Chapter Text
Miles heard knocking on his office door. He was temporarily back after he finished the case in Europe he left in the middle for Phoenix and the Hazakura case. He doesn’t remember having any appointments and was working on finishing the paperwork on his latest case, and had said he didn’t want to be disturbed unless absolutely necessary. He also didn’t expect a new case yet as it was unsure if he would be called back to Europe in the upcoming days in case any lose ends came up for the cases he had worked on there. He didn’t get to much time to think about it before the person opened up the door anyway. To his surprise it was Maya who was standing in the doorway and not any detectives or the chief prosecutor with a case that required his attention.
“Maya? Do you have any business with me? I do not remember you making a appointment with me and I’m rather busy to be frank. I do not have time for idle chatting.”
Maya smiled as she stepped into his office and closed the door behind her.
“Oh but I’m sure you are interested in what I have to say and ask.” She said as she walked over to his desk before slamming her hands down on it.
“There is a convention coming up with special Steel Samurai and the Pink Princess events! Including panels and meet and greets with their actors and producers. They are going to show off behind the scenes stuff as well as sell limited edition merch. There is also a rumour the special events are being held in order to announce a new season. We have to go!”
It was clear Maya was speaking from excitement and love for the show. Miles would be lying if he said that he didn’t want to go. But he still wasn’t comfortable with publicly showing his love for the Steel Samurai.
“And what does that have to do with me?” Miles looked away as he spoke. Trying his best to hide his interests. Tough he is well aware of the fact Maya knows his appeal. After all he had a Steel Samurai figurine in his office and she was there during the Will Powers trial.
“Don’t try to hide it. I know you love this show and you aren’t very subtle about it either. You can pretend you aren’t interested but I know a fellow fan if I see one. You would regret it if you missed out on limited merch and the announcement.” Maya said as she took on a confident pose. She knew she was right and just had to find the right way to push him.
Miles sighed. It was no use to hide his interest as she had clearly shown him. “Even so I do not want others to know. What would it look like if it came out that the top prosecutor liked a show aimed at kids?”
“I don’t think anyone would care to be honest. It may even show a more human side of you.” Maya teased. “Also you don’t have to go as yourself you know. You could try cosplay! Like me! I have done it before and it’s very fun!” She was clapping her hands and nodding like she just came up with the best idea ever.
“Going in cosplay?” Miles considered it for a moment. He was secretly active in the fandom. From reading and writing fanfics to forum discussions. He had a secret social media account specifically for looking for fanart and fan content. He has seen his fair share of Steel Samurai cosplays. No matter who he would pick to cosplay he would be wearing a mask that hides his face and his physique would be entirely hidden as well. But if he was going to do it, it had to look good. He knew that if he agreed he was going to be spending a lot of time, which he didn’t have a lot of to begin with, to find a good commission. The money it would cost wasn’t an issue, there was no way it would be so expensive it would really make a difference to him. But would that really be worth it? “I’m still not sure. It would be a lot of time to find a good commission. And I don’t have a lot of free time to begin with.”
Maya nods but still held a confidant pose. She had been prepared for Miles coming up with excuses to not go. “And what if I get Phoenix to join us in cosplay? You could go as the Evil Magistrate and he could go as the Steel Samurai! And you know, there is a big shipping culture for MagiSteel and cosplayers often go along with mentions to their ships. No one would bat a eye if flirty remarks were made.”
She knew she was pushing the line but it was clear as day to anyone but these two idiots that they where interested in each other. She was aware that if Phoenix became part of their little group there was no way Miles would say no. And if Miles would agree to join there is no way she wouldn’t be able to convince Phoenix to come along as well. And hopefully this would give them the confidence to finally make a move. You can only look at two people being obviously in love before it starts to become a bother.
Miles blushed when Maya mentioned shipping. He did for a fact ship MagiSteel and being able to express it with someone he actually loved would be a dream come true. And if Phoenix wasn’t interested, like he was expecting, he could always just blame it on the ship. It would be a way to test the waters safely without risking their friendship. The more he thought about it the more appealing it sounded. After a bit of thinking while Maya was staring at him with a smug smile he sighed and caved. “Fine but only if Wright joins us as well. And he better have watched the show! It would be a terrible experience if he didn’t understand what he was a part of.” He said crossing his arms and giving a stern look. How could he test anything safely if the other wouldn’t even know what the ship was based on?
Maya clapped her hands together with a smile. “I knew it! I promise you I’ll get Phoenix to join in too. So you better start looking for a commission!” She exclaimed excitedly as she started to leave. “I’ll make sure to let you know when I’ve convinced Phoenix. Make sure to get us all tickets! We’ll pay you back later I swear!” She added as she closed the door behind her.
Once Maya left the room Miles sighed and shook his head. He should have seen that coming. Now all he could do was wait for news if Maya succeeded or not. He’s not sure which he would prefer. But for now he had to stop thinking about it and go back to work. He shouldn’t let his feelings get in the way of his work after all.
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Maya stepped into the Wright & Co office. She had already formed a plan of what to say to convince Phoenix to join them to the convention.
“Hey Nick! Remember that we went to a con together before? Want to go to one again in cosplay?” She said as she stepped into the office.
Phoenix looked up from the paperwork he was doing. “I wouldn’t be opposed to it, it would be a fun way to use my skills form my theatre days, but we don’t really have shows we enjoy in common? And I’m going to assume you already have a plan so what would you want me to cosplay?”
“The Steel Samurai of course! I think that would fit the best.”
“Okay. But Maya, you know I don’t watch the Steel Samurai so why are you asking me this?”
“Oh well you see, I made a deal with Mr. Edgeworth that he would come along to the upcoming convention with special Steel Samurai events in cosplay if I could convince you to join too!” Maya excitedly claps her hands and nods her head like she had the greatest plan ever.
“W-Wait, wait, you got Edgeworth to join us? Miles Edgeworth? Who would never admit to enjoying the Steel Samurai? That sounds impossible. What if someone recognised him?” Phoenix asked as he was still a bit sceptical about it all.
“That’s exactly what the cosplay is for Nick. He would be going as the Evil Magistrate so his face would be covered with the mask and the costume would also pretty much hide his body shape. He wouldn’t be recognised that way Nick. And he only said yes after we made the deal he would go if you joined us as the Steel Samurai.” Maya explained.
“And why would me joining as the Steel Samurai change anything?” Phoenix was even more confused. Why would it change anything if he was a part too? Miles also knew he didn’t really care about the Steel Samurai.
“Well… It could be that that means we would be a complete group but it could also be because of shipping you know. I did mention it before the deal was made and MagiSteel is very popular in the fandom. So you can take your shot and flirt without anyone batting a eye. Worst case scenario you blame it on the ship and that I told you about it.”
Phoenix heart skipped a beat. It couldn’t be true. Did Edgeworth agree because of a ship? Would that mean Miles was interested in him? Maya must be joking. It must be so they have a complete group. No way Miles was interested in him too. But it would be the perfect opportunity to check without risking anything. He was aware he was going to have to watch all the episodes so he could at least act in a way that was fitting to the show.
Phoenix let out a sigh and blushing lightly before speaking again. “I’m sure it was so we can have a full group. But if Edgeworth is involved, I should at least do some research and watch the show so I can act accordingly. I’m sure Miles wouldn’t like it if I had no clue about how to even be in character.”
Maya giggled at Phoenix his answer. “Sure it is so you can be ‘in character’ totally not so you can have a idea how to flirt with him for the ship Nick.” She couldn’t pass up a opportunity to tease him about his crush on Miles.
“I do not know what you are talking about Maya. It is so I know who the charter I’ll be is.” Phoenix said as he looked away with a deeper blush spreading over his cheeks as Maya called him out on his plan.
“You can try to hide it all you want but it’s really obvious you know.” Maya said as she shook her head. “Anyway I’ll go let Mr. Edgeworth know you’re in. So you better start preparing and looking for a cosplay!” She said as she turned her back to him so she could go outside to call Miles and let him know.
Phoenix shook his head as Maya stepped outside again. What did he get himself into? Well for now he had to go finish this paperwork and he would have to worry about it later.