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Nahyuta Sahdmadhi woke a few minutes before his alarm was set to deafen the both of them. Unfurling out of the blanket cocoon, he peeked over at Simon. He held onto his pillow like it had tried to escape him in the middle of the night. Even after all these years, Nahyuta could not comprehend what was so comfortable about sleeping on the stomach. In the beginning, he slumbered strictly on his back, yet some time after moving in together did he roll over. 

Simon moved just barely; if he were waking up anyway, there would be no objections to brushing dark hair out of his eyes. He shifted and groaned at the touch. One newly revealed eye cracked open. 

The pillow spoke: “You know I hate when you wake me by staring.” 

“How can I not stare?” 

The eye shut again. This routine had been a pleasant one over hundreds of mornings spent together, waking up tangled and dreaming. Nahyuta had that idle thought again: that he would like to have a million mornings with Simon. It would still not feel like enough. 

Nahyuta had a new thought: that he would like to marry Simon Blackquill. 

Reaching to turn off the alarm, he allowed the thought to settle in a little further, all while maneuvering closer to Simon. His partner was so warm under the blankets. Automatically, Simon’s arm uncurled from around the pillow and gripped onto Nahyuta’s waist. In turn, Nahyuta danced fingers down the inked laurel wreath growing on his forearm, then stroked at the scars on his wrist. He interlaced their fingers together. 

Simon Blackquill finally unburied his head from the pillow. “Good morning.” 

“Good morning, peach.” 

They untangled. Simon sat up. He ran a hand through his short hair, cut impulsively at Salon de Cykes some years ago in their old apartment’s bathroom. Sometimes Nahyuta missed being able to wash and comb it for him, yet he did not miss the shedding. Even his own hair, grown out to reach the waist, never shed as badly as Simon’s did.  

“Are you ready for your final trial day?” 

Simon glared at him, though the look lost its threat, because he still appeared half asleep. “It is beyond insulting that your father comes out of retirement only when the chance to beat myself or Gavin arises.” 

“Insulting how? He loves spending time with you.” 

“He loves laughing at me.” 

“Dhurke laughs at everyone.” Nahyuta made the sacrifice and flung the blankets off of them, then stood and stretched. “This trial is more for Apollo than anyone else, yet you must make him work hard for the win.”

“I am now doubly insulted, knowing that you think I will suffer defeat today.” 

"Nancy Keene may ask an insufferable amount of questions, but she is no killer. Everyone can see that." 

A grumble was the only response. Simon stood. He padded over to coo with Taka on her elaborate perch in the corner of the bedroom. He asked her how she slept. Nahyuta pondered further about his earlier realization. It did not shock him or quicken his heart; in fact, it only soothed him. After five years of seriously dating, plus another one before that of bickering and skirting around each other, it might seem like the natural progression, yet they rarely discussed marriage officially. That topic usually came in the form of Datz and Dhurke laughing about their fake engagement and needling for when the real one was coming. 

Simon sorted through the chest of drawers to pull out socks and a clean undershirt. He intercepted Nahyuta to kiss his temple before stealing the bathroom. The idea to ask him right then and there to get married formed, but he kept it simmering in his heart, instead. They could consider themselves married already, tucked away in their cozy home for two, plus hawk. Nahyuta made their bed - the comfiest in all the land, in his opinion - while still imagining this new scenario. They enjoyed their long relationship and both were happy with how life treated them. No change was needed, but even still, an official “I do” would be wonderful. 

Simon emerged from the bathroom and pulled out gray trousers and a gray shirt for the day - always the monochromatic, that one. “What are you thinking about?” 

“How do you know I am thinking about something?”

“You have barely moved, and you have a ridiculous smile on. What are you thinking about?” 

“We will talk later.” He came up behind him to pull out his own outfit from the closet, choosing pastel floral prints and simple trousers today. “I can’t distract from your impending loss.” Simon tried to shut the closet door on his poor shirt. 

Finally dressed after washing his face, Nahyuta found a mug of hot coffee, sweetened perfectly to his tastes, waiting for him downstairs. Hard at work already, Simon stood over crime scene photos at the kitchen table while sipping his coffee and stroking Taka’s little head. Through the revelations Apollo brought to light yesterday, the evidence pointed to a killer other than Nancy Keene, so the newly promoted head of Sahdmadhi Law Group would determine the true killer. 

Through slow convincing from Nahyuta, Simon ate some fruit and drank some water. 

“I cannot watch the entire thrilling conclusion,” said Nahyuta, “but I will be there.” 

“Of course. You have better things to do than to listen to your father’s terrible jokes.” Simon added that he would be leaving soon to go straight to the courthouse. 

“Separate cars, then?” 

“If I lose so spectacularly as you are predicting, I anticipate a late day recovering from it.” 

“The Chief Prosecutor likes his paperwork in early.” He smoothed back an unruly hair from Simon’s head. “But don’t stay too late.” 

Simon moved the hair back. “Of course not, dove.” 

Nahyuta drank the rest of his coffee while scrolling through the latest news on his phone. Simon downed his mug in two more huge gulps. He returned upstairs to finish getting ready. When he thundered back downstairs, Simon stuffed the documents and photos into his bag. He turned to leave, faltered on the way to the front door, then turned back for a goodbye kiss. Nahyuta cradled his cheek.  

“I love you,” said Simon. 

“And I love you. Good luck.”

Simon left with a smile playing at his lips. Nahyuta ate his own breakfast while running through a mental list of activities to plague him at the prosecutor’s office. He did have work to do, as well as a department meeting to attend that poor (or lucky) Simon would be missing.

The mean streets of the city still seemed to part ways for his obnoxiously flashy car. It allowed him to find a good parking spot beneath the building, at least, and settle into his office in record time. It was about nine, and Simon’s trial began in an hour. He would most likely use that time dodging Dhurke’s annoying chit chat and preparing even more annoying witnesses. Nahyuta got to work on reviewing the cataloged evidence of a case he resolved a few days ago. 

Reviewing took forever, as the preparer did a shit job of it. It would need to be sent back and redone. Since that took far longer than necessary, the department meeting had already started, but his kind brother-in-law saved him a seat. On the other side of the table, Prosecutor Amara Sigatar Khura’in waved at her son. This office was truly a family affair.

As other prosecutors droned on about their various statistics and initiatives, Klavier muttered that he heard from Apollo that the trial was proceeding as expected. They quietly agreed to watch after this two-hour meeting was over. Even if Simon did not care that he missed it, Nahyuta took down notes for him, anyway. 

They were all dismissed; somehow, it was still morning. Nahyuta asked if Klavier would mind waiting while he left the notes in Prosecutor Blackquill’s office. He agreed to it and added that Prosecutor Khura’in had asked for them to wait for her, too. Just super.  

Nahyuta caught sight of his mother headed down the hallway in the opposite direction; she was walking with Gumshoe, who often volunteered to work her crime scenes. Klavier and Nahyuta separated, with the former returning to his own office to store the papers from the meeting, and Nahyuta entering Simon’s office. It still surprised him that the office was not perpetually locked - an old preference of its previous occupant.

Amara and Klavier waited by the elevator for Nahyuta. He asked his mother how her workday treated her. 

“Very well - the Chief Prosecutor requested a joint presentation from Chief Gumshoe and myself at our department meeting next month. I also completed research for my upcoming civil case.” She asked both of them the same question. Klavier had received lab results from a crime scene processed a few days ago. That case was the definition of open and shut. 

 “How far in the trial do you believe they will be?” she asked now that they were outside on the way to the courthouse. 

“Simon had at least three witnesses prepared for today. I would think they would have gotten through most of their testimonies by now. Unless Nancy Keene interrupted the trial again to run her own cross-examination.” 

“I would never allow such an act in my own trial,” Amara replied. 

Klavier said, “Best not to question Judge Woods’ decisions.” 

“Datz suggested Miss Keene apply for an internship under Polly when this is all done,” said Nahyuta, “since she acts the part already.” 

“I’m married to the boss; I could convince him to interview her.” 

Amara laughed and urged them both inside the courthouse. In the gallery, Nahyuta immediately spotted bright red hair and led the others to a row towards the back, on the defense side. 

Athena Cykes happily made room for them in her row. “You’re just in time,” she whispered. 

Judge Juniper Woods requested the witness on the stand to state his name and occupation. Simon looked beyond displeased, while Apollo wore a determined, focused look. Dhurke, next to Apollo, wasn’t paying attention, as he had noticed his wife entering the room and felt the need to wave. 

“Mr. Sahdmadhi?” Nothing escaped Judge Woods. “Who exactly are you waving to?” 

“My beautiful wife! Prosecutor Amara Sigatar Khura’in! You’ve met before, right? ...Yes, at least at Si - Prosecutor Blackquill’s 33rd birthday and…” He seemed to notice his son casting a look of absolute desperation upon him. “Apologies, Your Honor.” 

“Witness, you may continue.” 

“Right, right, right. My name is Jack Watson, MD. Job is in the name.” 

“Mr. Watson - ”

“ Dr. Watson.” 

Simon snarled, “Jack Watson, MD, describe what you saw before the murder took place.” 

So Jack Watson, MD did. He told a fantastic tale of Nancy Keene smashing dear, old Professor Fletcher over the head with an antique clock. Nancy’s friends, Jo and Beth, helped her clean the clock and move the body. 

Apollo pressed hard on each of his statements. Nahyuta could see Dhurke holding back; Polly had nothing to prove to anyone, but this was his first big case as the head of the group, after all. Through a very tense cross-examination, with both sides objecting to each other’s statements, it was revealed that Jack Watson, MD strangled Fletcher with his stethoscope, then bashed her head in with the clock. She was accustomed to wearing thick turtlenecks, which was why Detective Skye would not have immediately picked up on any markings. 

“You still seem to be lacking a key piece to your argument,” Simon said once Jack Watson, MD stopped flailing his stethoscope around. 

“And what is that, Prosecutor Blackquill?” 

“A motive.” 

Dhurke grinned. He held up a thick book from their court record. “This book would be the yearbook of the class of 2021 at Hotti University. The year the good doctor graduated...supposedly.” He dramatically flipped the pages before showing one to the rest of the court. “And here would be this year’s medical students, but I don’t see your name or picture listed, Mr. Watson. I do see Professor Fletcher, though.” 

“Fine, fine, fine!” Jack slapped a rubber glove over his hand very hard. “I dropped out and forged all of my licenses...Fletch recognized me right out and was going to tell the board…” 

Dhurke snapped shut the yearbook then let his middle child have the floor again. He worked a clear confession out of Jack while still in the courtroom. Judge Juniper Woods had him removed from the stand after his dramatics were over. A bailiff brought up Nancy Keene to receive her Not Guilty verdict. The gallery poured out of the room after the confetti finished raining down. 

Amara and Klavier cheered along with their respective husbands when they found them. Athena muttered that she was off to find Simon first. Dhurke picked up his wife and spun her. Nancy and her friends, Beth and Jo, all hugged next to their group. 

“You did so great in there!” Dhurke said, shaking his son’s hand. “I really am proud of you.” 

“Thanks, but it’s not my first win or anything.”  

“It meant a lot to my friend Nancy, at least!” Beth insisted. 

“I didn’t mean it like that…” 

“We know what you mean,” said Jo, “Beth just gets like this when she sees other people arguing.” 

“Where do I sign up to become a lawyer?” 

Dhurke stepped forward with his elevator pitch about his firm and why three bright young ladies like themselves should join. 

Nancy, polite as ever, turned it down. “Thank you, Mr. Sahdmadhi, but I have a feeling I’ll be involved in many more mysteries in the days to come, like The Mystery of the Old Barn .” 

Dhurke laughed uncomfortably. “What?” 

“Come on, Nance, let’s go!” Beth insisted, and the three went running out of the courthouse. Nahyuta watched them leave, then spotted Simon and Athena down the hallway. She gestured wildly, yet his expression remained blank. 

“Simon’s behind me, isn’t he?” Dhurke asked. Amara stifled a giggle. 

Nahyuta replied, “How do you know this? Is that other eye in the back of your head now?” 

“No, but you get a stupid smile on your face when he shows up.” He avoided getting shouted at by turning to address the reason Nahyuta smiled. Simon was slower to join their group than Athena was. 

“Great job, Apollo!” she said. 

He thanked her without a qualifier this time. “Prosecutor Blackquill fought really well, too. I haven’t had a trial go three days in a long time.” 

“I had a lot of fun!” Dhurke added. 

“That makes one of us.” 

“Did you not have fun, Simon?” 

He glared at Dhurke, announced that he had work to do elsewhere, and left their group without another word. Taka, on his shoulder, kept glaring even as he stalked away. Athena ran after him, demanding they continue their discussion over his courtroom behavior towards Junie. 

Klavier began singing - not literally - his husband’s praises when other defense attorneys swarmed to congratulate Apollo on the win. Nahyuta stepped back with his parents to let Apollo’s peers celebrate. Datz and Apollo had more or less been running the firm for a while, as Dhurke unofficially stepped back from his responsibilities a few years prior. The three slowly transitioned the bulk of Dhurke’s work to his second son. The strange brand of fame that came with being a high-powered lawyer would seemingly never make sense to him. Klavier helped him navigate the comments and praises. 

“Was I too hard on Simon? I barely said a word to him,” complained Dhurke. 

“He will be fine, as he would rather have the truth than win. Though it stings less when you treat it seriously, Dhurke, and not like that trial was a game.” 

“I always take my trials seriously. Even more so now that I don’t have many.” 

Nahyuta shot a glance at his mother; he asked what hobby his father had recently taken up. She groaned. 

“Wood working!” was his enthusiastic response. “I have the designs for a rocking chair for your brother.” 

“I suggested a bookshelf for Rayfa might be an easier first project for your father.” 

“It can’t be that hard. I was so involved with the design I almost missed my appointment at the shelter to walk the pups.” 

“You’re their best volunteer walker,” Nahyuta said with a laugh. 

“He has not missed one single walk yet,” said Amara, resting her arm over his broad shoulders. “Come rain or shine.” They nuzzled noses. Nahyuta grimaced; he and Simon at least had the decency to do that in private. 

“I think I’ll let Polly handle the rest of those lawyers. He’s got this.” His father yanked his oldest into a hug. “Amara, shall I walk you back to your office?” 

She nodded and held out her hand for him. They waved to their children, Klavier included, and left the courthouse. Nahyuta joined back with Apollo and Klavier as the last eager lawyer left them. 

“Are they all gone?” Polly wheezed. 

“Ja, and you did so wonderfully with them all. Even the one who asked for an autograph.”

“That was pretty weird.” He took back his backpack from Klavier. “Thanks for coming by today to see the end. How was that meeting, Klav?” 

He summarized it simply by explaining a meeting that long and with that many droning speakers could only be unpleasant. Klavier also mentioned he got a call from the school earlier, which meant it was Nahyuta’s opportunity to leave. With one last congratulations to his brother, he left the courthouse and walked back to the prosecutor’s office alone. He went straight to Simon’s office, still a very familiar path to him, yet seeing the person on the other side of the door did not overflow him with dread. Simon called for him to enter after a gentle knock. 

An especially aggressive email must have been up on his monitor, from the way Simon was glaring at the screen. The expression softened when he saw who entered. Nahyuta ran two fingers over Taka’s little head as she squawked her greeting. 

“I can’t find the bloody processing papers for that quack from the trial,” he grumbled. “And why have you left papers all over my desk?” He gestured to the notes Nahyuta left there earlier. 

“It was my attempt to act the part of a good coworker and partner, as I took down meeting notes for you, but I will simply take them back if you hate them.” 

“Oh. Thank you.” 

Nahyuta stepped closer to him and said, “Take a break?”

A heavy sigh rumbled through his chest while he sat back in his desk chair. Nahyuta perched on its armrest; he brushed back the bangs and smiled down upon him. 

“You see now that Nancy Keene is no killer?” Nahyuta asked.

“I could see that from the autopsy report. But it is my job to prove otherwise.” 

“How long do you suppose that fake doctor could have continued to operate before he was found out?” 

“Very long, if he had gotten away with killing Professor Fletcher like he wanted to. She might have been the only one who was willing to expose him.” 

“Everyone finds out eventually if you are faking something.” 

“Do you have experience with that, Sad Monk?” 

“I can’t say that I do.” Simon reached up for a kiss.

He convinced Simon to extend their break through lunch at one of the cafes near the office. It was one they had been to a few times before on a date, now that they could reflect on their relationship and call them what they were. They ordered overpriced sandwiches; since the lunch rush was over, there were multiple tables to choose from. 

“What was Athena talking to you about?” 

He scoffed. “She believes I ‘hurt Junie’s feelings’ in court by refusing to call the next witness.” 

“Does that have anything to do with her feelings?” 

“Absolutely not - thank you.” A worker called out their order, butchered as Simone Backwell’s, so Simon stood to collect it.

Nahyuta continued with: “Though why did you refuse to call the witness?” 

“They were annoying me.” 

“So you annoyed everyone else?” He sipped his fizzy seltzer water. “This sounds like typical courtroom behavior for you.” 

He nodded, for it really was true. Simon restarted his career with a whale of a good case, having the judge do most of his work and manipulating information out of witnesses who had no idea what hit them. Nahyuta was very proud and all the more attracted to him after. 

“We also discussed visiting Aura again.” 

“She will allow you entrance to her lab?” 

“They have not changed the security codes at the space center since I worked there,” Simon said with a laugh. “Athena even remembers them. I will break in if it comes to that.” 

“Do you really feel it’s necessary to accompany her to visit? I understand that in the beginning-”

“Yes, it is necessary.” 

He shrugged. “They’re your sisters…” 

The first meeting between Aura and Nahyuta went about as well as expected. While Aura was still in prison, they met a few times, though Simon was never around to explain why Nahyuta was staring at her so. So when her dork brother requested a visit suddenly, with a pretty real-not-fake partner in tow, Aura instantly connected the dots, and she did so by cackling. 

She asked how Simon meeting Nahyuta’s family had gone after asking how it went with Athena, surprisingly. They settled on a very toned down explanation of their relationship, noting that they had been dancing around each other for some time before committing. Which was true. At a later visit alone, Simon explained all: the ridiculous ruse, the problematic engagement, the accidental feelings, the gutting betrayal, and finally, the blessed forgiveness. 

The brother and sister got along far better now. Both had an outlet, be it witnesses or robots, for their frustrations with each other, though they still antagonized each other at every opportunity. Aura had also rekindled various relationships with Geiru, Uendo, and Bucky. She and Athena had even grown closer. 

Nahyuta would let the topic rest for now, so he shared the latest on Dhurke’s new hobby. “He plans to make something for Polly.” 

“Nothing for us?” 

“Do you want a Dhurke Sahdmadhi original in our home?” 

“Taka might like a new perch. Put in a word with him.” 

“You do it.” He sighed after swallowing his next bite. “I hope he doesn’t lose a finger or the other eye with this hobby. Or any others he takes up, since nothing seems to stick for more than a month. He has no idea what to do with his time now.” 

“Besides torment us all.” 

“Yes, of course. That will be a lifelong passion of his.” 

Simon offered his very good, very soft lopsided smile. “Are you worried about him?” 

“Not worried exactly...I only hope he doesn’t regret his choice to retire early.” 

“Dhurke will adjust - he has lived through bigger changes. Moving here and starting his firm, for example. Accidentally fathering you.” 

Nahyuta kicked him. 

“Perhaps suggest less potentially violent hobbies,” Simon continued. “Birdwatching or...knitting. If Athena could learn it, I believe Dhurke could.” 

They smiled at each other. Much more kindly, Nahyuta rubbed his fine leather loafer up and down his leg while thanking him for the suggestion. They finished eating soon after, then returned back to the office. They shared a gentle kiss just before entering the front doors. 

Simon declared, “Break over.” 

“Of course, Prosecutor Blackquill. I believe you will find the processing papers in the folder labeled ‘Processing Papers’ on your computer.” 

“Obviously that is the first place I looked, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. They were not there.” 

“Then it is a manhunt to determine who deleted the files.” 

“I shall send Taka to sniff them out.” They stepped into the elevator, silently rode up with a few other passengers, and stepped off onto their floor. Before departing for the rest of the workday, Simon said again he would be home late that night. Nahyuta understood and promised dinner. It seemed they alternated this busy schedule every few weeks. Once, Nahyuta stayed so late that Simon actually returned to the office to collect him. 

Despite their break being over, Nahyuta would have hugged and kissed the man silly in this hallway...but his mother walked by, so he refrained. 

The day passed very similarly to the morning, slowly and annoyingly. Nahyuta finished his last task of the day about 5:30 that evening. Before leaving the building, he said goodbyes to Klavier, also wrapping up, and to Simon, seemingly just getting started. Amara arrived early and left early, most days. Rude that she did not say goodbye. 

Taka waited in a great big tree that shaded their bedroom window on the second floor when he arrived home. She was ripping apart a live mouse, which certainly put Nahyuta in the mood for his own dinner. 

They visited the grocery store earlier that week to ram the cart into each other and actually buy food. Nahyuta found the biggest spaghetti squash of his life on that trip. While the mutant baked, he changed into comfier clothes, then came back downstairs to blister some tomatoes in white wine and other spices. Even though the monster squash took well over an hour to roast, he still managed to eat and clean up the dishes before Simon came through the door, just about 8 in the evening. 

“Welcome home, mita.” Nahyuta came up behind the sofa Simon settled on in order to remove his boots. He trailed his hands down the other’s chest, so Simon reached up to hold them. “Your nail polish is chipping.” 

“It started flaking this afternoon.” 

“Would you like me to repaint them?” 

He squeezed his hands. “I would.” 

Nahyuta instructed that he bathe then eat, for he would not have Simon smudging anymore polish for as long as he lived. Nahyuta put away his boots and set his bag upright by the door. While Nahyuta cleaned up Simon’s mess, Taka screamed to be let in through the bay window in their cozy sitting room. She screamed again then nuzzled him. 

Finally, Simon came back downstairs clean and warm and smelling good. He ate while recounting what else tormented him at work; Nahyuta did the same as he sorted through their polish collection. Ultimately, they settled on a deep, dark crimson with barely a shine to it. 

Simon cleaned the rest of the dishes before joining him on the sofa. He stretched out, long and luxurious, but he then made room for Nahyuta to settle in between his legs so that Simon’s chest pressed against his back. The old polish was removed. As the bottom clear coat went on, Simon’s head settled onto Nahyuta’s shoulder. 

Long ago, Nahyuta felt deeply the crushing consequences of keeping secrets from Simon. With the first coat of paint on the first nail, he said, “Do you think about getting married?” 

The head on his shoulder flung backwards. Some minutes crept by before Simon replied with: “Not...often. Do you?” 

“It’s an occasional dream.” He wiped away a smudge of polish. 

“Are you asking me to marry you?” 

“No, not yet.” 

“Good, because I would have said no.” 

“That would be very rude of you.” He gestured for him to rest his head on his shoulder again. 

Simon did so and with a heavy sigh said, “I will consider it.” 

“There is no pressure or expectation. I only asked a question.” 

“Yes, but a very heavy question with many implications.” 

“The implications being that I love you and wish to have you suffering at my side for as long as I live?” 

Simon replied with a low chuckle but after a few more minutes of silence, he muttered, “It is not that I do not want that...and not as if I did not already consider that my future, yet I never believed an actual wedding was needed to see that happen. I did not think I would make that commitment, with you or anyone else, for years.”

“It’s not needed. I love you and our life together just as it is. I understand you did not think you would live to see thirty years.” The second coat on the last nail was painted on. He blew on it.  

“Is this what you were thinking about this morning?” 

“Nothing gets past you.” 

“Or perhaps you are too obvious.” 

“Would your first guess of what my early morning thoughts were have been about our potential nuptials?” 

The responding laugh rumbled through both of them, so close they were. Nahyuta applied the protective top coat of polish and blew on them again. 

“I will think on it, Yuta.” 

“If you like.” Nahyuta maneuvered to face him and plant a kiss on his forehead. He also dropped the handheld gaming console into his lap with instructions that he should pray for forgiveness from the Holy Mother, should he smudge that fine polish job. Simon seemed to want to say more, but Nahyuta was already turning back around, ready to watch him defeat little pixel monsters. 

He would generously allow all the time in the world to think on his questions, even if he desperately wanted to know what he needed to think about. Simon had made impulsive decisions in the past, and while their marriage would not resemble a prison by any means, they both had to be unconditionally, uncontrollably, unmovingly resolved in their choice. 

Simon swore darkly whenever a monster hurt his little character. He cleared a level before Nahyuta decided to get up. He went upstairs to recline in the overstuffed armchair in order to catch up on the silly Khu’rainese mystery series he loved when he was younger. The author recently started writing again, and he would not miss more of their work for the world. 

Simon eventually came upstairs, too, brushed his teeth, then collapsed fully into bed. Nahyuta could not resist joining him for long. It was difficult to think of a time when they could barely tolerate each other. 

The beautiful thought of marriage formed in his mind again after waking at the feeling of fingers carding through his hair. Two choices laid out before him: either to burrow deeper into the covers or...He untangled himself, threw off his clothes, and beckoned for Simon to join him in the shower. 

Simon tripped freeing himself from the sheets. There were many perfectly wonderful aspects to their relationship, but the sight and feel of Simon Blackquill quaking against him, worked up into a frenzy, so pliant and perfect was certainly one of his favorites. 

Of course, they were late getting to the office, yet it was Friday. Most prosecutors did everything in their power to avoid trials that bookended the weekend. Simon would complete the final paperwork for Jack Watson. The catalogued evidence Nahyuta sent back yesterday was returned to him and in much better shape. So the day passed quickly.

They chose to stay in that night. Early the next morning Nahyuta set off to visit Ema, who had bright delusions about cross-pollinating new tomato and pepper plants. Dhurke gave her the idea after describing his sudden gardening passions to her on a visit to his family at the prosecutor’s office. 

“Are you sure you won’t come?” he asked Simon. 

“Just to listen to you complain about dirt under your nails? No, thank you.” 

“Dhurke loaned me gloves to avoid that exact situation.” 

“He must love you more than I do.” Simon had yet to sit up in bed, as it was very comfortable under the covers. Also Taka slumbered on his chest. He dared not move her. “Tell the Skyes I said hello.” 

“I will not. Goodbye.” He bent down for a kiss. 

“I love you.” 

“More than Dhurke?” 

“Let’s not discuss that.” 

Laughing while stealing another kiss, Nahyuta petted Taka before finally gathering up his belongings and heading downstairs. On the foyer table, a framed photo from Apollo’s wedding rested. Nahyuta smiled back at the frozen faces. The distant, yet no less fond, memory of feeling Simon’s rattling heartbeat as they posed came back. He swore he could still feel his body reacting like that even now. 

Ema and Lana lived a few neighborhoods over. The older Skye sister moved back here after living on her own for a few years. They shared a sweet, little row home with a fenced backyard. Perfect for their insane dog. The sisters were bringing in mulch and dirt from the car around to the backyard when he arrived. 

“Hello, Nahyuta.” 

“You’re late.” 

“Hi Lana. Hi Ema. Is there such a thing as being late to a fabulous event as this one?” 

They got to work quickly. Nahyuta hoped this garden would receive more attention than Dhurke’s did. Bunsen the Boxer could barely contain himself for all the new smells and excitement going on, especially when there was a new person around! While they worked to set up the beds and sprinkle seeds about, the three discussed Unknown Drama . After accidentally attending its trivia night so many years ago, curiosity got the best of the friends. It was a silly show that clearly didn’t give a fuck about having any other reputation. 

With Lana back, Ema quickly got her hooked on it. Binging a wild, high-fantasy television show together was about as good a way to reconnect with a sister as any other method. They were happy living together. Lana smiled often and easily; Ema said that was a new development. The older Skye even gave her support to Nahyuta, telling him that she did not have the strength he possessed to face those with power. But was it strength or cowardice that pushed him to act? Still, he liked Lana very much and encouraged her to apply for a position at the office again. The Chief Prosecutor understood her circumstances very well. 

They stopped for a break. Lana went to play fetch with Bunsen, who was still utterly beside himself with all of the activity. Ema and Nahyuta sat at the patio table. 

“You should have kept this as sister bonding time.” 

Ema groaned. “I thought you would be helpful, but I think it’s going slower.” 

“I will happily leave, then.” 

She urged him to stay with the bribe of brunch once everything was finished. Next she asked after his family, and they discussed the recent family trial between Apollo and Simon. Lana came and sat with them. Bunsen bounded up to the table and started licking Nahyuta’s hand as if he were trained for it. After chatting a while longer, and when Bunsen switched to the other hand, they decided their break was over. 

While sprinkling some seeds into the dirt, Nahyuta said abruptly, “We discussed getting married recently.” 

Ema jerked the watering can in shock. “For real this time?” 

He groaned. “Yes, of course, we’re serious this time. Though Simon was not...especially receptive to the idea.” The sisters shared a concerned look, yet Nahyuta added: “Though he said he would think on it.” 

“I hope he changes his mind,” said the older Skye. 

“And if he still has to consider it,” said the younger Skye, “then he just might.” 

“Once he reaches a decision, there is absolutely no way to sway him.”

“I’ll give him a talking to.” 

“Ema, please don’t.” She proceeded to spend the rest of the project and most of brunch discussing the talking to that Simon Blackquill would receive. Yet he was not worried. He was never worried when it came to Simon. 

The garden did look spectacular. Bunsen would be carefully watched so he did not destroy it. As Nahyuta left, a text from his mother inviting him and Simon to a rousing Sahdmadhi Sunday dinner arrived; he replied they would attend. 

Simon was not still in bed by the time he arrived home. Taka was still nestled up close on his shoulder, though. 

“How was it?” he asked as he closed his laptop at the kitchen table. 

Nahyuta shoved his hand in his face. “Look at all of the dirt under my nails.” 

“Christ, Yuta, what did I say?” said Simon with a laugh. 

He summarized the morning and said it went well enough. “I feel disgusting - I need a shower. Care to join me again?” 

“Hm, tempting…but I will decline this time.” 

He turned to leave, then stopped and said, “How do you feel about Sahdmadhi Sunday dinner tomorrow?” Simon glared at him. “I already said we would go.” 

“In that case, I feel wonderful about it. Truly, it cannot come fast enough.” 

“Your favorite family member will be there…” 

“Yes, you will be there. I know.” 

Laughter bubbled up before it could be stopped. “What a line that was, loverboy.” 

“Have to keep the romance alive somehow, duck.” He grinned, so unrestrained and sweet. Nahyuta rushed back to kiss him. How he hoped Simon might decide soon.

The rest of Saturday passed without consequence. Chores were completed. Naps were taken. Takeout was eaten. Trashy reality competition shows were viewed. Contestants were unfairly judged. Most of Sunday passed the same. Simon holed himself up on the first floor office, which also doubled as a guest room. Curiosity got the best of Nahyuta, forcing him to ask what it was Simon was looking into so intently on the laptop. A different answer was delivered each time the question was asked. They left for the Sahdmadhi family home at around four in the afternoon. Taka glared at them from the roof. 

The fizzy compulsion to inquire if Simon had done any thinking concerning marriage was knocking about in his mind during the quiet drive. Poking and prodding for answers too early was not smart. He let it be. 

The houses passing by turned more and more obscene, until Nahyuta turned into his parents’ wide driveway. The gate opened after inputting the security code; their protections increased after a certain international spy entered their lives. They were not the first to arrive, though Rayfa’s car was still missing. They rang the doorbell and braced themselves. Dhurke, Datz, and Amara passed both Simon and Nahyuta down their assembly line of hugs. After five years, Simon finally started to reciprocate them somewhat. 

“Glad you could make it!” Datz said. “Dhurke and I are trying out a new recipe, so we wanted to get everyone together.” 

“I purchased an extra fire extinguisher,” Amara muttered to her son. 

After greeting them both, Dhurke had thundered upstairs, so he finally came back down carrying a hugely ugly basket, filled with all sorts of little items. He proudly presented it. Simon accepted it while sending a pained look towards Nahyuta. 

“I made some more soap for you two and Polly and Klavier,” Dhurke explained, “so there are a few bars in there. Give them a smell, Simon!” 

“Maybe later.” 

“I baked some muffins and cakes, too - that is the container at the bottom. And the tomatoes from the garden turned out great! And of course the basket,” Dhurke concluded proudly, “is handwoven.” 

“It certainly looks like your handiwork,” said Nahyuta. “And this basket here is the one you made for Polly?” Another frighteningly unwanted basket sat on the entryway table. 

He nodded enthusiastically. “You can leave it next to theirs. Amara, who is so smart and beautiful, noted that the soap would melt in this heat if left in your cars outside. And there is one for Rayfa - I wouldn’t leave your sister out.” 

“How heartbroken she would be if you did.” 

A beeping timer from the kitchen sounded off. The wild parents and uncle raced off to check if whatever cooking was finished. Simon set the basket down next to the one for Apollo. 

“We require a whole new house just to store all these fucking baskets from my father. Why did basket weaving stick, of all the hobbies he has tried?”

Simon shrugged while smelling the bars of soap. They both made the same noise and face of disgust at the scent.

“Trade with Polly - quickly.” 

They heard the patio doors slide open and fast little feet racing across the marble. Rushing, they swapped nasty soaps just before they got caught. 

Simon stooped and caught the little whirlwind before she bowled them over. “There’s the little lass - I wondered where my favorite family member was.” 

Thalassa squealed in his grip. “Hi Uncle Simon and Uncle Yuty. Did you bring Taka?” 

“Not today,” Nahyuta answered, “but she says hello.” 

Her fathers moved slower than she did. Apollo and Klavier greeted them both when they caught up to her. 

Nahyuta crouched down to her eye level. “May I see this cape you are wearing up close? It’s beautiful.” 

With her permission, he admired the sequined rainbow and dragon. Then, Nahyuta pulled it up and over her head, knowing a trick like that always made her scream with delight. Even Simon laughed at it. 

“I was not aware this was a formal dinner party,” Simon said to her fathers. 

Klavier replied, “She asked to wear her cape, and who are we to say no to that.” 

Thalassa untangled herself. She grinned, showing off the gap in her mouth where she lost her first tooth just recently. Nahyuta’s prank messed up her thick black hair. He made valiant efforts to smooth it back before Thalassa demanded they come outside with her to see her drawings and toys. Klavier and Simon obeyed immediately. 

“Were you messing with our basket?” Apollo asked his brother quietly. 

“Of course not.” 

“Do you want to take ours?” 

“Fuck no.”  

In the kitchen, their parents and Datz stood over a cooling tray of magatah’mans. The grassy scent that filled the air was pure, perfect memory. Thalassa, demanding five year old that she was, ushered them all outside in the heat. Nahyuta eyed the long-sleeved sweater Simon chose to wear. 

Apollo’s daughter climbed back into her seat at the fine glass patio dining table to resume her coloring. She spent some time describing exactly what was going on in her drawings. Simon held her crayons for her without hesitation. 

Nahyuta tore his eyes away from the sweet scene to ask, “Have you been mobbed by anymore adoring lawyers, Polly?” 

“A few others left me messages, but I still don’t know how they even got my office number to begin with?” 

“I even got a few calls,” Klavier said. 

“The price of fame, I suppose. You are both rock stars in your own ways.” 

“I have a few other trials coming up. Maybe the more I take on, the less interesting it’ll be to see me around the courthouse.” 

“Dhurke always made it seem as if he had no time for trials when he ran the show. Do you really have the time?” 

(“Vati, which color?” 

“Green.” 

“Okay!” Thalassa snatched it from Simon’s hand.)

Apollo continued the conversation: “Datz is still helping me with a lot of the terrible management things. I never knew how much Amara actually did at the office before she left it for yours.” At that moment, the backdoor slid open and the three others came out, carrying plates and silverware. Their sons offered to help, but they declined with a smile. 

“I also don’t waste half of my day pulling pranks on family members,” Polly said, with a pointed look towards his father. 

“I kept the office environment friendly!” Dhurke defended. He and Amara approached to gush loudly about their granddaughter’s drawing. 

Datz set down her special plastic cup in front of her. “Kiddo, want to go swinging?” Thalassa could barely contain her excitement at the suggestion, so she flung herself away from the table. Ever the doting grandparents, Dhurke and Amara had purchased a whole new playground set for Thalassa. 

“He’s going to push her so hard she takes flight…” Apollo leaned back in his seat to watch his uncle absolutely launch his daughter into the air. 

Now free from servitude, Simon deposited her crayons in her little backpack that went everywhere with her. Everytime Dhurke returned outside with another food item or plate, he defended further why office pranks were necessary. Apollo stopped arguing eventually. 

Amara loomed over Simon. He looked up at her blankly expectant. 

“Are you not warm, Simon?” 

“I am perfectly comfortable.” 

“You do not look it.” 

“I always look like this.” 

“Do you require more shade?” 

“Produce another tree, yes.” 

“Another umbrella?” 

“Leave him be, Amara,” Nahyuta said. His mother inhaled deeply then left without another word. Quickly, he glanced at his brother and his husband to make sure they were still enraptured with how their daughter rocketed towards the sky. He turned back to Simon and said, “You do look warm. Are you comfortable?” 

He said nothing.  

“I want you to be, mita. And if you...roll up your sleeves, no one will say anything.” 

Simon scratched his neck. “They are irritating today.” 

Nahyuta gazed upon him without pity. How had he not yet discovered a way to magically remove the scarring, physical and emotional?  

“Would you like to go inside a while? Cool down?” 

Simon stood. He huffed. Without ceremony, the shirt sleeves were yanked up to the forearm. Everyone here had seen the scars at some point - even the child. He muttered he was off to assist Amara, to make sure she did not get more upset over this topic. Nahyuta watched him leave. 

“I can’t believe you use ‘mita,’” said Apollo. “Even our parents never used that as a pet name.” 

“What would you prefer? ‘Sugar lips?’” 

“Don’t be gross, Yuty. I just mean...I didn’t think you’d be in a relationship where you use the Khura’inese word for ‘soulmate’ to describe your partner.” 

There was no response from Nahyuta. The private thought that he considered that same scenario before fogged his mind. 

Bursting back outside, Dhurke had on one arm each Simon and Rayfa. “Look who I found! And this one was inside trying to be helpful - you should have a talk with him, Yuty.” Dhurke banished Simon so he could properly hug his daughter to death. He huffed while taking back his seat. 

“Sorry I am late,” she said, “as my group project went over our scheduled meeting time.” 

“And how’s the law class going?” 

“It is fine. We have a test next week.” 

By now, Thalassa had wrestled herself from the swing to greet her aunt. Datz challenged her to a race but let her beat him. Of course, it was Thalassa’s solemn duty to show off her drawings, so Rayfa received the same thorough explanation about them as the others did. She did all of this after crawling into Apollo’s lap.  

Dinner fully got underway soon. It was difficult to choose what conversations to pay attention to. Rayfa shared what her recent weeks at college were like, detailing the insanity of group projects and oddly worded emails from professors. Amara and Klavier listened intently. Apollo fielded questions from his daughter just because she wanted to ask them. And there was of course, Datz and Dhurke fighting each other with metal tongs as, no doubt, the grill caught fire.   

Once they all sat down to eat, Amara asked the unthinkable: “How is the 30th anniversary planning going, children?” 

Rayfa answered, “We sent invitations using your guest lists last week. Polly is ordering the food and alcohol. Nahyuta is choosing the venue.” 

She nodded, pleased. “Do any of you need assistance?” 

“No, Amara,” Polly said, “since you made it clear you wanted us to plan it all.” 

“In all of our free time,” Nahyuta complained. 

“I have school, and he has a child. You have a...bird, Yuty.” 

“Don’t talk about Simon like that.” 

“We are handling it, Amara,” Apollo said.

“Even if it...snows twelve feet that day,” Dhurke mused, “and Polly gives us all food poisoning and none of our guests come, it will be a wonderful party.” 

Amara blew a kiss to her husband at the other end of the table. Disgusting. 

“I am certainly looking forward to it,” she said. “Only a few short weeks away.” 

“It hasn’t felt like thirty years,” said Dhurke. “Yuty, do you feel thirty?” 

“I feel ancient.” 

Conversation became less hostile after the party topic dissolved away. Thalassa got all the attention as she talked about her own school, with its crafts and shows and games. It sounded considerably better than what Rayfa mentioned about her own school. 

Dinner was finished shortly after. Thalassa and Rayfa were chosen to ice the buns now that they cooled down. The family entrusted the five-year-old to bring out the whole tray for some reason, yet she moved carefully to give everyone a bun. Simon had seconds. 

The sun finally lowered beyond the mountains. The air was still warm from its last few rays. Exterior lights switched on automatically, illuminating the pool and patio. As Dhurke, Datz, and Amara cleaned up the dishes, Nahyuta caught Simon staring at him. In his eyes was an even warmer look than the evening air. 

Through all the conversation, they heard a startling screech from high in the sky. Thalassa screamed, too, though it was in excitement. Simon urged her to quiet down. He stood then whistled for his enormous pet. Taka landed gracefully a few feet away on the fence. She eyed everyone suspiciously. 

“I want to play with her!” the girl demanded. “Papa, I want to play with her.” 

“If Simon says you can, then you can,” Polly answered, “just be gentle.” 

She looked up expectantly at her uncle; he looked down blankly at his niece. 

Then in a giggly rush, Simon hoisted her up and brought her over to the bird. As Taka was still perched high, he kept a strong grip on the girl in order to raise her to Taka’s level. Gently, he demonstrated to stroke down Taka’s head with two fingers, just like when he first showed Nahyuta. 

“Can you please refrain from sighing dreamily as you stare?” Rayfa said with a gag. 

“I was not aware I even did that.” 

“Even worse,” Apollo said. Then, more seriously, he turned back to Rayfa and continued, “How is the law class really going?” 

She deflated. “I absolutely hate it, and the professor thinks the world of himself. But I only have to endure it for another...seven weeks.” 

“Do you require help to study for your test?” 

“No, thank you, Yuty. I have a study group. Students seem to think I have all the answers, if the rest of my family is part of the profession.” 

“After it’s done,” Klavier said, “you can tell the professor what you really feel about him.” 

“And Dhurke should let it rest after that. You’re not majoring in law, after all.” 

“Our father has never let one thing rest in his entire life. I am behind in my other classes because of this dreadful law class!” 

She really would do wonders with her degree in foreign affairs. Rayfa would be as influential on this world as she was within her own family, as the youngest and only daughter. Dhurke returned outside and gestured for her to follow him. He said he had a surprise for her. 

“You’re going to love this!” Polly called out with a laugh when she got up to follow him. 

“Do not touch anything of mine and Simon’s!” Nahyuta glanced back to see Taka making much progress. The bird perched on Simon’s shoulder, who had maneuvered to sit cross-legged on the ground. Thalassa petted her oh so softly. Out of every creature to terrify the hawk, it ended up being an overly enthusiastic child. 

The question was out of Nahyuta’s mouth before he could stop himself: “How did you two know you wanted to be married?” 

Apollo and Klavier were frozen. They unstuck to share a fleeting glance, before Klavier replied, “I knew after our first meeting.” 

Apollo snorted. “I don’t know about that, Klav.” 

“I have always been so in love with Apollo that I could not name the day I wanted to be married.” 

Nahyuta did not miss the blush coloring his brother’s cheeks. 

“There wasn’t any one moment,” Polly agreed, “but it was like...a buildup of every other good moment that made me think…” 

“We could live our whole lives this way,” Klavier answered. 

They smiled upon each other, so huge and wide as they did on their wedding day. “We worked so many cases together - it felt right we should be partners in every way we could.” 

A chill jellied Nahyuta’s legs. He felt the same about Simon. He knew in his heart of hearts of hearts that it would be the good, right step for them to take. 

A quiet moment rustled by. Apollo said, “So...are you thinking…?” 

“I did have a clarifying moment,” Nahyuta said, “a few mornings ago. He’s going to think on it a while more.” 

“You would not want to rush into it,” Klavier agreed. “We had endless conversations about it. I thought they would never end.” 

“I proposed eventually!” 

Thalassa shrieked a laugh; Taka was shaking out her feathers, but the scream scared her so badly, she took flight and came to rest on Nahyuta’s shoulder. 

“If that’s not a sign you two should get married,” Polly said with a laugh, “then I don’t know what is.” 

He soothed Taka in the few seconds of peace they had before Thalassa screeched to a halt next to her other uncle. She inhaled big in order to ask to keep playing with the bird. 

Simon interrupted, “I believe now is the perfect time to draw that picture you said you wanted to.” 

She made him help her get out the paper and crayons from her backpack, then it was straight into Vati’s lap in order to capture her masterpiece. Her tongue stuck out as she concentrated so deeply. Simon kissed the top of Nahyuta's head when he settled down next to him, after first checking no one was watching. 

Datz and Amara returned to the table. Dhurke and Rayfa followed a few minutes later and took their seats again. The family settled into easy enough conversation. 

Rayfa leaned over to her older brother and said, “I swapped your soaps with mine.”

“How could you?” 

She grinned. “I...might accept your offer to help me study for my law class. I can only imagine what the final exam is going to be like.” 

Nahyuta patted Simon’s arm as he answered, “I am an excellent study partner.” 

She rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the other conversations. It was not long before Apollo and Klavier decided to begin the very long, painful process of leaving their parents. If they were leaving, the others would go along with them. They said goodbyes for approximately thirty minutes, starting at the back door, snaking through the kitchen to take home leftovers, then in the front doorway for last minute gifts to overflow their ugly baskets. Nahyuta wished he had flown away with Taka when she left as they all stood up. 

Nahyuta and Simon sighed heavily once they were safely buckled in the car. Rayfa drove off first, followed by Nahyuta. Thalassa always needed some additional coaxing to settle into her throne of a carseat. 

They arrived safe and sound to find a tired hawk snoozing in her perch by their bedroom window. Simon whistled for her, yet she wanted nothing to do with him. The unfortunate gift basket was dumped on the dining table. It would serve as a deathly reminder for him to pick at tomorrow after work. Simon was upstairs immediately; he came back to the main floor wearing a much more comfortable t-shirt. He settled into an overstuffed armchair before pulling out his phone and glaring at whatever was on the screen. Nahyuta let him be; after all, he had anniversary planning to get back to.

The disgustingly romantic playlist that would score the evening was nearly complete; it struck an excellent balance of all types of music. Good dancing songs, group dances, and slow dances, in addition to terrible dancing songs to give everyone a break. The decorations were ordered, too. They would be delivered to the venue for the staff to hang.

With that finished, he got up to bother Simon, who had not moved. He was still glaring at the screen of his phone, though Nahyuta noticed that he quickly switched to a different application when he approached. And the mystery continued… 

“That could have been worse,” Nahyuta said as he sat on the armrest. 

“By all standards, it was downright pleasant.” 

“You are guaranteed a good time if your niece is there.” 

Simon smiled up at him. Deliberately slowly, Nahyuta reached for one of his forearms. Simon kept watch while his fingers walked down to stop just before his wrist. 

“May I?” 

Simon nodded. 

He touched gently at the distorted flesh, somewhat faded, though the painful memory was still very much present. He traced around plump veins and sharp bone. This part of Simon was no less precious to Nahyuta than any other. So he cradled the back of his hand and brought it close to his face. 

And again: “May I?” 

And again: Simon nodded. 

Only the sweetest medicines could help heal the scarring. Nahyuta pressed one gentle kiss to the inside, then the outside of that wrist. Perhaps he did not realize he did it, but Simon offered up the other hand just before Nahyuta even reached for it. He applied the same remedy, two gentle kisses. He was pulled from the armrest and into the man’s lap, whereupon Simon buried his head into Nahyuta’s neck and hair. He exhaled shaky breaths. 

“I love you.” Simon squeezed tighter. 

“I’m glad to hear it. I love you, too.” 

Hours later saw them happily asleep, intertwined like a knit stitch. The ensuing days passed slowly and all at once. Amara prosecuted a case and crushed her opponent. Rayfa would potentially pass her exam. Thalassa received a gold star for one of her art projects. 

Wednesday proudly arrived, despite having nothing to really show for itself. Until Nahyuta looked at his disgusting work calendar and saw his lunch hour blessedly blocked off. There was more than enough work to keep him entertained until a knock resounded on his office door just before twelve noon. Shit, he wasn’t ready yet. 

Athena Cykes stood excited and hungry in the doorway. “You ready?” 

“Just one moment, if you don’t mind waiting?” She entered the office fully and took to admiring some of the art of Khura’in adorning the walls. Nahyuta always did absolutely everything in his power to attend these monthly lunches; they were her idea, after all. 

With the last statement analyzed, he was finally ready. “Thank you for waiting.” 

“Yeah! It was only a few minutes, and I’m early anyway. Any idea on where to go?” 

He thought on it as they traipsed through the halls. Passing by one open door garnered a violent, “Oi!” 

Athena backtracked. “Oh, Simon, I didn’t know you would be here.”  

After a quick glance at the Seasons of Soba calendar on the wall, he declared, “It’s the third Wednesday.” 

“Yes,” Nahyuta answered, “and you’re keeping us from lunch.” 

“That you spend complaining about me?” 

Athena scoffed. “We have more things to talk about together than you .” A pause, then she said, “But there usually is an official Complain About Simon section.” 

“Will you come back after it?” he asked her. 

“Hm, there’s a lot going on at the office right now...”

Nahyuta began, “If you would prefer to cancel today-”

“Nope! We missed last month because of my trial, anyway.” 

Simon wore a knowing smile as he looked between the two. “If you decide to infiltrate this office again, stop by. Without that menace next to you.” 

Athena said she would do her best and was back out of the room. 

Nahyuta lingered an additional second to ask if Simon wanted them to bring him back any food. With a smile indicating he considered him quite the opposite of a menace, Simon shook his head. 

Now safely outside after dodging other family members and husbands of bosses, they settled on Athena’s suggestion of the 24-hour diner a few blocks down. The burgers were huge, and its busiest time was for drunk fools at two in the morning, also craving a huge burger. 

Once seated in a tacky patterned plastic booth, they did both order huge burgers. And then the official Complain About Simon time began. They both agreed it was atrocious that he never cleaned up Taka’s feathers; Athena once just put a big pile of them on his bed as a warning. Good idea for later. 

“I’m really grateful we had this scheduled today,” Athena said, huge burger now in front of her, “since Robin tried to meal prep for all three of us, but it turned out terrible. So now we have weeks worth of her bad, flavorless chicken and rice.” She swallowed a huge bite. “I think I’ll just leave my container in the agency fridge until the mold evolves its own language.”

“A nice gesture from your roommate, at least.” 

“Junie and I might have to host an intervention if she tries that again.” She got out her phone and pulled up some photos for Nahyuta to scroll through. They were of Robin’s newest artistic endeavors. He asked about Juniper next, even if he saw her at the courthouse often. She caught him up on all of their roommate shenanigans, too: blind makeovers, powerpoint parties, and punny potlucks. He still remembered the very moment Simon asked him to move in together, partially spurred on by Athena’s own moving plans. 

Athena, too, mentioned the fact that she and Simon would be seeing Aura again at the space center. They both clearly felt he was being ridiculous by insisting on coming along. 

“We mostly just work for a few hours,” she said, “so there aren’t many opportunities to talk about much else. He’s helpful if I come across something he wrote in my mom’s notebooks, though, but that’s about it.” She laughed but it faltered. “You’re nervous about something.” 

Athena picked up on it before he could even name the emotion clawing through his chest. He didn’t want to bring it up today. Not until he had a chance to speak with Simon about it further. Not until the answer changed. 

“If you want to talk about whatever it is! I’ll be here with my huge burger.” Athena took a long sip from her soda. “It sounds like it’s Simon-related. At least tell me if everything is okay?” 

“Yes. More than okay. Perfect.” He sighed. Now the plastic atmosphere surrounding them was awkward; might as well make it worse. “Athena. You will most likely hear this coming from Simon soon enough. There is little that he doesn’t share with you.” 

She settled back in her seat, huge burger left alone in order to give attention to whatever was coming. But from the sly smile on her face, she just might have been able to guess. 

“You may not have thought the best of me in the past, Athena. Not ‘may’ - you simply didn’t. It was very well deserved. However, I think after these five years, I have been more than forgiven.” 

After all, Simon’s very first “I love you” was preceded with, “I forgive you.” 

Athena smiled patiently and urged him to continue. 

“All of this to say...I want to marry Simon Blackquill. I am not seeking your permission, but your blessing would certainly be appreciated.” 

Her grin grew greater than he had ever seen it before. “I always wondered if this moment would ever come.” She reached out and patted at the hand fiddling with his balled up straw wrapper. “But I’m glad you didn’t ask me for permission - that would have been weird. You have my blessing, my encouragement, my support, my cheerleading - anything!” 

“Thank you.” There was never any true doubt that those they loved would not support their love. 

She picked back up her huge burger. “Doesn’t it feel better to get it off your chest?” 

“I hardly knew it was there until you mentioned it.”

“Do you need help with anything? I’m well known for planning great surprise proposals.” 

“I have not gotten so far as to plan anything.” Simon would no doubt bring it up with her sooner or later. Or she would force it out of him. 

The expression on her face was nearly inscrutable. “I’ll find out if he’s planning anything and relay the intel back to you.” 

“Swear to me you will not mention this conversation directly to Simon.” 

“I’ll do my best! I won’t bring it up during our Complain About Nahyuta time we have on occasion.” 

“Me! What is there to complain about?” 

Laughing, she said, “I can’t be the reason your marriage falls apart before it even happens!” She explained it was only a joke and steered the conversation away from the sensitive topic. Rayfa’s law professor was one Athena knew all too well from her time in school, so she gave some tips on dealing with him for Nahyuta to forward to his sister. It would hopefully make the next few weeks pass a little quicker for her. 

They finished eating, and Nahyuta paid, but not before adding on a piece of chocolate on chocolate on chocolate cake to the bill. Athena guarded it with her life on the walk back to the prosecutor’s office. She thanked him for the huge burger, and they were resolved to meet again in another month. They parted ways at Simon’s shut office door. She barged in without so much as a knock then shut the door behind her. Nahyuta smiled. He felt lighter and more in love than even this morning. 

It was nearing six that evening by the time Simon came knocking. Klavier and Amara had already said goodnight; even Edgeworth said his goodbyes a few minutes prior. 

Taka flew in, too, when Simon took a comfortable seat facing the other. They both stared at him. 

“The cake was nice.” 

Nahyuta grinned while reading about how many times this victim was stabbed. “Good.” 

“Thank you.” 

Twenty-seven times? Must have been personal. He flagged down the housekeeper as one who would provide additional testimony; they would certainly know of any marital problems or the like.  

“Are you ready to go home?” Simon asked softly. 

Nahyuta finally looked away from the computer monitor. Gray eyes, once considered so icy and distant, yet now perhaps felt as the greatest and warmest comfort, continued to gaze right through him. 

“Will you help me pack up or continue to simply watch me?” 

“I will watch.” 

Nahyuta chucked his good leather bag into the man’s lap. Simon was forced to hold it upright while he stuffed papers and reports into its pockets. 

They returned home to rest, recharge, and reenergize for the remaining few days of the workweek. It made Nahyuta restless to only eat, sleep, and work some weeks, with almost nothing besides bothering Simon senseless at home to break up the monotony. They would plan a good, long date out soon enough. 

Thursday was just as boring as its other daily siblings, yet Friday brought about some surprises. For one, Ema stopped by in the morning to share photos of the little garden. Sprouts were just beginning to push through the dirt. In addition, there were some photos of Bunsen falling all over himself to catch a ball. Ema delivered some reports to him - oh right, work - and was back out of the office as quickly as she came. 

Just after eleven, Prosecutor Blackquill stalked into his office. 

“Explain this, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi.” A report landed on top of his hands, poised to continue typing. A quick glance revealed that it was a summary report of the evidence used in the trial against Polly last week. 

“I understand I am your senior colleague, yet I expect you to at least know the basics of your job, Prosecutor Blackquill.” 

“This work is sloppy at best, and the officer points to you for who instructed him on preparing such a pitiful report.” 

It was the person who Nahyuta sent work back to last week, since he felt they did it all wrong in the first place. He explained as much. 

“I had them carefully trained,” Simon seethed, “to prepare these wasteful nuisances exactly how I need them. They are outright refusing to return to my way.” 

“Then may I be the first to tell you that your way was wrong .” 

“You may not.” 

Nahyuta stood and thrust the papers back at him. “I would be glad to teach you the proper way to catalogue evidence, as it would save us from this inane argument.” 

Always one to have the last laugh, Simon readied whatever biting comment was coming - probably one about how speaking to Nahyuta in general was inane. Unfortunately, Dhurke and Amara had appeared in the doorway. They were eating something; the air had taken on a particularly fragrant, spicy quality. 

“Do not let us stop you,” Amara said after swallowing. 

They both took a cleansing breath as the parents made themselves unnecessarily comfortable in the office. Amara sat on the sofa while Dhurke set down multiple tote bags onto Nahyuta’s desk. 

“Why are you here, Dhurke?” 

He removed a plastic container from one of the bags. “You see, son, I made...two hundred dumplings this morning.”

“How?” Simon asked. 

“I had to pass the time somehow.” He offered a dumpling to Simon, who stuffed it into his mouth immediately. At least it would keep him from bitching for a moment. 

“Why did you bring your two hundred dumplings here?” 

“Your father wanted to share them with you, Simon, and Klavier. Is that not kind of him?” 

“Almost too generous,” Simon muttered. 

“What was it you were arguing about?” Amara asked next. 

Nahyuta spoke quicker and louder to explain the “problem.” Amara listened, nodding sagely, then declared, “I have had my dealings with that insolent slug who dwells in the precinct. They refuse my own instructions, as well, Prosecutor Blackquill.” 

He had the decency to squash down the petulant smile forming. “What advice do you have, Prosecutor Khura’in? I cannot work with this unreadable gibberish.” 

He snatched away the papers before Nahyuta could tear them up. Amara excused them both, but not before they took two more dumplings each. Nahyuta watched them leave; he could not control his wild heart or wild smile. That had been fun. Dhurke cleared his throat. 

“Shouldn’t you be following Amara?” 

“You and I both know she doesn’t like it if I interfere with her work. I don’t think Simon would appreciate it, either. Is that what you two are always like here?” 

“Not always.” They would take a break and eat dumplings later. “Tell me again why you are here?” 

He cradled his dumplings. “It’s...a little quiet at home.” 

Nahyuta held in a great sigh. “Allow me to finish this work I had to do before I was rudely interrupted?” His father passed over a whole box of dumplings, so Nahyuta ate three. They really were delicious, and he asked for Dhurke to send him the recipe once his latest passive aggressive email was sent off to terrorize its recipient. 

Eating one last dumpling gave him the resolve to say: “Dhurke, I have something to ask you.” Thirty years of marriage might have blessed him with some wisdom.

The one eye hardened. His father sat up straighter. Precious dumplings were left abandoned in their bags. 

“Whatever it is, Nahyuta, it’s going to be okay.” 

He rolled his eyes; they were past all the family drama at this point. “How did you know you wanted to marry Amara?” 

“Yuty...are you - !” 

“Answer my question.” 

“Right, right.” He put his hand to his chin in thought. “When we were dating, it was hard to find enough time to get away so we could be together. We took to scheduling dates weeks in advance eventually. We planned out the whole day: a walk in the yak pastures, adventures through the bazaar - we played a game where we pretended not to know each other, sometimes, and the bazaar was the best place for it.” 

Fuck, he and Simon played that, too. 

“It was going to end,” Dhurke said, “with a...romantic night in. Ga - Her sister was going to cover for her the next morning.” Nahyuta frowned for multiple reasons. “We were really looking forward to it, but it turned out to be freezing that day. We couldn’t believe our terrible luck, but the weather wasn’t going to ruin our date. 

“So your mother and me woke up the next morning as sick as yaks. Datz took care of us that whole day. Amara was coughing and sneezing like I’d never seen. And then I thought...I would rather be this sick every day with your mother, than healthy with someone else.” Dhurke laughed as he shifted around the eyepatch. “Then we got pregnant. And here we are.” The romanticism of the story faded away with the millionth mention of his accidental nature. “Now answer my question: are you getting married?” 

“Perhaps. We have made no promises to each other.” 

“I would love to see you happily married, Yuty.” 

“Is it not enough to be happy as we are?” 

“Of course it is! Just speaking as your annoying dad...I’d want to see it.” Dhurke smiled so warmly; he probably wanted to deliver a rousing speech about the importance of communication and vows, yet he managed to refrain. For once. 

Nahyuta accepted another dumpling. Despite still having a lot of work to do, he was glad to have his father here to provide just a little entertainment for him. Dhurke’s unexpected visits to the office were getting closer and closer together, but he would not address it directly. 

Amara returned after a while to collect her husband and his dumplings. They promised to commandeer the office refrigerator to store them during the day. 

Nahyuta went and found Simon after they finally left. “Shall we pick up where we left off?” 

A wicked grin formed. “I thought you would never ask. How is it you find this a preferable method to my own?” 

He shut the office door behind him to continue in private. After, they took their break and ate cold dumplings and shared softer words, even if Simon actually could not comprehend why Nahyuta liked the cataloguing the way he did. 

That night, Nahyuta insisted they go out and do something before he went wild at home. One of the bars a few blocks away kept an antique jukebox, and it was absolutely their favorite activity to control the night’s music selection, as Simon was too scary to challenge if they picked something terrible. 

Nahyuta took longer to get ready than Simon. He came down the stairs while pulling his hair up into a high ponytail. There sat Simon at the kitchen table on his laptop. Scrolling through pages of wedding bands. Nahyuta saw them before Simon could shut the computer, and they both knew it. 

“So this has been your secret all this time,” Nahyuta said. 

“Perhaps.” 

“Why would you keep it a secret?” 

“I would want whatever I choose to be a surprise.” 

Nahyuta forced himself into his lap. He took over the mouse to examine the rows and rows of bands. A perfect rainbow of colors and shapes and designs passed him by. There were a few bands saved in the shopping cart. Valiantly, Simon tried to stop him from peeking. 

There were about five saved. All were gorgeous. Some cradled gems or boasted intricately beautiful designs. One particular one stood out to Nahyuta. He mentally noted the name of the website and design of the ring. 

“These are lovely.” 

“Any you particularly like?” he asked into his chest, hiding away his face. 

“No,” he lied. “Do you think these shoes go with these trousers?” 

“You are taking this little secret of mine suspiciously well.” 

“If this is how you choose to think on what I suggested last week,” Nahyuta said gently, “then I will not discourage it.” A brief pause, and then he asked the dreaded question, “Will you marry me?” 

It was a lovely eternity before Simon said, “...Yes.” 

He kissed him so hard, bracing himself against the back of the chair. Simon deepened it before Nahyuta could.  

Nahyuta pulled back before they ended up splayed across the kitchen table. “I am delighted to hear your answer has changed, yet I would like a quicker response if I am to ask it again. I will not push you into something you do not want.” 

He ran fingers through silky, scented strands of his hair. “Those shoes are fine,” said Simon, answering the earlier question.  

“I’m going to change them.” 

He ignored Simon’s annoyed groan while he went back upstairs. He did really like these shoes, and they went perfectly with the outfit, but he would make the sacrifice. 

He sat down on their bed and ordered the exact ring he noted earlier, guessing mostly on the sizing, and added a note to the order he would need another specially made, detailing the specifications. The rings would be ready when they needed them. He almost forgot to change shoes.