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Miles visited the states a lot, but recently it has been harder to make time with his work. He called as often as he could but It wasn’t the same as actually being there, and so when he finally visited after seven months away, he made sure to make it count. He’d been spending his time with both Phoenix and Trucy, but Phoenix thought the two should have a day out just Miles and Trucy, and so that's what they did. Miles loves his daughter, and can’t help spoiling her with whatever she wants when he visits, despite Phoenix’s better judgment.
“Papa! This way!” Trucy grabbed Miles by the wrist, pulling him around the shopping mall at a pace that made his bones ache. He’d almost dropped the other shopping bags. He was getting too old to be doing this, he thought. She led him into a little shop, basically empty, with posters lining the walls and all sorts of gadgets on the shelves. Miles didn’t understand any of it, but from what he could tell it was a magic shop. “This one is my favorite!” she twirled around, accidentally activating Mr.Hat before shoving him back under her cape.
Miles smiled at his daughter's excitement. “Are you going to buy something, Trucy?” More like ‘Are you going to make me buy something for you?’ Trucy had no money at the moment, she’d blown all of hers on a new cape for Mr. Hat last week. She grabbed a book off the shelf and held it up for Miles to see. A sparkly purple hardcover book titled The Mysteries of Magic. He turned it over to see the price. Jesus, almost 35 dollars? Phoenix’s words rang in his ears. ‘Don’t indulge her too much, you always end up spending way too much.’ But wasn’t it the least he could do after being away so long?
Miles nodded and Trucy grabbed a deck of cards off the shelf before walking over to the checkout. He looked at the total on the register. 44 bucks spent in one store, He cringed before swiping his card. Trucy clapped her hands and hugged Miles around the waist. His heart swelled, It was worth it. The two walked out hand-in-hand. Trucy hummed a tune to herself as they walked towards the food court.
Trucy gasped before holding her hand out to Miles. He stared confused. “What?” She made a grabby hand at his wallet. “Your card, gimme! I wanna order food for us!” Hesitantly, he handed her the card. Lord knows he's already spent too much money on her that day. “Okay, now sit down Papa! Trucy is on food duty!” She motioned to an empty booth and Miles sat down with the bags. He could trust her not to spend too much on food…he thinks.
He sat down with the bags as Trucy skipped away. He actually got a chance to count the bags. 2…4…Jesus, 6 bags? The girl was going to run him bankrupt. ‘Don’t let her cute face push you around, love.’ Is what Phoenix had said. It's too late now. A few minutes later, Trucy returned with two bags of food. “Bon appétit!” A popular takeout place he knew Phoenix loved. Miles smiled. “Thank you Trucy, you’re a great help.” He still didn’t understand why she wanted to order by herself.
Trucy eyed his bag. “Open your food, Papa!” Miles felt like she might’ve magically put a snake in there the way she excitedly kicked her feet. He opened the bag and pulled out, not a snake, but…a kids meal? Why had she got him a kid’s meal? He glanced at her. “What’s this about?” “There’s a toy inside!” He played along, moving the burger and fries out of the way. Why had she thought he would want a toy? She was just being silly again-
…Steel Samurai? Miles pulled a small plastic bag out from under his food, and inside was a small Steel Samurai figurine. An electricity-like burst of excitement went through his body, Trucy must’ve noticed how his eyes lit up. “I knew you’d like it!” She smiled brightly. MIles contained himself, some years ago he figured out that other people consider it childish to physically show your excitement over something as trivial as your favorite show. Still, he tapped his foot against the floor to release some of his energy.
“Thank you, Trucy, I like this a lot.” He kept his voice at a reasonable volume despite the urge to squeal like a little boy. He ripped the figure out of the bag, holding it between his fingers. It was well made and neatly painted, The Steel Samurai was in an action pose, as if striking down an enemy. He held it up by the keychain and attached it to one of his belt loops “I’ll keep it on me all the time.”
He was grateful that she got this for him, even if it was with his wallet. Lord knows he wouldn’t have bought it for himself. Trucy switched their two meals, taking the kids meal burger and fries for herself, which Miles was grateful for, seeing as it was much too small for him. “Teehee, you’re smiling so wide!” Miles hadn’t noticed. “Oh, I guess I am.” His smile softened. “Spending time with you always makes me happy, Trucy.”
Side addition -
Miles and Trucy arrived home late in the afternoon, Miles carrying every single bag and Trucy with none. Not that she hadn’t offered, but Miles insisted he hold them despite not a single one containing anything for himself. The only one that wasn’t Trucy’s was a bag containing some oil paints and a new canvas for Phoenix. Trucy tackled her dad in a hug as he helped Miles with a few bags, Miles didn’t realize how sore his arms were until some of the weight was relieved.
“Hey Truce, did you have a good dad with Papa?” He patted her head with his unoccupied hand. Staring smugly at Miles, he knew he couldn’t help but spoil Trucy at any chance he got. “Oh, yes! Me and papa went to the mall, and first we went to-” She rambled on for another ten minutes before going to organize her new stuff in her room.
Phoenix took his new paints and canvas and shoved them in a drawer. “Didn’t listen to a word I told you, huh? At this point I don’t even know where we are gonna start putting all this stuff you’re buying her. He kissed Miles on the cheek. “You’re too sweet. And a pushover” Miles scoffed. “No, I am not. I haven’t seen her in months, she deserves a treat.” Phoenix shook his head with a smile. “Not only that, you also bought me more art supplies. It’s just a hobby, y’know, you don’t have to keep getting me the high end brands. Hell, you don’t have to buy me anything at all, I have my own money.”
Miles shook his head. “I already spent upwards of…I’m not sure how much, but too much money today. At this point I couldn't care less.” Phoenix took a seat next to him and rested his head on the other's shoulder. Miles smiled warmly and brought a hand up to Phoenix’s face, his thumb brushing against the other's lip. Suddenly, Phoenix turned his head to bite at Mile’s finger. “Ow! What the hell!?” Phoenix smiled. “What’s wrong, best friend? You don’t want to see my molars?” Miles laughed at the absurdity. “What?! No!”