahyuta accepted the card with a smile, then saw her leave. When the door closed, the smile faded; her hypocrisy was so familiar, and as the memory of his aunt came to mind, Nahyuta could only look down at the card with a red background and white letters, and rip it in half.

The Chief Prosecutor approached him, carrying the small waste basket from under his desk for Nahyuta to drop it there, before leaving the basket on the floor.

"To try to bribe me in front of you, sir… This is embarrassing," said the prince.

"It's not your fault. She's used to people not having morals, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. Don't let this get to you," retorted Edgeworth, with a scowl that could even make Nahyuta nervous. "Though I'm glad it was you dealing with her instead of Blackquill."

The comment made Nahyuta smile, even while enraged. "He is capable of keeping it professional, but his reaction in private would've been catastrophic…"

For a second, Nahyuta stood silent in thought, and Edgeworth noticed these new expressions he'd never seen in the monk. Ones of anger and worry.

"What is it?" he asked. "If there's something worrying you, feel free to tell me."

This invitation to express himself was unexpected, but as he saw Edgeworth look at him not with a scowl, but with mild concern, he couldn't help himself from relaxing the tension of his shoulders and softly sigh.

"Her unscrupulousness worries me, sir. The witness we tracked down suddenly left the country, and now she came her and put on this disgusting act… But the most egregious thing were all her falsehoods…!" he groaned, tightening a fist. "To insult Prosecutor Blackquill because of what happened to him…! I don't know how I maintained my calm."

The complicated morning he had thanks to Mary Anne paled in comparison to the anger he know felt on Simon's behalf. The words coming from that woman crashed against his memories of Simon's treatment of Mr. Anse, and his diligent work regarding this case… Even the way Simon gently looked through the window of the car was so different from the person Mary Anne tried to paint.

He feared the idea of that woman trying to slander Simon on the news, only to get off the hook.

"Her shamelessness shouldn't shake your will," mentioned Miles, noticing the pained expression in the monk's features. "I'll make a call so they proceed with her arrest warrant, and tomorrow, you'll be done with the Nodals. Now, go and take a break, you deserve it."

Nahyuta followed the advice and left the office, yet he was unable to control his expression, not even as he saw Klavier walking towards him in the hallway. His hurried step slowed down when he saw Nahyuta who, instead of smiling serenely, now frowned and seemed worried; Klavier fearfully talked to him.

"Herr Sahdmadhi, is everything ok?"

"… It will be after tomorrow, when she's in jail."

The anger in his voice surprised Klavier for a second, but he was also astonished by the manner in which Nahyuta closed his eyes to pray, quickly calming his ire, then returning the calm expression to his face.

"I feel it's a perfect time to get lunch. I need to not think about this case for a second. Would you accompany me?" he asked.

Klavier smiled and started walking towards the elevator. "Of course! Let's go to that new place around the corner you were excited about."

In his hotel suite, as he looked through the window wall at the enchanting city lights, Nahyuta could hear the murmur of the TV inside the bedroom; it was a newscaster, excitedly shouting with her distinctive accent about the latest scoop regarding Mary Anne's apprehension earlier that afternoon.

It seemed as if Simon's and Mr. Edgeworth's plan was perfect, since Mary Anne had no idea the investigation had advanced enough to actually get the warrant order. The foolish woman thought the case was barely getting pieced together too late.

Nahyuta had seen part of the news before taking off his suit jacket and leaving for the living room. As he undid his ascot with a hand, he held his cellphone with the other and thought carefully about the phone call he was about to make.

The image of the city at night made Nahyuta reminisce on the day he had, one that was completely different from his usual routine that he didn't know how to perfectly summarize it to Simon, who was out of the loop while being in hiding. He looked through his messages at the chat with a contact number that wasn't even saved, but that Nahyuta already memorized at this point; he tapped on the Unknown on top of the screen, then on the green phone symbol and waited for the call to connect.

He should look for a proper name, though the prince wasn't sure if he even wanted to save the number, since they wouldn't be talking as much after this case ended. Nonetheless, after three long rings, Simon picked up.

"Who's this?" said Simon through the phone.

Nahyuta scoffed at the question. Of course Simon didn't have him saved in his contacts either.

"It's me, Reverse Panda."

"Ah… What do you need? Is odd for you to call," he pointed out.

"I felt I should keep the lead prosecutor up to date with the developments of the case, so it won't come as a surprise tomorrow."

"I already saw Mary Anne's fall from grace on the news."

"I'm talking about your obnoxious to-do list."

"And couldn't this been an email?" he asked, sounding irritated.

"… No. If I could, I would've tell you personally about it, but a call will suffice."

There was a short silence and Nahyuta could hear some paper rustling and what he recognized as the sound of a laptop closing. Even in hiding, the man was working. He found that commendable.

"You know our phones could be tapped, right?"

"I won't mention anything regarding the advances in the case, but I… need to discuss that woman."

"What did she do?" now Simon sounded alarmed.

Nahyuta gave him a run down of the many experiences he had that morning, about his partnership with Taka and their witness' disappearance, though he avoided mentioning the visit to Mr.Pell, in case the call was actually tapped. He revealed Mary Anne's visit with detail, but skipped the nasty comments made about Simon.

To all of this, Simon reacted with his usual vigorous laughter.

"Sad Monk, you had a fucking awful morning!" he exclaimed before laughing again.

"I did. At least playing with Taka calmed my ire afterwards… But oh, that woman. Who does she think she is?"

"She's truly delusional to think a bloody prince needs a bribe. What part of your entire holy man act gave her the idea you would stood so low?"

Nahyuta blinked in disbelief and smiled, "… That's nice of you to say."

"I'm simply stating the obvious," clarified Simon. "I still think you're a phony. You might not be corrupt regarding your work, but you definitely posses a corrupted personality."

"Oh…. well, screw you."

Simon laughed at the response, easily picturing the confused frown in the monk's face. While hearing that boisterous laughter, Nahyuta couldn't avoid letting go of his annoyance and giggling too.

Now that he got to talk to Simon, a strange feeling took over him. After sticking together for two days straight, Simon's absence was difficult to ignore, and now that he could hear him so close, speaking right into his ear, it soothed his anxious heart; there was something about that deep voice, the naturally assertive tone and his subtle accent that was… comforting and attractive, even more when it felt like a whisper in his ear, but Nahyuta didn't pay much attention to it.

"We'll get her tomorrow, Blackquill. I'm sure of this," he fiddled with the red fabric of his tie, staring at the small flower brooch. "I refuse to let such a menace to society roam free. In just two days she's harmed so many people with that unchecked power of hers. She's dangerous, and I understand why you want to finish this case in one day."

"Getting it extended would give her time to pay someone and run away to who knows where, especially after her humiliating incarceration," he mentioned. "But that's enough. If we keep this up, we may slip and say something we shouldn't. Go and rest, because tomorrow will be a difficult day at work."

"… Oh! I almost forgot. I have a gift for you, Panda," quickly mentioned Nahyuta, in a tone that was almost sweet and that stopped Simon from hanging up.

"A gift? You've gone mad, now you're getting me gifts."

The monk softly giggled. "You'll love it, I'm sure. It's something that will shock you, and you'll have to praise me for it."

"God forbids I end up in that position."

"Good night, Panda," he said in between laughs.

"Wait!" exclaimed Simon, now he stopped Nahyuta from hanging up. "… Do you even have my phone number saved?"

The question surprised the prince, who managed to answer while sounding unfazed.

"No, I don't."

"How did you reached me, then… Did you perhaps learnt it by memory?"

The accusation would've been preposterous if it weren't that Simon was right. At this point, and after all the work-related messages they've exchanged, Nahyuta memorized the number. But he didn't need to know that.

"I went to the chat and tapped on the word Unknown, since that's what you are."

Nahyuta could picture Simon grinning right before he hung up the call.

The day of the trial, Nahyuta arrived at the courthouse’s lobby right after experiencing the latest trick the Nodal's had under their sleeves to meddle with the case.

The trial, which was supposed to start early in the morning, had been delayed for the late afternoon. A rather strange and unusual hour, but it was the best the Chief Prosecutor could do to not postpone the ordeal altogether. The defense's excuse for this had been Mary Anne feeling unwell, but Nahyuta knew this was to win time and achieve something to ruin the case against her.

It didn't matter much since Nahyuta managed to get safe and sound to the courthouse, so did the judge, and he hoped that Simon too found his way to the building.

At 4 PM, the place was packed with reporters from different news stations, police officers and even the public thanks to the media frenzy surrounding the case. Just the day prior, Mary Anne Nodal had been disgracefully handcuffed and taken into custody in a public event. The videos and news about it went viral on every social media platform, and the quickness with which she was put to trial made for the hottest topic of the week.

You could see the caliber of this case by the way in which the Chief Prosecutor himself had come down to the courthouse, and was willing to give some information to the media before the trial started.

As Edgeworth dealt with the cameras and the mics being shoved in his face, he avoided saying too much of the case, stating over and over again that he had full trust on the severe accusations made by his prosecutors and the investigation born out of the gaps from the original trial.

Nahyuta observed the media circus from a distance, trying to avoid the press while drinking coffee as he prepared for the trial. It wasn’t the biggest crowd he’d experienced, but it was for sure something any inexperienced and unprepared prosecutor wouldn’t be able to deal with. It was clear why the Chief Prosecutor wanted him on the case.

As he gazed intensely at the crowd from his spot, standing next to the door of an empty room, he felt heavy yet measured steps approaching him. The warm scent of tobacco and a cologne that was growing on him let Nahyuta know who stood behind him without needing to turn around.

“Are you prepared for it?” asked Simon, who now leaned on the door behind Nahyuta. “Seems like a difficult crowd.”

“Good morning, Prosecutor Blackquill. I’m prepared enough,” he answered and reached for the other coffee he’d bought for his partner. “Congrats on not getting murdered or forcefully disappeared in the span of two days.”

“I wish I had disappeared,” he accepted the coffee and yawned. “Instead, I got tortured.”

“Where were you all this time?”

“Stuck at Athena’s.”

The way he pinched the bridge of his nose confused Nahyuta. “Isn’t she a dear friend of yours?”

“... In a way, but she took my short seclusion in her apartment and turned it into a nightmarish slumber party,” he sipped some of his coffee and was surprised at finding it to his liking. “If she makes me marathon the Indiana Jones movies again, I’ll rather go back to the clink.”

“Was it that bad?”

He looked at Nahyuta with anguish in his expression. “She even made me watch the bad ones, Sad Monk. You don’t do that to a friend.”

The reaction made Nahyuta smile, and his curiosity won him over as he leaned closer to Simon’s face. “Apollo told me he’s been subjected to those, too. I imagine you got the full package and that’s why your skin looks better?”

Simon kept quiet, but groaned at the memories of the skincare routine forced upon him. He only accepted to endure such things because it was difficult to say no to Athena at times; at least she agreed to not paint his nails, since he had this trial coming.

While ignoring Nahyuta’s curious eyes and the strange innocence that emanated from them, Simon put some distance between him and the prince, to focus on finishing his coffee,

"So, about the defendant's visit in my absence," he continued. "Is there something I should know about that conversation that you couldn't say over the phone?"

"Only that she honestly believes she'll get away with this," he sneered then muttered to himself. "She's such a polkhunkan."

Simon feigned shock. "Language, Sad Monk."

"Oh, my apologies. It's just that… wait a second. How do you know the meaning of that word?"

"You wouldn't think that at this point I haven't memorized one or two profanities that you're so fond of. The ones you always shout at me," Simon smirked and looked down at the prince. "I might get fluent in khura'inese insults."

Nahyuta's face flushed at the revelation. He was conscious of this bad habit of his of cursing in khura'inese; Amara constantly reprimanded him for his foul mouth, something that was impossible for him to not inherit after growing around Dhurke and Datz and many other revolutionaries.

Ever since turning regent prince, he'd been trying to control it, but being in a place where no one could understand him… it was so tempting to just let loose. As usual, Simon Blackquill came to ruin his fun.

"Do not sound so proud about it," he said, cheeks still red and even pouting.

"Think of it as cultural exchange. I will enjoy telling everyone I learned quite the extensive profanities vocabulary from a monk, out of all people," he grinned, but then his eyes returned to the reporters as he crossed his arms. "But you are right. That woman truly is a polkhunkan."

Nahyuta couldn't keep being mad at him as he heard the word being almost perfectly pronounced.

Simon had took his time to learn it properly, even if it was a bad word, and there was something about the way that voice pronounced a khura'inese word that left him with an indescribable feeling. However, now Nahyuta would need to be more careful about his choice of words around Simon, but it was refreshing to see him care enough as to learn how to pronounce things right.

While he stared at his partner's profile, Nahyuta suddenly remembered the gift he was so excited to show him. He grabbed the file under his arm and handed it to him.

"Here's my gift. As promised. I already submitted it as evidence in the morning so don't worry about it."

Simon took the document, not thinking much of it at first, but his semblance changed when he read its content. He couldn't believe what he had in his hands, and he was more than glad about being wrong regarding the poison being the same. He looked up at Nahyuta's pleased expression and had to smile as he accepted defeat.

"Fine, I'll give it to you. Brag all you want."

"Brag? If I remember correctly, it's you who has to praise me, Panda… But after the end of the trial, so wait for it."

The half lidded gaze from Nahyuta was both cheeky and alluring. It only made Simon expectant on how the prince would boast about this feat after getting what he wanted; only way to know was finishing this quickly.

The start of the trial was approaching, and both prosecutors entered the empty courtroom after the last review. When they both stood behind the prosecutor’s bench, they saw the defense attorney arrive.

Nodal’s attorney was, to no surprise, an evidently unscrupulous guy that probably believed the Nodals had bought the case and he just had to be there and preform. It looked like a lawyer from a fancy firm, one that got to charge a lot by the hour just by the way he couldn’t help showing off his expensive watch, phone and golden pinky ring, while ignoring the prosecution and answering a phone call.

In that man's mind, he’d already won this case, and an empty check with Nodal’s signature was waiting for him to put down a number.

The behavior irked both prosecutors, who knew that the lawyer was in for a rude awakening, since he had no idea about the new evidence available; this information was public, yet the lawyer never asked for an updated court record that morning; he probably didn't even know about the picture either.A shame for him.

Still, Simon turned his back and rested it on the bench, crossing his arms before meditating for a second as to not lose his cool so early.

“It could be worse,” said Nahyuta, meditating in his spot and staring at the butterfly standing on his finger, “It could be Phoenix Wright.”

Simon made an effort to not laugh at the joke, yet failed and ended up turning around while resting his back on the bench to hide his stupidly contagious grin. Nahyuta, feeling content with the reaction his comment had elicited, managed to not laugh too and proceeded to do the final arrangements until the judge’s arrival in the courtroom and the beginning of the trial.

It was a mess of a trial from the start.

The original case's evidence got tampered, the detective who'd been working with them on the case never reached court and, somehow, got sent to a whole different continent by the time officers tried to search for him; all of this happened while Simon carefully built the events of the night the victim died. It didn’t matter much how that first part of the trial went, since it was more of a refresher, to bring back to mind the events of the crime and the original trial from 20 years ago.

And still, in between the chaos caused by a single powerful woman playing the victim card, Simon kept himself professional, even when the simple sight of Mary Anne’s fake tears disgusted him.

Nahyuta was more than reliable while standing by his side. If Simon still had any type of apprehensions about working alongside him, they all faded in a matter of minutes as he was quieter than expected and, surprisingly, respected Simon’s role as the lead prosecutor.

The entire time, Nahyuta limited himself to taking notes and handing them to Simon as the attorney made his statements. Even if Simon himself was really structured, it was hard to keep notes while he poured all of his concentration onto the tug and pull game that was a trial, so Nahyuta’s notes came in handy, especially now that the trial was reaching its breaking point.

“If the prosecution cannot come up with a real reason as to why my client was humiliated and forced to relive her trauma, then I demand a not guilty verdict, your honor!” shouted the attorney.

“Who do you think you are to demand such a thing…!”

At Simon’s reaction, Nahyuta expected to see some of that slashing Apollo was so terrified of whenever he recalled it, yet the prosecutor calmed himself and called the defendant to testify. Finally, Mary Anne made her glorious appearance, trembling and crying, while looking perfectly put together in a new white outfit.

Nahyuta saw Simon hound that woman with his questions, visibly irritated yet holding it together, but the defendant was a fierce adversary, mixing her tears and deep cutting taunts. Even her attorney had succumbed to the strong aura emanating from the both of them, keeping quiet as he saw with the rest of the gallery the battle of wits.

Simon returned to the bench and stood in front of Nahyuta, with a weight lifted off his shoulders as he knew the stage was prepared to land the final blow. He pulled the toxicology report and a picture out of an evidence folder, but before he could come with something clever to say and erase the fake calm expression from the defendant’s face, Nahyuta’s sudden change of semblance caught his attention.

“Are you going to do it now?” asked the prince.

“I got quite tired of playing around.”

“… I see.”

Nahyuta's eyes slowly went towards Mary Anne over Simon's shoulder and, almost as if he'd seen something despicable, his eyes wrinkled and he opted to put on his praying posture. The way he'd been forcing himself to look serene made Simon curious.

Through the investigation, he couldn’t help noticing how bothered Nahyuta was by this case; the more he thought about it, the easier it was to understand there was something that made the monk invest himself emotionally into this one.

Seeing him control himself to not overstep his position was endearing, but it also gave Simon a last minute idea.

What if he unleashed the Last Rites Prosecutor on that woman?

Oh, the simple idea of it made Simon grin, but he quickly pressed his lips and turned his face, not wishing to have anyone know of his machinations. It would be unexpected, to switch prosecutors at the last moment, but that would be good to make Mary Anne fumble, since she was not used to Nahyuta's techniques.

The techniques that were so persuasive and hurtful a year ago, but that the prince had tamed as of lately. Simon wondered if Nahyuta could switch back to his old mean self, but instead of thinking too much about it, he bet everything on his partner and returned to stand behind the bench.

A simple call of his name while the attorney fumbled to come up with a rebuttal got Nahyuta out of his meditative state. The picture and the report was now resting in front of him, and he turned to see Simon and that charming smile of his.

“Finish her off, Sad Monk. My throat is rather dry after all this talking," he said before whistling for Taka to come.

Nahyuta's gaze turned to his partner and the hawk, “Are you sure?”

“Of course I am. It’s not like this would be difficult for you," he leaned closer to Nahyuta's ear and whispered. "And I would like to admire her mask cracking, so be extra cruel. I know you’re capable of that.”

It was unthinkable for Nahyuta that, right in the middle of the most important case of the year, as they were about to dethrone a villainous magnate, the prince couldn't care about his work; his entire attention was put on that smooth and sultry voice, comparing how different it felt in real life instead than through a phone call.

It'd left him breathless and gave him goosebumps. As Simon left his side, only to show the grin that appeared in his face, it tempted Nahyuta to behave as poorly as him. He stared into those gray eyes for a little too long, more than he would usually allow himself, and in the end, Nahyuta smiled back, unable to retort the comment about his cruelty since he'd been feeling dark emotions bubbling within him the past few days.

“Don’t be mad if I beat you at your own game," muttered the prince.

After he said that, that gentle smile that graced Nahyuta’s face disappeared and he abandoned the bench. His gaze turned cold as he grabbed the report, and Simon could feel himself go speechless and that instant switch. Nahyuta's sole purpose now was to finish pushing the defendant off the edge, and he knew exactly how to do it; the most Simon could do to aid him was clear his throat and prepare his entrance.

"Your Baldness, I happened to grow tired of the defendant's fake tears," exclaimed Simon. "Sahdmadhi-dono will finish the trial."

"Hmph! This is so unprofessional!" shouted the lawyer. "Or is it that you're fearful because of your lack of evidence?!"

"Satorha!" shouted Nahyuta. "The dealings of the prosecution are not the defense business!"

The statement made the defense lawyer, the judge and even Mary Anne gasp. They'd grown accustomed to the silent figure of Nahyuta behind the bench, ignoring he was just as imposing as the previous prosecutor. This alarmed them, just as Simon planned. The judge immediately allowed the change of prosecutors, and now, comfortably standing behind the bench, Simon could enjoy in front row the disgraceful fall of a titan.

As Nahyuta gracefully walked towards the stand, his stern expression softened when he faced the defendant.

"Ms. Nodal. This case has gone on for too long. Twenty years too long," he stated in a soft voice ."I won't focus now on your reasons, because the first thing I have to do is dispel every doubt about your guilt."

"Oh? Aren't you shameless?!" she shouted. "How do you plan to do that? By lying?"

"No, I plan to use the evidence the defense accuses us of not having. For example, this toxicology report from your stay at the hospital after the murder took place," he pointed at the screen, at the document being displayed. "As its stated, the amount of poison you ingested was enough to get you hospitalized, but not to kill you or harm you... as if it's been coldly calculated. Every doctor we consulted said the same thing."

"How did you even get that?" she talked through gritted teeth. "That's a breach of my privacy! You shouldn't be able to display this!"

Nahyuta's cold glare turned to her. "I have my ways."

"... You do? Like what? Extortion and falsification?"

A sly smile threatened to form in the monk's face. "Those are strong accusations."

The judge hit the gavel and startled Mary Anne. "The defendant will refrain from baseless accusations against the prosecution! All of this information was submitted and approved this morning. Didn't your lawyer inform you?"

Mary Anne turned at her lawyer, who paled at seeing the court record he didn't even bother to check, which displayed the toxicology report had been added at 10 AM that day, then looked for the email that let him know about the new evidence sent at the same hour. Enough time for him to notice it.

Mary Anne frowned and turned back to Nahyuta, still serene in front of her as he spoke.

"I wish for everyone to also look at the most important detail of the evidence: The poison found on Mary Anne Nodal's system."

The judge did as it was requested and, just like many of the gallery, was shocked to see the toxicology reports of both sisters displayed side to side and confirm that the poison was different from the one that aided to kill Veruka. The murmuring went in crescendo, as the tide changed in favor of the prosecution.

"O-Objection! This proves nothing!" exclaimed the lawyer. "Maybe the maid used two different poisons!"

Nahyuta turned to see him. "For what reason? There's no logic behind your assumption. Instead, I have many testimonies of doctors that agree the type of poison in your client's system was not as lethal as the one that Veruka ingested. The amount was so minimal that, at best, would give you stomachaches."

"B-But that means nothing…!"

"It means a lot," retorted the monk. "You see, Veruka had a large quantity of poison in her glass, but the defendant drank mere drops of it, I speculate she used a dropper in private. It was enough to cause a hospitalization with no damages."

The lawyer fell silent, and Mary Anne simply cried, trying to appeal to the gallery's emotions and hide how shocked she was at how right Nahyuta's speculation had been.

Her loud crying stopped her from listening the way the public opinion turned against her. Now it was time, thought Nahyuta, as he walked towards the judge and handed the guard a copy of his definitive evidence, then returned to the stand and showed it to Mary Anne.

Showing the picture had done the job of making her tears stop, as she choked for a second before breaking a sweat and start denying everything.

“That picture…! Is fake!" she shouted, trying to fix a blond strand of hair falling from her perfectly neat hairdo. "Aren’t you ashamed of presenting fake evidence?! This is why the system doesn’t work if we keep giving power to corrupt prosecutors! Especially the foreign ones….!”

“Silence!” shouted Simon, hitting the bench while visibly enraged. At least more than usual. “You’ll be quiet until Prosecutor Sahdmadhi ends his questioning!”

The reaction made even the judge drop his gavel and it silenced the muttering from the gallery. Mary Anne, with her face dripping in a mixture of sweat and tears, had his makeup up ruined; a bad look for a woman that dedicated herself to sell it. She tried to fix her hair to no avail as her hands kept shaking. Simon's interruption had been enough to make a grown up cry, at least that's what Nahyuta thought before looking at the defendant right in the eyes.

“Can you point out what’s happening in this picture?”

“... There’s people at some party," she answered, eyes darting from the picture to different spots of the room.

“At the Nodal state, twenty years ago, the same night the victim, Veruka Nodal, was poisoned and then brutally stabbed.”

The accused crossed her arms and refused to look the prosecutor in the eyes. “We know who killed Veruka already.”

“Do we know the entire truth? This case has left an ugly mark in your family’s history, the company, and even this law system that you have been trying so hard to buy."

"We would be fine if you hadn't tried to look for problems… You are the one that doesn't let Veruka rest!"

For a second, Nahyuta saw that woman trying to keep it together in disbelief, then sighed and shook his head.

"You were left to do as you wished for years," he continued. "You had a family and a lot of time to repent, yet you lie in the face of your crimes.”

“I’ve done no such thing.”

“Then prove this isn’t you slipping something on your sister’s glass. Can you? Or can your lawyer help you?”

She looked at the defense attorney’s bench, but the complete shock in the man’s face made the defendant understand she was now completely alone. She cursed him for being unprepared, and even found some time to curse Phoenix Wright too, the only lawyer that could've gotten her out of this situation, for not accepting the millions she offered him.

Nahyuta saw that woman cornered, and the usual amount of grace he saves for even guilty defendants disappeared, though he took his praying stance and sighed, softly shaking his head, yet refusing to show a smile.

"This is it, Ms. Nodal. The end of your show. Accept that you're a soulless being, and that not even all the money and power in the world can save you from your sins," his eyes stayed closed, as he felt complete calm even with the words he said. "You're no more than a lowly maggot when we strip you off your worldly possessions; of your pride, even. So make yourself a favor and repent, to try and maintain a sliver of dignity."

"But…!"

"Enough! The least you can do is listen to someone that isn't yourself and your lousy lies once and for all!"

Nahyuta's eyes opened wide, and he glared at the woman, who was so impotent and powerful, until she meekly stayed silent in her spot.

What came after was a verbal onslaught, since neither the attorney nor the defendant could imagine that some of the most heinous treatment they ever confronted could come from such pretty lips. The attorney was too demoralized to even try to make a rebuttal, and the defendant couldn’t do more than see her world and the lies she even fooled herself into believing come crashing down.

She was forced to confess, and the merciless gaze in Nahyuta’s eyes softened into one of slight apathy. To him, the defendant wasn’t that much worthy of his care. That’s why Nahyuta didn’t bother to play the role of regal and holy man anymore, and the butterfly that accompanied him in every trial flew away as he put an arm behind his back and showed the woman a scornful glare.

“There’s no forgiveness for a hollow creature with a putrid heart like yours. I don’t think even the most enlightened person on this earth could avoid despising your heinous actions. Killing your own sister, who loved you, out of the profound greed in your heart makes me doubt if you're worth saving…. Yet, I’ll pray for Veruka's soul and will find time to pray for you. Judge, your verdict, please.”

The courtroom was in complete silence, and the judge needed some seconds to dare himself to talk after witnessing the way the prosecution put an end to this case. Even Taka, who'd been petrified in his spot, ditched Simon when Nahyuta turned to see them and refused to come back into the courtroom; his animal intuition told him to steer away from Nahyuta’s surroundings for the time being.

The judge cleared his throat and quickly declared Mary Anne Nodal guilty. The defendant, facing for the first time someone that couldn't see victimhood in her, had no strength to even walk out of the courtroom and had to be carried.

When Nahyuta returned to his spot next to Simon, he noticed his arms were crossed, as usual, but there was also the manner in which he intensely stared at the prince; he took in that overjoyed look in his eyes with pleasure before admiring how police took Mary Anne, and the pathetic manner in which the defeated attorney, battling his tears, left the courtroom after a disgraceful loss that most definitely would ruin his career.

“Was I cruel enough for your taste?” asked Nahyuta.

Simon honestly smiled at him, “… You exceeded my expectations.”

The comment made Nahyuta feel pleased with himself, so much that he ignored the manner in which Simon nervously tugged at his own sleeve.

It had been more than exceeding his expectations, but completely obliterating them and forcing him to rethink the princely image he’d built for Nahyuta in his mind.

Simon was speechless at how natural it was for the prince to destroy that woman, without any vulgarities and barely raising his tone. The Last Rites Prosecutor sure was different now, more… cutthroat, but in a way that it mixed better with the serenity of his monk persona and it stopped feeling like two different persons; it also made his presence more unnerving.

Now it was hard to measure how deep Nahyuta’s cruelty ran, yet the monk was too nice, or liked to play nice, to let people know.

And Simon couldn’t deny that seeing Nahyuta behave like that excited him.

Now that the uproar finally died down in the courthouse, Simon and Nahyuta could breathe in relief in the prosecutor's lobby after concluding a case that would go down in history. A knock on the door, followed by the Chief Prosecutor entering the room made the victorious pair of prosecutors stand up from their seats.

“Congratulations to you two," said Edgeworth. "To close that case in just one day was a feat. I already gave statements to the press and they all left, so you two can go and take a well deserved rest.”

“We were only doing our work, Edgeworth-dono.” said Simon with a smile. “It was done so smoothly because I’ve done most of the work already, but the help wasn’t as aggravating as I thought it would be.”

“That’s why I’m congratulating the both of you," continued Miles. "I’ve been nervous these past few days, yet the teamwork demonstrated today was enough to prove I didn't make the wrong call. Assigning this case to you, Prosecutor Blackquill, was the best option. And at least, you and His Holiness can see eye to eye now.”

“It’s been an… interesting experience, to say the least,” mentioned Nahyuta.

“Interesting enough to repeat it?”

The simple question made both Simon and Nahyuta flinch, but what to do? They dug their own graves by being professionals and working perfectly together, and Edgeworth’s smile made them unable to come up with a proper counterargument. They didn’t have an excuse other than they didn’t like each other that much, and even after all the things they achieved as a team, this was something that could be put into doubt.

“Mr. Edgeworth, if I may voice my opinion,” said the monk. “I feel we witnessed a miracle these past few days. To push it further would be greedy, and who knows what might happen.”

“We don’t want to anger the gods or anything,” continued Simon. “Let’s celebrate this one. At least it was swell.”

“We hope this doesn’t bother you.”

Edgeworth looked at the pair and smiled, resigning to this obvious outcome.

“It doesn’t bother me in the least," he said. "I think we all won today, because you found the truth and I won’t have to deal with that company pestering around the office anymore. But this reluctance regarding working together means that my original threat remains applicable, so I still have something to control the both of you."

Nahyuta’s eyes opened wide. “...Excuse me?”

“Or maybe I jest. That depends on both of your behaviors from now on. I’ll see you back at the office.”

Miles fixed his glasses and turned to leave, with an unreadable expression that left Simon and Nahyuta not knowing if they should’ve laughed. They stayed silent in the room, feeling as if they were thrown back to square one regarding that situation.

Nahyuta sighed, “Never would I expect that to be his sense of humor…”

“It’s worse than mine. More cunning," continued Simon. "Get used to it because it comes when you least expect it.”

“I will take it into consideration.”

They both stayed silent, standing side by side as their time as a team came to an end. Feeling that there was nothing else to say, Nahyuta was thinking of occupying the rest of his night with the pile of work waiting for him, until Simon, who was looking at his silver watch, called out to him.

“Already 8… Say, would dinner be alright with you? I’m feeling peckish already.”

Surprisingly, Nahyuta was unfazed by the proposition. Maybe it was because Simon suddenly reminded him he was also famished, or because he finally felt free of being tied to his side that he didn’t mind so much eating with him one last time.

“Sure. You still have to praise me," said Nahyuta, taking on that sweet tone once again. "Dinner's on me this time.”

The dinner date was at the Whet Soba, and seeing that the place was full for the dinner rush, Simon and Nahyuta opted to seat right on the bar, in front of the panoramic window that showed all the cooks hard at work inside the neat kitchen.

All but Bucky, who was now sitting on a stool at the other side and listening carefully to all the information regarding their case now that it wasn't classified.

"Simey… That woman could've killed you!" he shouted, looking honestly worried. "Why would you try to hide here?! This place ain't bomb or bullet proof!"

"Bombing your restaurant would be an exaggeration," retorted Simon as he returned to finish his bowl of shippoku soba.

"She was betting on not getting much attention drawn to her," continued Nahyuta, leaving the chopsticks on top of the bowl after finishing his second round of tempura Soba. "She would've opted for kidnapping Prosecutor Blackquill rather than murdering him in a spectacular way."

"Sound's more like her," continued the prosecutor.

Bucky looked at the pair in awe while resting a cheek on the palm of his hand. It was strange to see how, after achieving such a feat, escaping death and sending that terrible person to prison only hours ago, now they casually sat and ate in front of him as if this was a regular day at court.

Nahyuta had his hair up thanks to a claw-clip, and took off his jacket, which now rested on the back of his stool; Simon wasn't wearing his coat, and the jacket slightly unbuttoned. He looked the most relaxed he'd been in days as he gobbled on his noodles.

Bucky only sighed in confusion, since he never imagined being a prosecutor could be this difficult.

"…Well, I feel that deserves a drink!" he shouted and pulled a large bottle of sake out from under the bar. "To celebrate that neither of you got hurt, and that that wicked woman is gone!"

Before they knew it, Bucky took off the now empty bowls and poured them each a drink in small black plates. Simon immediately started nagging him about drinking while working, but Nahyuta stayed silent as he stared at the colorless liquid in front of him.

He hasn't drank sake ever since his little slip with Simon.

In fact, he hasn't drank much since that night. The prince quickly took a peek at Simon and, to his chagrin, the prosecutor was staring at him as if he knew what was currently worrying him.

Simon pushed Bucky back onto his seat, then leaned closer to the monk.

"What is this? Scared of a little drink?" he asked.

"Oh? Does Nahyuta not drink?" asked Bucky, sneakily pouring a third drink for himself.

"He does," answered Simon, with his eyes stuck on Nahyuta's serene profile. "He's a terrible lightweight, though."

"I am not," asserted Nahyuta prior to grabbing the plate and slowly drinking its content.

He drank it all, enjoying the earthy and sweet flavor, but it was nothing compared to how much he enjoyed seeing Simon lightly raise his eyebrows and take his own plate. The monk softly pushing the plate towards Bucky who, without a single doubt, poured him more sake.

"I knew I liked you," he said, before leaving the bottle on the bar and lifting his plate. "For surviving, I guess!"

Simon couldn't help laughing and gave in, toasting and seeing Nahyuta, once again, drink majestically as he tended to do, before taking a sip of his drink too.

The rest of the evening was spend like this, drinking and chatting on the bar at the Whet Soba, and Nahyuta couldn't help but even forget the hour as he enjoyed himself with a duo as strange as Simon and Bucky were.

To his surprise, Bucky had given up drinking with them after his third round, still focused on his work as the head chef. At some point he was called to cut the new batch of noodles, so he left the bottle for his friends to finish as he walked back to the kitchen. Nahyuta looked at him through the clear window as he commanded the kitchen staff and couldn't help smiling.

"Bucky looks so different from last year," he said.

"You met that lad at his lowest. After his father died, he was lost as a sheep with no pastor, and angry at the world," explained Simon, resting an arm on the back of his stool while looking at Bucky. "If anything, the scare you gave him was a good wake up call to clean up his act. He still fancies the liquor, but is more respectful of it."

"That's nice to hear. It would've been a shame if that scare, as you put it, had destroyed the Whet Soba," Nahyuta looked around at the decorations and took in the ambiance he couldn't help but enjoy. "This place is amazing. I see why you like it."

Simon's eyes drifted to Nahyuta, and examined the expression that was a mixture of adoration and guilt as he looked over the decorations at the other side of the bar, then at a picture of the store on the wall that showed Bucky and his father many years ago. Simon couldn't help grabbing the bottle and pouring Nahyuta and himself another round.

"Don't worry yourself about it. Bucky's on the good path now, Sad Monk. Praise him, he likes that."

"… Speaking of praising."

Simon stopped the plate as it touched his lips when he heard Nahyuta, before he gave up and downed the sake entirely. He left the plate on the bar, took a deep breath and turned to see Nahyuta, showing him a tiny small, expectant of what he would say.

"I wish you had forgotten," he said while staring at his full plate.

"I almost did, but your slip of tongue helped."

Simon scoffed, and prepared to humiliate himself a little. He struggled to find the words, first looking at the red lamps on the ceiling then sighing before glancing back at Nahyuta.

"You were an irreplaceable asset in this investigation. From the evidence you found on your own, to the connections you helped me make that I'd never seen; the way your qualities aided me in the most difficult parts of the preparation for the case, and especially during the trial, made for an almost perfect case. Especially when I was out of the game, and you had to endure that awful woman on your own," he smiled and rubbed the back of his tense neck. "My apologies for that; however, I believe you were more than capable to defeat that foe. So... Thank you, Sahdmadhi-dono. You did well."

After hearing his own words, Simon could feel his ears and cheeks warm up a little, but it was nothing compared to what happened to Nahyuta's face.

They stared at each other in silence, and Simon didn't react until he saw the prince's face growing redder the longer he stared at him. The monk closed is eyes and, to Simon's surprised, showed a new kind of smile: it was bright and wide, as he showed his teeth before covering them with his thin fingers.

Simon didn't knew if the giggling was because of the liquor or Nahyuta mocking him attempt of praising him, but he was sure of something: This warm and fuzzy feeling he know felt was caused by looking at a smile that pretty.

Nahyuta stared at his now ex-partner with a more subdued smile. "You should praise Bucky more, too. You're good at it."

"… Don't get used to it."

"I won't. This was a one in a million opportunity, so let me pay with the same coin: If it weren't for your diligence, capabilities, and that obstinacy that made you work on your own in a closed case for almost two years, Mr. Anse and Ms. Veruka would've never found peace. It was really humane of you to do so." he said, then lowered his gaze almost shyly and showing those long lashes of his. "I revere your kindness, Prosecutor Blackquill. That's the best quality a man could have."

Nothing he said had been a lie. In fact, Nahyuta couldn't look at Simon as he mentioned his kindness, fearing that the memories of the kindest man he ever admired, his father, would make his vision hazy with tears. When he felt more composed, Nahyuta looked up and was not that surprised to find Simon blushing. It was payback for saying all those nice things and leaving the prince feeling this flustered.

Nahyuta did him a favor by grabbing the plate and asking for another drink, then switching the topic to quickly dispel this strange atmosphere between them. After a while, Nahyuta drank a glass of water then left his seat, feeling like he needed to freshen up; when his feet touched the ground, he felt a little dizzy and had to grab the back of the stool.

"Careful with your drink, Sad Monk," mentioned Simon, half worried, half joking.

"I'm careful, Panda."

The prince left for the bathroom, feeling less dizzy and wondering if maybe he was dehydrated; he drank more water then left, ignoring that a pair of gray eyes followed him.

All this time, as he walked with that poised and elegant step of his, Simon couldn't take his eyes off the prince's figure; he specifically was fascinated by the way Nahyuta's narrow hips suavely swayed from side to side as he made his way through the corridor.

Ye Gods, even those move nice as he walks, complained Simon in his mind, even noticing other diners turning to see Nahyuta as he passed them.

Now not only was he still feeling the effects of Nahyuta's smile, but he was getting infatuated with the way the guy walked. He had to force himself to rip his eyes of the monk's well shaped butt and look at the bar, but finding Bucky hovering over him almost made him fall off his seat.

"Why are you looking at him like that?" asked Bucky, with a grin that only managed to annoy his friend.

"I'm not looking at anybody. Mind your business in the kitchen for once."

"Simey, I'm afraid to tell you this… but you slipped," mentioned Bucky. "Your eyes were stuck on His Holiness' back… maybe a little too low…"

He glared at his friend. "Be careful with what you say next."

Bucky stared at him then sighed as he crossed his arms. "Y'know, you could trust me with information this delicate. That's what friends are for."

The honest proposition made Simon notice how Bucky, in a surprising demonstration of his maturity, left him without any way to make a sarcastic comment or change the subject by going straight to the point. It really bothered him when he didn't have the upper hand, even more when Bucky noticed something he was still struggling to come to terms with.

The most Simon could do was look at the clean bar in front of him and the now empty plate.

"I'll exercise my right to be silent, Bucky," he whispered.

"Suit yourself, then," he said, making his way back to the kitchen but turning around to flash his friend a smile. "But if I can point out something is that you have a rather exquisite and refined taste. It surprised me."

Simon didn't feel like answering, not really comprehending what Bucky meant before he left him alone. If the comment was made to either praise or mock him, Simon couldn't really care. He was still struggling on putting a name to this bothersome sensation left behind every time he looked at Nahyuta.

Chapter Text

The furor that the Nodal case created was felt for days through the media, since most news outlets refused to move on from Mary Anne's crime and the ripples it caused. It was a fact that the Nodal make up company was done for, or would at least re-brand, but for the team of prosecutors that dealt with the murderous CEO, it was nothing more than another case.

Both Simon and Nahyuta didn't find issue with moving on and letting Mary Anne fade from their memories, since neither of them could stay still when almost every hour there was a new crime that needed to be solved. That's how, after being occupied by their own work, and without anything forcing them to cross paths more than necessary, both prosecutors returned to their daily office routine. One that made it easy for them to continue ignoring each other.

A thing they both craved at first, though Simon quickly realized he didn't enjoy it as much as he thought he would.

Maybe he could forget the Nodal's trying to kill him rather fast, but there was no way he could move on from the things that happened while Nahyuta and him worked together, or from these new irritating sensations the monk made him feel. He'd been in for a rude awakening after the second day of not seeing Nahyuta, understanding that he might be missing him.

It was strange. They worked as a pair in such a short amount of time, but now Simon couldn't help being aware of the void left by Nahyuta.

It was odd for him to miss the one person he simply couldn’t stand, but at least when Nahyuta was by his side, he gave Simon reasons to not want him around, like his strange stubbornness, the subtle two faced nature, the pretentious behavior he tried too hard to hide but that was a core part of his personality, or that grating way in which Nahyuta could return all of his insults perfectly. These were all things Simon couldn't believe he wanted to experience again.

Even while thinking how much he didn't enjoy his presence, Simon accepted he missed toying with that monk. He missed making him nervous, being the only person capable of truly vexing him, and feeling like they were both on the edge of getting physically violent with each other. But fighting like that was something they would never do. No matter how much the Chief Prosecutor fretted about it, they were too right-minded to go that low.

However, the thought of tussling with Nahyuta brought to the forefront of his mind the hidden memories of their little accident, and it made something click in his brain.

While he sat at the desk in his office, staring up at the ceiling, Simon couldn't help but getting lost in his memories about that blunder of his. Memories that weren’t as hazy as he made them seem since, at times, he entertained himself by thinking about this “mistake”.

It started as just a way to amuse himself, seeing that he was lucky enough to have seen that private side of the monk; the one that was lustful and obscene. But the salacious aspects of their one night stand wasn't the only thing Simon fixated on. He remembered the delicate way a blush tinted Nahyuta's cheeks, the manner in which the slender arms and legs clung onto him, and the unbridled lust coming from that delirious green gaze. Those were things that enticed Simon till this day. So much that he started outweighing the pros and cons of it happening again.

It was purely hypothetical, of course. That hookup of theirs had been orchestrated by the universe so perfectly that there wasn't a chance for a situation like that to repeat itself.

Unless he made it happen.

But that was a ridiculous idea. Even if they were both past the initial mortification of getting so drunk they had sex with the person they disliked the most, and that Simon knew Nahyuta was now comfortable with joking about it (or worse, using it against him), it was stupid to think he would get another chance. Simon knew that, out of all the better prospects, Nahyuta wouldn't pick him.

It wasn't that Simon thought of himself less than any other guy, if anything, he knew Nahyuta enjoyed himself greatly with him, but he also knew that Nahyuta would rather chose a man that didn't enjoy mocking or degrading him. With that behavior Simon had made his bed and would now have to lie on it, which was a shame, because he was now fully open to bedding the Sad Monk again.

However, he knew that daring to ask Nahyuta for another night together would only win him a slap in the face, and maybe a complain with Human Resources at the office.

It was for the best that he let this topic go. It was uncharacteristic of him to be this engrossed by the idea of having sex with someone; he never bothered to repeat most of his hookups, unless he saw the potential for a relationship, and that was something only the Simon of ten years ago was interested.

The Simon Blackquill of present day didn't wish for a relationship, nor felt well equipped for one, and neither he desired one with Nahyuta, though he for sure loved the idea of bedding him again. But that was an impossible dream.

Understanding the futility of this train of thought, Simon understood it was better to move on once and for all. Still, he allowed himself some minutes of indulging in his memories of Nahyuta’s elegant figure over the messed up bed sheets; of that thin waist that almost fitted entirely when surrounded by his hands, the words in khura'inese he spouted in a weakened voice, which Simon later searched on a bilingual dictionary to find their indecent meanings and, most importantly, how His Royal Highness took cock like a nun breaking her vows. With eagerness and scraped knees.

It was thrilling to have witnessed something like that. The spectacle of a man so put together, who carried himself so high and mighty while representing decency and religious values for an entire nation, behaving as if calming his lust was his only goal. It all happened so naturally too, that it made complete sense to him. Nahyuta was simply meant to be fucked like that, giving in the most base desires, with an animalistic urge, unrestrained and as hard as he claimed for.

Of all the experiences and partners Simon had in his life, he'd never found such a delectable creature as that loathsome prince and indecent monk.

It wasn't until Simon feared getting a hard on during work hours that he decided to finish the report he was working on. Half an hour passed, and he managed to focus on his work, at least until a light knock on the door distracted him, but when he saw Klavier getting in he ignored his annoyance at the visit, since he brought something important.

“Here's what you asked for earlier,” he said while leaving a thick folder on the desk. “I found them at the archive. Seems like they were misplaced on purpose.”

“You’re lucky you got them before anyone else. I heard a bunch of rookies want to get these files to try and snag that money laundering case Edgeworth-dono was talking about,” said Simon as he grabbed the file. "Thanks for this."

“…. Don’t tell anyone I gave this to you, ok? Because I’m sure Herr Sahdmadhi is looking for this information too.”

“Is he?” he couldn’t help smiling, since something Nahyuta coveted was now in his hands. “Now I’m curious as to why you gave me this instead of your soon-to-be brother-in-law.”

Klavier got a little flustered, thinking about that title that he hoped was real in the future. “That’s easy to answer: He didn’t come to work.”

“What?”

"He took the day off. Didn't you notice it even when you're neighbors?"

For a moment, Simon thought Klavier was joking, yet his expression stayed as casual as usual.

“I haven't seen him in days. But that’s odd. What’s wrong?” he asked.

“When I called him earlier, he mentioned feeling unwell.”

“Even he can get ill? That’s a surprise,” Simon pretended to look at the pages in the file. “The chap better not get sick and leave us handling his work.”

“Oh, don't worry about it. He had Fräulein Detective take some documents and evidence to his hotel earlier," Klavier couldn’t help laughing. "Working even on a sick day… Herr Forehead warned me about it, but I don’t have the guts to go and tuck His Holiness into bed.”

“Less when he looks like he bites,” he retorted.

As quick as Simon made the comment, he regretted it. Klavier didn’t think much of it and only laughed it off as he left for his office, but Simon had turned around in his chair to hide the hint of a blush the moment he remembered how it felt when the prince bit his shoulder. Retaliation for having pulled out. That desperate he was that one night.

He was so used to thinking about Nahyuta in bed that even casual things would remind him of it. That’d been a dangerous slip on his side, especially with someone as perceptive as Klavier, but it worried him more that he know feared it read in his face how much he thought about the monk.

That morning, as Nahyuta rested in the bed inside a cocoon made with the sheets and the thick comforter, he felt a familiar sensation.

He didn't want to go to work that day.

This time however, it wasn't a paralyzing fear of seeing Simon that pushed him to recluse himself in the suite; Nahyuta was stuck in bed because, after having a nightmare, it felt nice to be there. To have his strained body properly rest. It was so nice that he rather easily sent a text saying he wouldn't go to the office, and didn't feel instantly overcome with guilt for deciding to take a day off.

His body asked for rest, and after his mind showed him less than comforting memories during the night, for once, Nahyuta heeded the call to take it easy.

The prince slept until noon, and was amazed at what a good couple more hours of rest could do for him. Now he woke up fully recovered after dealing with a heavy workload week and a case that left him surprisingly shaken, but after having a late breakfast, Nahyuta could hear that voice in his mind screaming at him to do something valuable with his time instead of lazing around.

To quieten it, Nahyuta requested the materials of his latest case to be brought over, and was happy to see Ema brought them, then helped her carry a box of evidence inside the suite.

"You didn't have to come yourself, Detective Skye," he said, leaving the box on the dinning table. "I know how busy you must be at the lab and with your current investigations."

"I had to see this with my own eyes," she continued, looking up and down at the prince. "The day Prosecutor Sahdmadhi took a day off… I had to witness it!"

It was the first time she saw him without the usual decorations, the perfectly tailored suit, or even an ounce of makeup. As he stood in front of her, wearing his long silk sating maroon pajamas and brown house slippers, with a tiny smile that didn't hide his confusion at being meticulously analyzed, Ema couldn't help noticing that bare face of his was still pretty, but also gentler; more easygoing than the beautiful one she was used to.

"Is nice to see you taking a break… Only that it's not one if you're working from home," she pointed out.

"I understand, but I can't do nothing for an entire day. I wish to occupy myself," he said, looking at the box. "Even if it's something small that won't even take me more than an hour or two to finish."

"If His Holiness say so…"

Nahyuta smiled as usual, but as he saw Ema about to turn and walk towards the door, something made him stop her.

"… Do you have to go back to the precinct? Let me at least offer you a cup of coffee."

The invitation caught Ema by surprise. This was a first. In other occasions she'd shared a coffee with the prosecutor, but it was usually a not so pleasant experience. Ema always struggled to make conversation with him, unless he started it and controlled most of it; a rather irritating detail of the prince she'd learned to live with at this point. But she knew he could be friendly… just not to her. At least not regularly.

It was hard to accept, but whenever Klavier was there, working as a glistening buffer, Ema had an easier time talking to Nahyuta. Since they had Apollo in common, and Klavier was so disgustingly social that even he could make Nahyuta's icy persona thaw a little, Ema always felt a little left out whenever she saw them talk.

Klavier hadn't managed to destroy the wall Nahyuta put up to separate himself from the rest of the world, but he definitely knew how to climb it and friendly wave at whoever Nahyuta really was on the other side. Ema was still stuck on the ground, wondering if she should learn how to climb said wall, seeing that Nahyuta was still a perplexing person. So perplexing that Ema didn't know why he wanted to make her coffee, but now that they were alone and in the privacy of the suite, she felt daring enough to accept the invitation and take the chance to peek a little behind the facade.

Ema didn't know Nahyuta could prepare coffee. Of course, he was a capable person, but he also looked like he was used to being catered to, so when she agreed and sat on the sofa, seeing him working on the kitchenette was strange. He even dripped the coffee elegantly, though a little slow since he carefully read the labels and took his time; however, when he brought a white serving tray and poured two cups of coffee, Ema silently stared at him until he took his cup and sat by her side.

A strange silence appeared, and Ema recognized the glint of expectation in Nahyuta's eyes; she took her cup then tasted the coffee, and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. It was potent enough that the amount of milk and sugar mixed perfectly to make a flavor that was exactly like she took it. That was nice, he even remembered her usual order. And just as the prince wished, she showed in her face how much she'd liked it.

"I hope you enjoy it," he said while smiling before taking a sip from his cup.

Nahyuta looked at her, but the tense silence came back. Ema kept enjoying her coffee while not knowing what to say, at least until Nahyuta put his cup on the saucer.

"… Is a nice blend," she said.

"Is roasted Colombian bean."

She nodded and drank more of her coffee, only to then feel unease as she didn't know how to continue the conversation.

It was usually this way for them whenever work wasn't the main topic. Ema would passively wait for him to start a conversation and add some commentary that wouldn't be too insulting, then she would try not to get on his bad side, to avoid the monastic lessons; However, something unexpected happened.

"Is there something on your mind, Ms. Skye?" he asked, looking worried. "You can tell me if you wish."

After noticing her anxious state, the monk centered his attention on Ema, pushing her to initiate the conversation. This was new.

"Ah… No, I'm… enjoying the coffee! Lovely Colombian roast."

Nahyuta stared at her and then his gaze shied away. "Yes, lovely."

Now Ema stared at him, confused by this uncharacteristic response. That comment should've made Nahyuta go on and on nonstop about the coffee culture of Colombia, but instead the prosecutor turned to face her, with an expression she was seeing for the first time; he tried to look at her in the eyes again, but returned to look at the cup in his hands, then opened his mouth, but stopped himself before talking and frowned.

This behavior was new, and it helped Ema relax to see how a man as capable and composed as Nahyuta Sahdmadhi struggled to make conversation, a casual conversation, one that had the both of them on the same level, like the type acquaintances or even friends could have.

At this point, after the amount of time Nahyuta had been in the country, she was sure the prosecutor was doing his best to be friendlier. He tried to make amends with everyone that had to deal with him at his lowest point; it just so happened that Nahyuta, who knew so much, hadn't found yet how deal with this particular challenge beyond the round of apologies.

Ema had gotten her own apology months prior to his relocation to LA, then she heard about the ones offered to Trucy and Athena, but it was one thing to apologize about his actions and the threats of doom and damnation, and another one to act like a man so different than the one he was when they met.

Nahyuta knew this was the hardest part, mostly because he was self-conscious enough to feel it was like overstepping on places he shouldn't be allowed, like the Whet Soba, or Trucy's magic shows. He even had a scheduled visit to Kurain Village he kept postponing because, whenever he thought about Maya Fey, the hole in his chest that throbbed in pain grew larger.

Making small talk with Ema should be a safe place, and yet he was burdening himself with it more than necessary. Without noticing, he started fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve. Ema caught it, and she decided to help him.

"I was reading a little about the Nodal brands this morning," she mentioned. "Did you hear about the re-brand?"

Nahyuta lifted his gaze, and it expressed his relief. "I did read something. Mary Anne's daughter sold all her shares and it looks like another major cosmetics brand is buying the whole company."

There was another pause, and Ema worried this was too close to work territory for whatever Nahyuta wished to accomplish by this casual conversation. That's when Ema focused again on his bare face and got an idea.

"Say, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, did you ever use anything from the Nodal brand?" she asked with a warm smile and feeling daring. "I always noticed you to be the type to go for a natural look, so I was curious about what sort of products you liked."

"I've always used artisanal Khura'inese brands," he answered, a little taken aback since the new topic was his beauty routine. "I try to keep it simple."

"Never tried anything new?"

He looked pensive for a second. "Last month I went to that cosmetics store not so far from here. The one in the shopping area"

Ema snapped her fingers "That's LUX! That shop is amazing. A high end and expensive one, but the perfect place if you want to splurge on yourself."

"Have you gone there?"

"I once got a nice nail polish and face cream, and knew that if I got used to them, I would want to try other things, which would make me go bankrupt sooner than planned," she sighed and laughed weakly. "I'll rather maintain my treats limited to snackoos. Is more within my budget."

"I understand. The other day I found the receipt on the bedroom and felt … guilty," he looked at the table and sighed. "But is not bad to splurge once in a while, I guess. I still prefer my go-to cosmetics, though."

"I get that. I'm already running out of that nice hand cream I bought last time I went to Khura'in and there's no way to get it shipped here. Might have to go under the excuse of work again just to get some," she joked.

Nahyuta laughed a little, "Whenever your schedule is open, feel free to call and I'll send the plane tickets."

Ema laughed and returned to her coffee, feeling pleased about where that conversation was heading. Menial talk with Nahyuta seemed so easy now that she tried; however, she was surprised when Nahyuta mentioned the Nodals again.

"I did my investigation regarding the Nodal brand, and noticed they were popular for their formulas for their face and lip products," he said, "I imagine that with the new management, things might change. Though I was surprised. It hasn't even been a week since they lost their CEO."

"It was a rather quick takeover!" she continued, but then looked deflated. "I imagined they would take some time to re-organize, but no. They decided to just erase the name and re-brand the entire cosmetic line."

The jade eyes looked at her with curiosity. "Is this bothering you?"

She crossed her arms and sighed. "Only a little… They made my favorite lipgloss. The one I've been using almost daily the past 6 years, and it's getting discontinued ."

Nahyuta gasped softly, honestly moved. "My condolences."

The honest reaction she got made her smile. After finding out, she casually complained about it at the office, but the answers she got were strange looks, the ones she usually got whenever she showed her excitement at the forensics lab. Most coworkers couldn't comprehend how the at times peculiar forensic investigator would make such a deal out of a tube of lipgloss, so it felt nice to have someone care over this as much as she did, though she recognized that glint in Nahyuta's eyes that meant he would inquire further.

"But I wonder… Is that truly what bothers you?" he left his cup on the saucer and turned to see Ema. "You could go to the sale and buy enough of it that would last you for a while. Which I imagine you did."

"You're right. Got a drawer full of lipgloss in my bathroom now," she forced a laugh and looked away. "But is sad to think they will last me only some years max, and that I won't be able to find it again..."

That downhearted look appeared in her eyes again, and Nahyuta couldn't help pressing further.

"Is that all?"

Ema stared at the small amount of coffee in his cup, and a nostalgic smile appeared in her face before sighing in defeat.

"No. You see, this was Lana's go-to gloss when she was in high-school."

Seeing Nahyuta's eyes slowly widen made Ema feel observed, yet she continued, knowing there was no reason to be silent.

"I found that gloss while I was searching through my sister's old make up bag some time after she went to prison. I have some memories of her wearing it, but then… life happened to her, and frivolous things like this weren't a priority for Lana," she sighed, and looked a little down as she fidgeted while rubbing her nails. "After I found it again, I went and bought a tube for myself. Lana's was old and expired, yet even after almost fifteen years, the formula stayed the same."

She looked at Nahyuta by the corner of her eye, fearing he was uninterested in this conversation. She'd chosen cosmetics as the topic since it was something so basic, and seeing that Nahyuta commonly used them it was a common ground that excluded work. But she didn't expect the ramifications of it.

Instead of dismissing her, Ema saw the prosecutor being attentive at anything she would say, so she continued.

"I liked it a lot. I even bought one for Lana when she mentioned recognizing the shade after I visited her, and we've been wearing the same one for a while now. To think I'll never have one with the same shade and that nostalgic scent of strawberry and vanilla…"

Suddenly, Ema felt silly for sounding so earnest about a tube of sheer pink lipgloss. Even when she complained about the honest fear of the gloss getting discontinued, the most she got were concerned glares from co-workers, probably thinking something that trivial had nothing to do with them. That's why she expected to get the same treatment from Nahyuta, who was a no-nonsense sort of person, and yet, she talked freely about it with him and was happy to see Nahyuta's gaze soften before it shied away.

"I understand what you mean," he continued. "Things that belonged to our loved ones connect us to them."

"Even if it's a tube of lipgloss?" She laughed shyly.

"Especially if it's something as common as that," he smiled. "In something so inconspicuous, you carry your sister with you constantly."

A soft shade of pink painted her cheeks before she sighed in relief. "Thanks. I thought I was overreacting when I saw it was getting discontinued, so it's nice to hear I'm not crazy."

Nahyuta returned the smile, but then, for some reason, he couldn't control this necessity to keep talking.

"If anything… I might understand were you come from," he looked at his cup of coffee and his eyes wrinkled. "There's… This blanket, all patched up with pieces of our father's clothes that Apollo and I are rather attached to. Losing it would feel like a tragedy."

It'd been months now, and Nahyuta hadn't thought much about the blanket he left in Apollo's care; he made an effort not to.

Ema was stunned at the revelation. She was amazed at catching that sad glint in his eyes before he looked away, and she didn't know how to react at this level of openness coming from him. Ema was not expecting it, and when she dared to say a thing, Nahyuta returned to his regal act and faced her.

"I might not think fondly of the Nodals, but at least their make up was of great quality. I hope the ones you bought last you and your sister long enough."

He smiled at her, and even when Ema thought she would be able to see Nahyuta for the first time, not the prince nor the monk or whatever other title attached to his persona controlled his behavior, just Nahyuta, she opted to not press further than this. She'd seen quite a lot.

"Yeah, the stock is enough for a while, and when that runs out, I'll find something that's as lightweight and not sticky for my everyday," she laughed. "Might do it myself!"

"With your forensics kit again?" he asked, mildly worried. "I would advice not to. I still remember when you tried to make a pigment with khura'inese peaches…"

"Oh well! They're a lovely pink!" she retorted.

"Yes, they are. However, using that to paint prayer flags might've not been ideal. Remember the accident?" he said and shook his head. "I'm still too ashamed to look at that acolyte whenever I visit the temple."

Instead of looking remorseful, as Nahyuta expected, Ema simply laughed in his face at the memories of her last visit to Khura'in.

There was an upcoming festival, and as the organizers seemed to run out of paint for many of the decorations, Ema wished to help out with her scientific skill. In the end, she seemed to do more harm than good after some of the powder pigment she made got dispersed by the breeze and sent an acolyte into a coughing fit and gave her a nasty rash.

She should've feel bad for the poor woman, but when she saw her lying and blaming her forensic kit being contaminated instead of natural allergies, she couldn't help laughing at the girl grasping to make her look bad in front of Nahyuta.

"I didn't imagine she would have an allergic reaction! The kit was clean! I swear she had a subtle allergic reaction to the peaches, not any residues! She only lied to make me look bad."

"Still, use things that aren't in your lab, like store bough glycerin and fruit oils," he said with a severe tone.

She scoffed, this time not feeling that pressured after Nahyuta's earful was more risible than scary like in the past. In the end, Ema rolled her eyes and changed the topic.

The coffee was good, and so was the conversation they were having. The longer they talked, the closer Ema felt to Nahyuta than in previous instances, even after a year of working together. There were still some doubts regarding Nahyuta's stay in LA that she couldn't fill in yet, but if he would be this open to being more of a friend than a superior, she was fine with it.

By the time Ema left, she was more than confused as to why Apollo would randomly inquire about his brother's health. He looked perfectly fine to her, except for the perpetual state of tiredness that plagued everyone in their field of work. Still, an event like this, Nahyuta's first day off, seemed like progress that managed to relax that always perfect posture and strict demeanor.

She was thrilled after getting the chance to experience what Nahyuta looked behind the mask. It was a privilege she never knew she had, at least until now.

After Ema's departure, Nahyuta busied himself with the evidence of his most recent case to try and ignore the unease that accompanied him since the morning, but work wasn't as good to subdue it as talking to the detective had been.

He sat on the table and read the transcripts of threatening text messages the defendant sent to the victim, examined a clear evidence bag with a bloodied blue cloth that was found at the defendant's car and, most importantly, a letter opener confirmed as the murder weapon. Nahyuta checked every nook and cranny, and after typing a report for that week's trial, he finished everything that needed to be done.

Noticing that only an hour had passed since Ema left, Nahyuta double checked the evidence to occupy himself. After getting bored of reading the defendants crass language and misspells on the paper, the prince finished his work for the day and couldn't avoid looking at the room, noticing how empty it was in comparison to when the detective was there.

The nagging sensation didn't disappear, and that's when Nahyuta noticed he was again misreading his mind and body.

Nahyuta turned his head to the left, towards the window wall, and admired the city again, bustling and shiny as the sun reflected on all the buildings. He meditated about what this feeling could be, and the longer he tried to rationalize whatever he felt, the sadder he got.

The silence of that large suite was a reminder of his situation, and he spent a bitter couple of minutes dwelling on it, until Simon inadvertently appeared in his mind.

This time, Nahyuta calmly accepted the inevitable.

He, once again, felt the desperate need of company; the sort of company that a conversation with Ema wouldn't placate. Nonetheless, he was more than happy at having talked to her in a context divorced from work, and he was grateful that she'd been open to it when she had all the reasons to reject the coffee he offered; that friendliness between them helped him feel a little more human.

But that was the crux of the issue. The more human he allowed himself to feel, the things he wished to ignore grew louder in his mind. Now that the floodgates were opened, he felt greedy and wanted more.

The idea of Simon Blackquill was a dead giveaway. It didn't come as a shock to Nahyuta, since he was still hung on the memories of his coworkers touch, now somehow carved on his skin, and he didn't even bother on thinking about anyone but him. As he quickly discarded his sadness, the idea of Simon aroused him.

It was all because he'd felt so god after having sex with him— the perfect combination of euphoria, followed by feeling refreshed in mind and body. Something the monk had never attained on his own.

That night was a first for Nahyuta. It wasn't just the sex what had comforted him, but the actual company. Simon was a deeply interesting person whenever he put the bothersome persona to a side, and the conversation they had, the laughs they shared in that bar, and the the night that followed. For once, Nahyuta felt normal, something he never knew he desired to feel for so long.

He'd felt so carefree that night, almost as if he was someone separated from rank and title, from guilt and the heavy past he carried. Nahyuta didn't feel like himself, and he enjoyed that.

Nahyuta also noticed that he'd never slept so soundly like he did that night, and the couple of weeks afterwards he noticed his body was cooperating with him a lot, unlike today. The idea that Simon had been, as he put it, a sort of benefactor for wellness of mind and body was a bothersome truth he needed to confront, because Nahyuta wanted to experience those sensations once more. But that was impossible.

Not even with the change of heart he was having would he dare asking Simon to come, chat with him over some drinks, get a little buzzed off together so they forget how they swore they would never repeat that night, and just waltz into the bedroom… or do it on the couch. Even the floor of the living room would suffice, Nahyuta didn't care about details at this point.

The longer he daydreamed about it, the harder it was to ignore his needs. He found himself in the same situation as the last time he felt like he needed to have sex, and knowing Simon wasn't a choice, he opted to try and successfully search for a partner this time.

Simon's reprimand was still fresh in his mind, so he opted to not go to the hotel's bar and started searching in his phone for the best places in the city that weren't evident cruising spots. He would opt for mock-tails that night, too. Just to be sure he knew who he was going to bed with.

After he found a nice place, another bar-restaurant half an hour from his hotel, Nahyuta distracted himself with a movie as he waited for nighttime. When the clock hit 9 PM, and as he saw the lead couple of Charade have a picture perfect ending after their satirical take on a hitchcockian adventure, Nahyuta ate his dinner, then took a bath.

The routine from the last time he went out was the same: He washed his hair in the shower, then followed it with a warm bubble bath with all those special oils and salts; only that this time, the scent that was getting impregnated on his soft and shiny skin was one that could only make him reminisce on that particular night.

As he sat on the bathtub, with his wet hair up being held by a brown claw clip, Nahyuta smelled the scent of cinnamon and roses inundating the room and tried the best he could to exchange the memories of his last partner by imagining who his new partner might be.

Would this man be taller than him? For sure, its what he liked. Would he be good at conversation? That's the least he asked for, since Nahyuta couldn't just go and sleep with whoever crossed his path. Would he have a charming smile? That was alluring to him. Would he irritate him with every word, but also soothe him with each touch? On his Holy Mother he hoped to be thrilled that way.

Then Simon appeared again, with that snarky grin, and a gaze that mocked him, almost as if he knew Nahyuta couldn't stop thinking about him. The hypothetical man was none other than his coworker, and Nahyuta rested his head in the edge of the bathtub in the steam filled bathroom, fearing no man he went to bed that night with would compare to Simon.

After seconds of silent meditation, Nahyuta wondered if maybe Simon was his type, seeing how hung up he was about that man in specific. Making his peace with this information was hard for him, though letting go of his obstinacy and accepting Simon was a good looking man was for the best.

Simon was now so ingrained in his mind that, as he saw the spacious tub, Nahyuta wondered if the both of them would fit in it. Hypothetically, of course. But that didn't stop him from daydreaming how a second one night stand with him might be.

His eyes closed and he hugged his legs under the water, indulging in the idea. In his mind, Nahyuta clearly saw Simon's brawn and well defined body, glistening with the water infused with oils and smelling divine since they were in the tub; the pale skin would blush in the loveliest crimson red wherever Nahyuta touched, and the pair of hands that made the prince feel like in heaven were all over him.

But what really got to Nahyuta was that bold gaze those gray eyes were capable off.

He thought about Simon there with him, and his legs would be spread open and limpidly resting on the edges of the bathtub, making space for Simon between them. Simon would push his thick black hair off his face for a second, and Nahyuta would fixate on his handsome looks, on the drops of sweat and water that went down his forehead and his straight nose; down his thick neck and chest, and the prince followed them all the way down his abs, to the water covering the still standing erection.

Simon's breathing was labored as he tried to catch a break, and when he looked down at the prince, Nahyuta felt as if everything burned; the sharp and intense gaze that easily slashed down all his defenses would be paired it with that snarky smile of his before kissing Nahyuta one more time.

His vivid imagination was abruptly interrupted when he heard the distant ring of his phone in the bedroom. Being pulled back to reality irked him so much that he choose to ignore the call and enjoy himself a little more; however, he couldn't get back on the same mood as he now felt overtly conscious about what he was doing.

"…. This is pure insanity," muttered Nahyuta, splashing water on his face to shake the thoughts away.

Besides the fact that Nahyuta felt both enthralled and annoyed about this discovery, he abandoned the bathtub and went to rinse in the shower. He covered himself with a bathrobe and started applying face cream and hair oil. As he brushed his hair and started blow-drying it, he completely forgot about his lost call.

His focus was solely on getting rid of this confusing sensation tormenting him once more, and maybe, if he was lucky, get someone better than Simon for the job.

The workday was over, and Simon had forgotten everything regarding Nahyuta, but as he was about to leave his office, he noticed the case file Klavier brought him resting on his desk , and it made him think of the monk.

Something pushed him to call Nahyuta, to rub in that he had something he wanted; something he himself wouldn't use because, after perusing it, Simon instantly saw the ramifications and how it connected to the newest case one everyone wanted.

There was too much on his plate at the moment to even flirt with the idea of dedicating months to a case like this which could involve money laundering, different cover ups and probably, Interpol. That was Nahyuta's territory.

But it gave Simon a reason to call and let him know that he would be benevolent enough to hand the case over to him the next day. So, he pulled his phone and searched for the contact he contemptuously saved under the Sad Monk moniker and called, but after he heard the automatic voicemail message, he gave up on the idea.

“… Strange of him not to pick up his phone.”

On any other occasion, Simon would have given up and forgotten about the documents and Nahyuta all together for the rest of the evening. However, he was intrigued by Nahyuta's absence, and it was hard to ignore how these files would make for a perfect excuse to force an encounter. And at this point, Simon didn't care to think if it would be better to ignore his impulses as usual.

His curiosity and the uncontrollable need to see Nahyuta took over logic; that night, Simon took the files, called a cab, and in a matter of minutes he found himself at the Rosewood Hotel. All of this he did on a whim. Even if while on his way through the lobby and into the elevator he felt like he was jumping over his set-in-stone boundaries, but as he saw the familiar scenery, he was already in too deep to back down.

Simon found himself once again on that fancy corridor, in the floor that harbored the presidential suite, and without thinking, he fixed his tie then knocked on the door. He was ready for this, he'd prepared in the taxi, so when the short wait was followed by the sound of light steps growing closer, Simon maintained his composure at the soft click of the door opening.

All the mental preparation had been useless. No strategy could help him when Nahyuta opened the door only wearing a maroon silk robe and slippers, and his thick and shiny hair, which seemed to be freshly washed and dried, hung loose over his back and shoulders.

The prince stared incredulously at the tall dark man that intensely looked down at him in silence, since Simon forgot what he'd prepared to say, and that was because Nahyuta did not look sick at all.

Instead, Nahyuta's face seemed so fresh without a single ounce of make up; a thing that shook Simon entirely. Part of him wished that the prince was simple-looking under all those ornaments and colorful powders, however, the captivating allure of his good looks were just as strong without any makeup. Nahyuta’s clear face was simply enchanting. There was no sign of jewelry either, which made Simon focus more on those delicate features and incredibly long lashes.

His unadorned self was as spellbinding as the image of the prince Simon had been having troubles getting used to. This made this entire situation even more difficult.

It was evident that he'd been staring at him for far too long, and when Nahyuta was about to break the silence, Simon reacted in time to not look overtly strange just standing there after knocking on the door.

“Good evening. I’ve been trying to call you. Were you too ill to answer the phone?”

“Good evening to you too," answered Nahyuta, slightly raising an eyebrow. "No, I haven't checked my phone, since I was taking a bath, and I seem to have forgotten where I put it.”

“Don't be losing your things so easily. But besides that, what I came for is this,” he showed Nahyuta the case file he brought along. “Remember those highly coveted documents everybody thought were lost? The ones about that big pharmacy legal scandal from 3 years ago? Gavin-dono found the files showed them to me. It's not as interesting as I believed, and since I was told you wanted them, I thought of passing them onto you.”

Any type of question Nahyuta might have about Simon's sudden visit got thrown away. His sole interest was those files that were connected to a new case he'd been interested in, and might even hold some clues to solve it.

“Where did he found them?” he asked, ignoring Simon and looking at the folder in his hand.

“In the archive room. The serial number got erased.”

He frowned and looked at Simon in disbelief. “… And you're giving this to me?”

“Didn't you hear I wasn't interested? Or do you prefer I go back to the office and give it to the first person I cross? Because there's like 10 other lads trying to get their hands on this information.”

Simon dangled the folder in front of Nahyuta's face, and he didn't need much time to think before grabbing it.

“That's strangely nice of you. To come all the way here and give me this. So excuse me for being skeptical.”

“Don't fret it. I imagine seeing me here in the middle of the night of your sick day was something you would have never expected.”

Nahyuta blinked and looked at his visitor in disbelief. “About that, how did you get this far?”

He showed him an irritating grin. “Showing my badge works wonders.”

“... It seems like I might have to ask the lobby to warn me whenever I get visits now," he said while frowning.

That frown he had, which was the natural reaction his face adopted whenever confronted with Simon's smirk, seemed to mellow out the more he looked at his visitor standing in the hallway. The green eyes lingered on Simon longer than usual, and that captivating gaze made its way down to Simon's hands, musing for a second before something changed in his gaze Something indescribable.

Nahyuta opened the door entirely. “Please, come in."

The sudden invitation was met with a disconcerted look from Simon, who didn't think things would come out this smoothly. If anything, it was suspicious, so he couldn't accept right away, even if he wanted to.

“Are you sure? Last time you told me to not even dare to get close to your bedchambers," he retorted.

“You took your time to get this important document to me this late at night. It would be rude to simply send you away, as if you were my gofer."

"You see me doing one kind act and immediately categorize me as a servant. You're unbelievable," he complained.

He pressed the document against his chest. "I'm not. But I would like to hear what you have to say about this case, since you read it already. If you're not so tired after a long day, I would like you to put me up to date.”

If the memories of a night together had been enough to make Simon throw away reason and pride and come all this way to meet Nahyuta, then the enticing image of him asking for his company with an inviting smile was enough to completely convince him. Only a fool would turn around and leave; still, he had to properly know if they were both speaking the same code.

“As long as there's no alcohol and you're not down to make mistakes like the last time," he said, leaning a little closer.

The comment was made as a test. If Nahyuta got angry, then Simon would tease him a little, then leave and forget about being with Nahyuta once and for all. That way, no one couldn't say that at least he didn't try.

A part of him was already resigned to the rejection, and he even prepared two or three jabs for their upcoming argument, since that was the only thing that would rile him up that night before going home. But instead of getting angry, Nahyuta covered his laughter with one hand gracefully. Simon couldn’t help staring again.

“I can make some tea," said Nahyuta. "I'm sure no one has made mistakes over a cup of tea.”

The door was fully open for him, and so was Nahyuta, who seemed unruffled about this late night visitor. When Simon entered the suite, the monk closed the door and walked in front of him, pushing some of his hair over his shoulder, which made the sweet scent of jasmines leave a trail that Simon followed.

Inside the suite, and after snapping out of the trance the scent put him in, Simon studied the room better than he did that morning after, when he left in a hurry. The place was gigantic and, more than a presidential suite, it resembled a luxurious apartment. He was asked to sit on the couch in the living room space, in front of the dining table. As he sat, Simon noticed that at the other extreme of the suite there was a kitchenette area.

As Nahyuta turned on the stove, he couldn't help from staring at all of Nahyuta's movements as he prepared the tea cups.

“Would you like Ceylon? Or Rose tea?" asked the monk, seeing his almost empty cabinet. "I don’t have much to choose from at the moment, but I could call for someone to bring something to your taste.”

“Anything you wish.”

Nahyuta looked over the cabinet and a glint of mischief adorned his eyes.“…. I fancy rose tea with cinnamon. Have you ever had it this way?”

“Cinnamon? Only when I get the common cold. I wouldn’t mind it now since it’s a chilly night.”

That sudden pause piqued his interest, but Simon let it past as he saw Nahyuta pulling the glass recipients with cinnamon barks and the dried rose petals. After a short wait, Nahyuta came with a golden tray that carried a white teapot and two cups. He poured the tea in a porcelain set that, in a way, resembled him. Highly ornamented and seemingly delicate. Just like the prince.

"Sugar or honey?" he asked.

"Sugar's fine."

The monk carefully prepared both cups and handed over one to his visit.

“Enjoy it,” he whispered as he left his cup on the tray and sat on the couch, fixing his robe and then crossing his naked legs.

A quick glance was enough for Simon to notice Nahyuta wasn’t wearing pants under it, another one, and he noticed there wasn’t a shirt under the robe either when he caught a glimpse of the naked clavicle. He slowly tasted the fragrant tea to focus on something that wasn't his mouth drying.

“After so many people searched for the original case file for months, it just appeared now?” asked Nahyuta, reading the document.

“Gavin-dono says the serial number got erased, and then it was misplaced.”

“Someone went and hid it then.”

“If you ask me, it had to be one of those evidence falsifiers Edgeworth-dono fired. They liked to be in the archive room checking things, but I’m sure they would move stuff to then be able to get them whenever they personally need it.”

“Rather immature moves for criminals,” he giggled as his green eyes looked through the document. “This seems like a big case.”

“It was. A media scandal. I was still a prisoner when it happened, but even at the clink we found out some details through the news," he grabbed his cup and grinned. "It gets worse when you reach the part about the alleged human experimentation.”

Nahyuta passed the page and his relaxed face immediately warped into one of disgust. Simon knew it was cruel to laugh right now, but it was hard not to whenever he saw Nahyuta being so expressive.

“You say alleged, but this sounds like it was very much what happened," argued the prince.

“The case is still open, and many of the main figures are on preventive incarceration, but the litigation will take years.”

“At least no victim died and they got treatment, but this is a terrible event. Do you think it has a connection with that new case?”

“The guy getting investigated was a shareholder of this pharmaceutical company. Getting to dig in this part of his past is crucial if you choose to take the case.”

“I see.”

The conversation came to a halt since Simon was about to say something, but the manner in which Nahyuta swiftly grabbed the length of his hair with his right hand and moved it towards his left shoulder, exposing the thin and bare neck, ended up distracting him.

The skin had a golden tan and looked soft. Simon remembered it being tender.

Nahyuta moving his hair the way he did only made the perfume of the oils he wore on it reach Simon again. It was that flowery scent that distracted him every time Nahyuta was close, just as it did now when he ignored whatever Nahyuta was saying.

“…. Are you listening?” asked the prince.

“Ah? Yes. Of course,” he struggled to act relaxed after noticing he’d been ignoring Nahyuta talking to him. “Great tea.”

“It’s just plain rose and cinnamon, Panda,” he giggled again, closing the file and putting it next to his empty cup. “If you wanted more you could’ve asked.”

He stood up and poured more tea on Simon’s cup. Now, Nahyuta’s face was closer. The lack of jewelry made Simon focus on the small hole in his ear from where those big earrings usually dangled. The ears were a regular size, perfectly balanced to his side profile with the slightly round tip of his sharp nose and bow-shaped lips. It wasn’t until he saw them moving that he understood Nahyuta was speaking to him again.

“Excuse me?”

“I asked if you wanted more sugar," he turned to see Simon and his eyes narrowed a bit. "Is everything alright with you tonight?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You seem unfocused."

He'd been whispered to all this time, and the breathy quality of Nahyuta's voice was doing numbers on Simon.

Nahyuta sat and crossed his legs again, but this time he caught the gray eyes, quickly gazing down at the naked leg revealed through the slit of the robe. It pleased Nahyuta to see Simon shamelessly eyeing him, but instead of toying a little longer with him and playing dumb, the prince dropped the game entirely. He was starting to feel somewhat restless, too.

“Did my figure distract you, Prosecutor Blackquill?” asked Nahyuta.

In an instant, the same eyes looking at Nahyuta's slender calves darted towards the coffee table. Simon drank tea again as a way to gain time and think of something to say; nothing ingenious came to mind, and it was all Nahyuta’s fault.

It was his fault for being beautiful, for looking so beguiling and doing all of this on purpose, probably enjoying how Simon was feigning tranquility. The prince was there, casually playing with him and ignoring how badly Simon wished to rip the robe off his body and check if he had underwear on.

“You’re not that interesting to look at with no make-up,” he answered before finishing his tea.

Nahyuta frowned and played along. “Did you come all this way just to insult my looks when I'm not in public?”

“Did I hurt your ego?” Simon smiled, still refusing to look at his companion.

“At all. You’re a lousy liar under pressure.”

He'd run out of tea again, and asking for more would be an obvious giveaway, but at this point he'd also ran out of ideas. Since coming to the hotel had been him not thinking things through, being cornered like this by Nahyuta was the obvious outcome. Staying silent was only backing him up more against the wall, so he said something that’d been on his mind as he left his empty cup on the tray.

“May I ask why didn’t you go to the office today?”

The question managed to erase that confident gaze in Nahyuta’s eyes, but now the openness he showed at the door was exchanged by the usual apprehension.

“Are you honestly curious, or you’re simply trying to get out of the hole you dig for yourself?” he asked, his tone now was harsher.

Sharp as always, thought Simon.

“… A bit of both. You don’t seem sick, and if I’m a workaholic, I recognize you to be worse. The curiosity was so big it brought me all the way here.”

The room was now silent, and Simon couldn’t help looking into Nahyuta’s eyes when his expression seemed to slowly get unguarded. The fiery green gaze softened until Nahyuta couldn’t do more than look down at his hands; that tattoo on the palm of Nahyuta's hand got both of their attentions.

There was slight concern in Simon’s eyes as he observed how Nahyuta suddenly stopped playing the seduction game. It made him think something bad had happened.

“… I woke up and couldn’t get out of bed. This morning was colder than previous ones, and my body ached more than any other days.” said Nahyuta, worried about getting mocked because of his childlike reason to miss work. "I wanted to sleep. That's all."

Something in his tone let Simon know that, more than revealing this to him, the monk was on the verge of chastising himself. A rather bad habit he noticed Nahyuta had, and being that he felt kinder that evening, Simon didn't wish to make him feel worse.

“Being lazy at times isn’t a sin… At least that I know of. Is it in khurainism?”

“… At times, it depends on the reason,” he answered, slightly confused at the sudden kindness.

“Then you’ll be fine. Seems like the day off worked, since you seem more relaxed.”

“Do I?"

Nahyuta, for some unknown reason to him, looked at Simon expecting an actual answer. It made the prosecutor feel pressured, so he continued.

"Yes. There's no visible bags under your eyes. You seem less tense, too."

"Really?" his eyes took on a childish shine of excitement, and he tuck a leg under himself on the couch as he leaned closer to Simon. "You're not lying to me?"

"What do I win lying about that?" he was confused at this second change of behavior.

"… Yes. You have no reason's to lie and make me feel better," he smiled with relief, but then rolled his eyes to stare at Simon once more. “Did you like looking at me this evening? It’s been a while since you did.”

“No comment.”

Nahyuta laughed, knowing that Simon never stopped himself from looking at the him, yet he was getting tired of ignoring these sporadic glances Simon kept throwing his way ever since he arrived at the prosecutor’s office. At this point, he wanted more than just stolen glances. And maybe so did Simon, to have appeared unannounced at his door.

Any other day, Nahyuta would've been irritated by the unwanted visit, but tonight it was exactly what he wanted. He'd been craving company, and lo and behold, whenever he felt that way, Simon and him crossed paths; just as he wished.

Seeing Simon that night had felt right.

He wondered if this was some sort of message or game from the Holy Mother, because had it been someone else, Nahyuta would accept this as a blessing. Instead, what kept being sent his way over and over was Simon Blackquill, and Nahyuta doubted about calling that presence a blessing, but he wouldn't deny how grateful he was.

If anything, it was a situation that now amused Nahyuta, because out of all the men in the world that could be attracted to him, the heavens sent his way a poor creature that was trying his best to not take a bite out of him there and now. For someone like Nahyuta, who was used to have people admiring him everywhere he went, Simon's resolute denial of his attraction made a contrast with how much he struggle to not make obvious how his gaze lingered on the prince.

Something about that stubborn refusal of his evident infatuation made Nahyuta's vanity grow. He wanted to make Simon look at him even more. To unrestraint himself like he did last time, something that wouldn't be that difficult to do, since the prosecutor's shamelessness was telling of his intentions. Him appearing at his door, then pretending to only talk about work was ludicrous, but it entertained Nahyuta enough to forget about all the past misdeeds against him.

The more he stared at Simon's profile, ignoring whatever he said regarding those files and his excuses, the easier it was for Nahyuta to remember all the things he imagined during bath time.

He wasn't the type to commit the same mistake twice, but oh, when it involved Simon, it was evident Nahyuta struggled in vain. This little talk helped him put to a side the bad blood between them, and made him reconsider their past agreement.

The only good thing about this situation, which was only uncomfortable because neither had made the first move yet, was that Nahyuta knew how Simon was in bed, and his better judgment got thrown out of the window when he saw his large hands and pictured them on him once more.

“Blackquill… What did you came for?” he interrupted his visitor, resting his head on the back of the couch. “To make a mistake over tea now?”

Simon looked at him, who looked so majestic and unruffled, and smiled after noticing how close Nahyuta had gotten without him noticing.

“… You don’t beat around the bush," he whispered.

"You came all this way, so I have no reasons to."

Simon conceded with a smile, knowing it was more than silly to argue he'd come with other intentions. Seeing that Nahyuta was getting a little more comfortable with him, the prosecutor couldn't help teasing him.

"And yet I worry your sudden openness will end by the time morning comes, and you’ll once again make a scandal and throw me out," he chuckled at the memory. "It was quite the spectacle you put up. It'd never happened to me."

Nahyuta looked down, slightly shy, but allowing himself to find the fun in that memory. "Don't laugh. It was a first for me, too. "

"Oh, but you were a natural. You only needed to throw a vase at me and it would've been the perfect scene," added Simon. "But I don't fancy being put in that situation again."

Nahyuta stared at him, then scooted over even closer, shamelessly resting his hand on top of Simon’s. It was warm, and the man almost flinched at the touch. The way he managed to keep the usual frown only enticed Nahyuta.

“That won’t happen if you play nice, if you’re even capable of it," whispered the monk.

The touch sent chills through all of his body, but Simon masked them well. The hand was thinner in comparison to his, softer too. While looking down at the perfectly manicured nails and the gentle smile on Nahyuta’s face, Simon fought to keep the act a little longer; to not give up that easy. For his pride.

Simon scoffed.“Are you that desperate again?”

“Don’t say that when you’re the one that came to me.”

"That I did… But what I can’t understand, Sad Monk, is how you can entertain the idea of sleeping with someone you don’t like.”

There was a silence that didn't last long, as Nahyuta, with a sincere expression of confusion, looked at Simon in the eye.

“I like you in bed. Isn’t that enough?”

The earnestness with which Nahyuta spoke left Simon grasping for what to say to debate that logic of his, but in the end, he could only sigh at how simple and untroubled that reasoning had been. It made him smile, and he gave in to the touch of the delicate hand that abandoned his own and went to rest on his shoulder as Nahyuta leaned in to kiss him.

Kissing seemed like the most natural way to break the frail crystal wall between them, since they both enjoyed doing that more than they would ever allow the other to know.

For days Simon had been remembering the sensation of Nahyuta's lips, but the real thing felt better than what the hazy drunken memories allowed him to relieve. The subtle taste of rose and cinnamon made for a lovely experience.

A hand laid on his chest, pushing Simon to rest on the back of the couch, and before he knew it, Nahyuta slid a naked leg over his lap to sit on it. The familiar eagerness was still there, but it wasn’t uncoordinated like the last time thanks to the lack of alcohol. Nahyuta demonstrated his control by the way his thin fingers wrapped on his neck, making Simon nervous for a second, only to then undo the black tie slowly. He did not want to waste time.

They both leaned into the kiss, and Simon took his time holding onto the prince’s waist to comfortably place him on his lap, thinking how this felt as if it were the first time. A do-over.

It definitely felt like a new experience, since Nahyuta was in control of everything while distracting Simon with his kiss to carefully get rid of his coat, jacket and necktie, then busied himself by slowly unbuttoning the white dress shirt.

The prince was doing an excellent job with the shirt's buttons without looking before Simon could react to being undressed. He grabbed Nahyuta’s thin wrists and pushed him away, catching a bit of his breath and looking at that flustered expression in Nahyuta’s face.

“Wait… before we continue, I need to ask you something,” said Simon trying to catch his breath.

Nahyuta blinked with worry. “Is there something wrong?”

“… Are those really your lashes? I’ve been wondering for months now, you see.”

Nahyuta stared at him dumbfounded, he blinked in disbelief, and could only answer by bursting into laughter right in his face. It was the first time Simon saw him laugh that loud; he never imagined the monk was capable of it. Nahyuta tried to cover his mouth with the back of his hand, but ended up just hiding his face by burrowing it on Simon’s naked chest.

The sensation of him laughing so close only made Simon’s heart beat faster, and after some seconds, the prince regained composure and looked up.

“They are. No extensions or anything. You found an unusual moment to ask a strange question, Panda.”

“It’s a precaution. Who knows how you’ll feel about me afterwards. At least I get to solve a mystery that's been nagging me.”

Nahyuta continued laughing, enjoying the smell of Simon’s cologne while resting on his half naked chest. The skin was pale and tight due to his muscular build, and it was slowly warming up. The prince wondered if that had been another test to give him a chance to rethink their situation; it could’ve been both that and a serious inquiry, but Nahyuta focused on how it gave him a chance to stop if he wasn't comfortable.

He remembered Simon doing that the last time, and it made him feel rather at ease and secure. A strange thing to feel while snuggling on Simon Blackquill's chest.

Even after his laughter died down, Nahyuta felt like he wanted to take this further. Without a second thought, the prince slipped off his lap; his green eyes stared right into Simon's, who wasn't put off by it, but who had a subtle blush on his nose that Nahyuta found attractive. The prince pulled him by the shirt’s sleeve and took him into the bedroom.

Earlier, he flirted with the idea of having sex in the living room, but now that he saw Simon again, he knew it would’ve been too uncomfortable for him to lay on that couch due to his height.

Not much was said on their way to the bedroom, and Nahyuta took advantage of the situation as quickly as they reached the bed. He finished unbuttoning the shirt and Simon took it off while Nahyuta sat on the bed, silently looking at Simon's muscular naked torso, and the attractive manner in which he took off his belt with one hand. Nahyuta remembered that clearly from the last time, and it excited him the same way.

He laid down on the mattress and felt his heart beat faster when Simon climbed on top of him after taking of his watch and kicking off his boots. One of those hands he'd been fixated on slid into the robe to touch hiss chest, and the cold sensation, paired with the feeling of hot lips on his neck made Nahyuta tremble, even whimper.

That neck that had enticed Simon some minutes earlier was still tender, and hearing that soft breathing was new.

The last time, he kept fighting Nahyuta on every thing, so seeing the way he gave in to the touch this easily made Simon even more excited about what was going to happen. With one hand, he undid the robe open and, to no surprise, Nahyuta was wearing underwear; a pair of light brown, short boxer briefs, and by looking at his groin Simon could see Nahyuta's evident excited state.

Had he been shameless enough to entertain visits while naked, only being covered by a silk robe, Simon would never let him live it down, but getting to undress him was just as good.

The same hand started caressing the naked torso, this time more carefully, as he let himself enjoy the sight of the tanned and glowing skin that smelled divine, the slender body and waist, and the slim legs. The moment he reached a nipple, Nahyuta couldn’t help softly gasping. He enjoyed it there. Simon remembered that.

“Are we sensitive?” teased Simon.

“... Of course. I’m not going to try to suppress my voice if I feel good,” he said, blushing and with his hands on Simon’s shoulders. “You mentioned my loudness bothered you last time… I won’t change that.”

“What bothered me last time were the insults in a language I couldn’t understand. Other than that, be as loud as you want.”

Nahyuta smiled and Simon continued kissing his way down from the neck to the nipple that caught his attention, but he stopped before putting it in his mouth when something caught his attention. Being that he was buzzed off the last time, he never noticed the two minuscule bumps in the sides. Both nipples had them, and Simon had a hunch about it that he was too curious to let it be.

“Sad monk… Did you, perhaps, had nipple piercings in the past?” he asked

Nahyuta lifted himself a little, eyes widened as he looked at his partner. “You are detailed. Most people wouldn’t notice scars that small," he looked down at his own chest. "I even forget about those."

“... You did?”

“Until last year. I took them off after being chosen as regent,” his hands started playing with the hair coming off Simon’s ponytail, tempted to undo it. “Has your opinion of me changed?"

"Barely. I always imagined you had a wild streak," he said, resting his chin on Nahyuta's chest after the initial shock faded. "I never bought on your holy man act… But piercings?… You do enjoy your jewelry."

"Bad luck that you didn’t get to see them.”

"What did you had?" he asked, looking up with an amused smile.

"Golden barbells. With pearl accents," he said with a cheeky smile.

How he wished he could've keep seeing Simon's stunned expression, but when Nahyuta felt the weight of Simon’s head resting against his chest, slowly going down to his stomach, and then the sensation of him trying to contain laughter against his skin made Nahyuta unable to calm himself.

The vibration of his voice and the warmth brought by the closeness he had with someone else was intoxicating. He dug his fingers in Simon’s hair and wished he made him feel like that a little longer.

The sensation of Simon's tongue on his skin startled Nahyuta, and it made him squirm a little when it went up to bite one of his nipples. He enjoyed himself greatly, and they spend some time locked in that position until Nahyuta snapped out of his own pleasure, only to use his leg and push off Simon’s pants, leaving him almost naked.

“Don’t you want to enjoy yourself a little longer?” asked Simon before biting softly on the sensitive nipple.

“… I imagined you to be the type to go straight to the point," answered the prince, face completely flushed. "Did you took this amount of care last time?”

“Hard to say since I don’t remember. What I do recall is you complaining about everything I did,” he said while raising his eyebrow. “But to your inquiry: yes, I take my time. I'm fond of foreplay. Get used to it.”

Not looking pleased by this stalling, Nahyuta only pursed his lips and let Simon do as he wished, but in a matter of seconds his worries disappeared as he got reduced to a moaning mess. Simon had slipped a hand into his underwear to fondle his ass, only to then slip it off and discard it next to the robe and his own clothes. He raised himself a little to see in its entirety how Nahyuta looked naked, only to smile at what he saw.

The prince's body was a work of art, and Simon didn't know if his lust was what made it impossible for him to find a single imperfection on that tight abdomen, the soft chest or the way his narrow hips bones tempted him to bite them. The long and perky cock was twitching in anticipation already, however, Simon was busy looking at the slender neck before he threw himself at it again.

Last time, he didn’t have the pleasure of being this close to Nahyuta and feeling him on his skin, something that was completely out of character for him. That didn’t stop him from kissing Nahyuta’s body and teasing him with just his lips until he tormented him enough.

To completely frustrate him was Simon's goal; he adored messing with the monk both in and out of bed, but he also knew that the longer he dragged it, the more desperate and eager Nahyuta would get, and the more he would want it.

It was true that the last time he went straight to the point, but foreplay was a thing he deeply enjoyed, even more now as he was stalling on purpose. Simon wished to savor everything and carve in his memory this night, since he wasn't sure if he would be lucky a third time. And Nahyuta made it hard for him; the moans had been delectable, enough to get Simon half hard, but by the looks of it, Nahyuta was getting annoyed since he tapped Simon on the shoulder.

“Enough of it. You didn’t come to do just that,” said Nahyuta, visibly flustered and scowling.

“No, I came to give you some documents, then you came onto me and now—”

“I said enough. Or should I just do it myself?”

“…. I would like to see that,” he grinned and made Nahyuta push him away.

“In your dreams. Now move, I need to get something.”

He ignored whatever Simon had to say and slipped off his hold, climbing on the bed in search of the bedside table and the same bottle of lube and package of condoms they used some weeks ago. The box of 12 condoms only had 4 left, which made Nahyuta quickly start doing the math to find out they’d done it four times last time, if you count both of them worn protection each time. The lube bottle too was half empty.

These were things Nahyuta was noticing now, since the day after he’d been too ashamed to even check the box or the bottle that’d been put away while he was asleep. Probably by Simon, trying to tidy up everything before Nahyuta woke up. He sighed and handed the lube to Simon and pulled two condoms.

As Nahyuta moved around the bed, naked and looking thoughtful at a box of preservatives, Simon was kneeling in front of him. He stared at his long legs, the elegant curve of his back and the small and round ass while focusing on the manner in which some lilac locks slid down his shoulder.

The manner in which he was being ignored so casually made Simon understand that he was truly going to fuck Nahyuta. This time without unnecessary and irritating drama, only the enjoyment of both parts. When Nahyuta turned around to see him, Simon wondered what sort of expression he had on since it made the monk look down and smile.

“Want me to help you with that?”

Before being able to say something, Nahyuta ripped open the condom packaging. In an unexpected move, he pinched the tip of the rubber out and put it on his lips before leaning down towards Simon’s now full erection, putting on the condom with his mouth. The lack of shyness as he did it, how he held his hair back, and the sensation of that tongue coated by the condom on his cock, made Simon shiver. Nahyuta put the rubber slowly, opening his mouth wide enough to fit most of Simon’s length and thickness, before finishing rolling down the condom with his fingers.

Since Nahyuta felt like teasing, he kept the tip of his cock inside his mouth a little longer, before leaving it alone and cleaning the lube that came with the condom that now coated his lips with the back of his hand.

“I imagined you would come,” he said, a little disappointed and with his eyes still focused on Simon's cock.

“What do you think I am? A virgin?” growled Simon, and Nahyuta’s little laugh irritated him enough to shake off the warm feelings in his chest. “Forget about it. Lay down before you irritate me enough that I change my mind.”

Surprisingly, Nahyuta did as he was told and laid on top of the mattress, seeing with expectant eyes at Simon pouring the clear lubricant on his thick fingers.

The sole image of Simon made him harder, at this point there was no denying of it, and Nahyuta restrained himself from swooning to avoid embarrassing himself. Either the pale skin and the large and muscular frame, or Simon’s strong, handsome features, and the intensity of his gaze. It all made for a hauntingly good looking man.

The monk distracted himself by putting on his condom, but the sudden jolt of his legs being pulled open startled him. The crassness of Simon's manners, and the force he used whenever he grabbed him got the prince even more excited than he allowed to show.

“I’m doing it,” whispered Simon while leaning close to his ear as he rubbed Nahyuta’s hole with his fingers. “Unless His Holiness wants to back off now.”

“… Have your fun.”

When the first finger went inside Nahyuta, he closed his eyes and rested his head on the soft peach colored sheets. This time, there was no type of tension or unconscious resistance, which made the experience immensely more pleasant for Nahyuta, who kept his legs open as Simon knelt between them and fingered him slowly. A second finger got in and he was getting properly stretched now.

A moan louder than others threatened to leave his throat, and as a reflex he covered his mouth. This made Simon stop for a moment to get over Nahyuta and laugh in his face.

“Weren’t you boasting earlier that you would be as loud as you wanted?”

The grin on Simon’s face disappeared when he felt Nahyuta grabbing the arm he was using as support on the bed. The redness in his cheeks spread on top of his nose too when he looked at the prince's half opened eyes avoiding his gaze. He looked as if something took him by surprise.

“Your… Your fingers are… so thick," he whimpered, and as if what he’d said was unplanned, Nahyuta bit his lower lip.

It took a lot of strength to not fuck him at that moment, but Simon took a deep breathe and kept on fingering him. He had no intentions of hurting Nahyuta by doing half-assed work, but he did enjoy seeing him biting his lips or pressing them together until he let himself moan freely.

Nahyuta’s own cock was throbbing, and Simon was tempted to see if he would come by his fingers only, but even he feared reaching a point of maddening lust by only looking at Nahyuta enjoying himself with his hand.

“That seems enough to me.”

Simon whispered to himself, spreading both fingers and looking down at Nahyuta, completely open, which seemed to be too much for the prince to keep quiet about.

“Your vulgarity amazes me,” he glared at Simon with a flushed face.

“You seem to like it.”

After pulling his fingers out and squeezing more lube on his throbbing cock, he pulled Nahyuta’s right leg and put it on top of his shoulder, making good use of the monk's natural flexibility and forcing him to lay on his side. The position had surprised Nahyuta, but he wasn’t able to protest as Simon started pressing his cock into him.

Nahyuta had to look the other way, feeling the discomfort of such a large object penetrating him, but after the head was in, Simon eased his way in with no problems until half of his cock was inside the prince.

Feeling full, Nahyuta could only grip onto a pillow and wait for the subtle pain to turn into the most pleasant feeling. The lilac strands of hair that covered his face were pushed away by Simon, who wished to see what expression he had on. He saw how the green eyes shone in the dim lit room, and the moment their gazes crashed, Simon didn't control his need to thrust entirely in.

“Ah…! Pohlkunka…! Let me know if… you're going to move…!” shouted Nahyuta, but Simon was too busy thrusting into him to care. “Son of …! You are wicked!”

“Keep that behavior and I’ll start thinking that insulting your partner turns you on,” he said before grabbing Nahyuta’s hips to fuck him deeper.

The fast paced rhythm of the thrusts made Nahyuta quickly forget what he was thinking, or why he was mad. At first, when he saw the size of Simon’s cock, he wasn't as surprised since he imagine it would be big, and this not being their first time together eased any nerves he might have had, but now, feeling it inside of him and all the way to his stomach, the prince was left gasping and moaning, trying to think any coherent thought to not lose himself too quickly to pleasure.

The tension of his muscles and his own embarrassment disappeared with time, allowing him to enjoy himself. The sensation of Simon’s hands grabbing his waist and sliding down to his hips made Nahyuta open his eyes, to see the man he was fearing might tease him relentlessly being concentrated in only one thing: enjoy the full sight of him.

Even in such a state, the prince couldn’t avoid feeling observed, and wouldn’t let the opportunity to tease Simon go away.

“If you keep that up… I’ll believe you… can get off by only looking at me.”

A deep thrust erased Nahyuta’s arrogant smile and, instead of a proper comeback, he felt Simon pull out and throw his leg at the bed before turning him around. After failing to lift himself up, Nahyuta felt Simon raise his hips and thrust into him with his entire cock at once. The loud groan the prince let out seemed to please his partner a lot.

Simon smirked as he saw the perfect back in front of him. “Last time you came a lot with this shameful position. Let’s try it again."

With no time to complain, Nahyuta gripped onto the bed sheets and pillow cover, wishing to be able to control himself a little longer, but then a hand abandoned his hips and went to his neglected cock to jerk him off. The thrusting and the rubbing got Nahyuta unable to control his voice, letting the loud moans, mixed with Simon's controlled groans, and the sound of skin crashing against skin, inundate the room

As much as Nahyuta refused to admit it, this was a position he enjoyed the most. So there was no reason to even complain, other than to try and fight for his trashed pride, but at the moment he didn't care about it at all.

The sweat now dripping from his forehead made Nahyuta open his eyes, but when he tried looking back at Simon, the hand that grabbed his erection left it alone and went to push his head into the pillow.

“No peeking,” grumbled Simon.

He laughed. “...Touched a nerve?”

“All the time. Seems like that’s what truly riles you up.”

I don’t want to hear that coming from you, was all Nahyuta could think, yet he felt himself reaching his long awaited orgasm and decided to keep quiet.

The grip on his head softened, and Nahyuta sensed how Simon caressed his hair before slowly touching the outline of his back with the tip of his fingers, before grabbing his hips again. With shaky arms, Nahyuta raised himself from the pillow, but kept his back arched as Simon didn’t slow down with the thrusting. A hand reached Simon’s forearm and instinctively dug his nails in the skin. That only won him a deeper thrust that almost made him come.

Then suddenly, Simon slowed the pace, and Nahyuta knew his torment was barely starting.

It went like that for the longest minutes of his life; Simon would up the pace of his thrusts then slow it down, enraging Nahyuta who felt his orgasm being interrupted. Then, Simon would start fucking him hard and fast, to the point Nahyuta could only found some solace in spouting words in khura'inese.

It was torture for the both of them, but Simon had no intention of ending this so quickly. However, when the initial anger prompted by Nahyuta's comment faded away, he gave in to temptation and turned Nahyuta again so he could face him.

The prince covered his face with an arm, one that Simon tried to force away, but Nahyuta refused to be seen. Something that deeply displeased Simon, and the only solution he found to this issue was lifting the prince up.

When he was jolted out of his stupor, Nahyuta found himself holding onto Simon's shoulders for balance. This terrible man was moving him and fixing his body as if he were a rag doll, but Nahyuta could not complain when he enjoyed so much the manner in which Simon pressed his back against the bed's headboard.

A hand grabbed the back of his neck, forcing him to see into Simon's eyes which was a surprise, but the initial startle faded when he noticed the grip wasn't so strong.

Nahyuta knew what he was doing. Simon craved to see the mess he'd made out of him, and Nahyuta's instincts made him try to turn his face away, only to see how the grip tightened and Simon pinned him in place against the headboard. Accepting his defeat against someone that easily overpowered him in strength, he closed his eyes and waited to be humiliated by whatever innovative vulgarity Simon could come up with.

But Simon couldn't say a thing. He was entranced, taking in the frazzled look of the prince, with his flushed skin glistening with sweat, and what seemed like tears hanging from him lashes. He still had it in him to have this mix of a frown and a pleasured smile in his face as he tried to catch his breath. It was too much for Simon. No one could be this beautiful.

When Nahyuta felt Simon resting his forehead against his, the soft black and white hair sticking to the prince's damp skin, and the warm, labored breathing in his face, he opened his eyes and confronted the raw intensity coming from a pair of gray eyes that analyzed him, and felt out of breath simply by being looked at like that.

"This is your best look, Sad Monk," Simon whispered, before he pulled out and his eyes wrinkled when Nahyuta instinctively groaned, disgruntled by this, then started rubbing their cocks against together. "I wouldn't mind being kinder to you if you looked this way everyday."

"… I don't wish for your kindness," whimpered Nahyuta.

He had to quickly look down, both avoiding Simon's gaze and taking in the image of their erections, rubbing against each other in a tortuous slow pace by the way Simon moved his hips.

"No, you wish my cock was inside of you," he grinned. "You've made that clear."

"… And you can't even do it properly," he retorted, trying to keep up.

He scoffed. "Aren't you an ungrateful asshole? I've been doing everything tonight, same as last time… I've never met a pillow prince as unashamed as you."

It seemed like Simon didn't want to talk anymore by the way he let go of Nahyuta's neck, grabbed his cock and thrust into him again. The warm and slippery sensation, now familiar, made Nahyuta dig his nails on Simon's back.

What was once a soft pace was switched by the violently fast thrusting of minutes ago, all which were aligned with his most sensitive spot in this new position; Nahyuta could only wrap his legs around Simon's waist, clinging onto the broad back and even Simon's hair as he feared he was going to get fucked through the bed's headboard.

It seemed as if getting his hair pulled gave Simon an idea, and his hand crept up from the back of Nahyuta's neck until it tightly grabbed onto the hair in the back of his head and softly pulled it.

The scream of pain and pleasure that abandoned Nahyuta's lips as he was forced to look up at the sheer fabric on the canopy was something not even he himself knew he cold produce. And it'd excited Simon, by the way he unrelentingly pounded his bruised and aching ass. The bed started creaking, and the heat the prince felt on his groin announced his orgasm.

“Ngh!… I’m… close!”

The weakness in his voice got to Simon, who's grip on the lilac hair grew stronger. He rested his forehead on the crevice of Nahyuta's neck, smelling the familiar scent from the last time he enjoyed so much.

“... So am I.”

The heat emanating from Simon’s body, closely stuck to his, was overwhelming, and Nahyuta’s vision went blurry with tears as he felt the spasms of an incoming orgasm all over his body. A last thrust clouded his mind as he moaned while he spilled into the condom, but before he was set free, Simon held him by the waist and kept fucking him until he too came, his own voice was muffled by Nahyuta’s skin the moment he bit on his shoulder.

Finally, Nahyuta was able to catch a break after Simon pulled out of him, and his head rested on the broad shoulder until Simon softly put the languid body face down on the bed and rested next to him. Both men were drenched in sweat and filling the room with their heavy breathing, saying nothing while resting their exhausted bodies.

Simon felt the post-coital haze slowly disappear, and now there was an awkwardness about not knowing what to say that made him think well about his next move. He looked at Nahyuta, resting face down but looking at him through the mess of hair covering his face, with blushing cheeks and some sweat soaked strands of hair sticking to his cheek.

It seemed like he had enough energy, since those luscious eyes looked straight into his without notice before the prince laid a hand on his chest.

“… Want to do it again?” asked Nahyuta, reaching with his other hand for the last two condoms.

“… Sure,” he answered almost automatically as he accepted Nahyuta, lifting his body and leaning in for another kiss.

After a second round and having ran out of lube and condoms, Simon sat on the edge of the bed to pick up his shirt and pants, then looked for his watch on the bedside table. When he saw the hour, he thought deeply before looking back at Nahyuta, resting on the bed.

“I’m going to take a shower," he said.

“Be my guest,” Nahyuta answered lazily, covering himself more with the sheets.

A quick shower allowed Simon to put things in order in his mind, and after he got out and wrapped a white towel around his hips, he decided the best course of action was to leave. Nahyuta was still in bed when he got out; his shoulders were now being covered by his open robe, and the sheets covered him from the waist down. He rested on his side to look at Simon coming off the bathroom in a corner of the room.

“Drink some water. I left a bottle for you there.”

On the edge of the bed there was a water bottle next to his clothes, perfectly folded, and Simon noticed how it was almost laughable to compare Nahyuta’s behavior that night with the memories of his histrionics from last time. Like night and day.

“You’re playing nice to the point it unsettles me, Sad Monk,” he grabbed the water bottle and drank from it. “Here I was getting ready for a fight before going home.”

“You’re leaving this late?” he asked, honestly surprised.

“Why? Want to cuddle?”

The joke won him a pillow on the face.

“Don't cross that line," he exclaimed with a frown. "I only ask because last time you decided to sleep here, even when you weren’t originally invited to.”

Simon laughed as he softly threw the pillow back. “Because we both fainted after all that alcohol and exercise. We both slept like logs and I had no strength in me to do anything until I woke up.”

“I see…”

“I hope I’m not coming off as rude by not accompanying you longer.”

“Hmph. That’s a bold lie, and it’s not necessary. Your services are highly commended,” he said, with a cheeky smile as he sat on the bed.

There was nothing he could answer to that, so Simon simply sat on the edge of the bed and started dressing. Not so quickly, so Nahyuta couldn’t sense his agitation, but fast enough to make a swift exit.

His suit jacket, coat, and necktie were on the bed too, which meant Nahyuta made the trip and picked up everything from the living room. Now he wondered if this meant he wanted him to stay, or if it was his strange way of kicking him out.

“Will His Highness be alright for work tomorrow?” he asked as a way to break the silence while finishing with his necktie. "Or will you use body pain as an excuse to skip work?"

“Please, Panda. You weren't that rough on me… If anything, I imagined you to be the type to enjoy it rougher,” he spoke his mind, then regretted it when he saw Simon looking in his direction. “I mean that—”

“And why would you imagine how I behave in bed… Such a nasty mind.”

“That’s not what I meant. Last time there was more visible evidence, that’s all,” he crossed his arms and looked towards the wall. “Thank you for not giving me a hickey that would be a headache to cover.”

“You’re welcome.”

He smiled and dropped the subject, not really feeling like teasing Nahyuta when he’d committed a blunder, since it would make his stay longer. He slipped on his boots and checked he had all his things on him before turning to see Nahyuta again.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Nahyuta closed his robe, got off the bed and walked towards the door with an ease that amazed Simon. He only followed him in silence until they reached the door. Nahyuta opened it and turned to Simon with that default smile of his that he didn’t know if he liked or hated.

“Have a good night, Prosecutor Blackquill. Thanks for the case files and… the company,” he didn’t avoid Simon’s gaze, but still kept some distance, which Simon appreciated.

“G’Night.”

The prosecutor left the suite without saying much and called for a cab on the elevator. It was almost 1 AM, and there were still some people walking in and out of the hotel. The hotel manager greeted him by name in the lobby, and after nodding his way, Simon chose to wait for the cab outside the hotel. At this point, that man had memorized his face, and he didn't know yet how to feel about it.

After a half an hour taxi ride, he arrived home to see Taka was there that night, already asleep on the nest he'd made by the balcony. The sound of the door made him wake up for a moment and Simon went to pet him after he left his keys on a table.

“Good night to you. Today was … longer than I expected.”

Taka didn’t do much other than stare at him before going back to sleep, but those golden eyes had brought again some of the worry Simon had been trying to ignore. As he switched into a shirt and sweatpants for bed, he kept trying to dissuade the idea that there was a hint of judgment in Taka’s eyes.

It was all in his mind in the end, because the one that decided to sleep again with Nahyuta was him. There was no one or nothing else to blame. No alcohol blurring the line between right and wrong.

Just him and what he didn’t know if it was a good or a bad decision.

As fast as Simon had left, Nahyuta jumped in the shower, feeling uncomfortable thanks to the layer of his own dried sweat. When he got out, he noticed a hickey on his chest, and the little voice in his head which he kept ignoring since he invited Simon in suddenly got louder.

Now he wanted to chastise himself for skipping work, using the chance to have sex and think it was the best thing that has happened to him in a while. Nahyuta wanted to really punish himself for enjoying it so much, to force himself to believe that even this relaxed state and how ready he was to sleep the entire night without interruptions wasn't an excuse to be fooling around with a coworker.

Not only because that sort of relationship with a coworker was highly problematic, but because the coworker was Blackquill.

Out of all the people in Los Angeles, Nahyuta had to fancy the wild card that was Simon Blackquill. A man he doesn’t even find enjoyable in anything other than bed.

Yet that was the problem. Even if he wished to search for someone else, Nahyuta knew himself enough to be more than sure that he would like to repeat a night like this. Though he didn't want to put his hopes on the stars aligning perfectly for another encounter like this one.

The next day, Nahyuta went earlier to the office and requested that highly coveted money laundering case; he found it to be related to the pharmaceutical scandal of three years ago, and started working on it immediately.

It wasn’t a murder case as he regularly tended to investigate, but financial crime, an area that was thought as tedious by some, was one he had some experience in after handling a lot of financial audits in his own country. Nahyuta knew the missuses of funding were extremely damaging, and by the looks of this case, he had something big in his hands.

He’d been deep into his research almost all morning when a knock on the door distracted him, and he imagined it would be Klavier checking on him. When Simon appeared carrying a box full of audits that he’d requested earlier, Nahyuta was in awe as he left his desk.

Simon looked like his usual displeased self, scowling at the prince first thing in the morning and not even greeting him properly. He stood in front of Nahyuta and talked before the prince could say a thing.

“Just to clarify: I’m not your bloody errand boy, but I found Skye-dono on the lobby in a particularly foul mood and she asked me to bring you this before she stormed off to who knows where.”

“I blame Klavier,” he said while taking the box off Simon’s hands, lightly grasping his fingers in the process. “Thank you.”

The sudden touch alarmed Simon, but he choose to interpret it as a mistake. “… Are you taking the case? I couldn’t help but look in.”

“The moment I saw the obvious connections, I knew I had to take it. What astounds me is that you let go of it.”

“There’s a lot in my plate already and I don't care much about financial crime,” he looked at Nahyuta putting the box on his desk next to a pile of neatly organized files, flexing his hand to shook off the tingling sensation. “… Aren’t you tired at all, Sad Monk?”

“Why should I?” when he turned to see Simon, Nahyuta noticed the obvious tiredness in his eyes. He seemed like he was battling a yawn, too. “You do seem to be exhausted.”

“Well, taking a taxi that late and dealing with unexpected traffic isn’t a jolly and relaxing experience.”

Nahyuta rolled his eyes. “Then you should’ve let go of your pride and stay at the hotel.”

“Fine, next time I’ll stay for breakfast even, so you don’t nag me.”

There was a silence that made Simon realize what he’d just said. The overall nonchalance with which they were talking about the previous night had Simon a little on edge, but his half asleep brain made him speak without properly thinking his words.

Nahyuta answered while seeming unruffled by their conversation.

“It would be beneficial if you did that.”

As if there wasn’t a crushing weight to those words, Nahyuta turned around again and started pulling out the documents he needed out of the box. It came as a surprise to Simon he hadn’t been kicked out yet, and that was enough to give him the courage to be straightforward.

“About that… I think—”

“If you wish to not do it again, I’ll understand,” he interrupted Simon, his eyes still carefully checking the documents on his desk. “We don’t have the best relationship to be fooling around so casually. That we’ve done it twice without ripping each other’s heads in the process has been a miracle."

The severity on his tone wasn't planned, but Nahyuta too felt more nervous than he let himself show, so he turned around to see Simon in the eyes and continued.

"Though… If you want to come to an agreement with me, rest assured I won’t mind your crass and impolite manners.”

That sudden confession caught Simon off guard. He even forgot what he was about to say when Nahyuta looked back at him with a rather sheepish expression as he waited for an answer. If it was actual naivety that made him be so honest, or if this was all but an act to trick him, Simon didn’t know. But he did have an answer.

“Yet you insult me again," he approached Nahyuta. "Well, if that’s how things are going to be, it seems like we need to be clear about something. Why me?”

“Nothing in particular besides chemistry, I guess.”

Simon scoffed at how easily Nahyuta answered.

“Wouldn’t you prefer going on another search for a better partner? One that will be kinder and easier to boss around? You seem to enjoy doing that.”

Nahyuta scrunched his nose a little and looked at the pile of work on his desk.

“There’s no time for that," he said. "Also, I know you already, and I trust you would rather die than brag about being with me. I know your schedule, too: The same as mine. That's a plus.”

“Ah, I’m convenient to His Highness. Now I see what I’m dealing with. However, I don’t know how convenient it could be for me to get embroiled with someone like you," he glared down at Nahyuta, as custom. "I wouldn't enjoy being part of gossip tabloids nor a political scandal, if that were to happen.”

“It won’t… And I can be convenient to you too, Blackquill," said the monk as he looked up through his long lashes, and showed a hint of that cheeky smile. "I know you enjoyed yourself greatly."

Simon turned his face away, and Nahyuta simply loved how easily it was to embarrass that man.

"You sound sure of yourself for someone that didn't move a finger," said Simon.

"Yet that's what you liked the most," whispered Nahyuta and got no answer. "After last night, I’m confident that both sides can end up winning in this agreement."

"Hmm. I'm not that sold on the idea. It's still you."

Nahyuta could feel Simon's hesitation, even when he played hard to get. Seeing that what he wanted was at the grasp of his fingers, and yet he couldn't obtain it, Nahyuta sighed and forced himself to be a little more flexible.

"… If what worries you is that you would be tethered only to me, please don’t fret about making us exclusive in any shape or form…," he looked at the ground and spoke even as he felt anxious. "Though I would be requesting a STD screening if you have any other partner".”

He feared Simon would immediately shoot down his proposition after that, yet he saw complete comprehension in his face.

“That's understandable, but wouldn’t I be the only one you’re messing around with?… Ah, right, that’s simply out of convenience,” he said, crossing his arms and smiling a little. “Doing it with someone you have such a bad image of doesn't turn you off?”

“I told you, you're… not unpleasant in bed, and that’s enough.”

"Yesterday you said you liked me in bed," he grinned. "Are you already forgetting things? Or were you doing your best to get me in bed?"

Nahyuta simply smiled and raised his shoulders. "One has to do what one has to do."

Simon couldn't help himself from laughing this time around. Nahyuta’s behavior was refreshing to see by the way he kept offering himself to Simon. It was unexpected, and still, Simon wanted to keep pressing him to see if he would make the prince falter.

“That shameless side of you and your cold calculations are kind of exciting, I won’t deny it,” Nahyuta only answered with a smile. “Your Holy Mother doesn't have anything to say against a monk shagging a guy he hates?”

Simon pointed at the scroll with the Holy Mother’s painting, which made Nahyuta laugh.

“Khurainism has better things to worry about than policing the sex life of monks without a chastity vow," he said, and his gaze took on that intensity Simon fancied. "Everything settled then?”

Simon was now being threatened with a good time, and he knew he did not want to reject this arrangement. Now that he saw Nahyuta in his prim and proper usual self and compared it to the last evening, he simply took the bait the prince was now dangling on his face.

“… Fine by me. And don't worry about me sleeping around,” Nahyuta raised an eyebrow and Simon sighed. "I have too much work and not enough time to deal with multiple … whatever this is. One is enough, and you particularly are a handful."

Nahyuta wished to complain about the comment, but knowing that he managed to get the deal of a lifetime, he let it be. However, a knock on the door startled them both. It reminded them they were having such a conversation at the office, and Simon cleared his throat and looked the other way when Nahyuta went to open the door, letting Klavier into the office while looking a little frazzled and looking at the ground.

“Prosecutor Gavin? Do you need something," asked Nahyuta, mildly worried.

“To run away to Alaska and get swallowed by the icy tundra,” he moaned while passing a hand through his hair. “And some coffee that isn’t the one from the break room. I need to get out of the office.”

“Could Skye-dono be one of the reasons you wish to run away?” inquired Simon.

Klavier jumped at the sound of his friend's voice. “Ah! Herr Blackquill, I didn’t see you there! Would you accompany us and cover me with your huge body, so Fräulein Detective doesn’t skin me alive?”

“Why? I would be entertained seeing her trying to do it.”

Klavier looked in the verge of tears. “Oh, come on. You owe me one for those files yesterday—”

“Actually! I do want coffee,” shouted Simon.

The reaction startled Klavier and Nahyuta before he pushed them both out of the office and into the hallway. His quick thinking saved him from an embarrassing explanation he refused to give.

Before they knew it, the three of them were taking their break at the coffee shop close to the prosecutor’s office. Klavier seemed to regain some of his vital force after his cappuccino, yet he refused to say why Ema was so angry at him. Instead, he seemed to focus on an annoying detail almost instantly.

“I’m glad you two patched up things,” he mentioned, with no real malice behind his words. “Seems like working together helped close that bridge between you two.”

“As if,” said Simon.

"Must be your imagination," calmly added Nahyuta.

“Well, I don’t see you guys bickering as much anymore," said Klavier. "And there’s this relaxed air around you two.”

Simon struggled to come up with a new conversation topic so Klavier didn't realize the truth this soon when the fun hadn't even started yet for them both, but it wasn’t necessary since Nahyuta put down his latte on the table and smiled confidently.

“We just found a way to channel all that energy we lose arguing into something more productive.”

He flashed Klavier a smile that made him not wish to ask anything else.

That boldness was admirable, but Simon felt like his heart could stop at the moment he heard those words leaving Nahyuta’s pretty lips. The smile His Holiness now dedicated to him was giving him the chills, and for that he opted for silence.

On his side, Klavier felt the rise of some type of tension in the air, but at the moment he was too overworked and distressed to understand whatever was happening in front of him.

Chapter Text

An afternoon of leisure and a walk through nature were pleasures Nahyuta didn’t allow himself to have very often.

In Khura'in, he always considered that a stroll through the inner gardens counted as a good break, especially when the confinement of the office started suffocating him. Yet most of the time Nahyuta found himself getting followed by secretaries, advisors, ministers, or Rayfa, trying to get him to play with her pet frog or show him her newest amusement.

Nahyuta's "relaxing" walks weren't that enjoyable, and he mostly considered them like working while walking, then calling it "exercise" to pretend he did something other than signing documents for hours.

However, now that he was in LA, so far removed from almost everything that occupied all the hours of his day, Nahyuta was happy now that he got to enjoy the quietness of the park close to his hotel.

It was a rather picturesque spot in the city; the sort of place one could spend a restful Sunday afternoon. The gravel roads, the very minimal statues and monuments, and lack of people made the park feel like an almost untouched forest. The luscious greenery and slightly colder weather made for a delightful couple of hours for Nahyuta, who at last could put work at the back of his mind.

There was small lake, which was home to some swans and ducks. The calming image of them floating in the water made Nahyuta smile as he sat on the wooden benches in front of the lake, basking in the sunlight of that chilly afternoon.

The sound of the breeze and birds chirping was everything he could hear. It'd been the perfect place to sit down and finish the book he'd been trying and failing to read lately, and he almost accomplished this until his phone rang.

The prince accepted he was ten pages short from finishing it and pulled his phone from his brown jeans. The screen showed him Apollo's contact picture, where he was asleep in his office’s desk and with Mikeko snuggling on his cheek; Rayfa had sneakily took it, and Nahyuta took a liking to it when she send it to him. He stared at it for a second before answering the call.

“How’s it going?” asked Apollo.

“Everything’s fine. I’m taking a break, if you are wondering," answered Nahyuta.

“That’s hard to believe, so I'll request for you to submit evidence, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi.”

Nahyuta chuckled, then took a picture of the swans swimming in front of him and sent it to Apollo.

“Pleased with my evidence?” he asked.

“Very much. That’s a nice park! Do you go often?”

“I might start doing it, since the hotel is rather close."

A soft breeze ruffled his hair and the leaves of the tree close to him; the cold breeze felt familiar and it made Nahyuta smile.

"The weather has been pleasant and cozy lately, so I took a walk. It's not as cold as Khura’in, but it's enjoyable," he continued.

“That’s good to hear!”

Nahyuta almost answered, but the sounds of what seemed to be tussling confused him until he heard his brother shouting.

“Wait a minute! I wanna talk to him too!”

“Is everything alright?” asked the prince.

“Yeah, it’s just that… Rayfa has been nagging me to call you, because it seems you haven’t called her in a while.”

A loud That’s not true! came through the phone. The recognizable high pitch of the princess voice made Nahyuta smile.

“Ah, I’ve been limiting our exchanges to text only due to work," he explained. "The one I call is our mother, but it’s always so early that Rayfa is still asleep and I don't get to chat with her. Please put her on the phone.”

Reluctantly, Apollo passed the phone to Rayfa, who cleared her throat before speaking.

“It’s been a while, Braid Head," she stated.

“It has been, Rayfa." said Nahyuta with a smile in his face. "How’s the training progressing?”

“The same as usual… Some progresses here and there, but I'm closer to understanding how to channel a soul.”

"I never doubted you would. And what about the matters of the state?"

The princess blushed at the praise, but calmly answered. "That's the easiest part! Yesterday, mother and I spend the afternoon revising some law projects. I won't sign them, of course, since that's your role; however I would… like to discuss them with you one of these days, if you are available."

The earnest tone in her voice made Nahyuta laugh softly. It was just as he remembered, and it was hard to not feel flattered when his sister wished to talk to him so badly she would even use excuses such as those to do it.

“Oh my, haven’t you grown in the months I’ve been away?” he continued.

“Of course! I’m… Even taller too! Might grow taller than Horn Head before you come back!”

The comment made the prince laugh, yet it didn't land well with Apollo. Thanks to it, Nahyuta endured the nostalgic sound of his siblings arguing through the phone as a silent listener, at least until Rayfa remembered they were in a phone call.

When they decided to add Nahyuta back into the conversation, the prince was mostly listening Apollo and Rayfa give the latest updates regarding the courts, then everything he'd been missing out, which was mostly Rayfa retelling her day to day.

“… And that’s what happened in the last episode of the Plumed Punisher. Gee, I can’t believe they don’t have it overseas!” mentioned Rayfa.

“I enjoy your recaps more,” said Nahyuta, and Rayfa grew silent, probably in embarrassment.

Noticing the chance that had been given, Apollo swiftly took the phone from Rayfa's hand.

“If you're done with that, I’ll take it from here,” continued Apollo. “Everything’s as usual at my office, but I’ve heard stuff is still chaotic over there."

"Has Klavier told you anything?" asked Nahyuta.

"Klavier hasn’t complained at all, which means something's up." he paused for a second, then muttered. "I understand things are difficult, and he hates when things don't go his way… You see, he gets into these really bad moods, and since I'm not over there, I think he's hiding how bad it is from me."

Nahyuta felt the tinge of worry in his brother's voice and opted to tell him the truth for once.

“Well, your poor sweetheart isn't having a good time lately," he said. "He's probably the one working the most at the office lately. He might be there as we speak."

“I feared that. He hasn't answered any texts today… Also, don’t call him that, it’s so old-timey,” complained Apollo to hide his embarrassment. “Anyway, he mentioned something about prosecuting the guys that had the false evidence deals. I don’t know how he’s working a case this messy.”

“Well, Klavier got appointed as the team leader for that case, and having to deal with everything that encompasses has been taking its toll.”

Apollo fell silent for a second, only to sigh and continue.

“I don’t like that. Ema too texted me some days ago and complained about him a lot."

Nahyuta frowned without noticing. "Yes. I… didn't felt it was my place to tell you, but something happened between them. I don't know what, but they don't see eye to eye."

"Well, Ema was never fond of him to begin with," retorted Apollo. "But I get what you mean. She… used an interesting vocabulary in her message, so it must've been bad." Nahyuta and Apollo shared a laugh at this, then Apollo continued "She said he was being more of a diva than usual, too."

“I’ve never seen Klavier act like that." he mentioned and the curiosity showed in his tone. "How is it? Is it amusing?”

“It’s annoying. He can get worse than you when you act all prissy during your bad moods," Apollo answered mindlessly.

"… My what?"

"His what?!" shouted Rayfa, who'd been quietly listening while sitting on Apollo's desk. "May I remind you His Holiness is always serene!"

The comment had been poorly received; it showed by the manner in which Nahyuta's silence, a particular one that meant to show his displeasure, and Rayfa's intense defense of her older brother mixed to attack Apollo.

"Braid Head only gets mad when necessary! And he looks graceful while at it!" she exclaimed.

"… Nahyuta, I'm sorry. Please talk so she stops." begged Apollo.

The arguing continued at the other side of the line, and just imagining Rayfa's face while upset at Apollo was enough to make Nahyuta laugh.

"In any way," interrupted Nahyuta, hearing the sigh of relief. "This Diva behavior of Klavier is unknown to me. How should we handle it?"

"I usually let him be until it passes," he explained. "Compliment his hair or his outfit if he gets anxious. It always makes him happy.”

He smiled. "I understand."

Nahyuta kept hearing his brother talk, but then something caught his attention. He saw a couple approach the lake, standing not so far from him; they were hand in hand and went to look at the swans, and when the taller man leaned down kiss his boyfriend on the neck, an idea came to the monk's mind.

He interrupted Apollo, then asked him to take the call off speaker. After apologizing to Rayfa, who complained about it, Apollo did as requested and Nahyuta continued.

“This problem of his… Too much work and almost no rest is at fault."

"… It sounds amazing to hear you say that," Apollo was incredulous at the words he heard. "The little trip overseas seems to be successful. To think you complained." he retorted sounding cocky.

Nahyuta frowned. "Don't test me, Justice."

"Sorry~" he said before chuckling to himself.

"… That's bedsides the point. I mean that this behavior from Klavier is odd; the man that would drop everything to talk to you is suddenly not answering?… That's not the Klavier I know."

The short silence that followed made Nahyuta remember the particular solution for his own moodiness caused by work, and a cheeky smile appeared in his face before he added,

"Maybe you should pay him a visit one of these days. A little distraction of that sort could help him unwind properly.”

“What do you mean?”

The prince chuckled at the naivete of his brother.

“You know what I mean, Apollo," he muttered softly into the phone.

A pause followed, then the sound of hurried steps, Rayfa's muffled complains, and a door slamming close was heard. After a short silence, Apollo's loud voice boomed through the speaker.

“Your bluntness has no limits! That's why you didn’t want the phone on speaker. I even had to lock Rayfa out of the room!" he shouted, ignoring the knocking on the door coming from an irritated Rayfa. "Don’t start those types of conversations out of nowhere!”

Even if he wasn’t seeing his brother at the moment, he knew Apollo's face was completely red, and Nahyuta was extremely pleased by it. This was only a small vengeance for that previous comment of his.

“Aren’t you a grown man already? How can this embarrass you?” asked the monk, honestly confused. “I'm sure Klavier and you have most certainly engaged in the act."

"Yuty! That's…!"

"Back when he visited Khura’in, I remember how the both of you would be late for dinner and—”

"Stop! I get it! We can talk about it like adults!" he shouted, feeling warm to the tip of his ears.

"That's great. Maybe we will find an solution to this problem that way."

“…What I’m unable to wrap my head around is how brazen you can be about these sorts of things when you’re a monk,” interrupted Apollo, sounding annoyed. "Why couldn't you be the prudish type?"

The comment made the image of Simon pop in Nahyuta’s mind. He’d pointed out the same thing some time ago, too. In fact, many people seemed to struggle with this behavior coming from him; however, the prince could only find the reactions strange, since he'd never been ashamed of his sexuality. The odd responses he got from the people of this country always amused him.

“There's nothing wrong with sex. You should know this." he continued. "But am I wrong? I’m sure that with all this work, Klavier must be feeling somewhat pressured. Have you guys talked lately?”

“… Only short texts.”

“I see. The situation is dire, then." he stopped to think for a second then continued. "Maybe a phone-call could work… Or a video. Whatever you feel comfortable with and suits your dynamic."

“Neither of those!” he shrieked, which only elicited Nahyuta’s laughter. “How do you even know all these things?! You told me that you had zero relationship experience.”

“Yes, relationship experience. However, regarding sex… I know one or two things and can handle myself quite well,” he got no answer and continued talking. “I believe not hearing your Chords of Steel might be making Klavier feel lonely, so take my advice and call him, just to talk at least. I’m sure he would drop everything for at least ten minutes with you.”

“I’ll… see what I can do,” said Apollo before clearing his throat and whispering. "… Thank you for worrying and helping."

The prince smiled brightly. "It's my pleasure."

The pause that followed was one Nahyuta accepted, as he imagined Apollo needed a second to fan his hot face, relax his shoulders and calm his racing mind. It was always the same whenever this topic would appear in their conversations; since Nahyuta was a little more open to it than Apollo ever imagined, it always left him feeling a little uneasy.

Not knowing how to continue, Apollo put the focus on his brother.

"But wow, I was not expecting love guru Nahyuta to help me today," he said and followed it with a chuckle. "This makes me wonder what you’ve been doing with your free time, when you got no guards following you and the benefit of anonymity."

"Since work still occupies a lot of my time, not much. At least until recently."

"That much privacy must be a blessing," he said, surprised by the answer and wishing to poke fun at his brother. "So, have you met anyone worthy of your precious time? Or do you still prefer handsome men you meet in bars, and you are now having a taste of what is like sleeping around?" he giggled. "Not that I ever pictured you as the type to do it.”

The memories of the many nights he’d been spending with Simon Blackquill came to mind, and Nahyuta couldn’t avoid the playful smile now plastered in his face.

“Why? Am I not allowed?”

There was something in his brother's voice that warned Apollo and stopped him from making more questions. Knowing Nahyuta, he would be as open as Apollo allowed him to be regarding the subject of sex.

Apollo considered him to be a strange case. He didn't understand how Nahyuta could easily be shameless and borderline lecherous compared to other khura'inese people he'd met; he clearly remembers their father not being that open about his feelings at times. Apollo imagined Nahyuta's ways were learned after traveling so much.

Still, it was something Apollo didn't mind; if anything, he was glad his brother trusted him enough to talk freely about his intimacy. But that was exactly why it confused him so much how talking about himself was an incredible challenge for Nahyuta.

The regent prince managed to be unblushingly open about his intimacy, yet completely enigmatic about his feelings at the same time. Something Apollo couldn't help being fascinated, but also slightly annoyed at.

“… Good to hear you’re enjoying yourself, Yuty," continued Apollo. "For once you're doing it."

“That’s why I was sent here. Now that I decided to stop being stubborn, I felt it was better to take advantage of the things I can do with this freedom," said Nahyuta.

“That's… and interesting outlook. Take care, though. Now, I’ll leave you to your freedom, in the fear of you getting graphic."

"Please, I'm not vulgar," he sounded offended.

"But you're a master in the art of innuendo," Apollo laughed. "I'll text you later.”

The call ended, and Nahyuta sat in silence while enjoying the view of a couple of swans swimming side by side. With his mind full of the conversation he just had, he took out his cellphone again and sent a text.

An answer arrived five minutes later, and that was enough to make his already good mood even better, as he stood up and returned to his hotel.

The short walk back was long enough that allowed his visitor to arrive at their meeting point. When Nahyuta reached the entrance of his hotel's bar, he was pleasantly surprised to see Simon there, casually dressed in a pair of jeans, a black sweater, and a dark jean jacket that was hanging in the back of his chair; he sat on the bar and silently enjoyed a glass of whiskey.

He hadn't notice Nahyuta at the door, and the prince took this chance to admire him from a distance, at least for a second.

Now, after all they've done, it was a difficult for Nahyuta to not notice how well-favored Simon was, specially when he was calmly enjoying his own company. To Nahyuta, the man looked at peace in his seat, even when other's would deem him unapproachable because of that almost permanent soft scowl in his face.

But Nahyuta realized not that long ago he was attracted to that expression.

At this point, the monk felt he'd been wasting his time fooling himself into believing his coworker wasn't his type. Foolish behavior caused by useless pride that he now had no troubles quieting down every time Simon and him met up.

To not waste any more of the precious time and freedom he'd been given, Nahyuta quickly fixed his bangs and walked towards the bar, sat next to Simon and asked for a glass of white wine as he took off his beige coat and left it on the back of his seat, revealing his cream-colored knitted turtleneck.

All this time, Simon quietly looked at him by the corner of his eye, pretending to be more interested in his drink than what Nahyuta was wearing that day.

“Good evening. You came here fast," said the monk with the usual gentle smile.

“I was in the zone when I got your message,” answered Simon while looking at his drink.

“That’s convenient," the bartender put the wine in front of Nahyuta and he thanked her. "Enjoying your drink? You can put it on my bill if you wish.”

“Already paid for it, don’t worry.”

Nahyuta stared his partner's way, then raised his glass to Simon, who mindlessly clinked it.

“Receiving a message from you on a Saturday surprised me, Sad Monk," he couldn't avoid teasing him. "What happened? Feeling lonely this early on the weekend?”

“I'm free for the day, but I also have some questions that need answers," he said, unruffled and looking at the liquid in his glass. "You’re close with Klavier, right?”

“No more than you will be if he marries Justice-dono. Why do you ask?”

“I haven’t seen him around the office lately. He used to show his face at least once a day, but not anymore since last week."

Simon thought for some seconds and left his glass on the bar. “We had lunch together yesterday. He interrogated me about the fake evidence case, a routine thing. The guy’s knackered if you ask me.”

“I feared that," he frowned with worry.

Simon noticed this expression in the prince, and rather than teasing him about it, he was curious. Until now, he hadn't seen Nahyuta show this much worry over others; that's why he didn't stop the reassuring words spilling from his mouth.

“Well, he’s a big boy. Completely able to deal with this on his own," he sipped on his whiskey. "Compliment his hair if he's being fussy. It usually calms him down."

The sound of muffled laughter surprised Simon, who turned to see the monk covering his lips with his fist, but the wide smile he tried to hide was evident.

"I'm sorry," he said, taking a deep breath and turning to see his companion. "Is that you're the second person that gave me the same advice."

"Because is foolproof. And since he respect your opinion for… reasons I will never understand, I bet you'll make his day."

"I'll keep it in mind then."

Nahyuta wondered if Apollo would really call Klavier today, as he now worried even more about the first person he considered to be a friend in the States. Now that a week had passed without the daily visits, Nahyuta noticed he missed Klavier’s flamboyant presence every time he entered the office now that he was gone.

Thinking about that absence made him feel as if he should invite him out for drinks. At least as a "Thank you" for all of his help during his first months at the office.

After they dropped that subject, his conversation with Simon varied in topics that went from work to casual things; mostly inquiries from Nahyuta that he pressured Simon to answer as they both finished their drinks. When they were done, they decided to go to the suite and, as Nahyuta put on his coat, the book he’d been reading fell to the ground. Simon picked it up and read the cover.

“Chekhov? I didn’t imagine this to be your literary taste." mentioned Simon.

“What do you think I read in my leisure time?”

“Sacred scriptures over and over,” he chuckled.

“That’s only when I pray,” he grabbed his book and left Simon imagining what that looked like.

They walked towards the entrance, where they stumbled with the hotel's manager who greeted Nahyuta and Simon with a pleasant smile. They went into the empty elevator, and Simon's cool and calm facade had been a little disrupted by seeing the manager who, as usual, looked as if he knew too much.

Nahyuta noticed his unease, as he saw his coworker rubbing his hands.

“… Would you like a cup of tea first? Cinnamon is to your liking, right?” asked Nahyuta.

“Sure. It was good last time.”

The prince smiled again, which confused the prosecutor. Nahyuta seemed to behave rather perky that day, but Simon couldn't care much about the reason's for it. He just came to do his part, as he'd been doing the past month.

It was a routine at this point, to have Nahyuta request a visit, then take his visitor's jacket as fast as they arrived to the suite; Simon then would wait for either jasmine, rose or cinnamon tea to be brewed, which he always accepted thinking it was some sort of hospitality custom from his country. Some sort of khura'inese etiquette for casual sex he hasn't understood fully yet.

But Nahyuta knew how to brew a good cup of tea, so there was no harm into accepting it either. Though it piqued Simon's curiosity after the third time around that the prince would always offer him rose, jasmine, or cinnamon tea and nothing else.

He stared as Nahyuta hurried to the kitchenette to prepare his tea, and after some minutes, he took a white tray carrying a cup to Simon, who'd been admiring the sunset over the city from the glass wall behind the couch.

"You like this scenery too?" asked Nahyuta while handing a teacup to his companion.

"Is a great view you have here."

"It's better at night. The lights are enchanting."

Simon took a sip of his tea and was glad to not find it overwhelmingly sweet like last time. This time, Nahyuta sweetened it with honey, and the taste of cinnamon quickly warmed him up.

"Khura'in doesn't have big cities, right? No sort of skyline?" he asked.

"No, the modesty of my country allows us to enjoy the real stars."

Simon didn't press further, focusing on finishing the tea that always managed to heat him up and ease his tension, all while listening to Nahyuta blabber about whatever crossed his mind.

When he was finished with his drink, a well known glint in Nahyuta's eyes appeared. He took the empty cup back to the sink, then followed Simon to the bedroom.

Who could understand why Nahyuta was this ceremonious about having sex? Simon couldn't be bothered by it; he kind of blamed the religious upbringing for making Nahyuta be this organized and methodical about fucking. Still, he played along to avoid unnecessary fights when he too had come for something he wanted.

Well, at least Nahyuta was methodical and organized before reaching the bedroom, because the instant they cross the room's threshold, he would hastily make his way to search for a brand new bottle of lube, condoms, then return to where his partner was, only to start pushing Simon out of his clothes and into the bed.

"Take this off quickly," muttered the prince, grabbing the hem of Simon's sweater and slipping it up to see his abs.

"I'm doing it. Ye gods," Simon complained halfheartedly. "What's the rush?"

It was difficult to pretend being annoyed when he was more than amused at seeing Nahyuta eyeing his body. The green eyes would carefully scan his torso, with a gaze of pure want he reserved for the bedroom; the delicate fingers grazed the pale skin of his lower stomach, tracing the light road of black hair under the belly button, which disappeared inside his jeans.

Without thinking much, Nahyuta started working on undoing Simon's belt and unzipping his pants.

Simon never stopped this indecorous behavior, being thrilled by it as he slid a hand inside Nahyuta's sweater to feel the soft skin. The prince then rested his face on Simon's chest, as a sneaky hand found its way into his black boxers. It was cold at first, and made Simon flinch, but the touch quickly warmed.

Nahyuta was evidently eager, as he grabbed Simon's cock and felt it hardening in his hand after fondling it. Unable to stop himself, the prince started kissing the pale chest he couldn't seem to stop looking at. The sensation left by those lips, softly grazing Simon's pectorals, lingered on his skin; especially when he felt the prince smiling against it.

Simon choose to do him a favor too by taking off the large earrings since, at this point, he knew Nahyuta was careful about going to bed with them on. Then, he pulled that headpiece and left all the jewelry on the writing desk next to them, before he started undoing the braid.

To him, this now routine task of undoing Nahyuta's hair was extremely enjoyable. It was unnecessary, and yet, there was something about the softness of that perfect hair, with its clean and floral smell, and the look it gave the prince as it fell free over his shoulders that made it a must for Simon whenever they had sex.

And Nahyuta always allowed him to do it. He didn't tease him about it either; the prince was always busy admiring Simon's body to care about what was being done to his hair. Like now, Nahyuta was focused on getting him hard the fastest he could, while Simon was occupied by playing with the lilac strands.

When he was done, Simon proceeded to help the prince slip off that thick sweater that was hiding his figure, then threw it on the ground before he grabbed his waist; the large hands slowly made their way up, and a thumb found its way to Nahyuta's nipples.

It made the monk softly whimper before he looked up, as his free hand found its place behind Simon's neck, pushing him down into a kiss.

Kissing was a must, too. For some reason they didn't quite know, and the act itself was too enjoyable to complain.

Simon's tongue found its way into the prince's mouth, who could savor the sweetness of honey, the cinnamon, and a little hint of whiskey for a while before separating from his partner, only to look down at the big bulge inside Simon's pants resting in his hand.

With his index finger, Nahyuta pulled down the waistband and stared at the now fully erect cock; the pink head, already wet with precum, made the prince smirk.

As always, he didn't care about hiding the obvious lust in his gaze whenever he saw Simon's cock, and every time Simon caught him doing it, he couldn't help feeling flattered, but also thinking of the best way to embarrass this immodest monk.

"What are you staring for? Are you going to suck it?" he asked, craving the flustered answer he could get.

Nahyuta snapped out of the haze he was in and looked up with an earnest look.

"… You want me to?"

The question erased the grin from Simon's face.

In the six times they'd had sex until this point, Nahyuta hadn't even thought about offering a blowjob, neither had Simon asked for one. A blunder of his, because he adored those lips on his skin. However, Simon feared getting bitten, so he never dared to ask.

The question, accompanied by Nahyuta's eagerness to do it, left Simon speechless, but when he'd been ready to answer it was too late; Nahyuta accepted his silence as a "yes", knelt on the floor, and finished pulling out the hardened cock from the jeans.

"Oi, Sad Monk, at least let me answer," he tried to sound severe, but it was hard with the image in front of him.

As he was backed up on the writing desk, Nahyuta made himself comfortable while rubbing Simon's cock with his own precum. Seeing Nahyuta in front of him, with his cock inches from that pretty face, excited him more than he wanted to accept.

It took everything of him to not embarrass himself when the monk pulled his also pretty tongue and started licking the tip.

Instantly, Simon's entire body tensed, and he could only softly breath to calm himself. All of this made Nahyuta smile; he noticed Simon's hands gripping on the edge of the desk, as his tongue stopped playing with the sensitive tip of his cock, only to go down the length of the shaft, licking and kissing it, all while looking up at every expression Simon made.

The manner in which the prosecutor pressed his eyes close, bearing a nervous smile was delightful for Nahyuta. It wasn't in his plans to do this, but now that he saw Simon's reactions, the monk wanted to see him break. In his attempts to do it, he showed quite an amount of control, though at times Simon couldn't help but notice the prince wasn't that experienced giving head as he initially seemed. Nonetheless, Nahyuta was good at pretending to be an expert, he'll give him that.

The instant the prince thought of putting it in his mouth forced him to stop, taking his time after noticing that, due to Simon's thickness, it would be quite a mouthful.

This short break he gave Simon was enough for the prosecutor to notice the hesitancy, and he wanted to mock him for it, but he was again proven wrong when Nahyuta pushed his hair behind his shoulders and returned the tip to his mouth. He sucked on it before slowly easing his way into taking more of that cock in his mouth.

All this he did without breaking eye contact, and rather than feeling completely enraptured by the image right under him, Simon was slightly annoyed by it; other partners had never looked this graceful and majestic while sucking him off. At this point, he honestly believed there was no way this man looked ugly.

If he kept looking into Nahyuta's eyes as he got sucked off, Simon feared he would come in an instant. That's why, against his most basic desires, Simon grabbed a fistful of hair and softly pulled Nahyuta off him. A mixture of precum and saliva dripped down the prince's lips, making them glisten, and Simon had to control himself to not do anything rash.

"Let's stop… allow me to reciprocate, at least." he say while gasping for air. "I'll use my mouth too. Take off your clothes and get on the bed."

After he cleaned his lips with the back of his hand, Nahyuta begrudgingly accepted, then went towards the bed, pulled off his pants and kicked off his shoes. Simon, finally able to catch a break, sat on the bed and finished taking off his pants.

To Nahyuta's surprise, Simon rested his back on the mattress and only signaled for him to get on top of him; he quickly understood what to do. At first, he couldn't avoid feeling shy, but Nahyuta still did what was expected of him.

As he slowly crawled on top of him, a slender leg passed over Simon's chest and Nahyuta, slightly flustered, leaned his face down towards Simon's cock. His confidence seemed to abandon him for a second, as his ass and crotch were now exposed for Simon to see.

The thin arms where a little shaky, since he could feel Simon looking at his most sacred place with the usual intensity. This position, and him being this exposed was a sensation Nahyuta still didn't know if he enjoyed or disliked.

Nevertheless, the feeling of both hands spreading him open and squeezing his ass almost made Nahyuta moan. Not wishing to give Simon the pleasure of sensing his nervous state, he pushed his long hair over one shoulder to return at what he'd been doing, putting the throbbing cock inside his mouth again. This time, he managed to fit half of it into his mouth before he started moving.

Simon choked a moan, and that made Nahyuta feel content, but the enjoyment about having the upper hand was cut short when, instead of feeling the hot warmth of Simon's mouth on his own cock, the wet sensation of a tongue licking the strip from his ball to his hole startled Nahyuta. He abandoned Simon's cock and looked back, trying to catch his partner's gaze, but felt the thick tongue licking him again, then forcing its way into him; he couldn't control the moan he let out.

"Wait! That's … I thought you meant my…!"

Simon pulled out of Nahyuta's asshole and grinned. "Who said that's where my mouth will focus on? Don't stop what you're doing."

He lightly slapped Nahyuta's ass, and the monk glared over his shoulder but couldn't stay mad for too long the moment Simon returned to eating him out.

It'd been so easy for him to be distracted by it since, even if it embarrassed him to reveal, it was an almost new sensation for Nahyuta. He almost never had the chance for it in previous flings, so having someone do something like this to him, and for it to feel better than he could've imagined, felt like a gift.

Too concentrated in feeling Simon's tongue twisting inside of him, then softly thrusting while the wet sensation of the drool went down his legs, Nahyuta had forgotten he should reciprocate. With a whimper, he returned to sucking on Simon's cock, focused on not simply cumming from his ass and trying to get him as messed up as he was.

This mission wasn't so difficult, since he'd found out the most sensitive areas of Simon's cock at the base and the tip; those were the spots the prosecutor seemed to like whenever the thin lips grazed them, before his tongue licked its way up to the head, then put on the tip in between his lips. Nahyuta got more of a reaction from Simon with this simple technique than by putting the entire thing inside his mouth.

Now that Nahyuta could focus, he continued teasing that cock with his tongue long enough that he recognized his partner's usual tells; the legs flexing, and the lower abdomen tensing; the strong grip of his hands in his thighs, and the chocked moaning; it all pointed out that he was about to reach his climax first.

Sadly, he was going against Simon, whom by now was more than specialized in how to make him cum.

A part of Nahyuta's ego was bruised after handing Simon this important information about himself that easily, but when he felt Simon slid two fingers inside him to start stretching him out, then quickly reaching for the most sensitive spot and thrusting them in and out, it was hard to be angry as he reached the first orgasm of the day.

That tongue had done wonders helping Nahyuta come this fast in the evening while untouched, and yet, he wasn't at all mad by this. Instead, he buried his nails in Simon's strong thighs, softly whimpering while keeping the cock inside his mouth. After recovering, he returned to his technique, then managed to see Simon about to cum.

Nahyuta quickly pulled out the tip of that cock off his mouth, and he'd been lucky as the large amount of thick white semen spluttered out of it and onto the sheet. Had it been in his mouth, Nahyuta wouldn't have known what to do.

The monk raised himself slowly, sitting comfortably on Simon's stomach, innocently thinking he could get off him as he waited for his partner to recover. Still, he peeked over his shoulder just to indulge on the image of Simon gasping for air, with an arm covering his eyes, and his abdomen covered by streaks of white thanks to Nahyuta.

A rather lewd image that easily helped the monk get hard again.

Nonetheless, he couldn't stay sitting on him forever, yet it startled the prince when Simon, now free from that post orgasm haze, swiftly sat on the bed. One harm held Nahyuta's waist, placing him in between his legs as he pushed them both up the bed to rest his back on the headboard.

As custom, the prince didn't struggle at being manhandled this easily; instead, he rested his back onto that wide chest, feeling the sticky sensation of his own cum rubbing against his ass. Without much thought, his legs slowly opened as he saw Simon grabbing the bottle of lube, then squirting it's contents on Nahyuta's ass before he stuck his fingers in it one more time.

"Ngh! You…"

He felt Simon's arm surround him and hold him into place, as he was unable to do more that wriggle as he fingered once more his still sensitive hole in preparation. The prince was hard again, clawing onto the thick forearm and resting his head on Simon's shoulder.

The fingers swiftly abandoned his ass and Nahyuta loudly complained, but seeing how Simon slid on a condom and started kissing his earlobe and neck, the prince fell pressed his lips and braced himself for what was about to come.

It was never boring for Nahyuta how Simon effortlessly grabbed the back of his thighs, lifting his body enough to then press the hardened cock inside of him. Half of Simon's erection went inside Nahyuta, and it made him yell out a broken moan as he felt full and pleased the way he wanted to.

This difficult position was only possible because Nahyuta's flexibility and Simon's raw strength; a perfect combination. The prince, catching his breath and getting used to that filling sensation, clawed onto Simon's arms the moment the large hands gripped onto the back of his thighs, pressing them towards the prince chest as Simon thrust into him.

"Fuck… Sad Monk. You're loose today," whispered Simon while kissing Nahyuta's ear. "Were you playing without me these past four days?"

"… Shut up… Go faster!" he yelled, hanging onto whatever thing he could reach.

Simon released a shaky laugh, doing exactly what he'd been told; the faster he went, the more he felt Nahyuta's insides tightening around him. It almost made him stop for a second, but knowing his current partner and how greedy he could get, Simon pushed through and thrust the faster and deeper he could.

"There…! There feels… great!" yelled out Nahyuta, as his hands laid on top of Simon's.

Their current position made the monk sense Simon deep into his stomach, as the deep thrusts had rendered him inarticulate. These, combined with how he felt completely engulfed by his partner, all while smelling the now familiar scent of his sweat while resting in the comfortable warmth of his chest, made for the exact scenario he now constantly craved.

"Fuck!" he cried before biting his lips, to try and hide his pleased smile. "This is … amazing!

"… Can't you pretend being a little embarrassed by the position at least?" said Simon, before pressing Nahyuta down as his cock entered him completely. "Or is it that you're made to be fucked this way?"

Nahyuta only answered with a long groan, twisting in the small space Simon had him restrained in. After getting used to Simon's size, the prince threw his head back over the pale shoulder; he was too focused on getting fucked to even listen whatever Simon had to say.

Simon quickly took a look of the most gorgeous face he ever laid his eyes on, to see the now well-known scene he'd been taking a liking too: glowy tan skin glistening with sweat and half lidded eyes, accompanied by the wet thick eyelashes; the soft frown of complete pleasure, and most importantly, the way the tip of Nahyuta's nose was as red as his cheeks and the already swollen lips. That particular shade suited him.

As Simon enjoyed the sweet scent coming from Nahyuta, he laughed at the state of his sex partner and continued to see how much more could he mess him up that day.

Like always, their agreement was fulfilled once again with total normality.

It was a routine they both agreed on. Whenever Simon would get the text from Nahyuta, asking if he was available, he would check his agenda and take at least three hours of his day to pay him a visit at his suite. It was simple, yet effective, and for some reason, he always happened to have some free time for the monk; until now, Nahyuta had been lucky enough Simon hadn't found a good excuse to reject the invitation.

Nonetheless, Simon couldn’t avoid feeling a little tug in his stomach that he attributed to anxiety whenever they meet up, yet the carefree attitude with which Nahyuta treated having sex with him immediately rubbed on him.

The more Simon got to smell the perfume in Nahyuta’s skin, the easier it was to forget how it irritated him whenever they’re not in bed together. And Nahyuta never had much issue with erasing from his memories each and every offense coming from Simon whenever he got to feel the particular warmth coming from his body.

The fact that they enjoyed kissing came as a surprise to them both, but it'd been a delicate subject neither wished to point out.

Until now, they've both been gifted with evenings free of obligations or duties, which allowed them to enjoy themselves. Because that’s what they’ve been doing, completely enjoying themselves in these private meetings. Nahyuta, for an instance, enjoyed this type of company so much that he never minded whenever Simon stayed a little longer with him.

Like now, as the prince laid on the bed, covered with a sheet and face down with his head on his arms; the half opened eyes were staring at Simon, resting on what was now his favorite side of the bed and as naked as he was, covered with the same sheet.

Simon had been silently staring at the ceiling, until Nahyuta noticed him reaching for something on the ground with his hand. From a pocket in his jacket, Simon pulled a package of cigarettes and his silver lighter; he pulled a cigarette with his lips, but stopped himself from lighting it up.

“Does it bother you?” he asked with the cigarette hanging from his lips, almost as if he’d forgotten he wasn’t in his own bedroom.

Nahyuta drowsily shook his head, eyes now focusing on his partner's lips. The prince couldn’t help looking his movements with curiosity; the way in which he lit up the cigarette while holding it in between his lips, or how he exhaled smoke through his nose were gestures so laid-back and characteristic of him that the prince couldn't help appreciating them.

The smell of tobacco filled the room, but it didn’t bother Nahyuta. He only pushed his hair back and stared at Simon while he smoked.

“When did you start smoking?” Nahyuta asked out of sheer curiosity.

“After I got out of the clink,” answered Simon.

Simon had let the ashes fall on a crystal ashtray on the nightstand next to him, ignoring on purpose the intense manner in which Nahyuta stared at him; he was betting on Nahyuta to fall asleep after a quick chat.

“I thought you did it prior. I’ve heard most people take to it while incarcerated.”

“I never thought of doing it back in the day," he answered. "Getting a pack of cigarettes in prison is a hassle, but when I got out I ended up doing it to…”

“... Take the edge off?”

Simon only frowned at how easily Nahyuta had hit the nail on the head.

Nahyuta smiled, but his eyes showed an apologetic expression. “I won’t keep asking if it bothers you.”

“You asking doesn't bother me… Its simply that your logic reminded me I should quit," he took another drag of the cigarette and exhaled. "But not yet."

"I never imagined you had a smoking problem," he continued sarcastically.

Simon chuckled. "It used to be worse last year. As you said, it was to relax myself since I was more on edge at everything than I imagined."

Simon fell silent, looking at the orange light at the tip of the cigarette, slowly consuming its body, meditative while remembering how the first one he had felt like glory for a short second, then softly laughed.

“Not that I ever imagined I was getting out of there alive, so I think this was the quickest thing to cope I found at the moment," he continued.

Nahyuta stared at him thoughtfully. He pushed some of his hair out of his face, and the words spilled off his mouth.

"I might understand you. Around this time last year I acquired this… mild addiction to caffeinated drinks for a short while.”

The revelation was unexpected, yet as quick as Simon saw Nahyuta avoiding his eyes and putting a strand of hair behind his ear, which made him notice again the tattoo on the palm of the monk's hand, he immediately understood.

A vague memory of a conversation he had with Athena came to mind, of them talking about her adventure in Khura’in as she saw an evil tyrant queen fall from grace. Of that, he knew only what Athena revealed to him, and looking at the dragon hidden in the palm of the prince's hand, he managed to connect some dots.

Maybe not everything was clear, but Simon felt he knew enough to comprehend Nahyuta's sudden hesitancy and silence.

The prince had a magnificent poker face right now, looking at the headboard and pretending he hadn't said a thing; yet that slip of tongue was enough to let Simon sympathize a little, and it helped him understand why the poison of choice were highly caffeinated drinks. Now it was him the one talking without restrain.

“Going to bed after everything is over is frightening,” he said before taking a drag of his cigarette. “The bad thing about caffeine is that, when the rush is over, you feel like shit, all while ruining your sleep patterns. Mine are already in shambles, that’s why I smoked.”

The green gaze looked more alert now as it searched for Simon's eyes. Nahyuta's entire expression broke for a second; the confusion and shame at having been read so easily were evident at first, but the prince quickly showed him a sneer.

“How is that better? Because I can imagine you smoking a full package in a day.”

Simon cackled. “I was that bad once, but nicotine gum and going to the gym regularly helped me reduce the amount lately."

Now the green eyes slowly went down to Simon's chest, and he smiled in a knowing way before grabbing a pillow and burying the side of his face on it for comfort. The subtle gesture only flattered Simon, who returned to his cigarette after being at a loss for words.

"But you should get rid of them entirely," muttered Nahyuta. "It is a bad habit."

"Getting rid of them at once won't work for me. I tried it once, for a month, then ran to buy a King Box. Those I went through slowly, though."

The revelation made Nahyuta snort a laugh. "I never pictured you to be the sort of man that struggled to control his impulses."

The prince's voice had been a little hoarse, and it got Simon distracted for a second; what he'd said made him turn and notice Nahyuta's resting figure on the bed by his side, after he'd made the effort to ignore it. It was a captivating image that was hard to force himself not keep staring at.

"I'm human in the end," he continued, looking at the almost consumed cigarette, then a grin appeared in his face. "But I'll give it to you, I have to quit. As you said, it is a bad habit.”

As the words left his mouth, he offered the rest of his cigarette to Nahyuta, who stared at it, then rolled his eyes and finished it for Simon. He kept staring at Nahyuta with an intensity the prince chose to ignore, as he was already used to it, and when Simon offered him the ashtray, Nahyuta let the smoke out his mouth and stubbed out the cigarette butt.

“Seems like we’re both getting used to things we shouldn’t," muttered the prince.

The comment had been enough to make Simon's grin disappear.

“Says the one that made the outrageous proposal first,” retorted Simon.

“You’re the one who accepted it,” he murmured, looking like he was about to pout.

The gesture made Simon sigh tiredly. It'd been strange for them to have a conversation that long without trying to one up each other, so this exchange didn't come as a surprise. Yet it helped him relax.

“Yes, yes, I’m at fault too," he lazily conceded while crossing his arms.

Nahyuta let his head rest on his arms again, as his eyes abandoned the annoyed expression in Simon’s face to focus again on a pale naked bicep. However, when Simon raised his hand and pushed back the hair in his face, the monk ended up fixating on one of his wrists for a moment.

There were marks around it; a discolored scar he remembered noticing many times when he held onto those arms while having sex. Each time, he did his best to not touch, and he stopped staring at them to not make it obvious.

The conversation died for an instant, but Simon still didn’t feel like leaving. He was exhausted after a long week at work, and was even more tired after taking his free Saturday evening to please Nahyuta's desires more than once. The large hotel bed too was incredibly comfortable compared to his own, and as he laid down, his mind was filled with thoughts of getting a new mattress until Nahyuta spoke to him.

“Do you know of a nice bar in the city?”

“… What’s wrong with the one in this hotel?” asked Simon, eyes stuck on the ceiling.

“Nothing. I simply want to see something new.”

“Oh? Searching for a new partner?" he closed his eyes and grinned. "Earlier you weren't acting as if I bored you already.”

The comment won Simon a punch on the side that actually surprised him by how much it hurt. He grunted and covered the place Nahyuta hit him, but kept quiet at seeing the serious expression on his face.

“Had I wanted to do that, you wouldn’t be laying on this bed." explained the prince. "Stop jumping to conclusions,"

“… Why are you so strong?”

“That’s not answering my question.”

Simon was taken aback by the glare and conceded this time.

“… There’s a nice one close to downtown. Is quiet, since I don’t believe you’re the type to enjoy clubs.”

“Quiet enough for a conversation? I like that. Please send the address when you can.”

Simon felt the pain fade away. It wasn’t that he got punched with brute strength, but more that Nahyuta knew exactly where to hit to keep him in place. He sighed and sat on the bed.

“May I inquire as to why you want that information? You see, after getting physically attacked, I'm curious.”

“I’m thinking of inviting Klavier out for a drink. Since he seems to be working so much, I thought of forcing him to relax at least for a night.”

“Like he did for you? How the tables turn.”

The drowsiness that looked so charming in Nahyuta suddenly disappeared, and he pushed his body up, glaring at Simon completely aghast.

“You noticed?” he felt ashamed, and his cheeks were heating up.

“It was hard not to notice," Simon grinned. "Whenever I would need something from him, he was too busy checking up on you, taking you out of the office and such."

"That's not…"

"You see, for a while, I believed you required a gofer because you forgot yours back home, and out of dazzling you to win you over completely, he agreed to it… Then I noticed he was babysitting you," he interrupted and glared at Nahyuta with a smirk, enjoying the redness in the monk's face. "That restored my opinion of Klavier. For a moment I thought he’d lost his pride.”

Simon couldn’t help laughing, but a simple stare from Nahyuta made his side hurt and he grew quiet.

“He hasn’t been babysitting me. I’m more than capable enough of taking care of myself," retorted Nahyuta.

Simon rolled his eyes and it exasperated Nahyuta to see him do so.

“I mean it, Panda. If anything, Klavier has been friendly, but I… have an overbearing brother, and Klavier can’t help following Apollo’s petitions.”

“Petitions to nanny you. Isn’t that embarrassing?”

“… Will you be quiet? Or must you irritate me every time?” he groaned.

“I have to remind you who I am, so you don’t get too comfortable with me being your fuckmate,” he set aside a strand of Nahyuta’s hair that was covering his face then softly held his chin. “Wouldn’t want you to get attached just because I’m kind to you in bed.”

Nahyuta scrunched his nose and slapped the hand grabbing his face; he felt it denigrating whenever Simon did such a thing. Even after all the things he allowed Simon do to him, this was a gesture the monk wasn't at all fond of.

The green eyes held the glare for a while, then Nahyuta returned to his comfortable spot on tops of the pillow. However, it made Simon smile whenever Nahyuta looked at him with displeasure.

He expected this to be the straw that breaks the camel's back, that Nahyuta would either leave the bed or stop talking to him altogether. Instead, he laid his face on his arms and looked at Simon almost as if he was asking him to touch him again.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. If you want to be rough next time, you’re free to do it. It would suit you better.”

The comment left Nahyuta’s mouth so naturally that he never imagined what implications his honesty might have at the moment, when he enjoyed someone else’s warmth.

As usual, Nahyuta had this custom of leaving Simon in a state of bewilderment with his bluntness. Many remarks got choked up in Simon’s throat, and questions too. He wondered why Nahyuta never kicked him out after they were done, and instead preferred to talk about whatever crossed his mind at the moment.

It was so different from that first time, and yet so fascinating to see the monk be so serene while laying on that bed, with his hair sprawled over the naked back and shoulders; or the half-open eyes and the gaze being hidden by those lashes.

If he kept admiring Nahyuta like that, Simon would end up staying longer than he usually allowed himself.

The sky was already turning a warm shade of orange outside the window, so he quickly sat on the bed to start dressing. The jolt surprised Nahyuta a little, who had been close to falling asleep seconds ago, but he was already used to Simon leaving whenever he felt like it. He stayed quiet as he saw him put on his pants to search for his discarded clothes on the floor.

“What I can’t seem to wrap my head around, Sad Monk, is why you asked me to come on a weekend,” he spoke to fill the silence in the room while searching for his sweater. “That’s new of you. You usually respect the free days.”

“My apologies, but it seems I'll be busy this weekend with the embassy.”

“Isn’t it done yet?”

“The building is almost complete, but now they want me to oversee the construction before the final touches and the decoration." he started rubbing his temples as he felt tired just by thinking of the days to come. "I need to meet with some ambassadors, too."

“I don’t envy you, but I also can’t comprehend why you are working here as a prosecutor when your plate is more than full already.”

“That’s… None of your business,” he muttered.

“Delicate subject?”

Nahyuta sulked and buried his face into the pillow in a childlike manner, and Simon bit his lip to not laugh, fearing it might end up angering the prince.

Feeling pity for him, he decided to not leave with a fight; he dressed silently and after he finished, before he could say anything, Simon noticed Nahyuta had fallen asleep. The sheet was barely covering his waist and as a reflex, so Simon mindlessly pulled it up to his shoulders and left the bedroom.

He'd left the suite quietly, yet nothing could've woken up Nahyuta, who slept soundly. It was a custom for him to do so after meeting with Simon, but most times he slept so profoundly he didn't have the energy to even dream. That's why it'd been strange for Nahyuta how, in that particular evening, he had a pleasant dream regarding a memory from his childhood he'd usually tried not to think about.

In his mind, he could clearly see the peach orchards filled with luscious pink peaches already ripen. He'd grabbed as much as his weaved basket could hold, then made way on the forest path towards the house he lived in when he was only eleven years old.

It was still a cabin in the mountains, but it was certainly bigger than the one he lived when he was younger. A place more suitable for a family of four.

It could even be perfect for a family of five, as Nahyuta's mind couldn't help thinking of Apollo; he always shook his head and forced himself to forget whenever the memory of his brother appeared in his mind.

In the dream, Nahyuta remembered how at that time his hair barely reached his shoulders, and how he arranged it on a short ponytail to get it off his face. As he arrived home, he saw his father sitting on the wooden steps on the back of the cabin, fixing his boots as he made his way out for work.

Dhurke had lifted his gaze and smiled at the sight of his son, and Nahyuta's eyes widened in excitement the instant Dhurke gave him the news he'd been waiting for days now. As quick as his father stopped talking, Nahyuta dropped the basket with fruit at Dhurke's feet, washed his hands on the water tap outside the house, then ran inside the house, ignoring whatever his father said before leaving.

Nahyuta was too excited to see his newborn sister to care about anything that wasn't her.

He'd met her right after she was born, and three days had passed since, but she was always sleeping, and Nahyuta hadn't had the chance to find out if what his father had told him was truth: That she shared eyes of the same color as his.

That's why the young boy ran into the house, through a small corridor, and reached for the doorknob of one of the bedrooms with a big smile on his face. However, when he opened the door, his excitement subdued at the sight of his mother.

Amara was standing on that room of wooden floors and neat furniture, with her pink attire and hair being held by a blue bow; Nahyuta always consider she looked majestic and out of a picture book. Under the wooden carved window sat a wooden crib he remembered helping his father build, and his mother had been looking into it with a smile at the baby inside, wriggling her feet and arms freely on top of the small white mattress.

Of course his mother was with the baby. It was obvious for her to be, and yet it took Nahyuta by surprise; it'd been almost ten months since his mother was around, and yet, he was still in complete awe of her whenever their paths crossed. Maybe that's why he started fixing his cream colored daura and his hair when Amara turned to see him.

"Ah, there you are. Did you wash your hands?" she asked softly while looking at Nahyuta.

"I did… mother," he said shyly and walked towards the crib, staring at his feet.

"You're so lucky, Nahyuta. Rayfa is wide awake now," she continued. "Maybe you'll finally see what you've been so curious about."

When he reached the crib, Nahyuta was glad he was tall enough that he was able to peek over Rayfa inside the crib, wearing a pink onesie that covered her feet and hands; her head was covered with a little white hat that matched. She moved around so much within the crib that Nahyuta felt this was an entirely different baby from the one he'd been looking over the past few days.

The room was silent, except for the cooing and blabbing coming from Rayfa, who was rather chatty for being that young, and Nahyuta was fascinated at the sight of her, so much that he didn't sense when Amara got closer and took a small leaf from his hair.

"Did you get a lot of peaches?" she asked, fixing the soft lilac hair with her fingers.

Nahyuta only nodded, eyes darting nervously from the baby to his mother, back and forth; he was trying to find similarities between mother and daughter, just like he did that day months ago, when he was surprised at meeting Amara and seeing someone else with a face that resembled his so much.

It was a difficult task, though. Rayfa was too small and resembled nothing more than a baby, and the little hair she had was jet black, like their father's; however, she had long lashes, and Nahyuta couldn't help reaching for his own automatically.

"Are the peaches ripen?" asked Amara.

Nahyuta only nodded in silence, staring at Rayfa yawn, and trying to catch if she opened her eyes.

"That's good. You'll get to eat lots of them today. But after dinner. Not like yesterday, that you got so full before your meal," said Amara, sounding severe.

"I'm… sorry, mother," the young boy looked up, then hid his face. "It won't happen again."

Nahyuta's hands slowly abandoned the crib rail, and he started fidgeting with the hem of his clothes as his unease grew. It always happened whenever Amara lightly scolded him, since he wasn't used to being alone with his mother like this. So much that sensing her gaze on him made him so shy he felt like abandoning his mission and leaving the house altogether.

A strange conclusion to get to after meeting the mother he always heard everyone talking about, and who was now by his side; yet after years of wishing to know her, Nahyuta couldn't help noticing there was something about her, about her rigid demeanor that he'd been learning to comprehend.

Enigmatic was the word he heard his father use in private regarding her, but what troubled Nahyuta was a little more simple: he just wanted Amara to like him. And he wanted it so badly that it was taking a toll on him.

From what he noticed, his father would already be too far from Nahyuta to turn and catch up with him, and his Uncle Datz wasn't around, either. It was just Amara, Rayfa, and him in the house; Nahyuta didn't know what to do and it started weighting on him, until he felt soft fingers caressing his cheek. When he turned to look up at Amara, his heart raced at seeing her smile.

"You're a good boy, Nahyuta."

She'd spoken in a voice so pleasant and ethereal that it made Nahyuta's cheeks turn red; there was something in his mother's eyes, too, that a boy as young as him couldn't have described in the moment. The only thing Nahyuta remembered clearly about that instant was how his mother's gaze and words had made him the happiest he'd been in a while.

The fingers didn't abandon his cheek, then both hands, thin and soft, fully cupped his cheeks. At that moment, it was impossible for Nahyuta to understand how Amara was inspecting his face; seeing how much it'd changed after eleven years apart.

The silent study of her oldest son was something Amara would reserve for late at night as he slept, but she couldn't control it at that moment; Amara was too enthralled passing her thumb on his tick eyebrow to fix the hairs, studying the lovely arch of his nose with her index finger, then thin lips that showed shy smiles whenever he was with his father.

It was a face Amara was happy to finally be able to stare at, even when Nahyuta started showing a little discomfort at being looked like that.

Thankfully, Rayfa's soft cries took Amara's focus away. The breath he'd been holding onto was let out in a shaky sigh, and his small hand rested on his chest as he wished to calm the palpitations. The moment Nahyuta calmed down, he turned to see Amara sitting on a chair by the window, carrying Rayfa on her arms and humming a lullaby with an oddly familiar melody. The baby calmed instantly.

"Come here, Nahyuta," whispered Amara. "I think she's fully opening her eyes now."

He did as he was told and stood by her side, looking at Rayfa as her lids slowly opened to stare at the ceiling, then at Amara for a second, only to land her curious gaze in Nahyuta at last. The green gaze stared at the boy for a long time, and he was more than elated to see a pair of eyes with a shade of green that resembled the purest jade, which sparkled like the water of a river as the warm sun hit it.

But most importantly, they were eyes that resembled his own.

"Just as your father told you." continued Amara, who noticed Nahyuta's growing smile. "Want to hold her?"

He simply nodded again, and when Amara stood up, he sat on the chair; his feet barely reached the floor, but he couldn't think of anything that wasn't the warm sensation emanating from Rayfa and coming through the blue blanket she was wrapped with. She smelled like milk and the chamomile used in the water of her baths, and she wriggled into place as she found herself comfortable in her brother's arms.

Between the nice sensation in his hands as he held Rayfa, and the unmistakable affection he felt as Amara played with his hair, Nahyuta could only qualify that memory as one of the best moments in his tumultuous childhood.

The lovely dream came to a halt when Nahyuta felt a chill going down his back and sneezed; his eyes slowly opened and he found himself hugging a large pillow in that dark, empty hotel room of his. He slowly sat on the bed, and noticed he was naked.

The lingering smell of tobacco left in the room was telling of why he was in such a state; he checked the hour on his cellphone. 3:30 AM. He'd slept the entire evening after Simon left, but he couldn't really care about it after the dream he had.

It'd been strange to wake up after dreaming with his mother and not feel shaken or the usual worriment that the idea of Amara brought along. It was probably thanks to the Amara in his dream being a kinder, caring, and overall a more motherly person towards him than the woman he left at home.

It wasn't until now that Nahyuta remembered that Amara could behave as a mother towards him too.

Simply thinking about it threatened to dissipate the nice sensation he felt in both his mind and body, since Nahyuta was still dazed while carrying the warmth of his memories; at least until he remembered he wasn't eleven, that Rayfa hadn't been born some days ago, and that his mother probably forgot how to direct her nurturing nature towards him. That's why, in the darkness of his bedroom, Nahyuta couldn't help but wonder something that had been worrying him for the past year and a half.

As he hugged his knees covered with the sheet, Nahyuta, still half asleep, wondered if his suspicions were true; that it didn't matter how much he did up till that point, how much he accomplished or how many issues he resolved, Amara simply… didn't like him. Either because of what he'd done to the country, or just because she couldn't bring herself to do it.

This was something Nahyuta kept trying to reckon with. However, the usual resentment, sorrow and confusion thinking of his mother always brought along (and which he masterfully kept under control) didn't ail him this time. Instead, he could still hear the soft sound of his mother's honest praise.

Not wishing to think about it anymore, Nahyuta returned to sleep.

The next day, Nahyuta woke up feeling refreshed. Having forgotten about that dream he had, he slept the rest of the night without any interruption.

The vague memories of a conversation with Simon came back to him as he took a shower to prepare for the day, and he could only bee grateful for it. He was thankful that this arrangement of theirs was working without a hitch; at first, it was more of an experiment to see how long it would take for them to call it quits; however they both seemed too comfortable to even think of that now.

That evening, Nahyuta was lucky that Klavier accepted his invitation, and they met at the bar Simon recommended to him.

It was a nice Izakaya in Little Tokyo. They shared a private room, and the warm yellow lighting and shoji screens gave the place an air of privacy an authenticity Nahyuta enjoyed; exactly what he would expect from Simon's recommendation.

They sat on the black cushions on the tatami, and they both left their coats by the door. Nahyuta fixed his green cotton shirt, then noticed how Klavier sat at the other side of the robust wooden table in the small room; his friend was still wearing his work suit, which meant he'd been at the office, yet found a moment at the end of his busy day for Nahyuta.

He quickly remembered Simon's taunts the day prior, and Nahyuta couldn't help but feel that maybe the invitation had felt like an imposition for the visibly tired prosecutor at the moment. That's why, without thinking it twice, Nahyuta asked for an assortment of sashimi and tempurized vegetables, being excited enough taste many appetizers as he chatted with Klavier, to try and make a more comfortable atmosphere.

However this seemed like a miss, since Klavier was quieter than usual, and behaved a bit sheepish in Nahyuta’s company.

“Please taste the yellowtail, Klavier. It's delicious!” said Nahyuta.

He smiled nervously. “Yes, it looks excellent.”

He grabbed his chopstick and took some fish to taste after having been drinking mostly beer since they arrived.

“Good, isn’t it?” asked the monk.

“Delicious. How did you know about this place?" asked Klavier, then smiled. "Well, that's a silly question, since you’re a gourmet.”

“I wouldn’t consider myself one. I simply enjoy eating good food," he smiled gently, as to reassure his company. "But to answer your question, it was Prosecutor Blackquill’s recommendation.”

“Wow, you guys are really getting along lately. That's good!” Klavier looked surprised, but also pleased.

Nahyuta’s expression soured. “Getting along… That’s not quite it.”

“But it’s not simply tolerating each other, like when you arrived.”

The prince suddenly missed how quiet Klavier was seconds ago; now, the man across the table raised a dark and thin eyebrow, looking at him with what seemed as innocent curiosity. The monk could only force a smile.

“… Let’s say I found the benefits of having him as an acquaintance," continued Nahyuta as he took a piece of zucchini tempura with his chopsticks.

Klavier couldn’t help laughing at Nahyuta’s expression. “What does that even mean?”

“It’s the best way to put it. But enough of that, though. I asked you to come because I wanted to talk about something important that's… unrelated to work.”

The piece of salmon that Klavier was about to eat fell to his plate, and suddenly, he got visibly nervous.

“Oh… Oh. It wouldn’t be that Apollo—”

“Stop that. He still loves you very much," he said while frowning.

Klavier let out a deep sigh of relief. “Gottlob! That almost gave me a heart attack…"

Nahyuta left his black chopsticks on the rest next to his plate, and couldn't help himself from glaring at his company.

"You wouldn't think so poorly of him to send me to break up with you, right?"

"O-Of course not!” he stuttered, trying to hold Nahyuta's gaze.

"Hmm. Maybe I’ve worded things wrong, but now I can’t help but be curious as to why would you jump to that conclusion.”

Nahyuta took his tall beer glass and started drinking, but his gaze was stuck on Klavier across the table. After he tried and failed to come up with an excuse, since Nahyuta’s gaze was making him break in a cold sweat, he gave up and massaged the back of his neck.

The prince could only take pity on him, noticing how tired he really was.

“Klavier, you’ve been of great aid since I arrived. I would love to help you, and you can talk to me if something worries you,” explained Nahyuta.

To this, and seeing the glare softening into a gentler gaze, Klavier only sighed and relaxed his shoulders.

“Worries?…. I got a lot, some of which we share with the current state of the office, but what worries me is how I’ve been feeling… Stuck.”

“Stuck?” repeated Nahyuta.

“I… can’t seem to be able to do anything besides work lately, and it’s making me crazy,” he said, then looked at his tall glass before finishing his beer in one go. “… I can’t seem to talk to Apollo lately because either I’m working or he’s working. Neither have I been able to reach home at a decent hour to even walk my dog; something so menial, but a thing I value the most. And don’t even ask me when was the last time I grabbed my guitar!”

Just like that the floodgates opened for real, and the sudden complaining, as Klavier's cool and calm persona seemed to be thrown out of the window, surprised Nahyuta. He'd never seeing Klavier this frazzled; not even after seeing the sun rise while stuck in the office, or even when Nahyuta mistakenly pressured him with his presence.

This was that side of him he'd heard everyone complain about; yet he found it amusing. But Nahyuta couldn't help worrying as he saw the perplexed and stressed expression Klavier had on; that's why he called for the waitress to bring them more beer.

“I see…” muttered the prince, a little stunned. "It's taking a toll on you… But at least your hair looks great."

“Oh, thank you," he said, blushing and playing with the blonde strands of his bangs.

The compliment had helped, just as Nahyuta was told, and when the second round of beer arrived, Nahyuta continued.

"So, your guitar."

Klavier took a big chug of beer and then sighed. "The poor thing is covered in dust!Every time I seem to remember it exists, something happens or someone needs me and I have to leave my apartment on a rush!"

Nahyuta nodded in understanding, and Klavier couldn't help resting his forehead in his hand before he continued,

"Want to know what's the worst part? I’m being a complete prick to most people without any reason. Most of the rookies working at my team are probably terrified of me now, even when Herr Edgeworth chose me because he thought I was the only one patient enough to deal with this case."

"It's alright, Klavier," quickly interjected Nahyuta. "I'm sure they understand this is a bad moment. When's the trial?"

"Next week," he said, still massaging his neck. "Good thing we have enough evidence to get a quick verdict."

"Let's hope that it will be a one day affair, then we can leave this terrible episode in the past."

Klavier stared at his company, who seemed honestly worried, and he smiled after feeling lighter thanks to getting that out of his chest. However, his expression soured again, and the knot in his neck hurt.

"But then there's Ema," muttered Klavier. "I need to apologize to her quickly, or she will ask for my head on a platter.”

“About that, what did you say to her that she's been so angry this week?” asked the monk. "I know she's not a fan of your presence but I… believe she now hates you."

"Your choice of words, Herr Sahdmadhi, is like a knife to the chest," he said, then laughed tiredly.

"My apologies, is just that… I'm worried," he sounded apologetic.

"Well me too!" Klavier raised his face and stared at the prince. "If I don't fix that you'll have to prosecute her in the case of my murder!"

Klavier’s expression was so overcome with worry that Nahyuta pursed his lips to not laugh. The man looked funny whenever he didn’t showed a carefully crafted smile, and feeling like Nahyuta might help, he revealed everything for once.

“Oh, I fucked up, Herr Sahdmadhi. I was stressed out, trying to deal with more things than I could and, when she approached me to talk about a case I… told her to shut up,” he whispered those last words, as if he was afraid Ema would open the sliding door and go for his neck. “Before I noticed I’d said that to someone and not a voice in my head, she was gone. It came out of nowhere for her, and she has all the right to want to skin me alive.”

“Then I think you should apologize as quickly as possible, since I heard she’s tinkering with some method to actually do it the next time she sees you,” he laughed a little before eating more yellowtail sashimi.

“… Flowers would be too much?”

“Coming from you? She would throw them in the trash and lit them on fire," Nahyuta smiled at the vivid image of it in his brain. "A face to face apology will suffice, Klavier. More than being angry, she probably felt confused when you directed your anger at her.”

“She’s also working like crazy lately. I’ll go to the police station first thing tomorrow.”

“That's great. Now, about Apollo,” he put down his chopsticks on the black rest. “When was the last time you spoke to him?”

“Three days ago I think? But he was getting into court so it was rather short…”

Nahyuta stared at him in silence before reaching for his phone. “Would you like me to call him?”

“Now?! No I… I couldn’t. He must be busy too and the time zone difference is too much!”

“It’s 8 AM over there. I’m sure he’s awake.”

As he was searching for Apollo’s contact, Nahyuta stared at Klavier, who stopped looking nervous and now was giving him more of a dejected look than anything else. Nahyuta put his phone down to give him time to speak.

“… Would he answer? At times, he doesn’t answer my calls. Or my texts," he laughed to hide the embarrassment.

“Now I understand that earlier reaction,” said Nahyuta. “Do you honestly believe he’s ignoring you?”

Klavier’s silence concerned Nahyuta. He couldn’t really know what was going on in his mind, but felt like he knew the reason as to why Apollo hadn't been answering him much. The best he could do was aid them a little.

“Since you know the reason I’m in this country, you understand that whenever I call, it’s Apollo’s priority to answer," Nahyuta explained. "Now I feel I took that spot from you, and I’m sorry because, knowing Apollo, I bet he keeps asking about me nonstop instead of talking to you.”

“Please, I’m not jealous of you, if that's what you mean." he smiled, yet the prince could sense some melancholy in his words. "I’m glad Apollo can have his brother back."

“That doesn’t mean he should stop tending to his other relationships. Especially the most important one.”

“He hasn’t. I swear!” he exclaimed, yet Nahyuta’s intense stare pushed him to confess. "He does talk about you a lot. I can’t deny that.”

Nahyuta only closed his eyes and softly shook his head, then dialed the number and put it on speaker. After some short seconds, Apollo answered the call.

“Good… evening I think, Yuty!”

“And good morning to you. Are you busy?” asked the prince.

“I was running. I'm on my way back home. Do you need something?”

“Not me, but Klavier does,” he stared at the man in front of him, who looked rather excited the moment he heard Apollo’s voice through the phone. “We went out for drinks and I couldn’t help but meddle in your business after finding out something alarming.”

“Eh? Klavier’s with you now?” he asked.

“Yes, and after pressing him enough, he told me you two haven’t talked in a while, so I’ll go out for a second and give you two some privacy.”

Nahyuta handed Klavier the cellphone and left the room. When the sliding door closed, Klavier cleared his throat and put on the usual relaxed act as he turned off the speaker and put the phone close to his ear.

“Herr Forehead. It’s been a while.”

“Has it? I… I thought we talked some days ago,” Apollo laughed nervously. “... I’m sorry that you had to talk to Nahyuta about this.”

“More than talk about it, he forced it out of me," he laughed. "He's good at it. Terrifyingly good.”

“Sorry you had to be subdued to it…”

There was a silence neither of them knew how to fill. On Apollo’s side, he was in the middle of an almost empty park, worrying himself while trying to think when was the last time they had an actual phone call, or even texted for longer than 5 minutes. Still, Apollo didn’t imagine his brother would look for a solution that quickly, but Klavier was the first to talk and pulled him out of his worries.

“It’s fine, your brother's been really nice; there's no need to worry about him… Just don’t be silent. Please keep talking a little longer.”

Apollo sensed just a tiny bit of urgency in Klavier's voice.

“Talk? About what?” he asked.

“Anything you want. I wanted to hear you.”

The confession caused the opposite effect, as it left Apollo speechless and blushing in the middle of the road. He didn’t need any special ability to feel the neediness in Klavier’s voice, so after calming himself by fanning his hot face and even zipping down his red track jacket, he did as requested.

"Everything's good on my side. Rather peaceful, even."

"What have you been doing these days? We haven't talked since my Thursday night," mentioned Klavier.

“Three whole days? I didn't notice!" he shouted, slightly alarmed.

"You're not the only one," Klavier laughed. "But please, tell me. I want to know"

"Well, work is most I do these days, but lately I took to reading more! Not just comics, but novels and stuff. You see, Princess Rayfa has been feeling rather lonely since Nahyuta is away and I…. am talking about him again! Gosh, I’m sorry!” He hit himself in the forehead, screaming so loud some passerby couldn’t help but stare.

As he heard Apollo screaming and apologizing in khura'inese in the middle of a park made Klavier burst into laughter.

“Don’t be! Continue, I’m sure Herr Sahdmadhi won’t be the main topic in this conversation.”

“Fine then… So, I’m hanging out with Rayfa, and she showed me the palace’s library. Remember that I had to relearn khurai’nese, and I’m getting there! Her Benevolence said I knew enough to read more grown up books and not the fairy tales she’d lent me a year ago.”

“She sounds like she wants to help you.”

Like this, it was easier to start a conversation, as Apollo retold some anecdotes about Rayfa's khura'inese lessons he'd never mentioned to Klavier in detail. He even got to show Klavier how well his pronunciation got, as he spoke to him and his sentences were clear and almost devoid of an accent.

It was an oddly comforting feeling for Apollo, to talk on what had been his first language but that he tried so hard to forget; now, the words easily rolled out of his tongue, and the nostalgic sound of it as he switched to English made him smile.

"It sounds nice!" said Klavier. "I swear I've heard more khura'inese from you than your brother."

"Oh, he's so fastidious about strictly speaking the language of the country he's in," explained Apollo while rolling his eyes. "But at times, that rigidness of his backfires. I totally recommend you try and catch Nahyuta slipping and showing his accent. It pisses him off so much!"

Apollo laughed, and Klavier wished to accompany him, but he knew that if he ever heard Nahyuta's accent slip, if only for a bit, he would simply pretend he didn't hear it. It would be the best for everyone that way.

"So, about the novels?" he continued.

“Rayfa thinks I should try reading lengthier books now that I’m free of her lectures," Apollo explained, walking towards a tree and resting his back on it. "She told me to pick whatever I wanted. The library has a lot of things but…”

“But…?”

Now that he was covered by the shadow of the tree, and after having heard Klavier's voice after so long, Apollo thought of the advice Nahyuta had given him the day before. That's why, feeling the cold morning breeze and thinking how nice it felt talking to his boyfriend, he felt a little daring. Apollo took in a deep breath before talking again.

“There was this one novel hidden deep in a corner that caught my attention. A national classic," he explained. "I had to get it out hidden from Rayfa, though.”

“Is there something wrong with it?”

“It’s a rather steamy novel, but the language used makes it easy for me to read it; it also helps the story is compelling," he coyly muttered into the phone.

There was a short silence, one where he easily imagined how Klavier was taken aback by this revelation. It almost made Apollo laugh when his boyfriend stuttered his answer.

"You… you like those sort books? I didn't know," said Klavier. "I thought you stuck to, like, martial arts manga."

"Yeah, but this book is interesting. I can tell you in detail about it some other time, when you’re not in public. Would later today be alright?”

The indecent proposal hidden in that casual comment was hard to miss. Klavier forced himself to answer, to even set an hour for him to get home and be ready to talk in more depth about this book with Apollo. The conversation then flowed with ease, and in between the laughter and back and forth, Klavier stopped and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” asked Apollo.

“Nothing, I just remembered that I love you.”

“… You’re so corny. And I love you too,” his voice got smaller at the end, but Klavier understood.

“I’ll be back home when we finish here… Speaking of such, I wonder where’s Nahyuta since we’ve been talking for… Half an hour?!”

When Klavier checked the hour on the phone, he noticed how long their call was. After saying a quick goodbye, he ended the call and went to search for Nahyuta, who he found sitting on the izakaya's bar, talking to a couple of middle aged women enjoying their drinks as he finished his dinner. He put his chopsticks down, then turned to see his friend and smiled.

"Did you enjoy the call?" he asked.

“Why didn’t you go back to the room?” retorted Klavier.

“I did, around 20 minutes ago, but since you sounded so joyful I decided not to bother. Good thing I only ordered appetizers!” he laughed, then turned to talk to his new companions. "This is my brother's boyfriend, the one I've been talking about."

The pair immediately started giggling and greeted Klavier, who was confused but still politely greeted them back before turning to Nahyuta.

“Herr Sahdmadhi, I’m so sorry that I—”

“Nahyuta will suffice from now on, Klavier," he said, taking the small cup of sake that one of the ladies poured for him. "I think it's time to discard the title, and least in private."

Klavier was speechless for a second, staring as Nahyuta smiled at the ladies and then drank from the small white cup. The man sitting on the bar was not like the Nahyuta he met months ago, and he couldn't quite understand what made him change this way. He welcomed it, though, and before he could try to apologize again, Nahyuta continued.

"Instead of apologizing to me, why don’t you go back home already? You shouldn't waste your precious time with me.”

The monk turned towards Klavier, and the look Nahyuta gave him was enough to make a grown man fluster; it felt almost as if he'd heard everything Apollo and him said to each other, even if that was impossible. However, Klavier didn’t give it too much thought, to at least keep a sliver of shame.

In the end, he handed the phone back to Nahyuta, thanked him for the splendid evening, then ran to search his bike on the parking lot. He forgot about most of his worries, feeling eager about what might happen the moment he reached his apartment.

Chapter Text

The light sound of knocking on the door was enough to make Simon, who'd been rather immersed in his job, groan as it distracted him from the document in his hands.

He mused for a second, wondering if it would be better to stay silent and pretend he was out, shout a short "Begone!" and continue his work, or begrudgingly accept the visit. Being that he was rather interested in the conclusions he'd been arriving to regarding his current case, the first option was tempting.

However, his visitor made the choice for him, and Simon looked astonished as the door opened, only to show how shamelessly Nahyuta waltzed into his office without even caring for what Simon had to say; it made his displeasure grow.

“What an unpleasant surprise, Sad Monk," he said as he returned to the document in his hand. "Couldn't you at least pretend to wait for me to answer?"

“It’s also a disgrace having to see you,” answered the monk with a fake smile. “I took the liberty to enter because I knew you were in. I must talk to you about work."

"Can't see us talking about something else at the office," Simon didn't bother to lift his eyes from the papers in his hand. "What is it now?"

"I have some doubts about that questionnaire of yours.”

"What's with it now? Is it maybe too perfect?" asked the prosecutor. "It makes your work so easy that you have an abhorrent amount of free time, and that's why you came to pay a visit?"

"… You think highly of your skills," pointed out Nahyuta, amused at the boasting.

"I find myself quite capable," he smiled and turned to see Nahyuta. "Enough to teach you how to use this tool properly."

The prince rolled his eyes and went to sit on the couch, ready to make the questions he'd prepared, only that as soon as he sat, Taka flew into the office. The hawk quickly noticed Nahyuta was there, so he avoided his usual spot and directly landed on the couch's armrest.

Nahyuta was thrilled when Taka approached to greet him, and wasn't surprised when the hawk started rubbing his head against his arm. The charming behavior warmed up the prince's heart, who immediately started scratching Taka's neck, to Simon’s disgust.

“What is this? That insufferable panda doesn't pet you enough?” asked Nahyuta, enjoying the way the hawk leaned into the touch.

“Leave him alone. The last thing I need is you spoiling him," complained Simon.

“No need to be bitter, Prosecutor Blackquill.”

Simon scoffed. “Bitter? Me?”

The prince, with a gesture that managed to capture all of Simon's attention, slowly put his gaze on him.

"Does it bother you that Taka gets spoiled? I've seen you dote on him constantly." he looked down at Taka and smiled. "In fact, Taka might be the only one you wont unleash your wrath on."

"He never gives me a reason to be mad at him. Annoyed, maybe. But never mad," he grinned when the hawk seemingly glared his way.

"But you get mad when he shows affection towards me. That's where you draw the line." stated Nahyuta.

"… I don't want him to be spoiled by you, Sad Monk," explained Simon. "Even if that's what he wants."

The prosecutor glared at Nahyuta and his irritating smile, then sighed as he looked at the state of Taka, who leaned into the prince's tender touch. He even played with the beads hanging from His Holiness neck with his beak. The hawk was so gently with it, too, as if he'd forgotten all the times Simon explicitly told him to pull on that necklace if he ever had the chance.

"… Little traitor." muttered Simon loud enough.

Taka retorted with a screech, which could've meant Mind your business by how bothered he seemed to be. But it didn't matter how Simon felt, since Nahyuta's laughter and his fingers on his feathery belly managed to calm him.

Simon found the scene to be despicable.

"See that? What he did? He's being a brat like you," Simon groaned. "I knew that condition was contagious."

To his surprise, Nahyuta didn't look offended, not even a little mad by his comments. Instead, he focused on Taka as some shameless words abandoned his mouth.

“Is that what worries you, or is it jealousy? Should I pet you too?” he purred.

The comment took Simon by surprise, and he could only stare wide-eyed at Nahyuta, but the monk paid more attention to the hawk now standing on his lap, completely ignoring the man by the desk, even if he knew the effect of his words.

For him to make such insinuations wasn't new, but it was a development in their dynamic that Simon still didn't know how to deal with. He was used to the sanctimonious and slightly prudish act Nahyuta showed to the world, however, since their arrangement started, this other side of him started being way more present in private.

Simon didn't dislike it, but it was strange to hear those things leave Nahyuta's mouth while he sat at his office couch, when he was more used to hear them while the prince was bent over on the table of his suite's living room. The change of scenery, and how Nahyuta didn't refrain himself from flirting with him in public, is what took him by surprise.

After a short second in silence, Simon blinked quickly and left his document on the desk before answering.

“You say the strangest things. Ask me what you want and begone. I’m busy.”

Nahyuta was tempted to continue toying with him, but decided to stop wasting time and started making his inquiries. Simon answered them all, quickly and bluntly. They ended up discussing a current case the monk was handling, and Simon tried to not get too involved, focusing on answering the questions rather than how nicely Nahyuta's lips moved while talking.

After Nahyuta was done and his doubts were dissipated, he stood up from the couch and bid his farewell. Taka saw him walk towards the door and flew back to Simon’s desk. The hawk’s eyes followed Nahyuta, who stopped at the door and turned to look their way.

“Oh, I also wanted to thank you for the recommendation," said the prince with a rather honest smile. "I enjoyed the food and the ambience at the izakaya.”

Simon only nodded, and when Nahyuta left his office, he ripped his eyes from the door to glare at Taka.

“… What was that?”

Taka looked his way, then dismissed the strong glare and started scratching himself. Simon gasped at the disrespect.

“Now you ignore me? After you showed such embarrassing behavior? You’re not acting like yourself," he leaned closer to the hawk, to see into his golden eyes. "Do you like the Sad Monk that much?”

Taka screeched and jumped on his desk, exhibiting a behavior so stubborn and infantile that left Simon in awe. It was one thing that Nahyuta, who had a strong bewitchment over creatures, was capable to enthrall the hawk, but it was a whole different one for Taka to be this smitten.

However, Simon could understand it since, other than the butterflies that appeared on command at court, he'd seen little birds, and even cats and dogs approaching the prince randomly in the office's courtyard; they were all attracted to the prince as if it were a basic instinct.

And that was just what happened with the sort of animals one would find in the city. After having experienced it so many times, Simon wondered if the monk would be capable of taming a bear or any other apex predator if he went to a forest. It was a funny thing to imagine, but a whole different one to experience.

Taka was already the example that a predator had nothing against the prince's charms, and Simon wasn't fond of the effect Nahyuta had on him.

The prosecutor leaned back into his chair, crossing his arms and shaking his head in disapproval as Taka continued to complain.

“And you keep daring talking back, too." chastised Simon before sighing. "Fine, do whatever you want. You’re the silly one for liking a guy like him.”

That’s what he’d said as he reprimanded Taka and returned to his work, but those words and his disappointed behavior came off as hypocritical when coming from Simon.

He'd lectured Taka harshly about the dangers of Nahyuta Sahdmadhi that day, but not even his own arguments stopped Simon who, after getting a text from His Highness himself, asking if he was available, went straight to the monk's hotel that evening.

The only excuse Simon could make for himself was that how he felt in the office, and how he behaved in that bedroom, were two vastly different things. However, agreeing to make Nahyuta some company wasn't enough to dispel the valid points regarding how dangerous it was getting closer to him, though.

For example, being at Nahyuta's beck and call was the first thing Simon started worrying about.

It should've been deeply humiliating for Simon to not even stop and play hard to get, but whenever he saw that text message, always perfectly timed as he was about to leave the office or a meeting, Simon never felt inclined to making an excuse to say no.

And that's how a new habit was created rather fast. At this point, Simon was used to walking into the hotel's lobby; he would hear the manager doing his job at the reception while getting on the elevator, then he would knock on that now familiar door and have Nahyuta open it. The prince would received him while smiling before leading him inside.

A warm cup of rose and cinnamon tea was always ready on the living room for him.

After spending around three hours entangled both with the soft sheets and Nahyuta's delicate body, Simon checked the hour in his phone. It was barely 11 PM, so he chose to make his way back home.

He left Nahyuta asleep on the bed, as usual, and after Simon left the suite, he walked into the empty elevator, holding his coat over his shoulder since he didn't bother to put it on. The elevator stopped at the tenth floor, and when the doors opened, they revealed an image that managed to get the attention of a half lethargic Simon.

It was the naked and pale back of a beautiful lady, dressed in a tight, backless black dress. She had her vibrant red hair arranged in an elegant bun, and her delicate face and makeup looked impeccable when she turned around and walked inside.

She greeted him with a light nod and a smile, and Simon nodded back at her. Pulling a golden compact from her handbag, the woman reapplied her cherry red lipstick and powdered her nose. The smell of her expensive perfume, with woody and cherry notes, was subtle enough that it didn't bother Simon.

When they arrived at the lobby, he kept the door open for her, and she showed him a smile before leaving. The sound of her high red bottom heels against the floor slowly faded, and Simon couldn’t help follow her with his gaze, as she disappeared through the hotel’s entrance.

To cross paths with that woman amused Simon, since she'd made him notice a rather hilarious coincidence. They were certainly in that hotel doing the same sort of thing.

On his way out, he got greeted by the manager, and Simon stopped being so self-conscious about the man. It was evident that most of the reception staff should recognize him after witnessing these late night visits for a while now.

They should be used to recurrent faces leaving at 11 PM or even later, and their professionalism made it that no one would ever feel judged. So Simon had to get used to it, especially after having done these walks of "shame" once or twice a week for a month now. The longer he thought about it, the less conflicted he felt.

However, comparing himself to what seemed like a woman in some sort of affair, or a high-end escort, wasn’t something he ever imagined would pass through his mind.

It ended up adding to the list of things to consider when thinking about the dangers of Nahyuta Sahdmadhi. But instead of feeling indignation, the memories of Nahyuta from some hours ago made him rethink what he believed was or wasn’t unacceptable.

Even the smell of the flowery perfume that was now stuck in his clothes wasn't so bad when he thought of the prince.

It was better to simply… not care. In the end, he always managed to get enough sleep, even if he had a short stop at the hotel before going home, and was still able to deal with whatever each new day threw at him.

A proof of this was when, the next day, he got dragged to lunch by Athena, who’d been craving soba and stopped by the prosecutor’s office only to bring Simon with her.

“You want soba now?” he asked with a tired expression.

“It’s lunchtime! Let's go! I don’t want to eat alone today,” she shouted while grabbing some files off Simon’s hand and dragged him to his office’s door.

“Athena, this type of behavior is too childish for me to deal with in the middle of a work day,” he said as he softly shook off her grip. “Why are you even at the prosecutor’s office?”

“I came with Trucy and Mr. Wright! They’re having lunch with Mr. Edgeworth.”

“Then why don’t you go with them?”

“They did ask me to, but I’m craving soba, and I wanted to see you." she said.

Her beaming smile burned some layers of indifference within Simon, enough that he blinked and sighed before pretending to be disgusted by the visit.

“Well, you just did. Now shoo.”

She laughed even as Simon brushed her off, and grabbed that large hand once again.

“That’s funny! But stop treating me as a stray, or I will call Bucky to bring take out here," Athena grinned as she saw Simon frown. "Give up and let’s go! I’m starving!”

She yanked him hard enough to almost make him lose his balance, but Athena ended up letting go of him to open the door in a hurry.

Simon could feel himself get dragged out of his comfort by Athena again, and he wished to play hard to get; however, the shriek she let out when she left the office was enough to make him rush to the door, only to see Athena fall on her butt right in front of Nahyuta, who was passing by when the door opened.

Simon laughed without restraint when he realized Athena was unharmed, and Nahyuta frowned at him while helping her get up.

“My apologies for startling you, Ms. Cykes," said the monk.

“Oh no, it was me who was just running wild, as usual," she giggled as she blushed. "I’m glad I didn’t hit you.”

“That would've been hilarious. Try to do it next time,” said Simon, leaning on the door frame.

To no surprise, he got nasty looks from both Athena and Nahyuta as an answer.

“You two seem to be in a hurry,” mentioned Nahyuta.

“It’s lunchtime. Want to come with us?” asked Athena, ignoring how Simon’s smile disappeared. "The more the merrier!"

Nahyuta caught immediately how his coworker's demeanor changed, and his gaze went from the warm smile Athena showed him, to the deep frown in Simon’s face.

There were many reasons as to why Simon would not enjoy the three of them sharing a table; the one Nahyuta thought about was that, besides the time shared in the office and their private meetups, Simon refused to hang out around him if possible. That was understandable, and Nahyuta respected it.

Nonetheless, the prince ignored a rather alarming detail: Simon’s tolerance towards him had grown a lot more than he expected, and adding Athena and her abilities to the mix was a recipe for disaster. He didn’t wish to be worrying about what he said or how he said it while trying to have lunch, so it was better to keep Athena out of the way.

Nahyuta knew it was better to keep going, but oh, how he enjoyed toying with Simon. So much that he pretended to ponder about the invitation, and almost agreed to it. When his green eyes went towards Simon, to catch what sort of expression he had, the monk couldn't help but smile.

Don’t you dare, mouthed Simon, visibly nervous.

Nahyuta found his nervousness to be rather cute, and smiled back at Athena.

“I would love to, since I haven’t had soba in a while,” he gave a quick glance at Simon, who went paler. “… But there’s a meeting I have to attend outside the office at the moment.”

Both Athena and Widget seemed downhearted at his answer.

“That’s a shame. I would like to hang out with you and ask about Apollo’s embarrassing childhood stories!” she said.

The prince was surprised by her reasoning, but softly laughed and covered his mouth with a hand.

“I have many of those, and I know you must have your own assortment of fascinating stories about Mr. Blackquill. We must arrange a meeting at a later date to exchange them.”

They both shared a smile, and even ended up exchanging phone numbers in front of Simon, who looked at the whole act in shock before Nahyuta left for his office.

That day, the smell of his perfume irritated him more than usual, and he stomped his way to the elevator.

In a booth at the Whet Soba, Athena tried to enjoy her lunch break, which was a hard thing to do since Simon’s frown was enough to dampen the mood.

He'd been like that since they left the prosecutors office, and refused to even make small talk during the entire trajectory. Probably so that she didn't catch what he was feeling… which was a silly worry to have, since everyone could see he was angry.

When Bucky pointed it out as they arrived, it only angered Simon more, and after seeing that Simon wouldn't speak unless spoken to, Athena felt it was better to confront him.

“It’s been a while since we last came here and you’re so angry!" she exclaimed with a raised eyebrow. "As if you didn’t like hanging out with me!”

"… That's not my issue." he said while ignoring her pout.

"Then what is it? Your angry face is ruining the experience!"

“I didn’t enjoy your little exchange with the Sad Monk," he revealed as he looked up. "Whatever you’re planning to share with him, I recommend you not to do it.”

“… I was just going to talk about those Barbie movies marathons from when I was little," she looked at the black chopsticks then muttered. "And how much you liked them.”

He sighed. “Exactly what I mean. Keep those stories to yourself.”

"… But you liked them. Especially Swan Lake… And I feel Nahyuta is a Swan Lake Barbie kind of guy," she muttered, looking down at the table." Maybe Swan Lake could be the bridge that helps you get along with him."

When she raised her gaze, she tried to contain her laughter as Simon looked perplexed.

"Do you hear yourself as you speak? You're bloody insane."

“Come on! I'm joking!…. maybe." she laughed. "And relax a little, I’m even paying for your food today. Don’t you like that?”

“What I don’t like is you dragging me off work when I’m busy.”

“Then answer your phone when I text you, otherwise I worry. Or you want me to drop off unannounced in your apartment?”

“You already do that.” he said, and was amused at her silence. “Athena, don’t you have trials to lie your way through? Or a girlfriend to take care of? Things that occupy you enough already?”

“Hey! I don’t lie my way through work! And if you’re so curious, Juniper and I are doing perfectly fine! And not even all that would be enough to not check on my friends!” she exclaimed.

Simon was distracted as their lunch arrived, and he thanked the waitress who brought them the food and took his chopstick.

“I’m glad you're this caring, but you should use your lunch hours to spend time with your girlfriend and let me be." he said.

There was a suspicious silence coming from Athena, who usually would talk non-stop about Juniper when given the chance. Simon put down his chopsticks as he was about to eat and stared at her downhearted expression.

“… I can’t. She’s out of town.” she revealed.

“Is she?”

“Juni had a flare-up last week and took some time off her internship at the courthouse,” she explained while grabbing her chopsticks, looking dejected. “She’ll be at her grandma’s until she gets better.”

“Poor child. She seemed so excited when she started, but it explains why I haven’t seen her that much lately,” he started to pick some noodles from his plate. “Here I thought I scared her away.”

“Juni? Scared of you?… Maybe a little, but she always mentions you’ve been nice to her whenever she's seen you,” the idea of them talking and getting along made Athena excited for some reason. “That’s so cute of you!”

With that simple comment, Athena had done something that made Simon put down a delicious slice of pork hanging from his chopsticks back into the bowl, only to look straight into her eyes.

“Cute… You think your little girlfriend is cute, right?” he asked.

“Of course! The cutest!”

“Then what’s wrong with your bloody eyes to call a man like me cute?”

“Oh, well, you can be such a cute guy at times, and nice! … At times!”

Simon stared at her and her silly and honest smile, not knowing if she was either thinking about Juniper, or daydreaming about Juniper, Simon and her getting along in her perfect fantasy world. He quickly gave up on trying to understand her.

“Eat your food, Athena. Or it will go cold.”

“See? The way you care about me eating cold noodles? It's cute too.” she giggled and took her chopsticks.

He avoided saying anything that would make her continue this conversation. Nonetheless, Athena was a great force to be reckoned with, and nothing prepared him for what she had to say.

“Speaking of such, did you get a girlfriend or something?”

Simon didn't even get to take a bite out of his slice of pork; he'd frozen in place, and the food slipped from his chopsticks and returned to the broth. The question took him by surprise, but not even the confused expression in his face made Athena change the topic.

Now he noticed, he'd fallen into her trap.

He had to applaud the outstanding manner in which she lulled him into a false sense of security, making casual conversation as she pretended to not be carefully analyzing the little changes in his voice. It seems like she actually listens whenever Simon gave her advice regarding manipulation.

That she'd done, and now, she wanted an answer. Said answer was preceded by Simon clearing his throat and straightening his back, feeling strangely hot in the face.

“No. Why would you even ask me that?”

She blinked at him with curious eyes. “I don’t know, there’s a certain … blissfulness in your voice. Couldn’t help but ask.”

“Then clean your ears. There’s nothing to be blissful about in my life lately.”

Athena continued staring at him, and he was forced to put down his chopsticks and sigh before drinking some water. He recognized that particular stare. She was studying him.

Whenever Athena picked something in a voice, she wouldn’t let go of it until she managed to explain it. A difficult feat, but one that she'd been getting better at, and Simon considered it a pain in the ass whenever she directed her abilities towards him.

Most times, he managed to shake her off, but she seemed too curious that day to drop the subject without something that resembled an answer.

He sighed heavily and gave in. “Do I look like I have a girlfriend?”

She continued staring at him, as if something in his expression would give her the answer she desired.

“Not really…” she said.

“Then that’s your answer,” he grabbed his chopsticks with the intention to keep eating.

“A boyfriend then?”

He groaned, slightly exasperated at Athena’s inquiries which were now making him lose his appetite. However, his annoyance turned into worry the moment Nahyuta popped in his head.

That man was the furthest thing from a boyfriend he could have, and the only reason he thought about that Sad Monk was due to their current entanglement. Nothing else.

He pretended to be thoughtful for a moment, which made Athena even more curious as she ignored how she was getting toyed with. Simon then smiled and proceeded to finally take a bite out of his pork, relish on the taste of it and swallow before answering.

“A boyfriend? Or a girlfriend… Wouldn’t that be delightful? But no. What keeps me the busiest lately is work." he spoke while keeping a cool demeanor. "Not all of us can be as carefree at work and have a girlfriend like you, wasting our time being a romantic fool.”

“Hey! I balance my work time and my dates with Juni perfectly!”

“The things you can do when you’re still an apprentice.”

She gasped, but without having any sort of comeback that would be good enough to leave Simon shaken, Athena returned to her neglected food and kept quietly eating for a while.

Finally, Simon had some peace that allowed him to eat, but when he was already halfway done with his noodles, Athena couldn’t help saying something again.

“But you do sound more gleeful… And look better. Relaxed, I mean. I was just happy about it.”

The look in her eyes softened a little while staring at her friend, almost as if bad memories came to mind the moment she saw Simon sounding and looking something that was closer to happy than before. Not wishing to reveal anything, he thought of the best way to fool Athena’s ears.

Saying the truth in the most disguised manner always worked.

“I’ve been exercising more lately, maybe that’s why. Smoking a little less, too.”

“That’s good to hear!” exclaimed Athena with a smile.

The conversation topic finally changed to something less dangerous, but Simon couldn’t help thinking, a little worried, about what Athena just said. She was closer to the truth than she believed, but as always, she lacked experience to be able to read better into other people's lies instead of just listening to them.

But now, Simon had a new thing to worry about. What if what she said was true? Had he actually been gleeful lately because of that exercise he had with Nahyuta? The idea made him uncomfortable, which was enough of an answer for him to push that thought into a corner of his mind at the moment.

Nahyuta and him weren’t anything more than strictly business. And that was final.

When lunchtime was over, Simon accompanied Athena back to her office, since he had a meeting with Phoenix Wright that day regarding an upcoming case; being that the man made the effort to talk with him prior to the trial, Simon felt generous enough to see how they could work together and try to get a verdict on the same day.

However, he was rather surprised when he walked inside the Wright Anything Agency and saw a friendly face he hadn't seen in a while.

There on the couch sat Maya Fey, looking like she was a perfect piece of that cluttered office while joyfully talking with the little magician. Athena was immediately happy by this unexpected visit and went straight to greet her.

"Seems like the master has abandoned the summit," said Simon while standing by the door. "What could bring a channeling master down to this humble abode?"

Maya quickly threw a sharp stare his way, and she searched in her bag for something that she quickly showed to Simon.

"Only the Steel Samurai Anniversary event ticket sale!" she showed three bright red tickets inside plastic envelops in all its glory to Simon. "Got yours, as per your request."

Simon went towards her and grabbed a ticket. "I knew I could trust you with that mission, but I thought I would get to pick mine on the day of the event."

"I imagined you would rather enjoy having in as fast as possible."

And Maya was right about it. Simon was thrilled by seeing the ticket on his hands, and it confirmed that he'd requested such a difficult favor to the right person. He knew that she had complete control of her own schedule to stay up until the hour the tickets sold online, and could pick the physical collectors copies for him.

Only a die hard Steel Samurai fan such as Maya Fey would agree to such request.

To find himself to be this close with such a peculiar, yet remarkable lady, had been one of the things Simon accepted as the benefits of the W.A.A. being Athena's workplace.

The first time he met Maya had been outside the office, where he recognized a limited edition Steel Samurai plushie hanging from her bag. Said show had been Simon's favorite when he was a teenager, and after he initiated the conversation, they easily hit it off right away.

She'd been the one that convinced him to re-watch the entire thing; specials, movies and even the bad seasons included. The experience had been deeply nostalgic for Simon, as the most he could watch of it while incarcerated were reruns, and not much of the newer seasons.

Thankfully, Maya felt it was important for him to experience Steel Samurai in its entirety, and he was thankful to her. Add to it that the woman was an OG fan of the franchise like him and, even with her seemingly delicate demeanor, Maya could hold the most interesting and somewhat heated conversations about Steel Samurai and classic Samurai movies; Simon found in her a really especial friend.

Maya smiled at him, then turned towards Trucy again.

"Here, Trucy. This one is for Mr. Edgeworth!" She handed the girl another ticket and saved her own in her wallet." Take care of it with your life! Don't allow a single bend on it! He was really specific about the conditions as to properly save the special artwork in the ticket."

"I will! Might save it in my magic panties!" answered Trucy, and she did just as she said.

The sudden mention of Edgeworth made Simon put his excitement to the side after he saved his ticket inside his wallet.

"It will be an interesting experience to go and sit side by side with my boss…" mentioned Simon, as his smile dropped a little. "But it is the event of the year."

"Believe me, Mr. Edgeworth's probably more excited than us by this." shouted Maya, "All the legacy actors will be there! There's no way either of you can miss it!"

"… Ye Gods, I know. I can't believe they actually got Brandon Landors on board."

"After that revival drama, he said he was over with the franchise," retorted Maya while making some space for Simon on the couch. "How did they managed that?"

"An apology letter from the producer and an absurd amount of money I heard," he said as he took a seat.

They quickly engaged in a conversation that went from Steel Samurai, to other action based shows and movies, all while ignoring the knowing and curious glances coming from Trucy and Athena.

They've been muttering to each other for a while, but it was their shared giggling that pulled Simon out of the conversation.

"… What is with with you two giggling like schoolgirls?" he asked with a soft frown.

Trucy continued giggling, and Athena turned to answer.

"Oh, nothing. Is just that you proved my point from earlier!" at Simon's confusion, Athena continued. "Can't you see? You're cute when you're so excited about your favorite show."

"The cutest, the both of you!" continued Trucy.

Maya answered with a warm smile, yet she turned around when she heard the subtle groan coming from Simon.

"I told you to stop it with that nonsense." chided Simon.

It was a surprise for Maya to see him so tense about light teasing, so she turned at Athena and felt like stuck in the middle of an unknown battle.

"Why are you calling him cute?" she asked.

"Oh, I'm messing with him," explained Athena. "He's been acting a little different lately, so I thought he might be dating someone."

"Eh?! Dating?!" shouted Maya, right before facing Simon. "You're dating someone and didn't tell me?!"

"No, I'm—"

"Is he really, Athena?" interrupted Trucy, intrigued by this piece of information. "Now I'm so curious! I wonder what sort of person does Mr. Blackquill likes to date."

"I wonder the same," said Maya as she turned towards Athena. "Does he have a specific type? He comes off as the sort of guy that does."

Athena stopped to think, to reminisce about the past and what little she remembered about Simon's dating history. She purposefully ignored Simon's baffled state regarding the conversation about him; one that he was being excluded from. He frowned when he saw that glint in Athena's eyes as she leaned closer to Maya.

"He likes them pretty." She muttered. "That's his thing."

The three girls giggled, as if discovering what Simon's taste in partners was to be the most scandalous thing they've heard in the entire month. Both Maya and Trucy glared his way, with their eyes full of curiosity and shock, almost as if it came as a surprise that he was that vain.

What started as a simple joke to tease him morphed into a rumor right in front of his eyes, and the only thing Simon could do was glare when Athena showed a half-apologetic expression. Now he had to find a way to clear his name.

"Do not listen to that foolish lass," he rested his back on the couch and feigned calm. "She enjoys to lie. I fear working this long for Wright-dono has ingrained that bad habit in her."

"Hey! That's mean!" shouted Trucy.

"Please, take this as a compliment. No one lies and bluffs like your father." he said with a grin in his face. "I consider him a master on the field."

That always cheerful expression in the magicians face was exchanged by one of slight annoyance. Simon believed that, after having insulted her father and friend, both Trucy and Maya would let him be; instead, Maya scooted closer and, surprisingly, stared right into his eyes. The proximity alarmed Simon for a second.

"Stop avoiding the topic. I believe in Athena's skills, so for her to make that assumption… maybe she's not that far from the mark." a subtle smirk showed in the medium's face as she straightened up and crossed her arms. "Your counterargument, please."

Simon crossed his arms too and scoffed. To be confronted once more by the same annoying topic wasn't in his plans for the day, least when he went against three forceful ladies; one that was mature enough to maybe see through him, and the other two were gifted with bizarre skills that could categorize them as walking lie detectors.

Any other person would feel cornered, but Simon knew that he was, in fact, completely single at the moment. There was nothing to fear, since he wasn't lying.

"I am most definitely not involved with anyone in that sort of way, Fey-dono. Pleased?" he said.

Maya's gaze lingered on him for a second, but it looked as if she believed him by the way her shoulders relaxed; however, she wasn't who Simon worried about. Right behind Maya, Trucy peeked over her shoulder, and he noticed the way her eyes widened when she stared at his hands; at the way his fists were tightly clenched.

"… Are you sure about it, Prosecutor Blackquill?" she asked in an accusatory whisper.

Both Maya and Athena were surprised by Trucy's seriousness, and they slowly turned Simon's way with curiosity in their eyes. The three ladies where glaring a hole on him and, since he was outnumbered, Simon couldn't help feeling nervous.

"No comment. And you better look the other way, Trucy-dono." he said, as his eyes avoided Trucy's.

The room, which had been so silent seconds ago, was now filled with laughter, as Trucy, Maya and Athena couldn't help themselves. To see someone as self-assured and severe looking as Simon could even feel cornered by them was surprising, and after realizing this, Athena was excited at this new opening Trucy found

There was a chance to make Simon talk now, but sadly, the office's door opened as Phoenix arrived. The interruption was enough to save Simon from a terrible cross-examination.

When Phoenix entered the room, he was surprised by the scene. He'd been expecting to see Simon that day, but to find him backed up in his office's couch, as Maya, Athena and Trucy seemed to corner him, was unexpected.

"Oh? We got a full house today." said Phoenix as he greeted all the visitors . "Are you three having fun by… hounding Prosecutor Blackquill, I guess?"

"We were just about to interrogate him, daddy!" exclaimed Trucy.

Quickly, Phoenix glanced down at Simon, who'd been crossing his arms and staring at Charley by his side. He didn't know how or why Prosecutor Blackquill found himself in that situation, but it surely was an interesting scene to find.

"That's nice. I'm glad to see all of you pushing around someone else but me for once, so have fun!" he exclaimed as he walked towards his private office.

Suddenly, Simon stood up from his seat and fixed his necktie, only to show Phoenix a disgruntled expression.

"I came for a meeting with you, Wright-dono, not to participate in your office shenanigans." complained Simon. "May we start?"

"I felt you looked kind of at home being their new victim, Mr. Blackquill," he jested, all while avoiding Simon's glare.

"Well, I'm not. Next time, we'll meet at my office."

Phoenix laughed a little, then looked at the ladies in the couch with an apologetic expression.

"He's right, though. Sorry girls." apologized Phoenix.

Feeling reassured in a way, Simon finally relaxed, but when he turned towards the couch to mock his tormentors, he was rather speechless by how they ignored him.

"… You're so boring, Simon." said Maya, while rolling her eyes.

"So not fun," continued Trucy, grabbing her cellphone.

"Really had to ruin this one, huh?" complained Athena as she left towards her desk.

"Yeah, not cool, Prosecutor Blackquill." added Phoenix.

Now Simon felt truly outnumbered, and the thought of giving up and going back to his office crossed his mind, but Phoenix's light laughter, and how he asked him to go into his private office, made him push through and ignore whatever just happened to deal with his job.

But he surely wouldn't make it easy for Wright at court after that last comment of his.

On his way back to the office, Simon stopped by the coffee shop close to the building. Even if he usually fancied espressos, or didn't care much about the watered down break room coffee, that afternoon he craved a cappuccino and to not think of work for a little longer.

Thankfully, the shop was almost empty after lunch break was over, which meant no lines and sitting peacefully with himself. And his little break would've been perfect, if it weren't because the first thing he saw while walking to the counter was that familiar lilac braid.

Nahyuta was the last one standing in line, and he turned around when he recognized the now familiar sound of steps on the wooden floor, then smiled at Simon.

"I thought you were at court today," said the prince. "I haven't seen you since Ms. Cykes took you away."

"She held me hostage at her office for a while after my meeting was done," he replied. "I hope my absence didn't make your day easier. Or did you miss me?"

The pair of gray eyes landed on the monk, wishing to see that snooty demeanor as Nahyuta denied such thing. To Simon's surprise, Nahyuta smiled at him, and his gaze lingered on Simon's face before answering.

"… Let's say I didn't."

Simon found the answer a little strange, but he couldn't mull about it since it was time for Nahyuta to make his order. He talked to the cashier shortly, then turned around to ask him something.

"What would you like?"

"Excuse me?"Simon looked down at the monk.

"Coffee, Prosecutor Blackquill."

That same demeanor that had been bothering him lately appeared again: the one of strange proximity Simon wasn't very used to yet. Now almost every exchange with Nahyuta felt this way; long gone were the days the monk would avoid Simon like the plague.

He frowned at Nahyuta's casualness, who now invited him coffee as if they were friends.

The idea made Simon tremble, but not because he disliked it, but because it was something he might have to get used to. And seeing that more people arrived at the store made Simon yield.

"…. A large cappuccino." he said.

The prosecutor rubbed his forehead, since he had no energy to argue with Nahyuta at the moment. Whenever Nahyuta behaved this friendly towards him it felt like an omen for something bothersome to come, but the moment he saw that serene smile on Nahyuta's face, he easily gave in.

That smile of his, which hid an amount of things Simon had a hard time comprehending, was another dangerous aspect of spending time with Nahyuta.

When Nahyuta finished paying, they both walked to the terrace to wait for their drinks. Nahyuta sat on a table in a corner of the shop, then gestured at Simon so he sat with him.

"Since it's my treat today, let's talk a little," said the monk.

"Must I accompany you here too?" complained Simon, even if he sat in front of Nahyuta. "Aren't you tired of me at this point?"

"Humor me," he pleaded in an alluring tone that made Simon stop frowning. "There's no need to act like we don't know each other anymore. We're past that."

The little insinuation, accompanied by a smile, almost made Simon blush, but he managed to smile back.

"We are, but that doesn't mean we're friends, Sad Monk."

"… I never said we were," added a confused Nahyuta. "But now that you bring it up, Lately I've noticed how you want to make that clear."

"There's no harm in pointing it out."

The curious gaze stayed on Simon, even if he avoided it while looking at the empty black table separating them. It was a fact he'd been putting some distance between them, and his curt demeanor towards Nahyuta never changed, even after sex started being a part of their relationship.

And yet, the prince found a way to behave like if this were an amusing situation. It showed by the way he couldn't stop staring Simon's way.

"Do you fear I could get the wrong idea? That I might get confused?" asked Nahyuta.

Simon finally raised his gaze and, to no surprise, found Nahyuta was making an honest inquire. Somehow, this honesty of his allowed Simon to relax.

"No, I don't. In fact, I find your behavior regarding… that situation to be kind alarming."

Simon tried to maintain his cool, but his words faltered when he saw Nahyuta blink in confusion. He cleared his throat and, thankfully, a waiter arrived with their orders. He placed the white cup with cappuccino in front of Simon, and a cup with a latte in front of Nahyuta before leaving; that wasn't enough to make Nahyuta drop the subject, though.

"My behavior is the same as usual," clarified the prince as he poured some sugar in his cup. "I don't understand why you're acting as if it troubles you. In the office, I mean."

Nahyuta grabbed his cup and tasted his coffee, but the green eyes focused on Simon and what sort of expression he would make. Sadly, he wasn't that alarmed; the most Nahyuta got to see was his lip curling a little before Simon drank his coffee.

"It does not trouble me in the least how you decide to behave," explained Simon. "But please understand me, Sad Monk. Lately, I've been trying to merge this new facet of yours with the image I already had of you."

Nahyuta raised an eyebrow. "What new facet?"

The prosecutor grinned, then leaned over the table, whispering so the couple some tables away wouldn't listen.

"The flirty and lecherous one."

"… Be quiet. We are in public," muttered Nahyuta with a frown in his face. "And I don't know what you're talking about."

Simon got excited when he caught the hint of a blush before the monk calmed down. Finally, there it was, a proper reaction that resembled the Nahyuta he knew at the beginning. Lately, it'd been harder to ruffle his feathers, so getting to catch him off guard like this felt like a treat.

One that sadly didn't last long, since Nahyuta quickly showed that subtle smile of his and stared his way. The shiny green eyes showed an intensity that let Simon know he should brace himself for whatever left Nahyuta's lips.

"You seem to enjoy such facet in different contexts, though." retorted Nahyuta.

He had a valid point there, and Simon had to agree as he nodded. Nonetheless, that didn't manage to shake off this unease he felt.

"Lets leave things where they belong." he stated. "Flirt with me all you want in the bedroom, but please keep it professional and refrain from inviting me drinks in public… Or offering to pet me at the office."

Even if he wanted, his words came more as a request than an ultimatum or a complain. Nahyuta only laughed and nodded at him, but when he left the cup back on the saucer, he seemed conflicted about something until he opted to talk.

"Prosecutor Blackquill, I know we've never talked about it but, I've been wondering for some time now. Is this the first time you find yourself in this sort of… relationship?"

The choice of words made Simon freeze before he could take a sip. Suddenly, that annoying conversation back at Athena's office returned to haunt him, but when he stared Nahyuta's direction and noticed his confusion, he understood the prince's English probably mixed up, and he didn't meant to use that word. At least not with that connotation.

"I wouldn't call this a relationship. Is more like an arrangement." he explained.

"We never signed papers or anything, though, which makes it feel null."

"Aren't you a stickler for details," Simon laughed. "I said an arrangement, not a contract. There's no need to be so strict."

The monk looked down at his cup, a little embarrassed before he regained his calm once more.

"I understand. But please, answer my question."

There was an earnestness in Nahyuta's demeanor that Simon had been missing for a while now. Now that he was able to witness it again, he even felt like it wasn't a bad idea to be honest.

"… No. I've been in actual relationships, but never something casual that was supposed to last this long."

As Simon returned to his drink, he ignored how Nahyuta's eyes widened a little. The revelation shouldn't come as a surprise, but the prince was honestly shocked by what he heard.

A relationship. Of course someone like Simon had been in one of those. He was older than him, and as Nahyuta thought of the picture of a younger Simon before getting incarcerated, he could imagine the sort of normal life a man like him had. One completely different from Nahyuta's, for sure.

Still, the conversation they were having,one were he got to find more about his coworker this casually, left a strange feeling in his chest. A sense of normalcy Nahyuta felt like he could get used to.

"I see. Then, I comprehend why you're so adamant at the idea of casual socializing." stated Nahyuta. "I noticed yesterday, by the way you disliked how I played with Taka, or earlier, when you almost refused the coffee, or when you paled at the idea that I accompanied Ms. Cykes and you for lunch."

To have all those things listed surprised Simon, which only could mean his behavior was so obvious that Nahyuta had to sit him down and point it out. However, the monk didn't seem mad about it, but tried to understand why he acted that way. It even made the prosecutor rethink some of his actions.

"I don't need you befriending Athena that much, less when I know you might get her to talk about unnecessary things," he laughed, but ended up sighing as he rested his cheek on his hand. "And I would've hated being in the same table as you two. The both of you can talk anyone's ear's off for sure."

Nahyuta laughed too, and it made for a rather charming image by the way his eyes closed and he covered his mouth. Simon admired the scene by the corner of his eye, since it was only on rare occasions he got to see Nahyuta laugh out loud.

"You fear Ms. Cykes and I will be a force to be reckon with while together?" asked the prince. "Too difficult to deal with?"

"The idea of it gives me shivers," he closed his eyes and feigned a pained expression.

Nahyuta continued laughing, and the sound of it pleased Simon greatly. However, he shook off his head as to not stare too much the prince's way.

"Though I must clarify: I could handle it. I'm sure of it. I feel that I'm well equipped to even defeat the both of you, if you ever truly team up and go against me."

"You aren't humble at all." scoffed Nahyuta.

"And you are?" retorted Simon.

To the prosecutor's surprise, Nahyuta didn't answer immediately. Instead, he seemed taken aback by his question, and sat down in silence as he fidgeted with the cup in his hands.

Somehow, Simon managed to hit right at one of Nahyuta's insecurities without even trying, and rather than rejoicing, he felt it was a shame by the way the monk reacted. It was so evident how nervous Nahyuta was by the way he cleared his throat and fixed his posture.

"I… try." Nahyuta's voice faltered and he even bit his lower lip.

The honest answer was not the retort Simon expected, neither he expected that concerned frown in Nahyuta's face. Suddenly, the laughter he'd been enjoying disappeared, and the nice mood between them was ruined.

Even if he enjoyed teasing the prince, right now, Nahyuta looked so self-conscious about it that Simon quickly came up with something to not only switch the topic again, but maybe help Nahyuta feel better. His answer came rather easily as he stared at the prince's face.

"And you fail at it. But I understand, Sad Monk." he saw Nahyuta raise his gaze, and he held it. "With your rank and looks, I imagine is hard to not be a little full of oneself. If anything, you could be worse."

The words that abandoned his mouth were loud and clear for both of them to hear, and Simon, who was slightly perplexed about what he said, returned to his coffee and refused to look at Nahyuta for a second.

The prince never reacted to said comment. Instead, he changed the topic to discuss one of his current cases; a safe, common ground for them to talk.

They continued the discussion until they finished their coffee, and kept talking even as they arrived together at the office, garnering many confused stares from other prosecutors and building staff. No one could believe their eyes as Nahyuta and Simon walked together into the elevator, talking to each other without any sort of animosity.

They finally parted ways in their floor, and Simon quickly returned to his work. He welcomed anything that would help him ignore that sudden confession of his. But at least Nahyuta didn't seem to care much about what he said, since it seemed to help the prince forget whatever suddenly troubled him.

Simon felt that, since Nahyuta must be used to all levels of adulation, his words were just another flattering comment thrown into the pile of compliments the prince received daily.

Surely, Nahyuta would forget about it.

The prince entered his private office, and the first thing he did was lit up a stick of vanilla incense.

The scent filled the room and relaxed him; it cleared his mind as he took a seat in the desk and opened the folder in front of him. He spent around 10 minutes like this, reading through the file and taking notes, until his curiosity was too much to control.

Nahyuta closed the file and pulled from a drawer a small golden compact mirror. He opened it and carefully inspected his face and nose, his eyes and lips, his hair even, and started fixing the jewel in his forehead. There was nothing out of place, nothing new or particularly different about him, which made Nahyuta wonder: Why would Simon say such things, then?

Everything looked the same as usual, so why was it that today was the day that Simon slipped and complimented him right in his face when, for weeks, he'd been trying so hard to make that man break.

Getting that sort of compliment from Simon was a goal of his, since Nahyuta could see Simon made a great effort to avoid mentioning the beauty that the Holy Mother bestowed upon him. Even if Nahyuta teased him for it, he felt it was a shame that Simon denied himself the pleasure of being honest about it. 

The most he'd gotten out of Simon were the lecherous things said in the heat of the moment while having sex, but that couldn't compare to the simplicity of what was said in the coffee shop.

The more Nahyuta studied himself in the mirror, the more overjoyed he felt by this achievement. In his reflection, Nahyuta could see his lips curl curl into a smile.

"… My rank and looks…" he whispered to himself, fixing the shiny bangs framing his face.

He spent some long seconds fixing the perfect hair, not really paying attention to it; instead, he was thinking about Simon's face as he said those words. The expression, which was always so severe looking, on that instant, was rather placid.

What a gratifying experience it was to hear Simon's honesty, especially when it was a compliment. Just thinking about it made the prince giggle. Never had Nahyuta felt this pleased about being praised over his looks, and it was all thanks to having a man as prideful as Simon Blackquill being the one saying it.

Chapter Text

It seemed that Klavier and Ema had finally achieved something that resembled peace following an intense week.

Their issue seemed to be fixed after an honest apology from Klavier, who finally started to act more like his usual self after the trials for the evidence falsifiers came to an end. This, and considering Simon and Nahyuta's current truce, made for an era of unexpected tranquility at the work place; one that Edgeworth was thankful for.

However, Nahyuta didn't notice any substantial change between Ema and Klavier, since Ema still considered Klavier the usual glimmerous fop, and Klavier couldn’t help being himself, which annoyed the detective whenever they worked together. But after having spent enough time in this office, Nahyuta understood that was the way their relationship worked.

It was a curious sort of friendship Nahyuta didn't imagine being possible, but that amused him greatly whenever he experienced any of their conversations. For example, one day, as he walked through the office's lobby ready to go home, thinking about what to eat for dinner, Nahyuta stumbled upon an interesting scene.

By the entrance stood Ema, and she had on that expression that let Nahyuta know she wanted to say a profanity; she bit her tongue while staring daggers at Klavier, who ignored her and seemed to be bragging about something. That evening there was a strange addition to this act, since Simon was standing between them to avoid any troubles.

“Korean BBQ is better, Fräulein. Let’s go to the place I recommend,” said Klavier, playing with his hair. "You know I'm great at picking restaurants."

“We’ve been doing what you want the last four times!" she shouted, then looked up to glare at Simon. "Prosecutor Blackquill, please back me up!”

"I'm not picking sides over this ridiculous argument." he complained.

"Because I'm right, and you told me you were craving meat earlier." mentioned Klavier, with a smile that enraged Ema. "Right, Herr Blackquill?"

"He can eat meat at the Thai spot too." retorted Ema as she threatened to dig into her bag to finish her Snackoos.

Simon crossed his arms while glaring at an exasperated Ema. “… I’m regretting having accepted the invitation already, Skye-dono. If you two keep testing me, you’ll end up dealing with him by yourself.”

Ema softly gasped, seeming terrified of the idea, while Klavier grinned at the resolution of this argument.

“Then Korean BBQ it is!” he shouted, and as he fixed his hair, he saw Nahyuta staring at them with curious eyes, then waved at him. “Herr Sahdmadhi! Are you free?”

“I was thinking of going home.” he answered while approaching the group.

“Oh, then please, accompany us,” said Ema, seeming happy at having encountered him by the way she pulled her hand out of her bag. “The more people that help drown out Klavier's annoying yapping, the better.”

Simon scoffed, and couldn’t help praising Ema for that comment; and even if Klavier seemed slightly offended, the three of them made a rather friendly picture in Nahyuta's eye. A peculiar group with different personalities for sure, but they all seemed to get along.

When Nahyuta heard the Korean BBQ, he already knew what he craved for dinner that day, even more as he was being offered to not eat alone as he was already used to.

It was a tempting proposal, Nahyuta almost accepted the invitation without thinking, but he couldn't help staring Simon's way and noticing how unbothered he was at the idea of sharing dinner with him. The lack of the usual rejection coming from him made Nahyuta a little shy.

"I would love to accompany you, but I wonder if Prosecutor Blackquill won't mind about my presence." said Nahyuta, as his eyes landed on Simon.

"Don't worry about me, you're easy to ignore." retorted Simon calmly.

The carefully restrained expression Nahyuta showed almost turned into a glare, since he wasn't fond of Simon's feigned disregard of his person, but he understood it. Since he now knew his great looks were something the prosecutor was conscious of, the prince understood that he just wanted to save face in public. A cute thing Simon did.

"Well, if you say so. Let's be on our way." said Nahyuta while smiling.

That conversation, which threatened their dinner, had been so short that neither Klavier nor Ema had enough time to worry about it. Nonetheless, Nahyuta thought about it as they walked into the elevator.

They reached the parking lot, and before Nahyuta could turn towards Simon and make the proposal, Simon jumped into Klavier's car for the ride. A hasty decision that surprised even Klavier, but which made the prince muffle his laughter.

The group arrived at the restaurant after a short drive, and the lively ambience of the establishment, paired with the smell and sound of the sizzling meat made Nahyuta look around with excitement. The window walls of the establishment made it easy for him to see an area of the city he didn't go to that much, and Nahyuta was thrilled to study the grill on the table as he sat besides Ema and in front of Simon and Klavier.

For Nahyuta to choose that seat was surprising, and made it hard for Simon to ignore that glimmer in the prince's eyes. He couldn’t help thinking about how it gave an air of childish curiosity to that usually composed and beautiful face.

When the group ordered, they chose to start the night with the first round of beers. Simon wished to enjoy his cold beer after such a long day stuck in the office, to forget about any thing that worried him, but once again, Nahyuta caught his attention.

The monk had poured his drink in the glass, but seemed to be somewhat careful of everyone else, looking at the table and their drinking manners with special attention before he drank his beer; an odd thing for him to do, since Nahyuta never cared to do those things when they drank together, but Simon couldn't dwell on it since Ema's voice distracted him.

“Ah, this is perfect after a long day!” exclaimed Ema, relaxing as she rested her tired body on the chair, completely logging off her work mode. "God, what a week!"

"Fraülein, it's barely Tuesday. But I get you, it was overdue," said Klavier, then turned his eyes towards Nahyuta. "And I believe we're lucky today, since Herr Sahdmadhi accepted to come with us."

"I hate to say this, but you're right," she said, then turned towards Nahyuta. "Are you feeling the weight of this Tuesday too, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi? That's why you agreed to unwind with us?"

"No. I was wondering what to eat for dinner, and Korean BBQ sounded delicious, even more when in good company." he smiled, a little more brightly than usual.

Ema and Klavier couldn't help smiling back, feeling rather flattered by the comment, and purposefully ignoring the way Simon hid his laughter; to him, it was simply hilarious to see those two be so excited whenever Nahyuta would show them his most charming side.

"But it's undeniable that work is just exhausting lately." said Ema as she returned to her drink.

A waitress arrived and put the cuts of raw meat, side dishes and lettuce on the table, which made the group concentrate on preparing the food.

“Is it just me or is work simply more of a killer lately?” mentioned Klavier, and Ema couldn’t help to nod aggressively as she put meat on the grill. “Stuff at the office finally quieted down, but that still won’t make the pain in my back disappear.”

"You too have back pain?" asked Ema. "I swear, my lower back is killing me! I think I understand Mr. Wright's complaints."

“That’s because you’re both getting older,” said Simon, who enjoyed the way Klavier and Ema’s faces morphed into a scowl. “Work's the same as always, only that your stamina runs out faster now.”

“… I don’t want to hear that from you.” murmured Ema.

“Probably because I’m right." Simon grinned. "Aren't I already at that age you both seem to fear? How long do you guys have? A year or two?”

“Don’t count me there, I’m still 27,” said Klavier, trying to laugh the discomfort away. "That's still really young."

"Those three years will pass in the bat of an eye."

At the comment, Klavier rolled his eyes and returned to his beer, which made Simon's grin grow wider.

“Simon, could you kindly shut up?” muttered Ema, before drinking almost all of her beer in one go and startling Nahyuta, sitting next to her.

"For you, those two years will pass even faster, Skye-dono." retorted Simon, before laughing out loud. "Especially if you keep spouting the same complaints as an early middle age bloke!"

This reaction managed to make Ema ignore him, and all her focus went to tasting the kimchi and the corn cheese as she waited for the meat to be ready. Seeing her this upset entertained Simon, but he didn't feel like ending this conversation in a bad note.

“Being 30 isn’t that bad," said Simon, pouring himself more beer. "However, keep in mind that you have to exercise regularly and take your vitamins."

"… Really?" asked Ema.

"Of course. 30 is still young… Now, the alcohol tolerance certainly goes to hell. Nothing we can do about that.” Said Simon before bringing his glass to his mouth, hiding his sneer.

Ema and Klavier's bright mood was suddenly ruined, and Simon couldn’t help to cackle at their despair. They both wondered for a second why they asked him out, but Simon was glad that they did; he'd also been stressed by work, so getting some entertainment out of their despair was great to relieve his stress.

The prince saw this entire conversation develop while in silence, until all the information finally clicked in his head.

“Of course! I almost forgot prosecutor Blackquill was that much older.” he said.

“That much… There's no need to put it that way, Sad Monk,” he laughed a little and went to turn over the meat, but ended up getting curious. “You are as close to the dreaded age. I'm not that much older than you. Like Skye-dono—”

“I’m 26.” clarified Nahyuta.

The metal tongs Simon was using slipped off his hands, and Ema and Klavier raised their gazes to see Nahyuta, who was now more interested in seeing if the meat was cooking nicely in front of him than his workmates' shock. The table grew silent, and only the sizzling sound of the grill was heard as Nahyuta ignored how all eyes were on him.

The perfectly grilled pieces Nahyuta flipped were placed by him on Ema’s plate, then he served himself and ate the meat with fresh lettuce. He beamed with joy at the taste of the juicy meat and lettuce before Klavier broke the silence.

“I tend to forget that Apollo and you barely have an age gap.”

“Most people do, don’t worry." answered Nahyuta.

“I also forget about it… Younger than me for two years, huh?” muttered Ema. “I keep fooling myself into believing we were the same age, or that you’re older.”

“Well, it’s only two years, Detective Skye. Barely nothing. Or that sort of thing is substantial in this country?” he asked, then looked at his plate. "… Did I have to wait for all of you to eat first, since I'm the youngest at the table?"

The honest question made Ema and Klavier laugh at the situation in the end, however, Simon stayed quiet. After clearing his throat and grabbing back the tongs, he covered his mouth with his fist to keep cooking more meat and distract himself.

To him, it came as a crashing realization that Nahyuta was that much younger.

Of course, he imagined it, since Simon was already used to being the oldest one from the youngest batch of prosecutors at the office, but hearing Nahyuta say his age somehow put into perspective some of that naivete he'd been noticing.

To care about age wasn’t something that personally worried Simon, but now he felt rather silly as he saw Nahyuta and couldn’t help fixating on the fact that he was four years older than him. A more substantial gap than two, as he fooled himself into believing.

Twenty six years of age was quite young for the amount of wisdom and experience Nahyuta possessed, and a little too young for the things he experienced, too; it took Simon by surprise when he found himself feeling bad about it instead of eating his food. Nonetheless, as someone that was also robbed of his twenties, he could imagine the reasons for Nahyuta's behavior.

But on a different, lighter note, Simon also realized that this was the largest age gap he shared with a fuckmate. Life was full of surprises, but Simon couldn't continue with his musing since a familiar voice called him.

“Panda? What is it?” asked Nahyuta while staring at him.

“… Excuse me, what?” he quickly retorted.

“You fell silent out of nowhere." the prince leaned a bit closer. "Aren’t you going to tease me about my youth? I was kind of expecting it.”

Simon forced a laugh and tried to ignore Nahyuta’s gaze, now fixated on him and daring him to say something, even in front of Klavier and Ema. It was bad that he sat right across from him, but Simon then looked up and smiled, accepting the challenge.

“I don’t mess with children.”

A thick eyebrow was raised. “That’s your stand? You believe four years to be a substantial age gap? Is it too much to handle?”

“More like it puts things into perspective. However, had you said you were 17, it would’ve been more believable,” said Simon before laughing. “I’m glad to know this, because it definitely explains why you’re so harebrained at times.”

Ema gasped, as she didn't expect direct confrontation when they'd been spending such a nice evening together, and she noticed how Nahyuta’s expression changed a little; from daring, it went to displeased, to then relaxed before checking on the meat again. Ema seemed to want to intervene, but Nahyuta spoke before she could do it.

“Hmph! Believe what you want.”

Simon grinned, pleased with this reaction.“I’ll try to go easy on you now, since you’re my junior.”

“Keep your fake niceties to yourself. I don’t need them.”

They glared at each other for a while, and neither Klavier nor Ema knew what was more fiery— the sizzling BBQ in the middle of the table, or the apparent hate Simon and Nahyuta had for each other.

If people found Klavier and Ema’s bantering stressful, that’s because they never dealt with the nerve wracking intensity of two personalities like a monk prince and an ex-convict trying to one up each other. Klavier found a solution in asking for another round of beer and changing the subject into something friendlier, and before they knew it, he ended up boasting about his latest single charting once more, even though it'd been released a year ago.

“It started topping the charts overnight a week ago. I still can’t believe it. Especially for a ballad,” he said, checking on his phone the current position on the charts. "It goes viral every other day."

“Well, it’s a good one, even I admit it,” said Ema with a sneer. “It’s even better when you know the inspiration behind it.”

“Inspiration?” asked Nahyuta.

“…. Wait, you don’t know?!” she put a hand on her cheek in surprise. “How couldn’t you?! That glimmerous fop wrote that song specifically for Apollo!”

Simon couldn’t help laughing as he heard this. “I remember that week. It was bloody funny.”

“Funny?… Oh, you mean the week Apollo moved to Khura’in?” asked the prince.

Neither Simon nor Ema could control their laughter, and Klavier’s mood seemed to be ruined as he remembered the events that inspired his last hit song a year prior.

Everything happened so fast that it was easy to forget, and even Nahyuta, who had to deal with many affairs at the time, including the preparations for his father’s funeral, ignored most details. Days after, he was told the story of how Apollo somehow had forgotten to mention to his boyfriend he was moving out of country, and then had to break everything to him through a phone call.

"Apollo was… I apologize on his behalf, a lot of things happened." said Nahyuta, looking down at his plate.

"Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, don't apologize. It was the funniest thing I've seen in my life." laughed Ema.

“I love whenever Athena recounts it,” said Simon, laughing and staring directly at Klavier. “Oh, what I would've done to be on that plane back home when she jumped out of her seat and shouted Who’s telling Klavier?”

"It was hilarious! No one remembered! Mr. Edgeworth even got worried because he knew you would get all dejected and take things too far!” yelled Ema, holding her stomach thanks to the laugh.

“How so?” asked Nahyuta, letting the laughter rub on him.

“This lad convinced himself that your brother's sudden move was an excuse to dump him for a whole day,” said Simon. “It wasn’t until he called that Klavier saw the news, and he understood it was bigger than he imagined.”

“Are you guys done?” asked Klavier, pretending to not be bothered by being the butt of the joke.

“Wait, not yet,” continued Simon as he turned towards the monk. “Not even talking to your brother really helped. It was extremely difficult to get through to this lad the week after."

"We tried everything, but he holed up in his apartment studio, then emerged with that single he released into the wild, and even won a prize for." continued Ema, cleaning a tear from her eyes.

"I wish I knew what your brother did to this man to break him the way he did. I’ve never seen him that screwed up. Kudos to the shrieking shorty.” Simon looked at Klavier with a pleased smile. “Now I’m done.”

Simon returned to his dinner, ignoring Klavier’s dumbfounded stare. Nahyuta, who'd been carefully listening, tried to contain his own laughter, but Ema’s barely concealed giggling was so contagious that they all kept laughing a little longer. Klavier did take it like a champ, accepting that, looking back, the situation seemed funny.

“Is the song that’s charting now Rain?” asked Nahyuta.

“Ugh, even the title is corny,” interrupted Simon. "Couldn't you pick something more evident like gloom or winter?"

"It's how I truly felt! The news was like sudden cold rain!" exclaimed an exasperated Klavier. "And stop it already! The song is great and you two have said so many times. Did you like it, Herr Sahdmadhi?"

“To be honest, Apollo forbade me from listening to it," he revealed. "He says it’s embarrassing to let other people listen and I respect his boundaries.”

Klavier rolled his eyes, yet wasn’t surprised. He imagined Apollo had a hard time listening to the entire thing himself, but he understood it might be overwhelming. Klavier had enough knowing he let those feelings out.

“It’s sappy and melodramatic, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. It’s an honest ballad,” said Simon, avoiding mentioning he secretly enjoyed the song. “Feels like it belongs at the end of a drama.”

“It’s good for Karaoke!” added Ema. “You should listen to it when you can.”

“I'll keep it in mind.” said Nahyuta.

The evening continued without any trouble, and Nahyuta couldn't help noticing from time to time how interesting this simple outing was. Just the four of them, talking about things that didn't relate to crimes or murders; most of the time, Nahyuta would simply listen carefully, as the ambiance in the restaurant was so normal.

He remembered walking on the Grand Bazaar at nights, to clear his mind when the palace was too demanding during Ga'ran's regime. It was the most inconspicuous thing he could do by himself, something that wouldn't falsely alert him about secret meetings with the Defiant Dragons. By that time, he'd cut every tie with them already.

But on those walks, what would help him clear his mind was people watching. He enjoyed to see groups of people talking, couples and families enjoying dinners at the restaurant and tea houses; most of the time he wouldn't dare to go in and order, as to not ruin everyone's evening with his presence. Nahyuta was glad that he was allowed to watch normalcy from time to time before returning to the palace.

That's why it was so strange for him to realize he was now a part of the picture he'd yearned for years to belong to. But rather than dwelling on it, he opted to be present.

Something else that made Nahyuta curious was getting to see Simon outside the office and with other people. At work, he was usually frowning, or looking down on others, so it came as a surprise to see he had a kinder smile on as he casually joked around and participated in this sort of menial conversation more than usual. Around Klavier and Ema, a duo that perfectly balanced his attitude, Simon seemed to relax.

These three are friends, thought Nahyuta to himself while he enjoyed the atmosphere at that table. It was so joyous that he couldn't pretend to hide his frown when he saw the hour in his phone; he forgot he needed to leave earlier. When he excused himself as he paid for his food with the waitress, Ema and Klavier asked him to not go.

“But why? This is barely our third round!” complained Klavier.

“I would love to stay, but tomorrow I have some official business at the embassy and other meetings." explained Nahyuta. "I fear drinking more than what I already have would be inconvenient.”

“Really? How’s that?” asked Ema, noticing the way Nahyuta’s expression changed. “Ah, it must be bad to make you frown like that.”

He finished the last of his beer, trying to relax his face. “Let’s say its something I was doing my best to avoid it.”

“Now I’m curious,” said Simon, who’d been quietly waiting for Nahyuta to leave. “What can be so displeasing to make such an earnest man be this vexed?”

“… It is an interview. Nothing out of the ordinary.” confessed Nahyuta.

“An interview… Would it be that magazine interview you’ve been rejecting since you arrived?” asked Klavier.

“You're almost correct. That magazine I found so uncouth back in the day, but there’s a different publication wishing to ask me things regarding the new embassy and an upcoming fair of Khura'inese culture. That’s why I need to be early at the embassy tomorrow.”

“But it is a shame you gotta leave, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. Please accompany us next time too!” said Ema as she smiled brightly.

“There’s no way I can say no to an invitation coming from you or Klavier… And Mr. Blackquill isn’t as bad to deal with when he’s quiet.” the prince said, feeling moved by the invitation.

“Be careful to not stumble and fall into hell on your way back.” said Simon with a smile before drinking his beer.

The prosecutor enjoyed the peaceful look in Nahyuta's face as he obviously dedicated the worst insults in khura'inese to him before leaving. A rather barbarous behavior that was demonstrated with a lovely smile right before he turned and abandoned the table.

However, Ema understood exactly what Nahyuta said and snorted a laugh. Simon too was already used to that particular phrase by now, which roughly translated to him being some sort of impious piece of shit; it was a favorite of Simon, but as he tried to pretend how much fun he had, Klavier nudged him on the side with his elbow.

“Is this how you two get along, or is it bad if we ask him out again?”

“Do as you wish. I pay no mind to the likes of him.” retorted Simon.

“I see. Interesting dynamic.”

“I do not want to hear that from you and your jester partner,” he said as he pointed at Ema, who was taken aback by the comment.

Klavier laughed and quickly changed topics. “But still, I can’t believe Nahyuta accepted that interview. It must be a really highbrow publication compared to the ones asking for his pictures.”

“What do you mean?” asked Ema.

“When he arrived, it seems that he got many requests from tabloids and gossip magazines wishing to get pictures of him. He doesn’t know how they found out he was coming to L.A. so quickly, but they certainly wanted a scoop of the foreign prince taking residency in the city. And all the pictures they could.”

“They would’ve made a lot of money by just plastering that face on the cover of a magazine and nothing else. I bet he would get a fan club this fast!” she snapped her fingers.

“That’s why he avoided it, so they wouldn’t hound him in his hotel or the office,” he sighed and fixed his hair. “I get it, being that he’s more modest than me, for example. Last thing he needs is people following him around.”

Simon couldn’t help but scoff after hearing the conversation. “Please, what’s modest about him? Maybe his religious inclinations, and yet you see him prancing around decked in gold, with all that make up and perfumed to the heavens. A lot for a simple modest guy, as you say. He’s not that big of a deal.”

Not even Simon knew why he’d said that out loud, but the penetrating glares from his friends made him regret he opened his mouth at all.

“I know you don’t like him that much, Simon, but you sound delusional right now!” shouted Ema. “Is age messing with your eyesight already?"

"Oi, enough with that."

"Okay, I went too far!" she laughed. "But I mean it! Prosecutor Sahdmadhi has a face chiseled by the Holy Mother herself! At least that’s what everyone in Khura’in says."

"And just because the Khura'inese are that devout to him, you will believe their goddess herself bestowed him with that much beauty? I thought you were a woman of science."

"I am, but I'm also not blind. To say that His Holiness is ‘simple’ or ‘not that big of a deal’…" she put a hand on her chin then looked up. "Have you ever seen him out of that whole outfit and without jewelry?”

“No. Why should I?” he lied through his teeth as he remembered how charming Nahyuta’s bare face looked.

“Well, I have. He looks just as good. Distractingly good.”

“… Even I have to admit he’s distracting if you look at him for too long,” mentioned Klavier. “When I first met him I couldn’t help but stare. Apollo even pinched me, but His Holiness seemed to be used to it.”

“Right?!” continued Ema. “And you've seen His Holiness next to his mother, who’s just as beautiful! To deal with it, you first have to get used to a presence like his first! Well, get used to or hate his guts, as Simon does.”

Ema and Klavier laughed, and the theme of Nahyuta’s ethereal beauty was dropped without Simon having to say a single thing. A big error coming from Simon, who mistakenly put himself in a dangerous situation, yet somehow made it out unharmed and kept his secret safe.

At least only Nahyuta knew of his infatuation with his looks, but to let anyone else even catch a glimpse of his actual feelings was too much for Simon to deal with. Having him right in front of him the whole evening had been a challenge, and thankfully, he didn’t see Nahyuta anymore until later the next day at the break room, when he saw him brewing some tea.

“Good afternoon. How did the three of you spend the rest of the evening after I left?”

“Oh, we talked about you and used the foulest words available in the English language,” Simon laughed a little and so did Nahyuta, catching his lie. “Then I had to accompany Ema to her house since she drank more than she should. Overall, a nice evening.”

“That’s nice to hear. I enjoyed myself a lot too in the time I shared with the three of you.”

Simon rested his back on the countertop next to Nahyuta, who waited patiently for the water to boil on the electric stove. He saw Nahyuta's profile for a while, and his meddlesome side won over the voice telling him to mind his business, as he forgot to get the coffee he came for.

“You don’t do that a lot, right?” asked Simon.

Nahyuta looked up in surprise. “What thing?”

“Going out with people, I mean. You were surprisingly quiet yesterday for a guy that once explained to me the history of the kaleidoscope after seeing a documentary on TV, so I know it wasn’t because you ran out of conversation topics.”

Those simple words were enough to make the prince forget about his tea. He even looked at Simon, rather startled by being confronted, but quickly fixated his gaze on the empty cup.

Making Nahyuta go speechless felt like a win to Simon, and yet, he wasn’t trying to bother him at the moment. Nahyuta wished for his water to boil faster, which usually made the process to be slower, but having been cornered like that by Simon out of all people wasn’t how he wanted to spend his teatime. He had to make something up.

“… I typically don’t have time for such things. You see, worrying about the well being of a whole country takes most of the time of my schedule and—”

“I get it, you don’t have friends,” he said, with a gentler tone as to not alarm Nahyuta. "There's no need to make excuses."

“Apollo is my friend.”

“He’s family which… counts, but doesn't at the same time, and that’s not what I mean." without thinking, Simon got closer, which made Nahyuta look towards the window. "Just say the truth, I won’t mock you.”

“… You would.” he muttered.

“I won’t at the moment, because there’s water close to boiling over there, and who knows what you might do with it if I get you livid.”

By the way Nahyuta's shoulders twitched, Simon knew the joke made Nahyuta smile a little, but he noticed he touched a nerve with his comment, so he quickly came up with something to dispel this terrible atmosphere he mistakenly caused.

“… We’ll be going to that izakaya I told you about tomorrow after work. Better keep your schedule free this time. Oh, but let Klavier ask you. Those two finding out I told you to come would be unnecessary.”

A pair of green eyes, showing how shocked Nahyuta was, now were staring at Simon. Those random moments of kindness appeared again, and as usual, left Nahyuta perplexed.

The monk needed to get used to it already, but it was hard to reconcile being treated with any type of consideration by Simon with the already formed image he had in his mind of that man. While staring at him, Nahyuta didn’t comprehend how Simon was unruffled about what he just said.

“You won’t say a thing? Not even a cruel joke?” he put on airs and tried to seem unbothered. “I expected more from you and that seemingly unending creativity to try to denigrate me. Maybe you’re losing your touch if you ignore the great material you pulled out of me.”

Simon didn't answer immediately, instead, he studied Nahyuta's mask for a second and crossed his arms.

“I have an idea of your situation, Sad Monk…. I imagine you know that it’s not a moral failure to not have friends."

The green eyes that looked so stern widened only a little, but Nahyuta quickly trained his expression, which made Simon continue.

"If I have to be cruel, I rather do it when it’ll be amusing. Mocking you about that sort of thing would end up leaving a bad taste in my mouth, especially when you seem to be so…”

The strange silence confused the prince, but he couldn't look away.

“So what?” he asked.

So melancholic was what Simon wanted to say, but he stopped himself; it was better to avoid saying anything that would compromise him.

“… Nothing. You distracted me with this useless conversation and I seem to have forgotten what I came for… Probably tease you about that upcoming interview and photo shoot of yours.” he grinned.

The prince blushed a little, but that comment was enough to make him laugh and forget how cornered he felt. Nahyuta looked at his boiling water, then pulled two white cups and some dried cinnamon barks to offer a fresh brew to Simon.

“Do you wish for pictures? Don't you have enough with staring at me whenever you can?" asked the prince.

Nahyuta had that well-known flirty expression of his, but Simon now knew how to handle it perfectly.

"Maybe if they were nudes." whispered Simon as he feigned disinterest.

"Panda, you are shameless!" exclaimed a surprised Nahyuta, who then giggled and pushed the tea cup towards him. "If you want some pictures that badly, I’ll save you some. Nothing racy, of course. Please, have some tea.”

It'd been a silly comment, one that could only be said thanks to the nature of their relationship and this strange intimacy they've been getting used to having, but that insinuation, combined with the steamy cinnamon tea Nahyuta offered, made Simon's heart beat faster for reasons he didn’t quite understand.

His eyes went from the teacup to Nahyuta, who drank his tea without a worry.

“Wait, here?” he mindlessly asked.

Nahyuta blinked in surprised and leaned closer. “What do you mean?”

“… The cinnamon tea.”

“You don’t like it anymore?” he asked, with a confused expression.

The longer he stared at Nahyuta's dumbfounded expression, the faster Simon realized his mistake; evidently, the tea didn’t mean in the office what it meant at Nahyuta's suite, whenever the prince kindly offered it to him.

The simple idea of him thinking such things mortified Simon, who didn’t know what had possessed him to ask that. Had he gotten conditioned? No, it couldn't be… But if that were true, Simon was chastising himself for having fallen for it when he proudly touted himself as the master of psychological tricks.

He thanked Nahyuta for the tea and drank it slowly, pretending like he didn’t want to leave as quickly as possible.

“Don't mind me. It’s delicious.”

Nahyuta crossed his arms and looked at Simon by the corner of his eyes, but let it pass. Simon finished his tea fast and left the break room, running away from Nahyuta’s gaze and wishing that the insinuation Simon made while not thinking would be quickly forgotten.

At around 9 PM, Simon received a text message right as he was about to leave the office. He couldn't avoid grinning mischievously as he saw the LM initials pop in the screen. It was Nahyuta.

After refusing to save the monk's number for a while, Simon knew it was better to identify him, since he received so many messaged from unknown numbers daily. To not mix business with pleasure, he quickly thought of the best nickname for Nahyuta.

Lewd Monk was a great idea, since Nahyuta only bothered to text him when he needed company. Reducing it to its initials was enough to avoid any troubles, too.

Simon stopped at the door of his office to read the prince's message. As usual, he was asking Simon if he was free that night, and for the first time, he wasn’t.

While staring at the text and then at the hour, knowing he had a dinner with some pesky informant, Simon thought carefully about the traffic, the distance from his meeting place and Rosewood Hotel, and even the weather; he knew it would be a little tricky, but he could pull it off.

Simon wanted to pull it off, since he couldn’t bring himself to decline the offer.

So he quickly sent his answer and set off for the taxi waiting for him outside the building.

[] I have some things to do before leaving the office. Do you mind waiting? I think I’ll be there at 10: 30.

He'd waited for Nahyuta to answer, and even prepared to be quickly dismissed by him, thinking that waiting would be too much for the monk, and he would prefer to leave their meeting for any other day. It would be a shame, but Simon would understand.

His phone vibrated in his hand as he got into the taxi, and the content of the message left him feeling somewhat at ease.

[LM]: I’ll wait. Please come when you're done.

[] Ok.

Now he had something to look forward to after that meeting, which ended up being as tedious as he’d imagine, but longer than he expected. At least his dinner was good, but sadly, instead of arriving at the hotel at 10:30, that was the hour Simon was leaving the place of the meeting.

The instant Simon got the information he required for an ongoing investigation, and got rid of that chatty informant, he quickly jumped into the first cab he stopped on the street with a sense of urgency that surprised even him.

After checking his phone, he saw just one message from Nahyuta asking him where he was; this was an unseen behavior coming from the monk, who usually waited in silence for Simon to arrive. The prosecutor could imagine how eager Nahyuta was for company that night, and it made him wish he could reach the hotel faster, to see what kind of face the monk had on.

Thankfully, his cab ride was quick, and after arriving at the hotel and walking straight into the already open elevator, Simon loosened up his tie without thinking and even passed a hand through his hair.

It'd been a long day, and now in the silent elevator, he noticed that he felt somewhat tired. But not enough to say no to Nahyuta, though.

The elevator stopped and the doors opened to reveal that familiar hallway. Simon shook his head to get a little alert, then went to knock on the suite's door; he barely waited before Nahyuta opened it. The first thing he saw was the prince in a silk robe, surprisingly barefoot, and fresh-faced with his hair already loose. Probably fresh out of the shower.

But what caught Simon's attention was that the suite was darker than usual, and he couldn’t discern if the monk was angry since he stayed in the shadow; the hallway light was enough for Simon to catch a glimpse of his face, and he kept still while waiting for Nahyuta’s reaction.

“It’s 11:30. Was it traffic?” asked the prince.

“The meeting went on longer than I thought.”

Nahyuta stood silent by the door, and his lack of expression let Simon know he was a little bothered by this delay, since he had the feeling that Nahyuta wanted to close the door in his face.

Such an impatient brat, thought the prosecutor.

The monk didn’t say anything else, but he did let Simon in at the end. As he walked in, he heard the sound of the door closing, the suite was dark, and only lit up by the lights of the city outside that glass wall and some table lamps. The prosecutor started taking off his coat, wondering if Nahyuta would be able to withstand fifteen minutes more as he took a quick shower.

However, the darkness of the room, mixed with Nahyuta’s eerie silence, made Simon a little nervous. The feeling turned into dread the moment he felt someone grabbing his coat, then his body getting softly pulled, then pushed into the wall without any notice.

That sudden demonstration of strength from Nahyuta left him awestruck and unable to act while getting pulled down by the tie. That's when the sensation of soft lips clashing against his own took Simon aback.

It wasn't until a hand creep behind his neck that Simon managed to shake the initial shock of the kiss, and he couldn't ignore how Nahyuta had him pinned against the wall and started pulling his dress shirt out of his pants. It wasn't until a hand went to his crotch that Simon snapped out of his stupor by grabbing Nahyuta's shoulders.

“This is… Unusual, coming from you.” he mumbled, pushing Nahyuta away to try and look into his eyes.

“So was your tardiness." retorted Nahyuta, with his eyes stuck on the hem of the white shirt.

"And I apologize for that, but you shouldn't push people into walls." retorted Simon, trying and failing to sound mad.

"You constantly complain about my supposed laziness. Is it an issue that I take the initiative now?" the prince looked up, and since Simon didn't answer fast enough, he continued. "Be quiet and take this off.”

The belt got unbuckled and thrown away as Nahyuta undid the buttons and the zipper. Simon wished to stop him; on any other occasion he would tease him about this needy behavior, but when confronting the intensity in his gaze every time Nahyuta looked up at him, right before pulling him into another kiss, it aroused Simon enough to know it was better to let things flow.

The sensation of a cold hand going into his underwear made Simon recoil at the touch, but Nahyuta stuck his body closer to him in an effort to get him hard as fast as possible.

The darkness hid Nahyuta’s blush, but it didn’t stop Simon from sensing his increasing body heat as he grabbed the back of his neck with one hand to pull the prince away. There was a table next to them, and the light of the lamp showed Nahyuta’s lewd expression. Feeling more used to this situation he got thrown into, Simon finally felt words coming back to his brain.

“This lascivious act is unbefitting of someone like you, yet I feel this look fits you perfectly.” he whispered.

The prince frowned, but still tried to stand on his tip toes to kiss him again, and yet, he was pushed back by Simon, who was enjoying himself by rejecting these frenetic advances. It evidently embarrassed Nahyuta, even more when Simon smirked, too pleased with himself.

However, the slender fingers where still inside Simon’s pants, and Nahyuta squeezed him hard enough to the point he was forced to let go of his neck. This only made Nahyuta get more irritated than he already was.

“The audacity and insolence you show even when I have you by the balls is brave, Panda.” he said.

“… If you hurt me, neither of us will have fun tonight." groaned Simon, trying to pretend it didn't hurt as much as it did.

“… Fine.”

The prince scrunched his nose, then released Simon’s erection and pulled his hand out of his pants. The prosecutor quietly let out a sigh of relief afterwards, but that didn’t stop Nahyuta from pulling on the waistband of his black underwear to see his reaction with a rather cold and analytic gaze.

“That seems hard enough. Let’s do it.”

A pair of soft hands went up Simon’s naked torso, who allowed to get softly pushed to the wall again. Nahyuta kissed him again, as intensely as the first time; It was a great distraction tactic to not say anything and only kiss him.

The sensation of that deep kiss could’ve distracted Simon and allow Nahyuta to do as he wished, but he slowly turned around so the prince was now the one against the wall and being towered by him. When Simon lifted him, he felt the pair of slender legs wrapping around his waist.

Breaking the kiss was necessary for Simon, who needed to clear his mind and think of something that wasn’t Nahyuta, and the smell of the soap he used which was mixed with the faint aroma of rose incense.

The sensation was bewitching, but even as he held the prince against the wall, and Nahyuta looked down at him while pushing away black strands of hair from his face, Simon felt a little more in control. At least enough to make important questions.

"Do you wish for me to shag you by the door?" he asked, looking straight into those jade-like eyes. "I could've sworn you were slightly more prudish."

"… I don't mind." answered a slightly breathless Nahyuta. "Stop… making me wait!"

Simon smiled thanks to the desperation in his voice.

“Sad Monk, are you that turned on that you don’t care it might hurt?” he continued.

The comment had been made to tease the monk in this weakened state of his, yet the prosecutor wasn't expecting the manner in which the green eyes looked away, or how Nahyuta hid his face before answering in a murmur.

“… I’m prepared for it.”

At first, Simon thought Nahyuta wished to maintain the erotic nature of their current conversation, since there was no way he meant that; however, his intuition told him to check. When he swiftly slid a finger inside the prince, Simon felt the lube dripping down, and the properly stretched hole. The prince’s eyebrows furrowed at the sensation, and a soft moan slipped from his mouth.

Simon stood frozen for a second, as he imagined his was some sort of erotic dream he was having after falling asleep in the cab, but the strong grip of Nahyuta's delicate hands on his shoulders made him react.

“… And a condom?” Simon pushed himself to speak to get out of the shock.

“Stop… questioning everything and put it in.” demanded the monk

Nahyuta had to force himself to glare at his partner, even if Simon's finger was still inside of him, even moving as they spoke.

“The fact that you want it this badly makes me not want to do it, if I can see that face you make… Yes, that one!”

Nahyuta’s aroused expression, one of half open eyes and already swollen lips thanks to all the kissing, quickly switched as he grimaced, and the level of contempt in his expression riled up Simon even more. He didn't even care Nahyuta dig his nails in his shoulder.

“You are detestable!” spouted the monk.

The only answer he got was Simon's annoyingly loud laughter, and the empty sensation when he abandoned his hole to, thankfully, do something more pleasant.

Simon decided to stop playing games and rub the tip of his hard on against Nahyuta’s twitching entrance, now concentrating on the way the frown in Nahyuta's face melted away as he waited to be filled up.

This was unforgivable. He’d missed Nahyuta playing with himself because of a tedious meeting, and probably missed his chance to get the spectacle of a lifetime; a total shame that Simon would carry forever, but the disappointment was replaced by amusement when the prince's face switched from despise to pleasure as his cock easily slipped inside.

A new sensation for the both of them, since it was their first time doing it raw.

And it was as amazing as they've imagined; even more for Simon, since he got to see Nahyuta enjoying himself on his cock.

The prince dug his nails on the shoulders of his coat, and Simon wished he’d taken the time to undress more, to feel that soft skin on his. Instead of worrying about it, he told Nahyuta to hold on tight as he softly laid him on the wall, and started taking off his coat, jacket, and then unbutton his shirt.

The arousal in Nahyuta’s eyes grew as he tried to hold himself up against the wall, seeing the perfectly handsome frame he'd been craving the whole night. When his hands went back to Simon’s shoulders, they slid into the open dress shirt as he expected him to move.

But nothing happened. Simon stayed quiet, holding the prince's naked ass under the robe, and for Nahyuta it was like torture.

“Hurry up…” he whispered, avoiding Simon's eyes.

“If you want it that bad, why don’t you move?” he quickly retorted

The shock in Nahyuta’s eyes when he looked at him was the cherry on top of this shameless behavior that had greeted Simon at the door.

The usual serene expression was so disturbed that Simon enjoyed just holding the prince and staring at that mixture of wrath, indignation, and lust in his face. Nonetheless, it seemed as if being in that position helped him cool down and confront his actions, which made the blush grew in his face as he noticed the behavior he’d been exhibiting, especially in front of Simon.

“You fiend… Is what you are. You dare to make me wait and now refuse to…! Fine. I’ll do it myself.”

Simon grinned. “Be my guest.”

Nahyuta wished to curse at him a little longer, but knowing that it would only make Simon happy, he let it go. His thin fingers wrapped behind the prosecutor's neck, and with a slow swaying of his hips, Nahyuta started getting what he wanted from him. Without moving at all, Simon let Nahyuta hold tightly onto him.

He hid his face in Simon’s neck, moaning next to his ear while knowing that his partner was pleased with the scenario he created.

A pair of strong hands grabbed Nahyuta’s ass firmly to give some support while he fucked himself on Simon’s cock, but he probably didn’t need it, as his physicality was more than optimal for this new trick Simon was finding the monk was capable of.

"I knew you had it in you, Sad Monk," whispered Simon with his eyes closed. "You are… not as lazy as you wished me to believe."

The prince didn't answer, as he was focused on keeping the pace of his hips, and the fulfilling sensations it gave him. The most Simon got from him were poorly suppressed moans. But Simon wanted more.

A rather soft tug of the hair made Nahyuta stop hiding, and while Simon pushed back the lilac strands of hair off the prince’s face, even playing with the curl at the end of his bangs, he cupped Nahyuta’s cheek and touched his lips with his thumb as the prince moaned, still swaying his hips.

At the sight of it, Simon didn’t bother to stop himself from blurting his thoughts.

“It’s hard to not feel sorry for any man that ever admired you." he said. "They got fooled by that sacred mask you put on and ignore how promiscuous His Holiness can be.”

The comment forced Nahyuta to stop, and Simon's enjoyment at the prince’s expenses stopped when he tightened around his cock without advice, causing Simon to push him against the wall.

“You…! Fucking hussy! That bloody hurts!” he shouted, more surprised that hurt.

“Why are you complaining? I did as I saw fit to please myself when you’re doing nothing,” said Nahyuta, glaring at him with a mix of anger and growing lust. “Or is it that you have … no stamina after a long day?”

“Why does everything has to be a problem with you…?!”

The comment managed to irritate Nahyuta more than Simon expected, as he looked the other way.

“Since I’m so stubborn and childish, I’ll do what I want.” muttered Nahyuta.

After complaining like that, Nahyuta himself noticed it'd been too much, but he didn’t expect Simon to laugh.

The light was too dim to see what face he was making, and Nahyuta couldn’t imagine the type of amused expression he had on before Simon pressed him against the wall and finally started fucking him. At last, the new and exciting sensation of raw sex with Simon was felt entirely when the prosecutor stopped playing his silly games and focused on what mattered.

The relentless thrusting was certainly payback for Nahyuta's earlier trick, and yet, as he felt Simon ripping open his robe and pulling him closer, Nahyuta didn’t have the strength or the need to complain, since he was finally getting what he craved.

“… Faster!” he whispered in Simon’s ear, and surprisingly, he got what he asked for.

Not caring for decorum, or by the fact that they were still by the door, Nahyuta moaned louder with each deep thrust, holding onto Simon’s back and the wall for some support. They spent some exquisite and long minutes in the now familiar fast and slow switch of pace of Simon's thrusts, and as a large hand grabbed onto Nahyuta's hardened erection to rub it, the prince felt his orgasm approaching.

He didn't need much of that skilled touch to finally cum, and his partner followed shortly. That's when the brand-new sensation brought by Simon spilling his cum inside of him hit Nahyuta; it took him by surprise as he felt this new warmth growing in his already crammed ass and stomach.

The prince's choked gasp and startled expression was hidden as he rested his face on his partner's neck. A hand tightened around the thick black hair behind Simon's head, as Nahyuta smelled that enjoyable cologne, and could only concentrate on the still throbbing object deep inside of him, accompanied by the hot and slippery sensation of cum.

At first, the sudden realization of the evident result of unprotected sex pulled him out of his reverie, but the shock didn't last long as Nahyuta sensed a large hand in his lower back, rubbing it. The gentle touch, mixed with the filling sensation left him speechless.

The prince couldn't deny that he liked this new feeling.

The room grew silent when they were done, except for the agitated breathing of both men trying to catch their breath, holding onto each other. Simon, who'd been surprisingly silent, rested his sweat drenched forehead on the prince's slender shoulder; it startled Nahyuta, who quickly tried to shake off that post-orgasm haze. The sensation was getting overwhelming.

The delicate tattooed hand let go of Simon's mane, and it carefully closed his robe before the monk started unwrapping his legs off Simon’s body. All this motion was enough to get the prosecutor's attention, as he noticed Nahyuta struggling to reach the floor.

After touching the floor with the tip of his toes, his shaky legs gave up, but Simon held him by the arm before he pathetically crashed down.

“Take it easy,” whispered a still breathless Simon. "No need to rush."

“I’m… fine.”

The prince's face was covered by his hair, and he tried to walk it off, ignoring the weakness of his legs and the dripping sensation down his thighs; however, he didn't make it that far. The monk felt his legs giving up after the first steps.

Instead of any mockery, Simon softly grabbed onto the thin arm, bringing Nahyuta's body closer, and ended up lifting him up an carrying him; the surprise had left the monk speechless, even as he looked at Simon taking him into the bedroom and carefully putting him on the bed.

He was expecting to be thrown onto the mattress, so the surprising delicacy was welcomed.

The idea of thanking him passed through Nahyuta's head, but words fell short when he felt Simon's touch in his thighs. Quickly, he grabbed one wrist, then sensing the scarred skin, he let go, which gave Simon the chance to he spread Nahyuta’s legs open with one hand and undo the robe again with the other.

The little gasp that left the monk's mouth was delightful, even more while accompanied by the view Nahyuta, sprawled on the bed right after getting thoroughly fucked, with the addition of the thick, white cum, dripping from the prince's hole. It even made its way down the slender thighs after Nahyuta failed to run away from him.

Simon's grin at the moment was so evident that Nahyuta could only look away while blushing, and he wished his impulses hadn't put him in this situation. One where Simon was capable of saying something so bewildering, and in which Nahyuta would have to bite his tongue and take it.

But the mockery regarding his lustful behavior simply never came.

Instead, as the prince rested on the bed, Simon's hand softly caressed the tan skin of his leg, going up to his crotch again, to touch the still half hard cock; it was enough to make Nahyuta search for his eyes.

“You and I never do it just once,” mentioned Simon while kneeling between the prince’s legs. “Since you already had your way with me, it’s my turn.”

“… Do as you wish.” he murmured with a weak voice, then turned his face again towards the pillows.

This sort of sheepish behavior coming from the monk was suspicious to Simon who, rather quickly, grabbed Nahyuta's slender face and leaned down, forcing him to look at him in the eyes.

"Am I imagining things, or did you enjoy it more like this? Without a condom."

Nahyuta's eyes looked away as he refused to answer, but that subtle trembling of his eyes and the growing redness in his cheeks said a lot before he closed them; Simon could only laugh at this new discovery before kissing him again.

They were kissing more than usual, which came as a surprise for Nahyuta, however, he allowed it. In the end, he enjoyed everything Simon did to him too much to even fake a complaint.

In the silent bedroom, Nahyuta laid limply on the bed, feeling exhausted after the evening he had, but entirely pleased by it. By his side laid Simon, with his eyes closed, but still awake; he seemed tired, since he didn't go to take a shower as usual.

Nahyuta did shower, though. The sticky sensation both in his skin and inside of him was too much to deal with when the post-orgasm haze disappeared. He left Simon to rest on his favorite side of the bed, and hurried to deal with the sticky situation between his legs which ended up doubling by the time they were done.

When he returned, Simon didn't even make an effort to move from his spot. The prosecutor simply laid there, looking tired. The prince, now wearing a dark brown pajama, returned to the bed and laid on his side to face Simon, then noticed the tiredness in his gaze when he opened his eyes.

“… What is it?” asked Simon, struggling to keep himself awake.

“You should stay the night,” whispered Nahyuta. "If you wish to."

“And why should I?”

Nahyuta fell silent, thinking of what to say only to end up pulling up the white sheet to cover his shoulders. He ended up looking away.

“It’s that… you seem tired tonight." said the monk. "Was the meeting that long?”

“And tedious. Don’t remind me of it.” he raised a hand to massage his forehead.

The room was silent again, and Simon turned to see his partner for a second. Only the light coming from the street illuminated Nahyuta’s face as he frowned, but it didn't resemble his usual anger towards Simon. This time, it looked like guilt.

“If you're so exhausted, why did you agree to come?” asked the prince.

The question surprised Simon, and he wished to remind Nahyuta of the reception he gave him some hours ago, but as he stared into those earnest eyes, Simon felt annoyed, since they tended to force him to be honest against his will.

“Because I wanted to. That’s enough to push myself a little longer. Does it bother His Holiness I'm overexerting myself or something?"

"… You should take it easy, that's all." retorted Nahyuta, still avoiding Simon's gaze.

"That's rich coming from you." he snorted.

That was enough to make the green eyes land on Simon, as Nahyuta pushed himself up on the bed with an arm.

"What do you mean by that?" asked the monk.

"Why are you telling me to take it easy when you jumped on me as fast as I entered the room? You wanted it more than me, Lewd Monk,” he got Nahyuta to blush a little and smiled. “What would’ve you done if I hadn’t come to help you when you’re acting as if you were in heat?”

The prince was taken aback by the question, but he laid down on the pillow again while holding Simon's gaze.

“Do it myself. I was already at it when you told me you were in your way.” he coldly retorted.

The memories of how easily he slipped his erection inside Nahyuta at the start came back, and it made Simon cackle. Lately, he'd been getting more used to how brazen Nahyuta could be.

“Understand that it's the first time I see you that turned on. It was a sight to behold,” he reached and grabbed Nahyuta’s cheeks, noticing the still reddened lower lip. “Feel free to humiliate yourself in front of me like that again.”

Getting his hand slapped away, as usual, didn't happen, instead, Nahyuta stared at him with an annoyed frown and let Simon toy with him a little before he softly pushed the large hand from his face.

“...Says the man that believed a cup of tea was an invitation to desecrate the break room.” whispered Nahyuta before turning his back to Simon.

It'd been rather quick, but Nahyuta rejoiced as he saw Simon’s smile disappear. The blushing on the typically pale skin was a plus he enjoyed more than he imagined.

The conversation didn’t go much farther after Simon tried and failed to have a comeback, so he resigned himself to accept he lost that one. He closed his eyes after Nahyuta gave up to tiredness and fell asleep next to him.

Simon ended up staying for the night.