Someone kindly pointed out in a review that I messed up the dialogues pretty badly. I'm sorry, guys, I was so used to write in French I never even realized I wasn't quoting as I should in English (though it was so obvious...). I read tutorials and compared with some English texts, so I think I got the gist of it now. Of course, I went back to the last chapters and corrected them all (I also spotted small mistakes along the way, so I corrected that too). I didn't change anything to the story, though, so you don't have to go back to read it. Hopefully it will be better now. I'm sorry for that and I hope it's all okay now!
I'll take this opportunity to tell you that, if you see anything that seems out of place, feel free to tell me! I sadly don't have a beta and I'm all by myself (not to mention I've written so much in French my brain seems to have a hard time to adjust), so I'm bound to make some mistakes, small or huge (like this one). I won't feel offended, far from it. I'm actually looking for that kind of feedback, so I can improve!
As for this chapter... Because of last chapter and mainly Klavier, I couldn't help but see innuendos every time Phoenix talks about feelings. Let me remind you (and me) that, at this point, all he feels for Apollo is "purely platonic", as mentioned in the previous chapter. Romance won't come before some time yet, so even though Phoenix feels strongly for Apollo, still take it as family's kind of love. Please don't get your hopes high yet.
Sorry for the ramble! I still hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
Phoenix really didn't know where it had gone wrong. One second, Apollo seemed happy to the point of crying – his declaration couldn't have been so unexpected, could it? –, and the next, he was running away. What just happened? He thought he had everything under control, that he had finally convinced him, but everything suddenly turned so wrong he still had a hard time believing it.
He finally snapped out of his stupor when Athena poked him on the arm. She had been talking to him for some time apparently, but he heard nothing at all. Come to think of it, since when was she standing in front of him? "Boss," he finally heard her say, "what's going on with Polly?"
The older opened his mouth, but nothing came to mind and he finally closed it again. Still in a daze, he fell on the couch and buried his face in his hands. What was Apollo's reaction all about? Was he supposed to go out and run after him? To say what? He had meant everything he said and Apollo ought to know it, with his ability, so he couldn't take it back – not to mention he didn't want to. Was that even the point?
He noted the girl took place where Apollo had sat and it managed to bring him back a little more in reality. He finally noticed she seemed concerned and a little panicked, too. She didn't know what happened and certainly presumed it must have been something bad.
Her worry made him try to calm down and inhale as deeply as he could. Knowing he couldn't stay silent forever, he voiced his confusion, "I... I don't know what just happened."
The woman look at him with even more confusion. "What do you mean, Boss?" She asked in a soft voice.
He cleared his throat as he looked for something to say, for some way to explain so it made sense. But he couldn't find anything and finally decided to summarize everything that happened, "Polly and I, we were talking, you know, about the adoption, and I, um, well... this weekend, you see, I thought about it and talked with Maya. Ah, I should have said that first..."
He was even more flustered, as if he were in court trying to come up with an explanation without the time to think it through. His subordinate stayed still, patiently waiting for him to gather his thoughts. "So yeah," he went on, "I talked with Maya and I realized that I wanted to, you know, have him live with us. I thought, since he already think of the office as his home, it only makes sense to have him here. And the adoption, well, it seemed like a good pretext to finally suggest it. Because it won't be weird if we're a real family, right?"
He paused as he was trying to find the right words to explain the rest. He finally came up with something, "I tried to discuss it with him this morning, and he was arguing about details like how we don't have enough bedrooms and whatnot, so in the end I... I grabbed him and told him I wanted him to live here, with Trucy and I, and that we love him very much."
This seemed like a good time to stop and look at Athena. She was thoughtful, as if trying to understand how it had come to this conclusion. Phoenix figured he might as well finish so she could have the bigger picture, "At first, he look deeply moved and happy. I even thought he would be crying! He didn't say anything, so I let him time to process what I said. I guess it came more as a surprise as I had thought. I was sure it was pretty clear by now that I like him very much, but it's true I never really said it."
"I waited for a reply," he finished, "but none came, so I thought I might snap him out of it and patted his back. He startled so much I draw back, and he got up abruptly. I stood up also, feeling a sense of urgency, and before I knew it, he was rushing out the door."
They stayed silent for a moment as Phoenix studied Athena, wondering if she had come up with something. She was a psychologist, after all; maybe she could understand why Apollo had ran away. Sure enough, a look of understanding flashed in her eyes and she finally said, "I think I know what happened." Hope surged through him as he exclaimed, "Really?"
She nodded and leaned back a little as she tried to explain. "It might not be 100% accurate," she began, "but I think I know why Polly ran away. He grew up in an orphanage, and, well, you know how he never had a family. He might have had a close friend, but he never really had a place to belong to. The Agency became the one place he related to the most in the past years, so it makes sense that he'd be moved by your suggestion. I am pretty sure he wants this about as much as you do."
Phoenix looked at her with even more surprise: he knew all of this, of course, but it didn't explain anything at all. It even contradicted some of the facts!
"But the human mind isn't as simple as that," she went on, smiling sadly. "Polly never had a family. I think that, at one point, he had given up on ever having one. I'm pretty sure he even gave up on romantic relationship as well – but that's only my conjecture. So right now he must think this is too good to be true. Not to mention how he was betrayed at least twice, so I think he has trust issues. He also lacks some self-confidence, even if he makes a good job of hiding it behind his loud voice and his sarcasm."
She didn't add anything and Phoenix went back to study his hands, trying to process everything. It made sense. It made lots of sense, actually. Phoenix had already noticed how the kid wasn't as confident as he made it sound – after all, his Chords of Steel's trainings were more of a way to gather strength than anything.
He felt insecure and didn't think he deserved what was happening to him, which made Phoenix sad. From his point of view, Apollo had every right to be more than fine and actually happy. Why couldn't he see it himself?
Phoenix made his resolve right away and got up. "I'm going to look for him," he informed Athena.
She tried to warn him, "He might not want to see you for now, you know." But Phoenix faced her with a sad smile and told her the truth, "Maybe, but I just can't leave him alone. He's my family, you know."
Athena smiled back and, with a peace sign, she assured him, "I'll stay here to welcome clients, then!" He smiled fondly at her, wondering what he would do without her, and went to the door.
Once outside, he suddenly realized he didn't even know where to look. Come to think of it, even if they knew each other for so long, they never met much outside of work, if you forgot investigations and end of cases' dinner. He should change this fact, among other things. Maybe they could go to a museum? Come to think of it, did Apollo enjoy art? Maybe he was more the cinema type?
He looked into People Park, walked near the office and Apollo's apartment while reflecting on how much he took Apollo for granted. He should have made it clearer before just how much he enjoyed his company. He should have tried harder to bound with him. He should have shown him sooner just how much he wanted to be a part of his life.
After some time, getting frustrated, he decided he might as well wait for him in front of his apartment. He was bound to come back at some point, wasn't he? He knocked at the door, but wasn't surprised when no answer came back. Surely the kid was still outside, doing whatever he was doing.
As he leaned on the door, Phoenix was made to realize how little he actually came here. In total, he might have come around five times, maybe even less. The kid didn't seem to like his own place and, well, Phoenix always assumed he'd come over, so he had no reason to make it here. He sure hoped he wouldn't have to come anymore, which would happen if Apollo came to live with him.
He waited for a long time, but couldn't say if it was really that long or just appeared as such. He tried to think of what he should say, but he wasn't a pro at planning ahead of time and knew he'd go with his guts anyway. Still, it couldn't hurt to try and find at least a way to breach the subject.
Finally, Apollo stumbled about and stopped some feet from him, looking at him with surprise and despair all the same. Phoenix tried to act casual, hoping it would make things less awkward. "I thought you'd come back here," he explained, "so I decided to wait for you."
Apollo stayed still for a while longer and Phoenix wondered if he'd run away once more. The kid, though, finally chuckled without joy. "I can't get away from this, can I?" He voiced bitterly. Phoenix never wanted him to feel so cornered, but he couldn't deny he wouldn't go away even if he was asked to. So he stayed silent and stared intently at him. Apollo finally made a move and came closer so he could open the door.
They entered the small apartment without saying anything, and Apollo motioned him to his couch. The older sat down silently and looked at the bare room that reeked of loneliness.
After some time, Apollo brought two coffees that he settled on the small table. Phoenix thanked him in but a whisper and took his own mug. The younger settled down next to him, close enough he could feel his arm – the couch was so small he couldn't sit farther away.
After a silence filled with awkwardness, Apollo finally blurted out, so loud it made the older's ears ring, "I'm sorry, Boss!"
He seemed sincere enough, but the absurdity of the situation made Phoenix chuckled. He immediately sensed the younger tensing up besides him and he quickly added, "Sorry, I'm not laughing at you, it's just... you really have nothing to apologize for. If anything, I should be the one saying sorry. I brought it up too quickly, I guess it's only natural you'd freak out."
Apollo looked at him from below, with an earnest expression, and Phoenix couldn't help but notice how young he looked. He had a hopeful expression mixed with fear that made Phoenix's heart flutter. It stirred up a surge of protectiveness in him, as well as a sense of responsibility.
"So..." Apollo said softly, looking like he couldn't believe it, "you're not mad at me?"
Phoenix laughed some more. The kid was so adorable he couldn't help but ruffle his hair. Apollo tried to protest, but his cheeks were becoming a little red with embarrassment. Oh god, how cute could he get?
The older smiled broadly and decided it was time to make etiquette go to hell. Without warning, he engulfed the younger in his arms and hugged him tightly. Apollo stayed still for a while, surely too surprised to say anything, but after some time, he gripped his back awkwardly.
They stayed silent for some time, enjoying their warmth. Phoenix wondered why he never did it before. He really should have. It felt great, showing how much he cared for him and having it reciprocated. Hugs really were the best.
"I really love you, you know," the older whispered without letting him go yet. "I hope you'll trust me on that."
Apollo buried himself more in his torso, as if to hide his expression from him, and Phoenix chuckled tenderly. No answer came, but he didn't need one anyway. He knew full well his feelings were reciprocated.
They finally let go, but Apollo's cheeks stayed red. They didn't talk for a long time, only sipping coffee, until the younger finally affirmed with conviction, "I'll do it."
Phoenix looked at him with hope and asked, "The adoption, you mean?"
The younger nodded. "I'll move in with you and become your son," he clarified. "If you're still okay with it, of course."
Phoenix beamed and assured him, "Of course, Polly! I'm so glad you accepted!"
They looked at each other before both laughed. It finally came to it. Phoenix almost couldn't believe it. To think last week he had dreaded it so much, and now it was finally starting to become more official! He couldn't help but smile like a big idiot.
"Maybe we should go back to the Agency," Apollo commented after some time.
Phoenix looked at his watch and noticed it was past one o-clock. His stomach growled as well, informing both of them how hungry he was. "Yeah, we should get something to eat too," he answered sheepishly. While getting up, the younger agreed and mentioned he'd very much enjoy ramen. Phoenix suggested they got some at Eldoon's to give to Athena as well, to thank her properly.
They finally got outside and walked side by side. They only talked of this and that with lots of silences in-between subjects. Phoenix was too distracted right now to maintain a conversation anyway. He was only thinking of how they should re-arrange the office, how they would get accustomed to living together. He wondered what Apollo's habits were, if he was a deep sleeper like his sister or if he was as difficult in the mornings as her.
He also couldn't help but steal glances at him, while trying hard not to be spotted. It wasn't an easy task, but being an ex-poker player helped a lot. That's how he noticed the kid seemed pretty chilled – he had forgotten his coat back at the Agency, if his memory served him right. Phoenix toyed with the idea of proposing him his own coat, but finally decided against it. He very much could picture him getting annoyed and that's something he wanted to avoid for now.
They stopped by People's park and got three ramen to go. As usual, Mr Eldoon made them a discount, as Apollo had saved him from a guilty verdict. Apollo still flushed a little, but accepted nonetheless, and with that, they were ready to go home.
Soon enough, they reached the office's vicinity. Without consulting each other, they slowed down a little bit. Phoenix was trying to come up with something to say before they reached the door. He blurted out, "So, do you wanna tell it now?"
Apollo shrugged before agreeing, "Yeah, sure. I mean, it's gonna happen, so we might as well get it done with."
They became quiet once more as they were now at the door to the building. They entered in silence and walked up the stairs to the Agency. Apollo somehow doubled Phoenix and, without further ado, entered the office.
Phoenix followed suit and couldn't help but notice Athena had jumped on her feet. Apparently, she had been sitting on the couch waiting for them both. She smiled awkwardly, still trying to find out if everything went alright. Apollo, as usual, shouted his "I'm home!", so Phoenix mumbled the same after him with a grin.
Athena's face eased as she seemed to realize they weren't upset anymore and she answered with a bright "Welcome back!". They got out of their winter wear and promptly joined Athena, Phoenix on her left while Apollo took back his armchair. Phoenix placed the ramen on the table. "Since we have something good to celebrate," he announced, "I thought we could get some noodles!"
"I was the one who said it first," grumbled Apollo.
Athena didn't listen to him, though, as she exclaimed, "Yay! Thank you, Boss!"
He smiled warmly at her and his smile morphed into a sly grin as he looked over Apollo, who was annoyed at not getting thanked. Soon enough, the three of them were eating. "So I take it everything's fine now?" Athena asked to make sure.
Phoenix hummed in approval as Apollo explained, "Yeah, I'm gonna live here. And become a Wright I guess."
Athena beamed and even clapped her hands in excitement. Apollo's statement, though, made Phoenix think of something, "I just thought about it, but, Polly, you could keep your last name if you prefer it that way." Apollo looked bewildered while Athena looked more thoughtful. "I mean," he went on before any of them could voice their doubts, "Edgeworth was adopted by Von Karma and he still kept his name!"
'Fortunately', he very much wanted to add. Competing with a Miles Von Karma would certainly have been the death of him. The prosecutor himself must have thought how lucky he was to have avoided that name, in retrospect at least.
It was Apollo's time to be thoughtful as he said, "Yeah, it's true that you can keep your name even though you're adopted, but I've always thought it kind of beat the purpose? If you're about to change family, it only makes sense you change family names as well."
"Maybe," suggested Athena, "you could change name legally but still be called Justice in trials? There wouldn't be any problems that way!"
Apollo seemed to like the idea, as his face lightened up. Phoenix eased as well, happy with this proposition, and he nudged gently at Athena. "That's a great idea, Thena!" He praised her.
The girl smiled with confidence as she went on, "Anyway, everyone knows you as Apollo Justice! Come to think of it, where does that come from? Was that your father's last name?"
Apollo's smile died and he took a bite – making Phoenix remember they were still eating and prompting him to do as well –, before answering, in a more serious tone, "When I was younger, I had another surname, but it felt kinda wrong. Family names are, well, family names, and mine had abandoned me. So I thought I might as well change it to something cool. I pestered the people in charge of me so much they gave in and paid for it. Clay laughed at me when I told him, but he also said that this way, 'justice' would be like my family. I guess it wasn't his, as he was killed without any meaning."
The young attorney stopped talking and his head hung low, surely thinking back to some awful memories. Although Phoenix knew how much Clay's death had took a toll on him, Apollo never really talked about it. Even when it had just happened, he never confided in him or cried in front of him. Phoenix had tried, more than once, to make him realize he could help him, but he had never sought out his support.
The more he had done would be very much like right now, saying without thinking some anecdotes about his friend and making such a sad face. But then, quickly enough not to make them worry, he would put a fake smile on his face and change subject, so they wouldn't have to witness his grief.
This time, though, before he had the time to compose himself, Athena, looking a little dejected, tried to lighten the mood. "I just realized everyone in the Agency except Boss lost at least one of his parents," she pointed out. "That's some strange coincidence, right?" She laughed after that, trying to sound stronger than she was. It was a very Athena-like way to react.
"Actually," Phoenix objected without thinking, "you're wrong."
Both of the younger turned towards him quickly. "I know you adopted Trucy," Apollo tried to say, "but she still lost her father..."
"That's not what I meant," he argued. This time, they seemed to understand: Athena gasped, while Apollo looked intently at him – trying to pick up lies, even now? Phoenix would have laughed if it was any other occasion. Now, though, he leaned back, forgetting his noodles, and admitted, "I never told you, did I? Truce knows, though."
"What are you talking about, Boss?" Athena asked in a soft voice.
Phoenix chuckled, without much joy, and closed his eyes. Come to think of it, it was the first time he talked about it, wasn't it? Except for Maya, but she knew what was going on anyway. This was more difficult than he would have anticipated.
"Well, my parents are..." he fumbled, "were not really, you know, easy people to live with. They would often scold me about my life style, saying I should make a better living. But what broke everything, I guess, is when they learned I had lost my badge and adopted Trucy, to boot. They never accepted it." He paused to exhale and inhale, trying to calm himself. He never liked thinking back about it. It always stirred up bad feelings in him.
"They both came to the Agency and scolded me like I was a five years old. Not for the first time, I fought back, until they were both so fed up they decided to disown me. I guess I had that coming. Though it pained me, I had no choice but to accept anyway. What I couldn't know was that I'd never have the chance to make amend..."
He chuckled once more, with more despair though, as shame and guilt came back to him. There was a lot about himself he wasn't proud of, but what he was about to say came easily in the top five. "It was stupid death," he finally admitted. "They were in a car accident. You know, something so common it feels like there's no meaning. Their inheritance went to my relatives, as I had no other siblings.
He felt like he had said enough and mustered the strength to open back his eyes, looking at his understudies. Both seemed serious and sad, now that the surprise was gone. If anything, they looked like they could relate very well in their own way.
Phoenix laughed to lighten the mood. "At least" he alleviated his confession, "I have known them! And it's not like they ever mistreated me, so I guess I'm even kind of lucky."
Apollo suddenly looked like he had so much anger he couldn't contain it and he growled, gritting his teeth, "I don't understand how parents could abandon their children."
This managed to bring everyone down as they had no way to counter that. Coming from Apollo, it felt even more genuine. He of all people knew very well what it felt like to be abandoned.
Phoenix didn't try to talk anymore and went back to his noodles, wishing they could come back to a safer topic. They stayed silent for a while before Athena asked, trying really hard to appear laid-back, "Have you thought about how you're gonna organize the Agency with Polly?"
Phoenix took the opportunity immediately as he exposed his plan, "It's pretty simple, actually. I'm gonna sleep on the couch in the office. You know how it opens in a bed? That'll be perfect!"
Apollo, now calmed down, countered, "I've thought about that too and I wonder, shouldn't I take the office? It'd be simpler that way, no?"
Phoenix shook his head and pointed out, "No, you're a young adult and you need your room. Truce is a teenager so it goes without saying. I'm the old man here, I don't need privacy anymore."
"It's not like I'd be sleeping in the living-room," argued the younger. "Moreover, I'm accustomed to having no privacy."
"The more reason to give you more now," Phoenix shot back. "Anyway, there's no arguing: my mind is already set."
Apollo seemed like he wanted to argue some more – did he really have to contradict everything he said? –, but before he could do so, Athena intervened, "You heard the Boss, Polly! Just accept his kindness, will you?"
The kid blushed out of embarrassment and he finally grumbled, "I never have a choice anyway...!"
Phoenix flashed him a smile and Apollo finally sent him one too. They finished eating in a good chatter while Athena brought up everything that would change at the Agency. As soon as they were done, the woman got up and decided to start planning everything. The two other lawyers went along and argued about what should be put where and other details.
No matter how many times Apollo told them he wouldn't move in right away as he still had the leash on his apartment for some months, they still began to organize things. Athena only suggested he could move sooner and rent his apartment or let it vacant. While it made sense, Apollo still argued because he couldn't help himself. However, it was pretty clear he would give up at some point.
Eventually, Trucy came home, and when she asked what was going on, Athena stole the spotlight as she announced, "Polly has accepted the adoption! He's gonna come live here with you!"
Trucy looked like she couldn't believe it for one second, before she darted towards her big brother to give him the biggest hug she could ever produce. Apollo hugged her back with a warm smile and Phoenix's heart melted at the sight. He promptly neared them and ruffled both of their hair while laughing stupidly. Apollo tried to protest, but Trucy merely laughed some more while incorporating her daddy in the hug.
Phoenix realized they were already a family.
Soooo... there's a lot in this chapter and there are some things I didn't want to tell that early (mainly about Phoenix's parents), but well... I hope you liked the fluff at the end! Them being a cute family is just so awesome!
Ah yeah, it will still be Phoenix/Apollo, don't fear. It will only be, shall we say, a little complicated. But that's what's making it interesting, right?
Okay, until next chapter!
