#i think platonic soulmates really encapsulates my interpretation of their relationship

[ultraviolet-ink]

what are ur thoughts on phoenix and maya's relationship? saw a post the other day talking about how they're not really sibling coded and it got me thinking. (ie the fandom kinda shoe-horned them into that)

personally i think maya was ride or die for him from the moment he got arrested for her (see her offer to break him out of there) but didn't really see him as a sibling until later (maybe when she gives him the magatama?) whereas i think phoenix felt like he had to look after her for mia, but didn't really see her as a sibling until farewell my turnabout.

Honestly to me, they're just really good friends, legitimately the other person's best friend ever! Kind of like platonic soulmates if that makes sense! I used to also really lie the found family trope, but fandom just basically turned it into the nuclear family with extra steps, and that defeats the point of it to me. I definitely think they consider the other family, but there's not that specific role they'll assign to the other person-- just a sort of nebulous concept of family, like home is where the heart is rather than 'siBLiNgSsSsS!!", hence, platonic soulmates XD I really like your breakdown of the relationship, I think Maya definitely warmed up faster to Phoenix than he did to her, she just kind of seems like that kind of person that can figure out someone's vibes, where Phoenix is definitely a lot more guarded. She's not afraid to be more vulnerable, even as early as 1-4 where she says she wishes she didn't wake up. It definitely shows that Phoenix is still super guarded around her when he absolutely refuses to even talk about Edgeworth's "death". I think 2-4 was sort of a wake up call for him, not only because he had to step up to make sure Pearl was doing okay, but it was when he realized he really did care for Maya a lot, she's not the Chief's little sister, she's HIS friend Maya!! It really makes T&T really special where they kind of have this unique rapport that wasn't seen before, where Phoenix is somewhat more playful/relaxed/open with her (until the ex-girlfriend shaped elephant lingers in the room, which, honestly, fair, who would really want to open up about THAT mess?) So yeah, hope you enjoyed my little ramble!! :D