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bonnefoisTitle: I'll Be Cleaning Up Bottles With You On New Year's Day
Series: Ace Attorney
Character/pairing: Nahyuta/Ema, ensemble, Lana/Aura mentioned
Rating: PG-13
Word count: Title: I'll Be Cleaning Up Bottles With You On New Year's Day
Series: Ace Attorney
Character/pairing: Nahyuta/Ema, ensemble, Lana/Aura mentioned
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 6424
Summary: After a crash course in Christmas holidays, Nahyuta is no less confused by the spectacle of New Year's Eve parties.
Author's note: heavy drinker Ema is more or less canon via official art for AA4.
This directly follows I'll Be Home For Christmas. The title is from New Year's Day by Taylor Swift. A little more on the origin of the bridal carry er, CW Unfortunate Historical Things, ala the rape of the Sabine women.
I personally subscribe to the idea that Ace Attorney actually does have a lot of modern tech, the WAA just tend towards grandpa flip phones and old timey Nokias and are practically computer illiterate (except for Athena) while Ema is the kind of person who always has the latest tech. Ema gets Nahyuta a smartphone and addicted to watching cat videos like ten minutes after she moves to Khura'in. You can see this in characters like Ema, Aura, and so on.
Thanks to OblivionIsAtHand for looking it over for me. It's also her fault that this fic got a bit larger.
Happy Holidays, Suzume!
Ema had filled the cart up with supplies, and was just a few steps ahead, when Nahyuta's gaze was caught by something gold and sparkly. Hung on a shelf were many colorful implements he couldn't quite place or understand. Nahyuta lifted up a sparkly pair of glittery plastic sunglasses with the year sticking out to the side. He titled his head as he tried to lift up a tiny tinsel and glitter covered top hat.
"Is this for pets?"
Ema glanced back. "No, those are party supplies," Ema said.
"You put on...tiny top hats, and glasses? Is this some sacred ritual I have not read about yet?"
"Not particularly sacred. It's just something people do when they're too drunk to care how tacky they are," Ema said.
Nahyuta lifted up a pair of shades. Except there were nothing but lines. He placed them on his face, and then added the small top hat covered in sparkles.
Ema burst out laughing and instantly caught a picture with her phone. "God, you're priceless!"
"Are these intended to be like this? They don't seem to offer any actual eye covering," he said.
"They're Shutter shades. They were a thing way back when, and they suddenly came back for who knows why...at least people aren't bringing back 80s styles again."
"Nothing you said made a single bit of sense."
"Nothing about the 2000s does, or the 80s for that matter."
He tried on the glasses with the years on them. Ema giggled, and snapped another picture. "Y-You just look so serious about it."
"Rituals are to be treated with respect."
"Drunk, tiny top hat," Ema said.
She had him there.
"If you want the proper New Year's experience, we can get them," she said. She grabbed a few at seemingly random and put them in the cart. As Ema moved on, he glanced down the aisle. It was over a month away, yet already the aisles were filled with red, glittery baubles.
From his research, he gathered that despite its origins of a saint being murdered for preforming forbidden marriages, the current holiday was important, even paramount to his relationship. Often, in his studies he'd come across women angry at forgotten anniversaries, birthdays, and Valentine's day.
This consumerist notion truly lacked mindfulness. One holiday had barely even arrived, and the next already was crowding it out, with the next in the wings. No wonder westerners were so harried and chaotic in their thoughts.
Still, they'd be in Khura'in, then. Overseas shipping could take several months, and even then could get lost along the way.
He glanced down the aisle of cards, and carefully opened an extremely glittery card up. Inside it said I Wuv U
"Wuv? And why is there simply a U there?" He said softly to himself. "This makes no sense."
The flowers at the front of the store smelled lovely, but they were ephemeral, and wouldn't keep long enough. None of them seemed a fitting gift to show just how much he cared for the woman he planned to marry.
He put the card away and reached for another. But as he did, his phone buzzed. He was still getting used to this 'texting,' though Ema had been happy to show him the ropes after trying to get him to upgrade his phone from about the moment they met.
I'm checking out. Where are you? Meet me at the doors out, okay?
He glanced one last time at the cards full of "Wuv." He'd have to leave that decision for another time.
*
After they'd paid, he and Ema carried the bags back towards the bus stop. Nahyuta set down the bags, and bowed his head as they crossed in front of the rows of cars covered with neon stickers proclaiming no money down.
Ema stopped and looked back towards him. "Why are you...blessing the used car dealership?"
"Are those not prayer flags? I cannot see any writing on them, yet they hang so high and colorful, just like the flags in my country."
"Nope. The only thing they're praying for is someone to buy their vehicles. They kind of do look alike, though."
Nahyuta stared up at the large red blob-thing which was blown up by fans, or some other kind of air device.
"And what is the significance of that?"
"Who even knows why people get those. Come on, they've probably already started without us."
He picked up his bags and followed.
*
As the night drew on, he found many of the apartments and buildings here still had their Christmas decor up. Lights flickered in the dark as they went.
The Wright Anything Agency had only a sad little string of icicle lights. They were hung low enough that he had to duck beneath them as he passed.
Ema had changed out into a snug fluffy green sweater, with capris. She'd put wrapping bows of red and green where her heels laced up, just to be festive. Though it seemed too warm for L.A., Ema was stubborn about her aesthetic. She'd kept her heels even in the coldest times of Khura'in.
Nahyuta had kept to his usual Prosecutor's uniform, though Ema had tried quite valiantly to get him in what she referred to as an "ugly sweater." It had certainly lived up to its name.
"We brought booze! Or maybe since I'm with Nahyuta, I should say spirits!"
Ema laughed loudly at her own joke. She'd already sampled the wares on the way there, and was surprisingly inebriated.
"Did you know there's Snackoos vodka and it tastes just like liquid Snackoos?" Ema let out a burp. "Tried it already, it's great."
The room was filled almost to the brim with magical props. Rings and magic boxes, even a strange spaghetti model. He tilted his head, and tried to fathom it, yet he could not see how it managed to stay aloft.
After they set up the alcohol on the desk of the Wright Anything Agency, Ema quickly dug out her phone out of her bag.
"Oh, wait, I should call Lana and see if she wants to come!"
Before Nahyuta could point out the definite flaws in this plan, Ema already had Lana on the phone.
"Hey sis, there's a party at the Wright Anything Agency. You wanna come? You can bring your uh.... Bring your uhh...look, I'm not freaking out about it being a girl, I just don't know what she is to you. A girlfriend? A fuck buddy? Do you invite fuck buddies to parties? I never had one. I just always dated my friends and coworkers so I don't know the terms and conditions. I always skip those, anyways. Nahyuta yelled at me for that. He read the whole thing when he made an account recently..."
Somehow, Ema had turned on the speakerphone, so he could hear everything Lana said.
"I hardly think that's the place to take her. She kidnapped his daughter just a couple years ago when her brother was going to be executed," Lana said.
"Oh, that's no problem. Nahyuta and I prosecuted both Trucy and Maya and we went against Apollo and Phoenix one point where they would've died if they lost. Phoenix is super forgiving about that kind of thing. You gotta be in this professor where it's prosecute or be prosecuted....by the cute prosecutor...hey, it has cute right in it."
Ema laughed.
"Wait, are you drunk already?" Lana said.
"Snackoo vodka is delicious! I'm gonna have mooore before the night is over!" Ema laughed as if it was the funniest thing she'd heard all day.
Lana sighed. "Make sure you call and Uber and get back to your hotel all right. If not, then I'm sure that Mr. Wright will let you pass out on his couch."
"Nahyuta will get me home, he always does. Seeya later, sis!"
"Lana is coming. She doesn't know if her plus one is coming," she said, like he hadn't just heard her on speakerphone.
"I'm taking she isn't, due to the kidnapping affair," Nahyuta said dryly.
"Eh, you never know. Free booze has powers. So, monks aren't celibate, but are they....dry?"
"Dry?"
"Sober--hey, did you ever know that sober is just one letter away from sobear?" She giggled. "Just imagine, a drunk bear...tons of drunk bears everywhere...just being drunk..."
She leaned into him with laughter.
"No, though we believe in moderation in all things, including alcohol," he said.
And tonight, he'd have to be especially moderate. His future sister-in-law was counting on him, after all.
Ema didn't respond to that, but instead nuzzled against his side for a moment.
"Come on, the New Year's Rockin' Eve is starting!"
Athena, Maya and Trucy wore those little glittery top hat headbands, and chatted among themselves as the show started. Phoenix Wright and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth both sipped at small tumblers of eggnog. Phoenix's suit had been changed for a sweater, though Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth retained his usual prosecutor's suit. He hadn't noticed the blotch upon the ruffles where some had spilled yet.
Ema sat down near where the other women were on the couch, and watched rapt as it returned from the commercial. Nahyuta opted to stand for the time being--all the seats were taken, and he intended to inspect the tray within the kitchen soon enough. The television show had Prosecutor Gavin as a guest, who began to sing from his new solo album. The purple leather suit he wore was almost as glittery as that big ball that dropped at the countdown.
Ema loudly booed and threw her Snackoos at the screen.
Trucy laughed. "Ema!"
Athena tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, Ema, What's your new year's resolution? You have one, right? I'm going to run an extra mile every day."
Nahyuta suspected it was simply a means to distract her, though Athena seemed a genial sort, if prone to fits of temper.
"Hmm? Resolution? Everything in my life is awesome. Great job, marrying the love of my life, technically I'm a princess? Life is great, and it's only going to get more awesome. Speaking of awesome... I'm having the best sex of my life, you would not believe how big--"
Satorha!
Athena gasped and covered her mouth, but Trucy and Maya outright laughed. Behind them, Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth let out a sigh and shook his head. Phoenix gaped, and clutched his chair. His eggnog spilled to the floor, and he scrambled to clean it up.
Nahyuta grimaced and clutched his beads tight. "As the saying goes, there is truth in wine. However, that does not mean every truth needs to be shared."
"The truth is, you're cute," Ema said. She stood up and caught him in a kiss. Her hands wandered down his chest lower and lower, and her tongue slipped between his lips to caress his own. It was only his training as a monk which gave him the self control to pull away. Ema rested against him, and laughed at his rosy cheeks, and how he struggled to catch his breath.
"Ema, please keep this for when we are alone."
Someone cleared their throat behind him. He expected Phoenix Wright, full of fury with a sermon about how they had defiled his daughter's eyes with their putrid actions. However, it was trucy herself. She held out a small tumbler.
"Would you like some eggnog?"
Her glittering top hat tilted as she smiled down. She was a pure girl, who held no reservations or grudges about the past.
He bowed. "Thank you for your kindness. I will take a small sip, but only that. After all, I promised her sister that I would get her home safe."
"You could stay, but you'd have to sleep in some of the props. Careful, some of them are sharp!" Trucy said. She smiled sweetly at this. Nahyuta had a sudden thought that perhaps she wasn't as pure and forgiving as he'd thought.
"Actually, there's one thing," Ema said suddenly, "I... gotta brush up on my Khura'inese...don't wanna tell my future mother-in-law something vulgar by accident again."
"Again?" Phoenix mouthed. Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth nodded.
"Ema, love, you would tell her something vulgar on purpose," Nahyuta said.
Ema cracked up at this. "You're so funny. God, all those bad years were so worth it. I'm so lucky. So, so lucky. I should have a toast. Woo! It's almost time, and I have somebody to kiss this year, and every year after that!" Ema lifted her arms in a cheer.
Prosecutor Gavin had finally gone from the stage, as the crowd started to shout the countdown.
Ema could get handsy, even when sober. The kiss was just further proof of how amorous she got upon drinking vodka. The last thing he needed was for another scene to happen. His self-control could only last so long, especially with how soft and form fitting that sweater was.
He leaned in, and said softly, "Let's go outside."
"Seeya suckers, I'm getting lucky!" Ema lifted up her hands in a cheer, except this time it seemed different.
It was only as he left that he realized her cheer had actually been two instances of a very vulgar sign involving only the middle finger being raised.
He could hardly contain his laugh as he led her out the door. Ema was as ever, outrageous, ribald and spunky. And even more so when she'd drank vodka.
Thankfully, Phoenix's office was on the ground floor. The echoes and cheers of Nine, eight, seven, six could be heard even out here.
He brushed back the brown hair that had stuck to her lips in her last excited cheer, and leaned down to kiss her. The very last seconds of the past year and the very first seconds of the new year was spent close to his most favorite person in the world. Fireworks burst above them, likely illegal. He looked up to as the they glittered like white flowers, before disappearing into dust.
"Your country has many holy traditions about kissing," he said softly.
"Not every holiday is religious, Nahyuta," Ema said.
"The name literally translates to holy days. Many of these were originally brought in by the settlers of your country."
"Okay, walking dictionary boy. But a lot of them have been secularized over the years. So they're just reasons for people to get off work and drink all day."
"You're a surprisingly verbose and coherent while inebriated," he said.
"I think the cold sobered me up. Time to go drink more!"
"I can only see this decision causing much pain, Ema..."
"I got kissed again so I'm even happier!" Ema called back. She rushed heedlessly back in to the celebration. He chuckled to himself and shook his head. As usual, there was no telling Ema what to do.
*
Hours later, most of them had nodded off, or passed out on the couch, or floor. The hum and brightness of the television, and the lingering festive lights were all that illuminated the room. Phoenix had passed out after one drink, leaning in towards Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth. Someone--likely Trucy--had put a red hat with a little white pom-pom on the end on them both. He wondered if it was for Grandfather Frost, or Saint Nicolas, or what combination form this "Santa Hat" had become. This was the cycle of myths. Told and retold, they braided together until they became one.
He stepped past glasses that had been set aside after drinking. By morning (or more likely, afternoon after this much revelry) they would awake and trip, scattering the ground with broken glass and sour leftovers of eggnog. No, that would not do.
He cleaned up every bottle, glass and cast aside container of snacks. It was less of a potential hazard, but not quite a clean. There was still quite a bit of of colored paper strips on the floor. It must've happened when he went out to kiss Ema, for he hadn't seen it before.
He lifted up the paper pieces. Ema called them confetti... she'd said people like to be happy, Nahyuta when he'd asked the significance. The white one between his fingers shimmered with gold. He bent to pick up more, until his palm was full, and then as the rest of them slept, he threw it in the air. They fluttered down slowly all around him, like snow. It was strangely nostalgic, even though it wasn't his culture. Like tossing seeds during the spring just to hear them crack, and seeing who could throw them further with Apollo. They would break apart and a little fluffy substance would flutter out and spread across the meadows, like winter returned early.
People like to be happy and each point of happiness was marked with a ritual. What might have once been appeasing the gods for fertility or a good harvest was now little habits and holidays which people kept, often without knowing why. But Nahyuta found much satisfaction of his own finding out the source of all these old ways.
The last of the confetti fell to the floor. He still had much to learn. And yes, perhaps he felt a little joy in the memories it brought, the celebration.
Ema was curled up on the brown couch. A small puddle of drool pooled near her mouth. He gently turned her over. There was no way she'd be walking home, not in this state. His thoughts went back to the bridal carry. Ema had been so utterly taken the first time he'd lifted her up, effortlessly, when she'd twisted her ankle. The custom of carrying the brides actually originated within the plunder of the Sabine women, as well as many other cultures used as a way to prevent curses. So like many rituals and holidays, there was a bloody history that lingered.
Tiny, soft snowflakes fell down around them as he walked towards home. The last bus had gone. Streetlights glowed bright, and even at this hour, the noise of L.A. continued on. He had often heard New York called "the city that never sleeps" but L.A. seemed just as sleepless. Or was that Seattle that held that title?
Far off, a dog barked, and the grating cacophony of a car alarm echoed.
He hadn't expected this touch of chilly weather to come within L.A. higher in the mountains, perhaps, but not here. However, it was welcome. Almost like a touch home within this foreign world full of wonders. Snowflakes rested in her hair, landed on her nose. All around them were the last lights of the festivities. All formed by millions of immigrants whose cultures meshed and melded into something new, something full of hope.
She stirred and stared up at him with unfocused eyes. A snowflake landed right on her nose.
"You ...brought the cold with you."
He couldn't help but smile. "That's not very scientific. Maybe I'm rubbing off on you, Ema Skye."
"In public? Kinky."
He carried her under the awning, and through the hotel doors. Behind them, one last firework filled the sky with joy.
*
He woke in the gray of dawn. She still slept, curled under blankets and far away from the coming storm. Still, from his research he expected some nasty symptoms later. After a quick shower (where he tied his hair up away from the spray, because it would take all day to dry), Nahyuta dressed in a slightly more casual affair than his usual prosecutor's frock coat. A beige long-sleeved shirt, and jeans that Ema had assured him 'made his ass look fantastic.'
The snow had melted. As he waited at the crosswalk, he unlocked his phone.
"Surely, a wonder," he murmured to himself. He could get the internet on something this small device, and ask the vast search engine called Google a question, and like a wise oracle, it would tell him all the hangover remedies he needed. Right there on a public street as he waited for the walk sign to light up.
Then, he could watch cat videos and achieve a zen-like calm. Truly, technology was astounding.
After the light came, he ended up in the closest store, a CVS that still had white Christmas lights strewn about the rafters. It was surprisingly spacious, large and white, filled with incongruities. He filled the small cart with one hand as he scrolled through the list. Painkillers, orange juice, Reese's cups... He also found a fleece blanket with a design of Snackoos and tossed it in with the others, and a blue sleep mask that said Not Today over the eyes.
He furrowed his brow at the next one on the list. "Wasabi?"
Ema mentioned it was spicy part of Japanese cuisine when they'd had sushi, and warned him not to take too much. Though the top of the article listed nausea as being a problem.
"Oh, for that, ginger tea....ah, there it is."
There was a whole row of teas. He lifted them up to catch the scent, but the plastic dulled it. There was green tea that also tasted like peaches (he got two of those),
There was such abundance here. It was a drug store, and yet here he was, buying blankets, orange juice, candies. Ema never found such things surprising, it was simply the norm within the western world. A wild, even hedonistic kind of consumerism and vast abundance.
He took one last glance at the long aisle of red, glimmering cards. This time, he looked up Wuv. The answer Google gave to him only posed more questions. Several of the other cards seemed to have content nearing softcore porn. And while he was working hard to fix them, the censorship, and regulations Ga'ran had put upon the country hadn't quite been repealed yet.
(He could only imagine the scandal: Prince Regent brings contraband pornographic goods into the country, followed by everyone in the country wondering what "Wuv" was.)
But as he looked down, he saw several with food on them. One had little dish of ramen with eyes and hearts that said I'm soy into you. He smiled to himself.
"Now, that's better..."
There were quite a few. Two berries holding hands that said I'm Berry Into You,, a pizza slice with heart-shaped pepperoni which said You have a pizza my heart, A large smiling, glittery donut which said I Donut Know What I'd Do Without you.
Inside, it said Without you, there'd be a HOLE in my heart. Happy Valentine's day.
He carefully took it, and the envelope and put it with the rest. He came to the end of the article, and placed eggs and bacon--also available at this drug store, and even Snackoo brand Ice cream. Wasabi would have to wait for another day, he thought. Surely this amount of power should help cure the hangover.
As he waited in line behind an elderly woman buying cat treats (truly, anything was available here) he called Lana. It rang several times--and for a moment, he wondered if he disturbed her.However, a few seconds later, she picked up.
"Hello? Nahyuta? Is everything okay? Is Ema okay?
"Yes. I took her back to the hotel last night. May I please use your kitchen? This article says certain foods will help with the aftermath of a night of excessive drinking. However, some require to be cooked, and there is no stove or fireplace offered within these rooms."
"Oh, sure. Just... give me a second to clean up."
She attempted to cover up the phone, yet it did not quite work, as he heard her quickly hiss my sister's boyfriend is coming over.
So? He isn't coming in the room. Don't tell me you're kicking me out of bed just because that stick-up-his-ass prosecutor is coming over. What does he want? To use the kitchen, you say? Fine, but I'm not getting out of the shower. He can just go outside if he has to piss.
He decided it would be best to pretend he hadn't heard.
"Ahem...Fifteen minutes, okay?" Lana said.
"I need to check these ingredients out regardless. It will take a while, even with automated machines."
"How much did she drink? Do you think it's a problem?"
"She only seems to drink to excess in big celebrations and holidays."
"So it's not a daily affair, nothing she's hiding?" Lana said.
"No."
"But are you sure?" Lana let out a sigh. "She's so far away, I can't tell."
"She works under me, and then spend much of our time after that together given that we are a couple... I daresay she could not hide anything from me even if she wished. And If I may? Ema hides very little. She's very forthright with her feelings... It's one of the things I appreciate very much about her."
"You're right. I just worry sometimes. She had a real rough patch a couple years ago. You probably know about it if you read her files."
"She has mentioned things," he said carefully.
"She still despises him, but she's honestly lucky that Prosecutor Gavin didn't come down harder on her for some of the things she did. She did some very immature things due to failing."
"The past has no hold on her any longer, nor I. She was very happy tonight and within those festivities, she drank a bit much. That is all."
"All right, I'll believe you," Lana said, though her voice still held some skepticism.
"I am coming up to your apartment soon. Please buzz me in," Nahyuta said.
"Sure, see you then."
After the flight of stairs, he arrived in her apartment. It was more cluttered than it had been at his last visit. There were empty bottles, bolts and wires on the kitchen table. All lingering remains of their owner. The coffee maker already burbled in the background. He saw the hints of a quick clean up: more bottles stuffed the garbage, yet the caps still lay across the counters, and some had spilled across the floor. A quick sweep of something that looked like confetti, (or was it lost glitter?) had missed some sparkling spots.
Lana wore a brown longsleeved shirt and pants set that was still a bit wrinkled, and spoke of a night spent on the floor. Her hair had been hastily tied up into a ponytail, and loose strands close to Ema's own color hung free around her face.
"Do you and your partner wish to have breakfast as well?"
She gave him a half smile. "I can never turn down free food."
Nahyuta smiled at this. "Ah, something you and your sister share. Is there a way you prefer your eggs?"
"Someone else making them is my preference. She had her robot try it, but it had some issue and grew aggressive. All the eggs got broken," Lana said.
"I see. Then if you have no reservations, I shall begin."
"Sounds good to me."
She poured herself some coffee and drank in silence as he worked. Early morning spilled in. The oil in the pan sizzled as he made up just enough bacon and eggs for both of them. The eggs slowly solidified, until they looked sun-like, and the bacon. He scraped them out from the pan, and laid them out on two plates.
After that, he started again, with Lana and his own share. As the pan was already hot, it took much less time than the first batch. Lana's partner had not appeared, but he heard the sound of a shower in the other room. He could not tell if she was running late simply because she liked long showers, or in the hopes he would be gone by the time she got out.
"Thank you for allowing me the use of your kitchen today. I'd offer to clean the pans as well, however Ema will surely be awaking soon. May I please borrow some kind of dish to transport it to her?"
"Of course. it'll be right there, third cuppord from the left. Doing dishes is the least I can do, considering," Lana said.
"Perhaps the robots could help," he said.
"They'd probably break them too," Lana said.
"Perhaps one day your partner can refine their programming."
"That'll be the day," Lana said. "And--tell her I said hi. And leave the part where I thought she might be a drunk between us? She'd just get angry at me."
While he shared much with Ema, he could only think it would turn into a fight.
"Yes...she would. Happy New Year, Lana Skye."
"Happy New Year, Nahyuta Sahdmadhi. Tell her I said that, as well."
He collected the supplies, and the ice cream which had been left in her freezer to keep cold. His hand lingered at the door as he turned. His other hand was full of the food containers, which were still warm.
"I will," he said.
*
As he brought in the groceries, he heard a groan from the bed. "Ugh... I made some...poor decisions...I'm never drinking again."
After putting away the ice cream, he placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned down to kiss her cheek. Ema let out another groan and curled under the blankets.
"Welcome to the new year, love. Can you handle coming out of the covers?"
"It's like there's a Riverdance in my head," Ema said. Her voice came out raspy and hoarse. "God, I can't drink that much again next year. I already threw up. Yeah, I know. TMI. You probably heard me, anyways."
"Can you handle food?"
Ema peeked from out under the covers with such adorable hopefulness. "Food?"
She pulled the blanket back up, and stumbled out.
"Get me my sunglasses from my bag, okay? Not the red ones I use in work."
Ema sat on the edge of the bed. He brought out a small glass dish covered with a plastic top that he'd gotten from Lana's house. Orange juice, eggs (scrambled) and bacon. He'd forgotten to get a fork from Lana, but Ema always had plastic spoons and forks in her bag, so it was no problem.
"Wait, this isn't take out. You leaned how to cook?" Ema said.
"The internet is full of incredible resources....and eggs aren't that difficult. Your sister lent me her kitchen for a short while."
"God, if you hadn't proposed I'd be proposing right now," Ema said. She bit into a crispy piece of bacon and took a long sip of orange juice straight from its bottle."Not that I had a ring or anything. I'd just write Marry me, already across my chest and pull off my shirt until you got the idea."
He smiled. She was always so very creative, and often ribald. But that only made him love her more.
"Once you are done with this, I brought home Snackoo Ice cream, Reese's..."
He left her side to pull the fleece blanket out, and laid it over her.
"Mm, you're good at this. Just like you're good at everything. Thanks, I'm feeling alive again."
He leaned in to kiss her forehead. "A new year's kiss."
"That's only for New Year's Eve," Ema said.
"We are on the cusp of two cultures. With this marriage, both of us will have dual citizenship, as will any children that come later. Our life will be a new traditional, a mix of old and new."
"You've got a point there," she said. She took another bite of the bacon and once she'd finished that, she continued.
"God, I need to shower or I'm going to drive you away. Wouldn't that be my luck? I celebrate getting engaged so hard that you break up with me."
"Now, Ema, you're being truly ridiculous."
She glanced away. "Was I really rowdy? I can remember a little, and it isn't promising."
"You said in great detail how happy you are. Perhaps a bit too much detail about certain things."
Ema outright flinched at that. "Please tell me Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth didn't hear me, and Phoenix, they were outside getting supplies, right?"
"Unfortunately, yes they were both there. And I am sure they both heard from their expressions."
Ema let out a long groan and pulled the blanket over her head. He patted her back.
"If it is any comfort, they had some drinks as well."
"Knowing them, they weren't blackout drunk and will remember the whole thing!"
She let out a little ow and pulled the covers tighter around her.
"It will be okay."
"Easy for you to say. You didn't yell out personal stuff in front of your coworkers."
Ema let out a sigh and pulled down the covers.
"Listen, this is how it's going to be. You get the brilliant scientist, but you also get me being completely shitfaced on New Year's and some other times. I try not to go drinking that much--I think you can guess why. I just can never stop when I get started until I'm hungover. I eat a lot, also I'm a loud drunk. And--and--and I'm moody sometimes. Crumbs in the bed is pretty much a given. You already know that by now. I just don't want you waking up one day and regretting anything. If we're getting married."
"I'd never regret anything about you," he said.
She smiled sweetly. "Even when I loudly protested your case in the middle of court?"
He smiled serenely. "I should've listened, as you were right."
"The truth is," he wrapped her hands in his, "I can hardly wait to be married. Nothing has changed. I have always loved your brazen outbursts, no matter how outrageous they are. Now, why are you acting as if I have just met you?"
"I just don't trust it. So much good stuff happening to me feels like it's all going to go away. I mean I'm happy, don't get me wrong, but it feels like I'm just looking back and waiting for the other shoe to drop. I have some really bad personality traits, but you seem to actually like them, and that just doesn't seem realistic."
"As they say, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' he said. "And I happen to think you're gorgeous. All of you."
"So I'm lucky enough to have a guy with awful taste? Sweet," Ema said.
"You have someone who has excellent tastes in both detectives and partners," he said. He kissed the top of her head. "And furthermore, both our lucks--and fates--have changed. I cannot promise that there will be no sorrow, but as long as we are together, it will never become overwhelming."
She shifted in his arms.
"Do you have to do anything today?"
"We don't have any work today, it is a holiday. Our flight back is not for two more days," he said.
"Well, There's probably still some parties, but I want to give my poor liver a break. I don't remember what was on the itinerary anyways."
"Then there truly is only two questions: Do you want to come to the couch to curl up with me, or stay on the bed and curl up together?"
"Couch sounds good I think I kind of made the bed gross. And not in a sexy way, either."
"Then, come."
He lifted her up, bridal style and carried her the few steps to the couch. He then lifted up the covers from the bed and slipped behind her. He wrapped her up in covers, and his arms. She nestled close, on the edge of sleep.
"Perhaps we can try different rituals other than drunkenness. In Spain, they eat 12 grapes at New Year's to symbolize."
"I did that. Wait, vodka's made of potatoes. Guess I'll have to drink wine next year."
"Within Brazil, they wear white for good luck and peace," he said.
"We'll be lucky forever, then. Especially you. Heh... you could use some good luck after all that's happened."
"In places within Asia, they give envelopes of money. Not Khura'in, though."
"Lots of money?"
"I believe it's given to children, I would have to read the article again, it was unclear. Ah, within Russia, there is a complicated ritual of burning a wish, then drink the ashes."
Ema nuzzled close against him. "I've already got all my wishes."
He stroked her hair. "If you have any more, then I will do whatever is in my power to grant it."
"Just stay here. That's all I want. Well, that and this headache to go away. And the painkillers and all that stuff you bought and made should do the trick. Though...I can suggest some new rituals to ring in the new year. The kind just for us, clothing optional. Preferably when I'm not hungover," she said.
He chuckled and leaned in to kiss her head. "I look forward to every single day of this new year with you."
"Me too," she said.
He took in each moment with her. Each second and heartbeat was precious, and to be savored. A new year of possibilities unfolded before them. And for once, Nahyuta knew it would be a happy year. Even if hardships came, as long as Ema was beside him, they would know true, lasting happiness.
Series: Ace Attorney
Character/pairing: Nahyuta/Ema, ensemble, Lana/Aura mentioned
Rating: PG-13
Word count: Title: I'll Be Cleaning Up Bottles With You On New Year's Day
Series: Ace Attorney
Character/pairing: Nahyuta/Ema, ensemble, Lana/Aura mentioned
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 6424
Summary: After a crash course in Christmas holidays, Nahyuta is no less confused by the spectacle of New Year's Eve parties.
Author's note: heavy drinker Ema is more or less canon via official art for AA4.
This directly follows I'll Be Home For Christmas. The title is from New Year's Day by Taylor Swift. A little more on the origin of the bridal carry er, CW Unfortunate Historical Things, ala the rape of the Sabine women.
I personally subscribe to the idea that Ace Attorney actually does have a lot of modern tech, the WAA just tend towards grandpa flip phones and old timey Nokias and are practically computer illiterate (except for Athena) while Ema is the kind of person who always has the latest tech. Ema gets Nahyuta a smartphone and addicted to watching cat videos like ten minutes after she moves to Khura'in. You can see this in characters like Ema, Aura, and so on.
Thanks to OblivionIsAtHand for looking it over for me. It's also her fault that this fic got a bit larger.
Happy Holidays, Suzume!
Ema had filled the cart up with supplies, and was just a few steps ahead, when Nahyuta's gaze was caught by something gold and sparkly. Hung on a shelf were many colorful implements he couldn't quite place or understand. Nahyuta lifted up a sparkly pair of glittery plastic sunglasses with the year sticking out to the side. He titled his head as he tried to lift up a tiny tinsel and glitter covered top hat.
"Is this for pets?"
Ema glanced back. "No, those are party supplies," Ema said.
"You put on...tiny top hats, and glasses? Is this some sacred ritual I have not read about yet?"
"Not particularly sacred. It's just something people do when they're too drunk to care how tacky they are," Ema said.
Nahyuta lifted up a pair of shades. Except there were nothing but lines. He placed them on his face, and then added the small top hat covered in sparkles.
Ema burst out laughing and instantly caught a picture with her phone. "God, you're priceless!"
"Are these intended to be like this? They don't seem to offer any actual eye covering," he said.
"They're Shutter shades. They were a thing way back when, and they suddenly came back for who knows why...at least people aren't bringing back 80s styles again."
"Nothing you said made a single bit of sense."
"Nothing about the 2000s does, or the 80s for that matter."
He tried on the glasses with the years on them. Ema giggled, and snapped another picture. "Y-You just look so serious about it."
"Rituals are to be treated with respect."
"Drunk, tiny top hat," Ema said.
She had him there.
"If you want the proper New Year's experience, we can get them," she said. She grabbed a few at seemingly random and put them in the cart. As Ema moved on, he glanced down the aisle. It was over a month away, yet already the aisles were filled with red, glittery baubles.
From his research, he gathered that despite its origins of a saint being murdered for preforming forbidden marriages, the current holiday was important, even paramount to his relationship. Often, in his studies he'd come across women angry at forgotten anniversaries, birthdays, and Valentine's day.
This consumerist notion truly lacked mindfulness. One holiday had barely even arrived, and the next already was crowding it out, with the next in the wings. No wonder westerners were so harried and chaotic in their thoughts.
Still, they'd be in Khura'in, then. Overseas shipping could take several months, and even then could get lost along the way.
He glanced down the aisle of cards, and carefully opened an extremely glittery card up. Inside it said I Wuv U
"Wuv? And why is there simply a U there?" He said softly to himself. "This makes no sense."
The flowers at the front of the store smelled lovely, but they were ephemeral, and wouldn't keep long enough. None of them seemed a fitting gift to show just how much he cared for the woman he planned to marry.
He put the card away and reached for another. But as he did, his phone buzzed. He was still getting used to this 'texting,' though Ema had been happy to show him the ropes after trying to get him to upgrade his phone from about the moment they met.
I'm checking out. Where are you? Meet me at the doors out, okay?
He glanced one last time at the cards full of "Wuv." He'd have to leave that decision for another time.
*
After they'd paid, he and Ema carried the bags back towards the bus stop. Nahyuta set down the bags, and bowed his head as they crossed in front of the rows of cars covered with neon stickers proclaiming no money down.
Ema stopped and looked back towards him. "Why are you...blessing the used car dealership?"
"Are those not prayer flags? I cannot see any writing on them, yet they hang so high and colorful, just like the flags in my country."
"Nope. The only thing they're praying for is someone to buy their vehicles. They kind of do look alike, though."
Nahyuta stared up at the large red blob-thing which was blown up by fans, or some other kind of air device.
"And what is the significance of that?"
"Who even knows why people get those. Come on, they've probably already started without us."
He picked up his bags and followed.
*
As the night drew on, he found many of the apartments and buildings here still had their Christmas decor up. Lights flickered in the dark as they went.
The Wright Anything Agency had only a sad little string of icicle lights. They were hung low enough that he had to duck beneath them as he passed.
Ema had changed out into a snug fluffy green sweater, with capris. She'd put wrapping bows of red and green where her heels laced up, just to be festive. Though it seemed too warm for L.A., Ema was stubborn about her aesthetic. She'd kept her heels even in the coldest times of Khura'in.
Nahyuta had kept to his usual Prosecutor's uniform, though Ema had tried quite valiantly to get him in what she referred to as an "ugly sweater." It had certainly lived up to its name.
"We brought booze! Or maybe since I'm with Nahyuta, I should say spirits!"
Ema laughed loudly at her own joke. She'd already sampled the wares on the way there, and was surprisingly inebriated.
"Did you know there's Snackoos vodka and it tastes just like liquid Snackoos?" Ema let out a burp. "Tried it already, it's great."
The room was filled almost to the brim with magical props. Rings and magic boxes, even a strange spaghetti model. He tilted his head, and tried to fathom it, yet he could not see how it managed to stay aloft.
After they set up the alcohol on the desk of the Wright Anything Agency, Ema quickly dug out her phone out of her bag.
"Oh, wait, I should call Lana and see if she wants to come!"
Before Nahyuta could point out the definite flaws in this plan, Ema already had Lana on the phone.
"Hey sis, there's a party at the Wright Anything Agency. You wanna come? You can bring your uh.... Bring your uhh...look, I'm not freaking out about it being a girl, I just don't know what she is to you. A girlfriend? A fuck buddy? Do you invite fuck buddies to parties? I never had one. I just always dated my friends and coworkers so I don't know the terms and conditions. I always skip those, anyways. Nahyuta yelled at me for that. He read the whole thing when he made an account recently..."
Somehow, Ema had turned on the speakerphone, so he could hear everything Lana said.
"I hardly think that's the place to take her. She kidnapped his daughter just a couple years ago when her brother was going to be executed," Lana said.
"Oh, that's no problem. Nahyuta and I prosecuted both Trucy and Maya and we went against Apollo and Phoenix one point where they would've died if they lost. Phoenix is super forgiving about that kind of thing. You gotta be in this professor where it's prosecute or be prosecuted....by the cute prosecutor...hey, it has cute right in it."
Ema laughed.
"Wait, are you drunk already?" Lana said.
"Snackoo vodka is delicious! I'm gonna have mooore before the night is over!" Ema laughed as if it was the funniest thing she'd heard all day.
Lana sighed. "Make sure you call and Uber and get back to your hotel all right. If not, then I'm sure that Mr. Wright will let you pass out on his couch."
"Nahyuta will get me home, he always does. Seeya later, sis!"
"Lana is coming. She doesn't know if her plus one is coming," she said, like he hadn't just heard her on speakerphone.
"I'm taking she isn't, due to the kidnapping affair," Nahyuta said dryly.
"Eh, you never know. Free booze has powers. So, monks aren't celibate, but are they....dry?"
"Dry?"
"Sober--hey, did you ever know that sober is just one letter away from sobear?" She giggled. "Just imagine, a drunk bear...tons of drunk bears everywhere...just being drunk..."
She leaned into him with laughter.
"No, though we believe in moderation in all things, including alcohol," he said.
And tonight, he'd have to be especially moderate. His future sister-in-law was counting on him, after all.
Ema didn't respond to that, but instead nuzzled against his side for a moment.
"Come on, the New Year's Rockin' Eve is starting!"
Athena, Maya and Trucy wore those little glittery top hat headbands, and chatted among themselves as the show started. Phoenix Wright and Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth both sipped at small tumblers of eggnog. Phoenix's suit had been changed for a sweater, though Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth retained his usual prosecutor's suit. He hadn't noticed the blotch upon the ruffles where some had spilled yet.
Ema sat down near where the other women were on the couch, and watched rapt as it returned from the commercial. Nahyuta opted to stand for the time being--all the seats were taken, and he intended to inspect the tray within the kitchen soon enough. The television show had Prosecutor Gavin as a guest, who began to sing from his new solo album. The purple leather suit he wore was almost as glittery as that big ball that dropped at the countdown.
Ema loudly booed and threw her Snackoos at the screen.
Trucy laughed. "Ema!"
Athena tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, Ema, What's your new year's resolution? You have one, right? I'm going to run an extra mile every day."
Nahyuta suspected it was simply a means to distract her, though Athena seemed a genial sort, if prone to fits of temper.
"Hmm? Resolution? Everything in my life is awesome. Great job, marrying the love of my life, technically I'm a princess? Life is great, and it's only going to get more awesome. Speaking of awesome... I'm having the best sex of my life, you would not believe how big--"
Satorha!
Athena gasped and covered her mouth, but Trucy and Maya outright laughed. Behind them, Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth let out a sigh and shook his head. Phoenix gaped, and clutched his chair. His eggnog spilled to the floor, and he scrambled to clean it up.
Nahyuta grimaced and clutched his beads tight. "As the saying goes, there is truth in wine. However, that does not mean every truth needs to be shared."
"The truth is, you're cute," Ema said. She stood up and caught him in a kiss. Her hands wandered down his chest lower and lower, and her tongue slipped between his lips to caress his own. It was only his training as a monk which gave him the self control to pull away. Ema rested against him, and laughed at his rosy cheeks, and how he struggled to catch his breath.
"Ema, please keep this for when we are alone."
Someone cleared their throat behind him. He expected Phoenix Wright, full of fury with a sermon about how they had defiled his daughter's eyes with their putrid actions. However, it was trucy herself. She held out a small tumbler.
"Would you like some eggnog?"
Her glittering top hat tilted as she smiled down. She was a pure girl, who held no reservations or grudges about the past.
He bowed. "Thank you for your kindness. I will take a small sip, but only that. After all, I promised her sister that I would get her home safe."
"You could stay, but you'd have to sleep in some of the props. Careful, some of them are sharp!" Trucy said. She smiled sweetly at this. Nahyuta had a sudden thought that perhaps she wasn't as pure and forgiving as he'd thought.
"Actually, there's one thing," Ema said suddenly, "I... gotta brush up on my Khura'inese...don't wanna tell my future mother-in-law something vulgar by accident again."
"Again?" Phoenix mouthed. Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth nodded.
"Ema, love, you would tell her something vulgar on purpose," Nahyuta said.
Ema cracked up at this. "You're so funny. God, all those bad years were so worth it. I'm so lucky. So, so lucky. I should have a toast. Woo! It's almost time, and I have somebody to kiss this year, and every year after that!" Ema lifted her arms in a cheer.
Prosecutor Gavin had finally gone from the stage, as the crowd started to shout the countdown.
Ema could get handsy, even when sober. The kiss was just further proof of how amorous she got upon drinking vodka. The last thing he needed was for another scene to happen. His self-control could only last so long, especially with how soft and form fitting that sweater was.
He leaned in, and said softly, "Let's go outside."
"Seeya suckers, I'm getting lucky!" Ema lifted up her hands in a cheer, except this time it seemed different.
It was only as he left that he realized her cheer had actually been two instances of a very vulgar sign involving only the middle finger being raised.
He could hardly contain his laugh as he led her out the door. Ema was as ever, outrageous, ribald and spunky. And even more so when she'd drank vodka.
Thankfully, Phoenix's office was on the ground floor. The echoes and cheers of Nine, eight, seven, six could be heard even out here.
He brushed back the brown hair that had stuck to her lips in her last excited cheer, and leaned down to kiss her. The very last seconds of the past year and the very first seconds of the new year was spent close to his most favorite person in the world. Fireworks burst above them, likely illegal. He looked up to as the they glittered like white flowers, before disappearing into dust.
"Your country has many holy traditions about kissing," he said softly.
"Not every holiday is religious, Nahyuta," Ema said.
"The name literally translates to holy days. Many of these were originally brought in by the settlers of your country."
"Okay, walking dictionary boy. But a lot of them have been secularized over the years. So they're just reasons for people to get off work and drink all day."
"You're a surprisingly verbose and coherent while inebriated," he said.
"I think the cold sobered me up. Time to go drink more!"
"I can only see this decision causing much pain, Ema..."
"I got kissed again so I'm even happier!" Ema called back. She rushed heedlessly back in to the celebration. He chuckled to himself and shook his head. As usual, there was no telling Ema what to do.
*
Hours later, most of them had nodded off, or passed out on the couch, or floor. The hum and brightness of the television, and the lingering festive lights were all that illuminated the room. Phoenix had passed out after one drink, leaning in towards Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth. Someone--likely Trucy--had put a red hat with a little white pom-pom on the end on them both. He wondered if it was for Grandfather Frost, or Saint Nicolas, or what combination form this "Santa Hat" had become. This was the cycle of myths. Told and retold, they braided together until they became one.
He stepped past glasses that had been set aside after drinking. By morning (or more likely, afternoon after this much revelry) they would awake and trip, scattering the ground with broken glass and sour leftovers of eggnog. No, that would not do.
He cleaned up every bottle, glass and cast aside container of snacks. It was less of a potential hazard, but not quite a clean. There was still quite a bit of of colored paper strips on the floor. It must've happened when he went out to kiss Ema, for he hadn't seen it before.
He lifted up the paper pieces. Ema called them confetti... she'd said people like to be happy, Nahyuta when he'd asked the significance. The white one between his fingers shimmered with gold. He bent to pick up more, until his palm was full, and then as the rest of them slept, he threw it in the air. They fluttered down slowly all around him, like snow. It was strangely nostalgic, even though it wasn't his culture. Like tossing seeds during the spring just to hear them crack, and seeing who could throw them further with Apollo. They would break apart and a little fluffy substance would flutter out and spread across the meadows, like winter returned early.
People like to be happy and each point of happiness was marked with a ritual. What might have once been appeasing the gods for fertility or a good harvest was now little habits and holidays which people kept, often without knowing why. But Nahyuta found much satisfaction of his own finding out the source of all these old ways.
The last of the confetti fell to the floor. He still had much to learn. And yes, perhaps he felt a little joy in the memories it brought, the celebration.
Ema was curled up on the brown couch. A small puddle of drool pooled near her mouth. He gently turned her over. There was no way she'd be walking home, not in this state. His thoughts went back to the bridal carry. Ema had been so utterly taken the first time he'd lifted her up, effortlessly, when she'd twisted her ankle. The custom of carrying the brides actually originated within the plunder of the Sabine women, as well as many other cultures used as a way to prevent curses. So like many rituals and holidays, there was a bloody history that lingered.
Tiny, soft snowflakes fell down around them as he walked towards home. The last bus had gone. Streetlights glowed bright, and even at this hour, the noise of L.A. continued on. He had often heard New York called "the city that never sleeps" but L.A. seemed just as sleepless. Or was that Seattle that held that title?
Far off, a dog barked, and the grating cacophony of a car alarm echoed.
He hadn't expected this touch of chilly weather to come within L.A. higher in the mountains, perhaps, but not here. However, it was welcome. Almost like a touch home within this foreign world full of wonders. Snowflakes rested in her hair, landed on her nose. All around them were the last lights of the festivities. All formed by millions of immigrants whose cultures meshed and melded into something new, something full of hope.
She stirred and stared up at him with unfocused eyes. A snowflake landed right on her nose.
"You ...brought the cold with you."
He couldn't help but smile. "That's not very scientific. Maybe I'm rubbing off on you, Ema Skye."
"In public? Kinky."
He carried her under the awning, and through the hotel doors. Behind them, one last firework filled the sky with joy.
*
He woke in the gray of dawn. She still slept, curled under blankets and far away from the coming storm. Still, from his research he expected some nasty symptoms later. After a quick shower (where he tied his hair up away from the spray, because it would take all day to dry), Nahyuta dressed in a slightly more casual affair than his usual prosecutor's frock coat. A beige long-sleeved shirt, and jeans that Ema had assured him 'made his ass look fantastic.'
The snow had melted. As he waited at the crosswalk, he unlocked his phone.
"Surely, a wonder," he murmured to himself. He could get the internet on something this small device, and ask the vast search engine called Google a question, and like a wise oracle, it would tell him all the hangover remedies he needed. Right there on a public street as he waited for the walk sign to light up.
Then, he could watch cat videos and achieve a zen-like calm. Truly, technology was astounding.
After the light came, he ended up in the closest store, a CVS that still had white Christmas lights strewn about the rafters. It was surprisingly spacious, large and white, filled with incongruities. He filled the small cart with one hand as he scrolled through the list. Painkillers, orange juice, Reese's cups... He also found a fleece blanket with a design of Snackoos and tossed it in with the others, and a blue sleep mask that said Not Today over the eyes.
He furrowed his brow at the next one on the list. "Wasabi?"
Ema mentioned it was spicy part of Japanese cuisine when they'd had sushi, and warned him not to take too much. Though the top of the article listed nausea as being a problem.
"Oh, for that, ginger tea....ah, there it is."
There was a whole row of teas. He lifted them up to catch the scent, but the plastic dulled it. There was green tea that also tasted like peaches (he got two of those),
There was such abundance here. It was a drug store, and yet here he was, buying blankets, orange juice, candies. Ema never found such things surprising, it was simply the norm within the western world. A wild, even hedonistic kind of consumerism and vast abundance.
He took one last glance at the long aisle of red, glimmering cards. This time, he looked up Wuv. The answer Google gave to him only posed more questions. Several of the other cards seemed to have content nearing softcore porn. And while he was working hard to fix them, the censorship, and regulations Ga'ran had put upon the country hadn't quite been repealed yet.
(He could only imagine the scandal: Prince Regent brings contraband pornographic goods into the country, followed by everyone in the country wondering what "Wuv" was.)
But as he looked down, he saw several with food on them. One had little dish of ramen with eyes and hearts that said I'm soy into you. He smiled to himself.
"Now, that's better..."
There were quite a few. Two berries holding hands that said I'm Berry Into You,, a pizza slice with heart-shaped pepperoni which said You have a pizza my heart, A large smiling, glittery donut which said I Donut Know What I'd Do Without you.
Inside, it said Without you, there'd be a HOLE in my heart. Happy Valentine's day.
He carefully took it, and the envelope and put it with the rest. He came to the end of the article, and placed eggs and bacon--also available at this drug store, and even Snackoo brand Ice cream. Wasabi would have to wait for another day, he thought. Surely this amount of power should help cure the hangover.
As he waited in line behind an elderly woman buying cat treats (truly, anything was available here) he called Lana. It rang several times--and for a moment, he wondered if he disturbed her.However, a few seconds later, she picked up.
"Hello? Nahyuta? Is everything okay? Is Ema okay?
"Yes. I took her back to the hotel last night. May I please use your kitchen? This article says certain foods will help with the aftermath of a night of excessive drinking. However, some require to be cooked, and there is no stove or fireplace offered within these rooms."
"Oh, sure. Just... give me a second to clean up."
She attempted to cover up the phone, yet it did not quite work, as he heard her quickly hiss my sister's boyfriend is coming over.
So? He isn't coming in the room. Don't tell me you're kicking me out of bed just because that stick-up-his-ass prosecutor is coming over. What does he want? To use the kitchen, you say? Fine, but I'm not getting out of the shower. He can just go outside if he has to piss.
He decided it would be best to pretend he hadn't heard.
"Ahem...Fifteen minutes, okay?" Lana said.
"I need to check these ingredients out regardless. It will take a while, even with automated machines."
"How much did she drink? Do you think it's a problem?"
"She only seems to drink to excess in big celebrations and holidays."
"So it's not a daily affair, nothing she's hiding?" Lana said.
"No."
"But are you sure?" Lana let out a sigh. "She's so far away, I can't tell."
"She works under me, and then spend much of our time after that together given that we are a couple... I daresay she could not hide anything from me even if she wished. And If I may? Ema hides very little. She's very forthright with her feelings... It's one of the things I appreciate very much about her."
"You're right. I just worry sometimes. She had a real rough patch a couple years ago. You probably know about it if you read her files."
"She has mentioned things," he said carefully.
"She still despises him, but she's honestly lucky that Prosecutor Gavin didn't come down harder on her for some of the things she did. She did some very immature things due to failing."
"The past has no hold on her any longer, nor I. She was very happy tonight and within those festivities, she drank a bit much. That is all."
"All right, I'll believe you," Lana said, though her voice still held some skepticism.
"I am coming up to your apartment soon. Please buzz me in," Nahyuta said.
"Sure, see you then."
After the flight of stairs, he arrived in her apartment. It was more cluttered than it had been at his last visit. There were empty bottles, bolts and wires on the kitchen table. All lingering remains of their owner. The coffee maker already burbled in the background. He saw the hints of a quick clean up: more bottles stuffed the garbage, yet the caps still lay across the counters, and some had spilled across the floor. A quick sweep of something that looked like confetti, (or was it lost glitter?) had missed some sparkling spots.
Lana wore a brown longsleeved shirt and pants set that was still a bit wrinkled, and spoke of a night spent on the floor. Her hair had been hastily tied up into a ponytail, and loose strands close to Ema's own color hung free around her face.
"Do you and your partner wish to have breakfast as well?"
She gave him a half smile. "I can never turn down free food."
Nahyuta smiled at this. "Ah, something you and your sister share. Is there a way you prefer your eggs?"
"Someone else making them is my preference. She had her robot try it, but it had some issue and grew aggressive. All the eggs got broken," Lana said.
"I see. Then if you have no reservations, I shall begin."
"Sounds good to me."
She poured herself some coffee and drank in silence as he worked. Early morning spilled in. The oil in the pan sizzled as he made up just enough bacon and eggs for both of them. The eggs slowly solidified, until they looked sun-like, and the bacon. He scraped them out from the pan, and laid them out on two plates.
After that, he started again, with Lana and his own share. As the pan was already hot, it took much less time than the first batch. Lana's partner had not appeared, but he heard the sound of a shower in the other room. He could not tell if she was running late simply because she liked long showers, or in the hopes he would be gone by the time she got out.
"Thank you for allowing me the use of your kitchen today. I'd offer to clean the pans as well, however Ema will surely be awaking soon. May I please borrow some kind of dish to transport it to her?"
"Of course. it'll be right there, third cuppord from the left. Doing dishes is the least I can do, considering," Lana said.
"Perhaps the robots could help," he said.
"They'd probably break them too," Lana said.
"Perhaps one day your partner can refine their programming."
"That'll be the day," Lana said. "And--tell her I said hi. And leave the part where I thought she might be a drunk between us? She'd just get angry at me."
While he shared much with Ema, he could only think it would turn into a fight.
"Yes...she would. Happy New Year, Lana Skye."
"Happy New Year, Nahyuta Sahdmadhi. Tell her I said that, as well."
He collected the supplies, and the ice cream which had been left in her freezer to keep cold. His hand lingered at the door as he turned. His other hand was full of the food containers, which were still warm.
"I will," he said.
*
As he brought in the groceries, he heard a groan from the bed. "Ugh... I made some...poor decisions...I'm never drinking again."
After putting away the ice cream, he placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned down to kiss her cheek. Ema let out another groan and curled under the blankets.
"Welcome to the new year, love. Can you handle coming out of the covers?"
"It's like there's a Riverdance in my head," Ema said. Her voice came out raspy and hoarse. "God, I can't drink that much again next year. I already threw up. Yeah, I know. TMI. You probably heard me, anyways."
"Can you handle food?"
Ema peeked from out under the covers with such adorable hopefulness. "Food?"
She pulled the blanket back up, and stumbled out.
"Get me my sunglasses from my bag, okay? Not the red ones I use in work."
Ema sat on the edge of the bed. He brought out a small glass dish covered with a plastic top that he'd gotten from Lana's house. Orange juice, eggs (scrambled) and bacon. He'd forgotten to get a fork from Lana, but Ema always had plastic spoons and forks in her bag, so it was no problem.
"Wait, this isn't take out. You leaned how to cook?" Ema said.
"The internet is full of incredible resources....and eggs aren't that difficult. Your sister lent me her kitchen for a short while."
"God, if you hadn't proposed I'd be proposing right now," Ema said. She bit into a crispy piece of bacon and took a long sip of orange juice straight from its bottle."Not that I had a ring or anything. I'd just write Marry me, already across my chest and pull off my shirt until you got the idea."
He smiled. She was always so very creative, and often ribald. But that only made him love her more.
"Once you are done with this, I brought home Snackoo Ice cream, Reese's..."
He left her side to pull the fleece blanket out, and laid it over her.
"Mm, you're good at this. Just like you're good at everything. Thanks, I'm feeling alive again."
He leaned in to kiss her forehead. "A new year's kiss."
"That's only for New Year's Eve," Ema said.
"We are on the cusp of two cultures. With this marriage, both of us will have dual citizenship, as will any children that come later. Our life will be a new traditional, a mix of old and new."
"You've got a point there," she said. She took another bite of the bacon and once she'd finished that, she continued.
"God, I need to shower or I'm going to drive you away. Wouldn't that be my luck? I celebrate getting engaged so hard that you break up with me."
"Now, Ema, you're being truly ridiculous."
She glanced away. "Was I really rowdy? I can remember a little, and it isn't promising."
"You said in great detail how happy you are. Perhaps a bit too much detail about certain things."
Ema outright flinched at that. "Please tell me Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth didn't hear me, and Phoenix, they were outside getting supplies, right?"
"Unfortunately, yes they were both there. And I am sure they both heard from their expressions."
Ema let out a long groan and pulled the blanket over her head. He patted her back.
"If it is any comfort, they had some drinks as well."
"Knowing them, they weren't blackout drunk and will remember the whole thing!"
She let out a little ow and pulled the covers tighter around her.
"It will be okay."
"Easy for you to say. You didn't yell out personal stuff in front of your coworkers."
Ema let out a sigh and pulled down the covers.
"Listen, this is how it's going to be. You get the brilliant scientist, but you also get me being completely shitfaced on New Year's and some other times. I try not to go drinking that much--I think you can guess why. I just can never stop when I get started until I'm hungover. I eat a lot, also I'm a loud drunk. And--and--and I'm moody sometimes. Crumbs in the bed is pretty much a given. You already know that by now. I just don't want you waking up one day and regretting anything. If we're getting married."
"I'd never regret anything about you," he said.
She smiled sweetly. "Even when I loudly protested your case in the middle of court?"
He smiled serenely. "I should've listened, as you were right."
"The truth is," he wrapped her hands in his, "I can hardly wait to be married. Nothing has changed. I have always loved your brazen outbursts, no matter how outrageous they are. Now, why are you acting as if I have just met you?"
"I just don't trust it. So much good stuff happening to me feels like it's all going to go away. I mean I'm happy, don't get me wrong, but it feels like I'm just looking back and waiting for the other shoe to drop. I have some really bad personality traits, but you seem to actually like them, and that just doesn't seem realistic."
"As they say, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' he said. "And I happen to think you're gorgeous. All of you."
"So I'm lucky enough to have a guy with awful taste? Sweet," Ema said.
"You have someone who has excellent tastes in both detectives and partners," he said. He kissed the top of her head. "And furthermore, both our lucks--and fates--have changed. I cannot promise that there will be no sorrow, but as long as we are together, it will never become overwhelming."
She shifted in his arms.
"Do you have to do anything today?"
"We don't have any work today, it is a holiday. Our flight back is not for two more days," he said.
"Well, There's probably still some parties, but I want to give my poor liver a break. I don't remember what was on the itinerary anyways."
"Then there truly is only two questions: Do you want to come to the couch to curl up with me, or stay on the bed and curl up together?"
"Couch sounds good I think I kind of made the bed gross. And not in a sexy way, either."
"Then, come."
He lifted her up, bridal style and carried her the few steps to the couch. He then lifted up the covers from the bed and slipped behind her. He wrapped her up in covers, and his arms. She nestled close, on the edge of sleep.
"Perhaps we can try different rituals other than drunkenness. In Spain, they eat 12 grapes at New Year's to symbolize."
"I did that. Wait, vodka's made of potatoes. Guess I'll have to drink wine next year."
"Within Brazil, they wear white for good luck and peace," he said.
"We'll be lucky forever, then. Especially you. Heh... you could use some good luck after all that's happened."
"In places within Asia, they give envelopes of money. Not Khura'in, though."
"Lots of money?"
"I believe it's given to children, I would have to read the article again, it was unclear. Ah, within Russia, there is a complicated ritual of burning a wish, then drink the ashes."
Ema nuzzled close against him. "I've already got all my wishes."
He stroked her hair. "If you have any more, then I will do whatever is in my power to grant it."
"Just stay here. That's all I want. Well, that and this headache to go away. And the painkillers and all that stuff you bought and made should do the trick. Though...I can suggest some new rituals to ring in the new year. The kind just for us, clothing optional. Preferably when I'm not hungover," she said.
He chuckled and leaned in to kiss her head. "I look forward to every single day of this new year with you."
"Me too," she said.
He took in each moment with her. Each second and heartbeat was precious, and to be savored. A new year of possibilities unfolded before them. And for once, Nahyuta knew it would be a happy year. Even if hardships came, as long as Ema was beside him, they would know true, lasting happiness.
