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This was not how Phoenix planned this moment.
Actually, he still wasn't quite sure how he wanted this moment to go, but that's besides the point.
He hadn't even been expecting to find anything he liked when he went to the jewelers today, much less buy something- Just scope out the selection, look at different designs, prices, and leave. Then, when his schedule opened up again and he was sure you wouldn't be home for awhile, he would go to another store and do the same thing. Rinse, wash, repeat. That was his plan- That was all, he planned.
But then he saw it: The perfect ring.
It was in the last display case, just a tad left from the middle. He nearly missed it as after reading one of the price tags he was about to skip the selection all together; but he didn't. He instead did a double take after his gaze skipped over it, too fast to take it in completely but not fast enough that he missed the way it glittered.
It's band weaved between white and rose gold, crossing paths until meeting in the center where the two tones melded and twined about a rounded diamond in a gentler pink. The gold curled around the geometric jewel in a flower petal like way, each soft curve embedded with a small diamond that still sparkled strongly. Even smaller jewels ran down from the center and onto the bands before becoming sparse and then disappearing altogether.
The ring was almost gentle looking even though it was decorated with hard-cut stones, still holding a soft quality despite that. It reminded Phoenix of you in a way- How tender and comforting you could be, yet resilient you were. It was then, after that connection was made, that he knew: This was the one.
This was what Phoenix wanted to feel against his skin every time he held your hand.
This was what Phoenix wanted to see on the bathroom counter every time you took a shower.
This was what Phoenix wanted in hand when he got down on one knee and asked you to marry him.
Was it too expensive? Yes.
Would he have to be 3x more frugal than he already was just to keep from breaking the bank? Yes.
Did you deserve it? Yes, yes, fuck yes you did.
So he bought it.
Phoenix bought it and he had never felt so content to have an empty wallet in his pocket because in the other was a box, the smallest box he had ever held but yet; it contained a future greater than anything he could have imagined- something so big and so bright that the attorney couldn't even begin to fathom it besides knowing it made him so incredibly happy to think about it, to know it was even possible.
The feeling of complete and utter rapture was like a high that wouldn't- couldn't, wear off because he was so acutely aware of the presence resting in his pocket (it was a box after all, but that wasn't the point), so much so that he couldn't stop smiling after leaving the store, his unable to stop fiddling with the velvet container because holy shit he just did that- He just bought an engagement ring- He just made a big, life altering decision on a whim and he was feeling good about it because fuck he was so in love with you.
.. Wow, Phoenix thought as he stood in line for the smoothie stand set up next to the bike rack, he was in love with you.
It wasn't like the attorney didn't know that before (he practically told you everyday), but it felt so real now because he was committing to you on an entirely different level; a stretch not so big in the scheme of your whole relationship (you already lived together and neither of you believed in waiting till after marriage) but also fucking huge at the same time because who ever said marriage wasn't a big deal.
I mean, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with you. He wanted to be that old couple everyone saw in the park and thought was so cute. When he was eighty and wrinkled and had arthritic joints, Phoenix wanted you to still be laying next to him when he went to bed at night.
The thought of growing old with you was thrilling enough but the fact he had a strawberry smoothie to go along with it? There was nothing that could make this day any better.
Phoenix could barely pay attention to where he was going as he biked home, nearly swerving into a pole not one, but twice, because he really couldn't concentrate on anything happening around him with what had already happened in the past half an hour- How could he when he just quite possibly made the most important purchase of his life? Every bump and crack in the sidewalk made the attorney stop and double check that the box was still safe in his pocket; and yes, it did make the trip ten minutes longer than it needed to be but he simply couldn't risk losing something so important.
Even on the ride up the elevator of your apartment building Phoenix wasn't able to resist the temptation of taking out the velvet container and flicking it open with his thumb, just to stare at the newly polished ring the entire ride up; making sure it was just as perfect as it was when the jeweler handed it to him.
It was, of course, but even with that reassurance he couldn't stop looking it over, couldn't stop staring at the diamonds and the twists of two toned gold as he sipped at his smoothie, thoughts clouding his ability to close the box as he imagined what it would look like on you- Morning light glinting off the cut jewels while Phoenix shared not only your pillow but your side of the bed, warm and cozy against your back as he admired it; shifting the band back and forth on your finger while he held your hand; feeling the gold brush up against the sensitive skin of his neck when you brought him in for a kiss.
He liked the mental image of that one.
The scenarios kept playing through his mind even as he was stepping out of the elevator, walking down the semi-narrow hallway, unlocking the front door, all the way to him coming inside. The ring stayed out too of course, even in the safety of his apartment as Phoenix still felt reluctant to put it in his pocket, wanting to admire it just a little while longer before being forced to hide it. He leaned against the front door as it clicked shut, telling himself just ten more seconds and he'd put it away; ten more seconds and then he'd continue on with his life; ten more seconds and he'd close the goddamn box.
He did not close the goddamn box.
Instead, what actually happened, was you stepped out from the fucking hallway, smiling to greet warmly but it made his blood run cold because you were home- You were home.
That was not, part of the plan.
"Hey, Phoenix."
You said something else, something about making dinner, but Phoenix couldn't hear your voice over the panic flooding his system and the pounding in his ears because why were you home- You weren't supposed to be home, why were you home?
His reflexes finally, finally, kicked in and the box was slamming shut and he was stuffing it into his pocket but it was too late because you saw it and now your curiosity was piqued and Phoenix had never seen a situation go downhill so fast (and he was an attorney).
Maybe it's okay- Maybe I'm overreacting and you didn't see and everything's just-
"Whatcha got there?"
Fuck.
Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck.
But then, Phoenix remembered he was an attorney, and a pretty good one at that. He had long since mastered the art of coming up with things on the spot- especially in tense, high stakes situation such as the one he was in now.
And so, the Ace Attorney said the only intelligent thing his brain could come up with.
"A smoothie."
Nailed it.
"No, I meant the box you just put in your pocket."
FUCK.
"O-Oh, you meant that thing? Well, uh, that's- that's nothing! N-Nothing at all really!"
You stare at each other for a few excruciating seconds.
"Well, now that that's over!" Phoenix says loudly, hurriedly changing the subject, "You said you were cooking dinner, right? Why don't we do it together like last week-"
"Phoenix."
He was so screwed.
The only time the attorney ever heard that tone of voice was when you were serious; and if you were serious, he was going to have one hell of a time trying to refuse you and your stern temperament. He could only pray you didn't cross your arms because if you did he might as well give up right now.
"... Yes?"
Your arms folded across your chest, brow furrowing.
"What's in the box?"
Did he say screwed? Because he meant deceased.
You stared at Phoenix, waiting for an answer, who stared back (not that he really had any other options). And as he stared and looked into your definite expression, the attorney began to realize just how far of a corner he had backed himself into. He could keep trying to get himself out of this mess that he made, though that seemed highly unlikely now considering how his last attempts had bordered being laughable. And even if, by some divine intervention, he did get you to drop the subject, it was by no means a guarantee you wouldn't bring it up again; I mean, let's be honest- It didn't take a whole lot of sense to guess what Phoenix was hiding.
He didn't doubt the possibility that you were already wondering if that small, black, velvety, engagement ring sized box was really an engagement ring- The attorney could only guess that the way he reacted only further confirmed your suspicions- so, even if he did manage to get out of this situation, the seed would already be sown. And if that was the case, what did that mean for the next few weeks, maybe even months, as Phoenix tried to plan something for you?
Would you be wondering during every date or romantic excursions if that night was 'the' night? And during the actual proposal, would the evening be ruined because you were waiting for it the whole time? Phoenix couldn't risk that. Phoenix wouldn't risk that. Which meant, he really only had one option:
Do it tonight.
For the first time all day, the attorney began to feel anxious over his impulsive buy.
Not the regretful kind of anxious, not by any means- He definitely wasn't regretting anything (except not putting the ring in his pocket like he said he would), but still... anxious. Of course, anyone would be anxious before they proposed (or so he assumed- he didn't exactly have experience), but this was different because he felt so overwhelmingly ill-equipped for it.
I mean, he thought, I don't even have anything prepared.
While his purchase of the ring had been spontaneous, Phoenix had spent a long time deciding if marriage was a step he was ready to take in your relationship. And, once he determined it was something he truly wanted to do, he of course began to think about what the wedding would be like, who would he want at the reception, where would be a romantic honeymoon location; and, most of all, how he would propose. And though he hadn't planned anything yet, the attorney knew he for certain wanted it to be special.
He wanted to take you to your favorite places around the city, like the public gardens where you liked to feed the koi fish, or the arcade you took Phoenix to on your first date where he won you a plush from the crane machine; the one you kept on your desk at work. The two of you didn't go out to eat very often (besides Eldoon's), but the attorney wanted to take you someplace nice for dinner- Nothing too over the top as neither of you felt quite comfortable in prestigious settings (or had the energy to try and meet the standards), but nice nonetheless.
Then, after walking along the beach where you had your first kiss, as the sun was starting to set, he'd share one more with you before getting down on his knee and asking you to marry him. That was the part Phoenix liked to think about the most: Something special and intimate because you deserved it- You really did.
But, if he couldn't provide a night like that, at the very least the attorney wanted to say something meaningful while he proposed; something that he put all of his heart and love into and rehearsed for weeks- in the shower, biking to the office, on the way to a crime scene or the detention center- to make sure he wouldn't forget to say a single word of how much you mean to him. If Phoenix couldn't give you everything you so rightfully garnered then he'd be damned if he couldn't give you that much.
Which was the problem because he couldn't give you that much. The attorney hadn't even started thinking about what he was going to say, much less rehearsed it. And yet here he was: About to ask you to marry him, without a single thing up his sleeve.
How on Earth was he supposed to give you the proposal you so obviously deserved?
He couldn't that's how. He didn't like it, he wished he had more time- any time, but this was the way things were and he was going to have to work with it. He had to work with it.
He didn't have any other choice.
"Alright," Phoenix says slowly, setting his drink down on a side table, "I'll show you what's inside."
He fished the box from his pocket, trying to calm his nerves and the ebbing sense of guilt in his chest but wasn't able to quell either of them because you were reaching to take the container from him.
"W-Wait- Slow down!" Phoenix yanks it away before you can grab it, "I'm not done talking!"
You shoot him a look but it's hardly threatening, sulkish at most. Still, despite that, it eased something inside the attorney because yeah, he was about to do this and yeah, his heart was beating faster with each passing moment, but this was still just you; the same you from yesterday that he spooned for an hour and a half as he watched a movie; the you that hadn't changed since this morning when you were brushing your teeth, playfully fighting for space in the too small bathroom mirror; the you that was comforting and familiar and easy to talk to. That's all Phoenix had to keep in mind: That it was just you. If he did that, everything would be okay. It's just you.
Just you.
Taking in a breath the attorney stepped closer, enough so he could brush the hair from your eyes and cup your cheek without any awkward distance.
"Just... Just listen, okay?" And there must have been something about his voice because your sulky scowl disappeared and was replaced with something more serious.
"I'm always listening, Phoenix."
He blinked.
He hadn't been expecting.
He hadn't been expecting that at all.
But he needed it, Phoenix realized. He needed the reassurance now more than ever, because with it- He was never more sure of anything in his entire life. Yes, he was still nervous and his heart was still pounding but he knew- This was right.
He wanted to kiss you, he so badly did but he didn't. He continued to talk despite how necessary it felt to hold you close and touch those sweet lips of yours because this was even more important than that.
"Before I do this," Phoenix murmurs, letting the pad of his thumb run along your skin, "I want you to know I wasn't planning on giving you this today."
"So I didn't have time to plan anything."
Your expression flickers and the attorney can practically see your shoulders stiffen.
"Phoenix-"
"Shh."
His voice was soft.
"Just listen."
Now it was softer. Your mouth closes.
"I didn't have time to plan anything," Phoenix repeats, "But, since I'm doing this-"
One final stroke across your skin before his hand was falling away entirely and then the attorney was down on his knee, looking up at you with all the sincerity in the world.
"I'm gonna do it right."
He wasn't touching you anymore but Phoenix could still feel the way you stiffened again, your eyes going a bit wider; jaw going slack like you were on the verge of saying something, but nothing was coming out so the attorney just started saying all the thoughts that had been running through his head for the past couple of months; all the reasons why he decided he never wanted to leave your side.
"Whenever I imagined doing this," Phoenix begins, squeezing the velvet lid tightly, "I'd picture us at the beach, under the palm tree where we had our first kiss."
You nodded slightly, remembering.
"I'd take you there and have a nice speech prepared... about how important you are to me."
"... I don't have either of those things- I wish I did, but I don't so.. I'm just going to tell you how I feel."
"Y/N," Phoenix opened the box, "You mean the world to me."
You sucked in a sharp breath, slack jaw instantly becoming strained as your lips pursed together at the sight of the ring, the one that the attorney bought compulsively because it reminded him of you; the one that he couldn't afford but would; the one that you deserved because you did- You deserved it. One of your hands flew to your mouth while the other pressed to your chest, making him nervous- he didn't know if that was good or bad- but he continued anyway.
"Not a day goes by that I don't think about how lucky I am to have you in my life. I can hardly believe it half the time, I mean," Phoenix breathes out an airy laugh, a slightly forced smile on his lips, "Who would have thought someone as incredible as you would be interested in someone like me, a lawyer who eats ramen noodles three times a day."
That was a fair question actually- Who would have thought that? Who would have ever looked at Phoenix and then looked at you and said, 'That's a relationship waiting to happen'? Certainly not Phoenix that's for sure. Four years ago, he didn't think any relationship was waiting to happen- Not with him.
"When I'm with you," The smile begins faltering to solemnity, "I feel things.. I haven't felt in a long time."
The attorney's throat went dry and his chest became tight but his voice kept clear.
"After Dahlia I just..."
You look up quickly, for the first time since you laid eyes on the ring, surprised, almost startled to hear that name. Phoenix was too if he was being honest, but the words were flowing out before he knew what they were saying.
"... I was so scared to have feelings for someone again- To care for someone again, to put myself out there and risk being hurt."
"... But when I met you-"
He swallows.
"I-I knew, you were a risk I had to take."
There was so much left to say, so many things that needed to be said, that Phoenix wanted to share so you understood just how important you were, but you were just standing there as he poured his heart out and it made him nervous. Nervous about what you were thinking; nervous about why you weren't saying anything; nervous about if he should be doing this, if he was even doing it right. In court, when Phoenix was worried about the direction a trial was headed, he remembered to believe in his client- To believe in the truth, and that would set his mind straight. But this wasn't court.
This was you.
The you that Phoenix wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
And he didn't have any mantra he could repeat to himself to settle his nerves, he didn't know what he was doing- He was a young, clueless lawyer who dived headfirst into the unknown, taking until he was fully submerged to realize just how daunting of a task he had signed up for.
So despite there being so many things that needed to be said, the attorney skips to the important part- The most, important part- Before he can't say it at all.
"I know I don't have a lot to offer," Phoenix admits, almost sheepish but voice too strained to be considered so, "I don't make a lot of money, I'm messy- Hell, I don't even have my own car, but..."
"I love you. I love you more than I can ever describe. And... I-I'll give you my everything if you let me."
"I mean," He pauses, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows hard, "I want to give you my everything. I really, really do. So... so I guess what I'm trying to ask you is..."
".. I-Is if you'll let me."
Phoenix takes a deep breath. This is it.
"Y/N, will you let me give you my everything?"
"Will you marry me?"
At first, you were silent. The attorney reasoned you were just surprised, still in shock.
But then, you stayed silent.
And stayed silent.
And stayed silent, until Phoenix was questioning if he should have even done this- Not like before when he was nervous but really, questioning if he should have done this- If he should have tried harder for you to drop the subject; if he should have bought the ring; if he should have even let the idea of spending the rest of his life with you enter his thoughts because you were just staring at him; and he couldn't even see your face because your hand was still covering it and you were just so still and not saying anything; why weren't you saying anything- God, he just wanted you to say something.
"Y-Y/N-" Phoenix didn't know what to say after that but it didn't even matter because the second he said your name you sucked in a breath that was loud and shaky and startled the attorney.
And before he could question it you were falling to your knees in front of him with an even louder noise that made him jump; he almost cursed too but then he saw your face but really he just saw you eyes and how glassy they were and then he realized it was because they were brimming with tears, so many tears- Jesus Christ how had he not noticed that before. Phoenix hadn't seen you look so upset since you were waiting in the hospital while your dad went through surgery; but that was a life or death situation and this was marriage so why did you look like that right now?
Phoenix knew his mouth should be moving, saying all the right things so the dam didn't break, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything because he was just so...
Confused.
Where did he go wrong?
Phoenix didn't exactly have a lot of experience in this whole 'asking someone to marry you' thing, but he was pretty sure this wasn't the right reaction. Sure, maybe some crying; he was getting pretty sentimental back there- If he had kept going, he might've started crying too, but nothing like this.
This, made Phoenix's chest feel heavy and his throat feel tight because it didn't look sentimental in the slightest; it looked painful and awful and heartwrenching.
And he hated it. He hated, seeing you like this.
That thought made his hesitation go away and all of the attorney's good boyfriend instincts came flooding back; words of comfort on the tip of his tongue, his vocal cords about to debut; but then cut short as you just fell into Phoenix, your hands leaving your face and chest to dig into his suit, shocking the attorney so much that he just lost all the words and acted, setting the box down as fast as he could and throwing his arms around you.
For half a second, things were quiet; Phoenix's hands pressed hesitantly to your back as he held his breath because he didn't understand what was happening.
And then it was over, and an awful sound came from your throat that made the attorney's chest ache, but not as much as feeling a sudden wetness on his neck because you were crying- Crying. He made you cry, and it was awful, it was so much worse; before had been bad enough but now you were actually crying, really crying, and Phoenix hated that even more. Seeing you upset made him feel so helpless, like he had failed- Failed at being the support he always wanted to be for you.
And what was worse was that he was the cause of it, he was the reason you were crying; it was his fault.
Phoenix had never felt so bewildered, and so yet guilty at the exact same time. It was like walking into a dream without knowing what was happening, but somehow aware it was all your fault; and it was awful, but he ignored it. He ignored the guilt the best he could because the least he could do was comfort you, even though it was his fault, even though he didn't understand.
He couldn't bring himself to say anything, but the attorney's hand hand glided smoothly up and down your back, rubbing small circles through your shirt in hopes of soothing you. You didn't protest him at all, even when he tugged you closer without thinking; which really didn't make any sense if he thought about it since he was the one that made you so upset in the first place. For a moment he questioned if he really had upset you but that was a stupid question because of course he did, you were crying what other proof did he need?
Still it didn't seem right because if he had upset you so much, why would you fall into his arms like you did? Phoenix remembered an argument you had a year into your relationship, one where the both of you were exhausted and agitated and were saying things you didn't mean; until the attorney snapped and really said something he hadn't meant. It still pops into the his head occasionally and every time it does he can't help but visibly cringe because it was just that awful and petty.
Phoenix realized that as soon as it came out of his mouth, but by then it was too late: He had said it and it had hit it's mark because your eyes were already starting to well; only you didn't go to Phoenix as he started to apologize: You grabbed your coat and stormed out of the apartment before he could finish a sentence- not that he blamed you.
What the attorney was getting at was back then, you didn't seek him out or stay; and yes, he understood that that was under completely different circumstances, but if there was one thing to glean from that fight and the three years that followed, it was that you didn't like it when people saw you cry, regardless of the situation; and, unless it was something serious, that included Phoenix.
And yeah, marriage was pretty serious but so was that fight three years ago; only this time you came to him instead of crashing at Maya's, which made him wonder if this was a different kind of serious- One that meant he hadn't messed everything up and things were okay.
"Y-Y/N," Phoenix's throat was too thick to go above a nervous whisper, "Y/N, talk to me."
"I-I want to," He nearly jumps as you let out a choked laugh, "B-But I'm cr-crying too much."
Your voice was still shaking and wavering in between pitches, threatening to crack at any moment, but you were laughing- Laughing.
He swallowed nervously.
"So, th-this is good, right?" Phoenix asks hoarsely, lips against your hair, heart pounding because fuck he wanted to be right, "I-I mean, these aren't bad tears.. a-are they?"
Your head shakes in the damp crook of his neck.
"Never."
His heart skips a beat.
"Y-You're happy then?"
You look up at Phoenix, face so close that he could see the way your eyelashes clumped together. Your eyes were red and watery, tears still building up and slipping down your splotchy skin; all of which made the attorney's chest tighten. But you were smiling at him, so he didn't know how to feel.
"Of course I'm happy- I-I mean, you just proposed to me."
Phoenix bites his lip before he smiles too soon, too fast; not wanting to get his hopes up in fear you weren't saying what he thought you were saying- hoped, you were saying.
"So... So, that's a yes? Y-You're saying yes, right?"
You let out another choked laugh, your eyes closing, only this time it sounded easier than before- more like it should sound- and your hands were cupping his face and bringing your foreheads together, laughing one last time as you exhale; only it's more like a single, airy chuckle that comes out, still a little shaky because at the same time you opened your eyes and more tears fell out; but your smile was even bigger now, so the attorney's chest didn't ache as much as he watched them fall.
"Yes," You breathe, "Yes, I would love to marry you, Phoenix."
And Phoenix stopped trying to restrain his grin because his eyes were watering and they were watering fast, and it was too much to try and manage both his eyes and his mouth, so the attorney let his smile slip and squeezed his eyes shut; which really wasn't that helpful because now the tears were rolling down his face, but it didn't matter- Nothing, else mattered besides the fact you said yes; you fucking said yes and Phoenix almost sobbed right then and there, because he never realized how much he wanted to hear that one word, that one syllable, until right now: On the floor of your apartment, cradling you in his arms like his life depended on it.
But he did heard. He heard you say yes; he heard you say you wanted to spend the rest of your life with him- That you loved him. So it didn't matter that he was crying, and it didn't matter that he didn't think he could stop: Because you were here.
And you didn't plan on leaving.
Phoenix drew you closer, sighing out a breath of relief and relaxing his posture because he was relieved; so incredibly, unbelievably relieved that things turned out okay; that you weren't upset; that you said yes- He still couldn't wrap his head around that one.
"I'm sorry." Your voice was muffled against his shoulder. The attorney used a hand to lean you back so he could look at you.
"Sorry for what?" He didn't understand. You sniffed, meeting his gaze a little sheepishly.
"For crying so much." You explain, dabbing at your eye as you add jokingly, "I got a little overwhelmed."
Oh.
"You don't have to apologize, you just-" Phoenix lets out a laugh, "You just scared me, Baby- I thought I did something wrong."
An appreciative smile forms on your lips as you wipe your other eye, even though it really wasn't doing much to stop the flow of tears. It's then that the attorney realizes he's missing something.
Looking over at once, Phoenix sees the small box still on the floor besides the two of you, lid flicked open just as he left it, ring still snug between the batting rolls. Reaching over clumsily (nearly knocking your heads together), the attorney plucks it from it's case and leans back before you can slip from his grasp.
He didn't expect to feel nervous but has to clears his throat before murmuring, "Almost forgot."
Seeing what he means you pull further away from the Phoenix's grip; just far enough so there was space for your hand. He steadied it with his own free one, preparing to slide the ring on- But hesitated and instead asked what had been at the back of his mind since he opened the box.
"Do you like it?"
You had been staring down at your hands but looked up at the attorney's voice. It took a moment before your expression warped into one of comprehension, and then one of warm sincerity.
"It's beautiful, Phoenix." And you pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek as if he needed further convincing, like he wouldn't believe anything you said when you said it like that.
He felt ready now but couldn't stop his hand from shaking as he slipped the ring onto your finger, both of you holding your breath as he did.
And then it was done and you were smiling and sticking your arm out into the light, as Phoenix sighed softly because it did look beautiful on you; better than all his daydreams, which hardly prepared him for the incredible sense of happiness he felt seeing that ring on your finger.
He brought you back back to his chest, planting a long kiss to your temple before resting his cheek on your head, eyes never leaving the ring as you sat together; hugging you close as he did, one hand squeezing your shoulder as the other pressed against the small of your back.
"Does it fit okay?" Phoenix asks as you shift your hand back and forth, watching the ring sparkle. You nod.
"Think so." You pause before adding, "Couldn't you bring a ring for comparison?"
"Well... yeah, but.."
The attorney was hoping to leave out his impulsive decision making, but since he didn't have any other choice...
He pulls the hand from your back to trace the underside of your palm as he murmurs against your hair, "I wasn't planning on getting a ring today."
Your head tips back a bit, like you were trying to get a look at the attorney.
"Really?"
"Mmhm." He hums.
"I was planning on looking at a few more stores, but then I saw this one."
"It reminded me of you and I..."
Phoenix smiles, brushing the band with his finger.
".. I thought it was just as perfect."
There was a moment of silence, your breath catching in your throat as you comprehended the attorney's words; and then he felt you lean into him more than you already were, spurring him to hold you tighter.
"It is perfect." You insist, voice so incredibly earnest that Phoenix barely recognized you craning around in his embrace, bringing your hand to his cheek while breathing, "You're perfect- You're so fucking perfect, Phoenix."
And he couldn't object and say that title fell on you- always fell on you, because you chose that moment to start kissing him; and just like that he forgot everything he was ever going to say because even though your lips were still wet and held the familiar saltiness of tears, that didn't make you any less exhilarating to kiss; to feel working against his own lips, because no matter how many time you kissed him it would never be enough to stop his heart from skipping a beat. Every brush of skin made his chest feel light, each new touch reminding him that the woman he was holding- Kissing this very moment, was no longer his girlfriend; but his fiancé.
And, some time in the near future, every time he kissed you, he'd be kissing his wife. His wife.
He was getting married.
Phoenix brought his hand back to you and dug his fingers into the fabric of your clothes, bundling them up in his grip; overcome by a sudden fervency to kiss you with every overwhelming emotion inside of him because he needed you to know just how much you meant to him; just how much this matrimonial moment was so easily everything he could have ever wanted because he loved you- He loved you so much, he didn't understand how his heart could take it; and now here you were, telling him that you loved him just as much, that you wanted him to be the one who would stand by your side for the rest of your life; and it made him so happy-
Happy...
Phoenix was happy.
Happy that he was the one who got to sleep next to you every night; Happy that no one else could kiss and hold you like he did; Happy that he wound up with someone who could comfort him, even when he didn't know what was wrong, and could keep him going, even when he wasn't sure how to; Happy, that the person in his arms made him laugh and smile and feel so incredibly loved, whenever he laid eyes on them because that's just how they were: Able to fill his heart to the brim just by seeing them- By seeing you...
He was gonna marry you.
"God, you're beautiful." Phoenix croaked, threading his fingers through your hair, "So, so beautiful."
You let out a tiny chuckle against his lips as you murmured, "That doesn't really work when your eyes are closed."
"That's not-" But you kissed him again which made him laugh a little as he pulled back to look at you and finish his thought, "That's not the way I meant it."
It seems to take you a moment to understand what the attorney was implying, but before you could react any further than widening your eyes, he was smiling at you and adding,
"But, for the record, I think you're beautiful that way too."
You stare at Phoenix for a moment, still seemingly surprised, before dropping your head and hiding in the crook of his neck.
"You're doing this on purpose."
The attorney chuckles, squeezing you affectionately as he lays his head on yours. He feels you smile against his neck, soft lips curling gently on his skin; and he lets his eyes close at the feeling, a sigh of contentment escaping him as he enjoys the present before it's over.
---
So yes, this was not how Phoenix planned this moment- But, now that all was said and done,
He couldn't think of anything more perfect.