Author's Note: Hi there! This is pr0nz69's little sister. It's been awhile since we've updated anything on this site, and we deeply apologize! My sister has been up to her neck with work and studying (med school does that to you), and combined with some massive writer's block, we've been yet unable to crank out the grand finale of "Rebound." Never fear, however! We fully intend to finish "Rebound" and continue writing Pandora Hearts fics, but most likely, we won't be able to get around to it until this summer. Again, we apologize for the massive delay and thank all of our readers for their kindness and support!

In any case, this fic is a solo project of my own, so hopefully, I should be able to update fairly frequently (but don't get your hopes up xP). I saw the prompt for an 18th century (upgraded to the 19th century for this fic) gay romance on the Phoenix Wright kink meme, and since I'm such a Victorian lit aficionada, I couldn't help but give it a go. The prompt is as follows:

Klavier is a dashing aristocrat who lives in the beautiful Gavin manor house; Apollo the adopted son of the Wright estate in the lovely English countryside. Both of them are expected by society to remarry and continue their respective lineages, but what happens when they hold a very forbidden and illicit passion for one another?

I want a gripping, dashing historical gay romance, anon. Full of furtive touches and glances and longing and the heavy, realistic expectations of society.

So, I now present you with my first Ace Attorney fanfic! :)

Disclaimer: May contain spoilers for the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney trilogy, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, and Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth. Rating will eventually change to M for sexual content and violence.

Chapter 1: An Unwanted Engagement

Mr. Apollo Justice didn't really wish to attend the von Karma's much-publicized and fashionably exclusive ball on that cool April night, but he understood, too, that he really didn't have much of a choice in the matter. At least, he recalled ruefully, not after he had thoughtlessly given himself away to Miss Trucy not a fortnight ago, as her chaperone and, if needed, occasional dance partner. It was a promise made after much pleading on her part, and he had found it rather difficult, as he always did, to ignore her wide, luminous eyes and deceptively tender voice. Once he perceived the glimmer of tears in those cursed fawnlike eyes, however, all his resistance crumbled, and he agreed at once to do anything in his power to appease her. And she had brightened so considerably that for a time, he even entertained the notion that he had made the right decision.

Now, as he paced about the sitting room, dressed in the bright red double-breasted waistcoat and silken black cravat Mr. Wright had insisted on buying him for the occasion, he realized what a grave error in judgement he had made. Even for the sake of Miss Trucy, the idea of attending a ball – or any sort of crowded social function – was so undesirous that he felt his stomach clench with dread and his palms go clammy with cold perspiration. Each time he passed by the oaken bookshelf that contained Mr. Wright's collection of law books, he imagined himself reclining comfortably at his desk in his shirtsleeves and poring over the texts in the privacy of his own quarters.

The patter of soft, hurried footsteps sounded on the staircase, and Apollo raised his eyes to see his soon-to-be charge for the evening, looking lovely in her velvet puce evening gown.

"Oh, Polly!" she cried, dashing forward to meet him. "You look so handsome that I would find myself quite surprised if your affections weren't solicited by at least three girls tonight!"

"Miss Trucy, please, I implore you not to go about giving me pet-names tonight," Apollo said exasperatedly, trying not to blush at the brashness of her comment, but she only laughed at his disgruntled expression and danced over to the door leading to Mr. Wright's study.

"Papa, Apollo and I are departing! We shall see you at the end of the evening!"

A chair creaked, and a moment later, Mr. Wright appeared in the doorframe, gazing at his two children with a gentle smile. "My dear Trucy, why, you are positively radiant!" he murmured as he leaned over to kiss her forehead. "I'm terribly ashamed that I cannot even accompany my own daughter to her debut into society." He chuckled and ran his hand through his hair, regarding her with a look of sheer paternal joy. "Well, I suppose that is a mother's job, after all."

"It's okay, Papa!" Trucy said earnestly. "You and Polly are all I need!"

Mr. Wright laughed again, leveling his gaze now upon Apollo. "You cut a dashing figure, to be sure, dear Apollo," he said, and Apollo blushed and muttered a hasty, "thank you, sir."

"Apollo will take care that no misfortune shall befall me, so you need not worry yourself, Papa!" chimed in Trucy, going to her brother and sliding her arm through his. "You need only focus on your case tomorrow!"

"I am certain he will take excellent care of you, my dear," smiled Mr. Wright. He glanced at the grandfather clock then. "Make haste, now. The coach awaits, and you do not wish to arrive late, do you?"

And so Trucy led the way out-of-doors, more or less pulling her unwilling chaperone with her, and soon enough, they were seated in the coach behind the driver and on their way to the ball.

Chapter 2 Preview: Eyes meet and hearts flutter, but who could have predicted that these innocent feelings could lead to a much darker passion?