Chapter 3 – now is not the time

It had only lasted a heartbeat, but as soon as their mouths met, Apollo's heart had stopped. Phoenix kissed him. Phoenix Wright had kissed him. The contact with Phoenix's lips sent fire flowing through Apollo's body. He felt his hands yearning for the man, himself trying to follow as Phoenix hastily pulled back. He wanted more.

And then he saw Phoenix's horrified face, and realized it had been a mistake.

The fleeting emotional high wore off. Apollo realized he was hard. But with Phoenix still close by and partially behind him, he hoped it went unnoticed. He quickly–but carefully–scooted back onto the sofa with his legs up, making sure the other man didn't see. Apollo turned red, partially covering his face with his hands. He said nothing. Phoenix said nothing.

Why is he surprised? He's the one that kissed me. I should be the surprised one here. Which Apollo was–just not with the reaction Phoenix had given him. But …he kissed me right? That isn't something someone like him would do impulsively. Does Mr. Wright …like…me?

Apollo quickly dismissed the thought. Phoenix probably wasn't gay–and even if he was, Apollo was positive the man had no interest in him. There had been moments where he thought otherwise, sure. Suggestive comments, light touches, the time Phoenix invited Apollo to the public bath… which he hastily refused, of course. But months of subtlety and observation had given him all the proof he needed; Phoenix wasn't into him. He liked girls. The Dahlia Hawthorne case had established that, long before Apollo had even met the man. But yet, they were here. And Phoenix had kissed him. Apollo brushed his fingers over his mouth. But why would he want to kiss me anyway? I'm not good enough for him…

Apollo looked towards Phoenix, who was still standing to his left, petrified. "Mr. Wright?"

Phoenix snapped out of his daze. "U-Uh… I… um, I… I didn't…" he mumbled, more flustered than the man he just kissed.

Seeing his (normally aloof) mentor lose his cool was a new experience. It was the first time he could remember the man blushing. He didn't know Phoenix could be so… cute. Apollo wanted to reach over and–

"Sorry, Apollo. I didn't mean to kiss you…"

"Oh," Apollo playfully sassed, "so you just 'accidentally' shoved your mouth onto mine?"

Phoenix reddened even further, "Hey, it was only a light peck."

But he wasn't denying that it was intentional. Apollo's mind was a mess. What should I say? What should I do? He knew what he wanted to do; but it wasn't an appropriate moment for that. Not that he had anything inappropriate in mind–well, maybe his dick did, but that was irrelevant. He merely wanted to grab the other man and hold him tightly. Maybe lock lips properly this time, if the momentary taste Phoenix gave him meant anything. But if there really was a time and place for everything, it wasn't now. Taking Phoenix here would be like riding a bike indoors–something Apollo had actually attempted and sustained injuries from before.

Although if the bike in question were Phoenix, he guessed he wouldn't care when and where he had to ride it.

But he knew he couldn't just get up an embrace the man. Boner aside, a hug in this situation would mean something very different from any other. Yet Apollo still wanted to. Badly. Still, Apollo wondered what Phoenix's impulsive actions meant. Was he really not… gay? What else could explain this? Apollo didn't know if he was ready for an answer, but had to know,

"Mr. Wright, did you want to kiss me?"

"It's not like that!" Phoenix quickly asserted, "I was going to kiss you on the cheek, but you turned around and… it was supposed to be your cheek."

His eyes averted. As he spoke, Apollo's bracelet began to feel slightly tighter on his wrist. Apollo wondered if it meant something, or if it was wishful thinking. Phoenix was usually good at avoiding his quirks… so why now? Maybe he needed to press Phoenix a bit, "Where you were going to do it doesn't make your reasoning any different, does it?"

"Okay, okay. I kind of eavesdropped about you not having a first kiss."

"…You what?"

"You were looking kind of down about it, so I figured you would appreciate it if your first kiss was from your favorite childhood celebrity."

Apollo's made a face, "… Celebrity?"

"Hey! You were the one who admitted you were a huge fan growing up. And I was known as the ace attorney. I even had an article written about me. Once." Phoenix looked away, diffidently, "Well it technically was about that sunburned doppelganger of mine, but…"

The younger man stifled a laugh, "You're such a dork. And yes, I know all about the article. 'Huge fan', remember?"

Phoenix smiled, "I guess so."

Apollo left out the part where he actually had a clipping of said article back at his place, and how he had gotten into an argument for defending Phoenix over it years back. It actually wasn't the only clipping he had collected about Phoenix's career, but Phoenix didn't need to know that.

The other man wasn't saying anything else, so Apollo spoke up with the first thing that came to mind, "Well, I hate to break it to you, but you dirtied your lips for nothing. That wasn't my first kiss."

"Oh," Phoenix said, "It was mine."

Mr. Wright gave me his first kiss? Apollo wasn't sure if this 'first kiss' sort of thing meant anything to the man, or people in general… maybe it was just Apollo's unusual circumstances. But Phoenix had given him something special, and it was…nice.

"What about that girl who tried to poison you–Dahlia?"

"You mean Iris." Phoenix corrected, "And we never really… did that sort of thing."

"Why not?"

Phoenix scowled, "C'mon, 'Pollo. It's time to make some food."

Apollo shifted in his seat. He was still hard somehow; he couldn't head off to the kitchen like this. "I… have something to take care of," he said sheepishly.

Despite his look of confusion, Phoenix nodded as he left, "Okay. I'll take care of it."

Hopefully he meant he was ordering takeout.

Apollo wondered how risky it would be to just whip it out and take care of business here, with Trucy and Athena in the adjacent room. He could even make it into a game. But with Phoenix gone, Apollo just guess that he'd stop having filthy thoughts, and it would take care of itself.

So… that was it, huh? I guess I was overthinking things. Again. Apollo tried to sound relieved for himself, but he felt a little more dead inside. Even if Phoenix had been acting unusual, Apollo should've known it would be nothing. Phoenix wasn't secretly into him. There wouldn't be a cliché confession; there wouldn't be a sappy 'happily ever after' ending to his story. He told himself to expect nothing… but…

But Apollo wanted Phoenix. And he wanted to want him, even if it would never work out the way he wished it would. He had invested himself too far into this mess.

Apollo pulled out his phone and began to text frantically.

[Help!]

[[What's wrong, nugget?]]

Thankfully, the reply came almost immediately. Apollo guessed he caught the other at a good time. He didn't know what he'd have done if he didn't have anyone to vent to, and he didn't really have anyone else.

[Mr. Wright kissed me]
[He just grabbed me and he fucking KISSED me!]

[[Only took a decade :P]]

[[But why are you here telling me about it? Go get the D]]

If only it were that simple. But Apollo was trying to get out of the mood, and imagining Phoenix's "D" wasn't going to do him any good.

[…I don't think he likes me like that]

[[Aw, why not? Didn't he kiss you?]]

[It was only a light peck?]
[and he did it to cheer me up, not because he likes me or anything…]
[he thought I was sad about never having a first kiss]

[[Heh. Sounds like an excuse to me]]

[I really wish it was…]

[[but I never thought you would lie to get a kiss from him]]
[[you sneaky little shit ;D]]

[It wasn't like that, I swear!]

[[I know, I was just playing]]
[[I'm glad we're friends.]]
[[haha]]

[What's so funny?]

[[Just thinking about how I used to make jokes about you having a crush on him for years, and now here we are]]

[I didn't have feelings for him back then!]

[[I know, I know. You're just so fun to tease :P]]
[[I didn't even think for a moment that you were into guys until… well]]

[[I'm just saying, back when we were kids I bet neither of us would've believed you'd be practically living with the guy. I like how things turned out between you two.]]

[sigh. I don't think you understand what my relationship with Mr. Wright is like]

[[You cook and clean and take care of his kid]]
[[you two are practically a couple ;)]]

[shut up]

[[okayy]]
[[you know, it feels like we haven't talked in forever]]

[Well, we haven't, I guess]

[[Yeah, my bad. gyaxa's been keepin me busy lately.]]
[[Speaking of which, I should probly get going. Sorry]]

[Ah, don't worry about it]

[[Good luck with Mr. Wright!]]

[Thanks, Clay. You too]
[With your training, I mean. Not with Mr. Wright]

[[Hah, I got ya. Let's chat again soon]]
[[You be good.]]
[[I love you]]

Apollo set his phone down.

—–—

April 18, 2027

"Y-you want me to shout? Here?"

"That's right. Here, I'll go first, then you try." Apollo took a deep breath, "I'm Apollo Justice, and I'm fine!"

"All right, um… I-I'm Athena Cykes, and I'm fine!"

Apollo had overcome his fair share of insane trials throughout the past year, but he was nervous as always. It didn't help that this was the first time he was going in without the help of the Wright family. But luckily, he had Athena, who was just as nervous as him. He could yell his worries away all he wanted and blame the noise on her.

"What's with all the racket, you two?"

"Ah, Mr. Wright." Apollo laughed nervously, "Just a little voice workout." "Hey, what's with the suit?"

Phoenix attempted to look modest, but it was obvious that he was proud of his costume change, "Oh, this? I was thinking about getting my attorney's badge back, that's all."

"'That's all'? That's huge news! …But why now?"

"I have a feeling I'll be needed in the courtroom again sometime soon. But we can talk about that another time."

Apollo was curious, but even more than that, he was in awe of Phoenix's lack of hobo attire. And his body, which was accentuated nicely now that his baggy sweatshirt wasn't covering it. Wow. I'm so used to seeing him in his usual laid-back clothes… That suit makes him look like a million dollars.

It was true that Apollo had grown to love the Phoenix he had spent the past year with, but seeing him return to the man he admired for so long was something new.

"So, are you all ready?" Phoenix asked, "It might be a good idea to check the Court Record again before stepping into the ring."

"…Right, Mr. Wright! B-But I'm fine!"

"I know you are." Phoenix said, grinning, "I'll be watching from the gallery. Good luck!" And with a playful slap on Apollo's behind, he walked off.

"Th-thanks!" Apollo stammered. Damn it, Mr. Wright.

It was nearly time to start the trial, and all Apollo could think about was Phoenix in his beautiful, beautiful suit… and wanting to help him out of it.

And after he and Athena bluffed their way through the case for more time, maybe he would.

A/N:

Sooo I have names for future chapters set from before I even finished the first chapter of this fic, but it turns out naming chapters I don't have names for has proven to be difficult as heck. I actually had a creative title for this chapter, but its spoilers for something we'll get into in a later chapter, so I had to put it off for now (its definitely related to this title, though, if you know what im referencing)

Interesting thing to note was that the last bit (that sounds shoehorned in) was actually the first thing I wrote for this fic. I sort of shoved it in here bc I wanted the monstrous turnabout to be over and done with so I can move elsewhere with chapter 4… so sorry if it seems short and unimportant. I wanted to include that bit because the way Apollo reacted to Phoenix's suit was too adorable to not stick in a hobopollo fic, heh

Anyway, Im still on case 3 of my game, so I still don't actually know canon Clay (everything i know I base off the probably ooc rp blog my friend runs (galacticterran). I felt he was important to add into a fic that focuses on Apollo (both while he was alive and then …after), but im not sure if my plans will contradict the canon story. Sorry if I dont get him right