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Apollo wheezed in the defense lobby. He and Athena had pulled off a win with Trucy’s help, but it was a little close for comfort. Athena was punching the air and demanding high fives, but Apollo felt like he’d had several years shaved off his lifespan. He heard footsteps and glanced up, only to feel woozy all over again when he saw to whom they belonged.
Simon Blackquill was stalking over to them, looking as if he’d like to murder the three of them, but especially Apollo, for daring to beat him in court. When he reached them, he looked at Apollo, frowning heavily, eyes flashing. Apollo gulped. When all was said and done, he knew that the murder charges against Blackquill had been false. That being said, though, he didn’t exactly give off a warm presence.
Blackquill cleared his throat. “Justice-dono, if I might have a word.”
Athena clapped her hands. “Ooh, yay, Simon! It’s happening!” Blackquill shot her a look, to which she responded by winking at him and dragging away Trucy, who looked as confused as Apollo felt. He found himself thinking, not for the first time, that the worst part of friendship with Athena was being an unwitting target of her schemes.
Athena, what are you planning now…?
After seeing to it that the girls had left, Blackquill turned his attention back to Apollo, who flinched.
“Justice-dono, despite how it may seem in court, I have come to greatly respect you for your wit and ingenuity. I would be honored if you would dine with me tonight.”
He tilted his head forward in a bow, while Apollo stood shell-shocked. He most certainly did not want to spend any of his leisure time with Simon Blackquill, and yet he could not in good conscious turn down such a sincere request.
“Okay, sure.”
Blackquill blinked, looking briefly surprised before his standard stoic expression was back once more.
“Excellent. I will pick you up at home at seven. There’s no need to provide your address; I’ve already received it from Athena.”
Dammit, Athena, really?
Apollo opened his mouth, only to close it again before saying anything. Blackquill bowed again briefly before swiftly pacing away.
When Apollo left the courthouse, Athena and Trucy were nowhere to be found. He pulled out his phone.
Apollo: Where’d you go? I wanna fire you.
Athena: >:-( very funny, you know youre not my boss
By the time Apollo had biked home, he had 5 new texts.
Athena: but did you say yes??
Athena: i hope you did
Athena: omg he said you did!! i’m so excited!!!! :D
Athena: sorry i didn’t tell you, i wanted to let simon do it his own way
Athena: i’m really glad you’re going out with him apollo he’s been wanting to ask for so long
Meanwhile, Apollo was feeling more wary than ever. It had been weird enough when he thought he was the victim of a “Find Friends For Simon” plan. Now not only was he going out with Simon Blackquill, but it was a date? Of all the things he anticipated dealing with today, letting “The Twisted Samurai” down gently wasn’t one of them.
Still, though, it wouldn’t do to look sloppy on a first date, even if it would be their last, so Apollo went to change his clothes and touch up his hair.
It seemed the universe wasn’t done surprising him that day, because when Blackquill arrived to pick him up that evening, his thick hair looked recently combed and he was wearing a dark suit jacket and tie. Not to mention, he was holding a bouquet of yellow flowers. Chrysanthemums? No, that’s not right. Blackquill noticed him staring at the flowers and held them out.
“It’s, ah, amaryllis…” He coughed and darted his eyes away, looking embarrassed.
“Oh, uh, thanks.” As Apollo went to put the flowers in water, he found himself wishing he knew what sort of meaning amaryllis was supposed to have. Did it make a difference that they were yellow? Maybe it was for the best he didn’t know. After all, the more romantic Simon was, the harder it would be for Apollo to reject him without feeling immense guilt.
Blackquill seemed out of his element, to say the least. His face was flushed and he scratched at his neck, avoiding eye contact. He hadn’t even touched the bread on their table, which made it all the more embarrassing when Apollo finished it. He stammered out a polite refusal when the waiter offered to refill it, and resolved to lead this conversation himself.
“So, Prosecutor Blackquill-“
“Call me Simon.”
“Ookay, Simon then, you’re a big fan of Japanese culture, yeah?”
Simon visibly relaxed. “Ah, yes. I admit it started as a desire to connect to my own heritage. You see, mine and Aura’s mother was a Japanese immigrant. She used to tell us old legends and chat to us in Japanese.” He stared off to the side, smiling and looking the most sentimental Apollo had ever seen him. “Once she passed, our father neglected to keep up her efforts. I regret to say I don’t speak or understand any Japanese these days.”
Apollo hummed thoughtfully, thinking of the UR-1 incident, or rather, of the victim. “Dr. Cykes was into traditional culture, too, wasn’t she?”
Simon nodded. “That’s right. It was an interest we had in common. Unfortunately, Aura and Athena lack that interest.” He shook his head and smirked. “Not that I intend to place myself as superior because I enjoy Samurai shows for children.”
Apollo laughed. “I know how you feel. I have some sci-fi manga in my desk that I tell the others are for research. I don’t think they’re buying it.”
Simon laughed, then looked pensive. “Are you Japanese? I was unaware.”
Now it was Apollo’s turn to be embarrassed. “No. Or, uh, maybe? I never exactly knew my biological parents. I went through a phase in high school though where I told my classmates I was Japanese cause I thought it would make me seem cooler.”
“Oh? And how did that work out?” Simon was smirking again.
“It didn’t.” Apollo scratched the back of his head, embarrassed as Simon chuckled again. However, he was feeling more relaxed by the moment. Who knew, Simon Blackquill was an ordinary person you could have an ordinary conversation with? He could almost hear Athena’s I told you so in his ears.
Over their meal, Apollo recounted the story of his childhood, or at least what he recalled of it. It practically poured out of him as he was held by Simon’s warm stare. Had his eyes always been so brown?
“So I had this older brother, too. He was gonna become a lawyer and revolutionary, just like our dad. I don’t know if he ever did. Dhurke sent me here when I was a kid and said he’d come get me before I knew it, and I never heard from them again…”
Apollo could feel a lump growing in his throat and tried to blink to keep back the burning tears. There was a reason he tried not to think about his past, much less share it with friends (dates? Potential boyfriends?).
Simon seemed to sense his discomfort, and changed the subject.
“I’ve been meaning to ask how Athena is progressing as a lawyer.”
Apollo attempted to smile in a way that conveyed his gratefulness. “Oh, well, you know. She’s still a rookie, no question there.”
Simon smiled. “I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.”
“Yeah, but she’s doing well. She’s gotten much more confident. She doesn’t react so much when a witness or prosecutor condescends her. She knows her skills are the real deal.”
“That’s good to hear. I worry I haven’t been able to support her the way she deserves. But, she could do much worse than you and Wright-dono as mentors.”
Apollo smirked. “See, now I don’t know if that’s a genuine compliment, or if you’re just flirting with me.” He momentarily panicked at the fact that he was essentially outright calling their outing a date. Simon’s reaction, though, was well worth it.
“Well, that’s- I wasn’t, I mean-” He caught Apollo’s amused look and frowned. “You’re teasing me!”
“I can’t help it! I never imagined it would be so easy.”
In the end, they spent over three hours together, and Apollo still wished it would last longer. Their drive back to Apollo’s apartment was silent, but comfortable.
Simon insisted on walking him to his door, which he somehow managed to make chivalrous yet not cheesy. When they reached the door, Apollo turned around to say goodnight, but held his tongue when he saw Simon’s serious expression.
“Apollo. You’ve been incredibly patient with me. I know I am not most people’s ideal companion for an evening out. I would quite confidently say we both enjoyed ourselves, but I want you to know there would be no hard feelings if you wished to limit our relationship to friendship, or even to keep it entirely professional.”
“Oh. Um. If I can be honest?” Simon nodded for him to continue. “Before we left, I kind of planned to reject you at some point tonight…gently I mean! Not like in a mean way. But I actually had a lot of fun, and uh. I would like to do this again. As a date, that is.”
He was treated with the biggest smile he’d ever seen Simon give. “Well then, I’ll bid you a goodnight for now.” He bowed and went to turn away, but Apollo stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. He stood on his tip toes and leaned in to press a kiss to the corner of Simon’s mouth.
Simon’s cheeks turned pink, and wore a dazed, dreamy expression on his face.
Apollo chuckled to himself as he closed the door.