Author's note:
This is NOT a Christmas-themed submission, but it's a present to my readers for the support this story has received thus far! Thank you for the 200 hits! Merry Christmas!
20 Kisses: Hero Worship
by Dark Interval
Fifth Kiss: Language
"So… why are we here again?"
Phoenix raised his hand to knock on the door of a certain prosecutor's office, while a cranky Apollo simmered up a storm next to him. Ok, maybe 'cranky' was an understatement – more like positively livid with a looming aura of death. If looks could kill, the door would have burned to ashes and Phoenix would have to bear the brunt of all damage costs. Also, the door was mahogany and mahogany was expensive… like the rest of this office, he bet. Why did prosecutors always get the good stuff? Maybe he should have switched professions when Edgeworth offered after that DL-6 case...
"Mr. Wright, I'm leaving!"
Speaking of switching professions.
"Apollo, we've been through this," he said with a sigh of exasperation. They hadn't even started yet and he already felt a headache coming on.
"If we're going to Germany to do research on their legal system, we're going to need to learn their language. And who better to teach us than –"
"Does it have to be him? Can't we ask somebody else?"
"If you'd just put your petty rivalry aside for one day –"
"It's not petty!" Apollo screeched, only to catch himself as he folded his arms, a petulant grimace on his face. "And he's not my rival. He wishes he could be my rival, that glimmerous fop."
Okaaaayy… looks like someone had been hanging around Ema too much. That, and he was sensing a magnitude of jealousy from someone who claimed he didn't care.
"Mr. Wright, we don't need his help! We have the Internet! We'll be fine!"
Phoenix winced, his ears ringing. He'd forgotten how loud Apollo was by default and how much louder he could get when riled up. Honestly, the faster they got this over with, the better it would be for both his hearing and head. He was getting too old for this; him and Edgeworth weren't this bad during their prime - and why the heck were they still waiting out in the hallway?!
"Hm… I wonder if he got my message," Phoenix wondered out loud, stroking his chin. "I didn't get the date wrong, did I?"
He knocked again. Still no answer. Apollo continued to scowl.
"He's not in. Let's go."
He turned to leave, but Phoenix tugged him back by the collar of his shirt.
"We're not going anywhere without my free German lessons!" he yelled.
"So I'll pay for classes at the community center - we're just wasting our time!" Apollo argued.
"But it's free!"
"Quit being so cheap!"
"... But it's free!"
Leave it to Phoenix to be such a pennypincher. Apollo was highly tempted to smack his boss upside the head for his whining, but chose to vent his frustrations and suspicions on a certain rock star prosecutor instead. True, that guy and Phoenix had settled old misunderstandings about a year ago following Kristoph's conviction, but he seriously doubted Prosecutor Gavin's generosity towards defense attorneys, unless he wanted something in return. There was nothing free in this world: that courtroom diva had something up his leather-clad sleeves, he just knew it. But what?
"Come on, Apollo," Phoenix flashed him a pleading stare, "at least try to be professional about this… for me?"
But when the puppy-dog pout failed to garner any sympathy, he straightened up to frown disapprovingly at his protégé, hands on his hips. Alright, time to use his chief voice and show the kid who's boss.
"Look, if you have some words to say to Klavier, do it before the day's done. I don't want your silly rivalry getting in the way of our lessons and our trip to Germany, am I clear?"
Klavier? Klavier?! So the two were on first names now? When the hell did that happen?!
And Phoenix was defending that undeserving, glimmerous fop over him? He wanted to scream and possibly maim something while he was at it. In fact, he was so mad his face was turning blue.
"Oh, I have some words to say to him alright," Apollo growled through clenched teeth; even his hair spikes appeared more lethal. "Starting with how he can take that flashy guitar of his and shove it up his - "
BAM!
The door flew open and smacked Apollo dead in the face. Phoenix winced. Was it just him, or was that aim a little too perfect?
"Herr Wright, I must apologize for making you wait. I couldn't hear you over all that yell -"
The blonde paused when he finally noticed a glowering, red-faced Apollo emerge from behind the door. There was a distinct mark at the center of his forehead where the wood hit. Somehow, Klavier failed to register the look of pure rage on Apollo's face, or he simply didn't bother. It was probably the second.
"Ah, Herr Forehead," he turned to regard Apollo. "Looks like even you have an off switch – he smirked teasingly – ja?"
"You!"
Phoenix laughed nervously and quickly inserted himself between them before Apollo could launch himself at Klavier and quite possibly claw his eyes out. Oh boy… how were they going to survive a whole day in the same room together? And was he picking up some animosity on Klavier's end too? Clearly, he had underestimated the nature of their rivalry and how it extended beyond the courtrooms. Though he did wonder what these two were so fiercely competitive over. Apollo didn't even want to be here, and Klavier hadn't sounded too enthusiastic himself when he'd mentioned Apollo would be joining their private lesson…
"It's ok, Klavier, you didn't make us wait long," said Phoenix sweetly with an unassuming smile.
"Yeah, if you don't count a whole 20 minutes lo – OW."
Phoenix elbowed Apollo in the side none too lightly. Klavier casually brushed his fringe aside before returning Phoenix's smile with one of his own. It was the smile he used on his fangirls – brilliant, dashing and mysteriously sexy. It made Apollo's blood boil. Phoenix, however, remained blithely oblivious. Apollo supposed his innocence was both a gift and a curse.
"Anyway," Phoenix continued, oblivious to the mounting tension, "I really appreciate your help, Klavier. Especially when you've been so busy with work. Thanks!"
He beamed like a schoolboy who received his first 'A' and the young prosecutor was irresistible to his charms. Klavier silently watched the new chief of the 'Wright Anything Agency' go on excitedly about his upcoming "mission" and how it would prove invaluable to improving their country's legal system. It was both inconceivable and admirable. Phoenix was always working hard to improve their law for the betterment of people everywhere, his dedication and loyalty to his clients taking him to the ends of the earth and back. And seeing his honest enthusiasm and purity made Klavier feel ashamed for ever having misjudged him.
Seven years ago, when he first met Phoenix, he had believed him to be a snobbish, incompetent lawyer whose ability to win favor in court was only as good as his capacity to bluff his way under the judge's nose. Now, (he was still bluffing) he saw more than that: Phoenix was deathly devoted, strong and full of conviction, could be sweet if he wanted to, had miraculously managed to retain his youth and vigor and looked just as good as he did back then, if not better, and...
'Prosecutor Gavin? Come to my place tonight. Trucy won't mind. No one should spend Christmas alone.'
'But – after all Kristoph did to you… after all I did to you –'
'That was seven years ago, alright? We all make mistakes. Things are different now! – pause – Besides, if you hadn't done what you did, I wouldn't have Trucy as a daughter. She's my light, you know?'
'Herr Wright…'
'Prosecutor Gavin, you lost both your brother and best friend. And I know how lonely it gets in the dark… So, I don't want you to ever feel alone. You're free to drop by the agency anytime you like, or give me a call if you ever need someone to talk to. Not that you should ever need to, of course – you're a popular guy, haha!'
He was amazingly forgiving. His heart was pure and Klavier thought it was beautiful. He found himself calling Phoenix a lot since then.
If only he could say something similarly positive about the famed attorney's taste in men.
"Achtung, baby!" He leaned close and held Phoenix's chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Alles für dich (Anything for you)."
Phoenix blushed and averted his gaze awkwardly. He had been practicing in his spare time. Apollo on the other hand had no bloody idea what Klavier just said, but the way he practically flirted with his boyfriend right in front of him and Phoenix's subsequent reaction was enough to send over a dozen warning sirens blaring in his head. The nerve of this guy! He didn't need no stinking German class to understand what Mr. Rock Star Prosecutor really intended with these so-called "private lessons".
Glaring daggers at the ex-musician, Apollo grabbed Phoenix's hand and pulled him possessively against his chest. They were going to learn German, were they? Fine. Then they were going to do it Justice style.
"Ashtoong – so, when do we start?"
Klavier's right eye twitched sporadically. The kid just butchered his catchphrase! He felt like his precious ears just got cancer.
So, Herr Forehead was here; a minor setback. By the time he was done with class, Phoenix would be too busy swooning over him to bother about his loud, uncultured apprentice/boyfriend. After all, French wasn't the only language of love and romance, and against his rival and large forehead, he was going to win this one.
"Where are my manners?" He flashed Apollo a snide smirk as he wrapped an arm around Phoenix's waist. "Riiiight – he pulled Phoenix against him while simultaneously pushing Apollo away – this way."
The brunette crashed into a nearby umbrella stand. Klavier pretended he didn't hear or see anything.
Blushing and stammering, but not wishing to offend his host (maybe all Europeans were this forward), Phoenix allowed Klavier to guide him into his lavish office. Seriously, no matter how many times he visited - with that impressive collection of guitars on the wall, large speakers, and a master computer that looked more like a complex synthesizer - the place still reminded him more of a recording room than a prosecutor's office. He heard of the phrase 'personal touch', but even he had to admit that this was a little too ridiculous.
After instructing an extremely sour Apollo to shut the door behind him, Klavier motioned them to take a seat on his leather couch. On the coffee table nearby was a short stack of basic German language books. He picked the top one off the pile and casually flipped it open before unabashedly settling himself between his target and said target's annoying boyfriend. And while ignoring Apollo's jealous rage with the experience of a professional Casanova, he smiled at his guests and said, "Don't worry, basic German's not too difficult – even an amateur can pick it up."
"Gu-Gooten tang… Ich hebe Justice and –"
"Nein! Nein!"
Klavier threw the ice-pack he had previously used to nurse his throbbing head, straight at Apollo's face. For the love of God - they had been at this for three whole hours and Apollo still couldn't get past basic introductions! His pronunciation sucked and - why the heck was there an 'and' in his sentence?!
He took back what he said earlier about amateurs. Clearly, Apollo was a category all of his own.
"Ach! My ears have cancer…"
"My mouth has cancer…"
Phoenix gazed at the two men sympathetically, especially at Apollo. His boyfriend was really trying his hardest to pick up a new language for his sake and even if he wasn't the most fluent of speakers, there was a lot of effort in every word that came out of his mouth. Perhaps Klavier was going about this all wrong - just because said method of teaching worked for him, it did not necessarily mean it would work for someone else. With a determined nod, he snapped his book of Law Terminology - German edition, shut. He had an idea.
"Hey, Klavier, why don't we try something else?"
"Don't bother. Herr Forehead's hopeless."
"Hey!"
Phoenix shook his head and leaned in so that he was staring deep into Klavier's twinkling blue eyes. Oh, he was determined, alright. There was no way he was leaving the country without his partner and protégé, and he was going to turn Apollo into a linguistic master by this weekend or so help him, he would sacrifice all sleep and die trying.
"Let's try conversing in German and have Apollo listen. Maybe he's more of an audio learner?"
"Herr Wright, I don't see why I can't just personally escort you to Germany myself." Klavier shot him a suggestive smirk. "I even have a house there. My offer still stands."
Apollo was this close to strangling the cocky blonde from behind, but a warning frown from Phoenix stopped him.
"Come on, Klavier… please?" he said encouragingly, turning wide, hopeful eyes to the younger man. "It's worth a try and you've tried everything."
Said prosecutor sighed and reluctantly pushed himself off his lounging position on the couch to face Phoenix head-on. Verdammt, could those eyes get any bigger? There was no way he could turn down a request like that.
"Fein," he muttered, twirling a lock of hair around his finger. He motioned at Apollo with his head. "Herr Forehead, grab your book, sit on that chair over there and pay attention. Mummy and daddy are talking."
Choosing to ignore that last comment altogether least he suffered from an aneurysm, Apollo did as he was instructed. 'You're doing this for Mr. Wright, you're doing this all for Mr. Wright,' he kept telling himself as he waddled over to his station. Oh, don't get him wrong – the plush chair was perfectly comfortable. What really made him uncomfortable however, was the distance between him and the couch, as well as how Klavier kept scooting closer to Phoenix and ultimately invading the latter's personal space. It was like the two were in their private little world and had completely forgotten about his presence. Klavier laughed and Phoenix smiled at him unsurely. Apollo clutched his book so hard he bent it at the spine.
For. Mister. Wright.
"Shall we begin?" said the blonde with a charming smile and the slightest tilt of his head.
"The defense is ready!"
He chuckled at the older male's enthusiasm. Cute.
Phoenix's full attention was on him, expectant, and it suddenly occurred to Klavier that he could use this opportunity to his advantage. His original plan to woo the famed defense attorney had been brutally decimated by Apollo's incompetency and this could very well be his last chance to sweep Phoenix off his feet… at least before that fancy restaurant he planned to take him to dinner closed for the evening. And the best part about all this? Apollo would remain completely in the dark as to what they were saying. Perfect.
"Achtung, baby! Let's rock!" He snapped his fingers and flashed Phoenix a dashing grin. "Guten tag! Wie heißen Sie? Wo kommen Sie her? (Good afternoon! What's your name? Where are you from?)"
Phoenix visibly perked up. He knew this one.
"Guten tag! Ich heiße Wright. Ich bin nicht von hier. Ich übernachte in einem Hotel. (Good afternoon! My name's Wright. I'm not from here. I'm staying in a hotel.)"
"Very good, Herr Wright. I'm impressed," Klavier complemented with the slightest hint of surprise. It seemed someone did his homework. Also, his pronunciation wasn't half-bad.
Phoenix laughed and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "T-Thanks! I… uh… had a lot of time to study while you were teaching Apollo."
"I see," he replied with a mysterious smile. "Well, hopefully Herr Forehead will be able to pick up a thing or two from you."
Time to kick things up a notch.
"Jetzt werde Ich dir mal was erzählen. (Now I have something to tell you.)"
Phoenix frowned as he quickly wracked his brain for that phrase. 'Ok, that sounds a little complicated, but I think I got it.'
"Was? (What?)"
He was caught off-guard however, when Klavier suddenly cupped his cheek with a hand and gazed deep into his eyes. His stare was intense, piercing, full of desire and Phoenix thought his legs would have given out beneath him if he wasn't already sitting down. But what was strange to him wasn't the nature of that gaze: it was that Apollo often looked at him the same way too.
"Du hast wunderschöne Augen. (You have beautiful eyes.)"
It was spoken in a sensual murmur, in a deeply melodic chord that only a singer could accomplish. It was different from the forceful impact of Apollo's voice and Phoenix found himself blushing. He pulled away from Klavier's touch and cleared his throat.
"D-Danke. (Thanks.)"
Klavier chuckled.
Phoenix felt desperately confused.
Meanwhile, Apollo was frantically flipping through his battered and worn language book at the speed of light. Why did Klavier touch his Phoenix? Why was Phoenix blushing? What were they saying? What, what, what?!
Suddenly, he had the distinct feeling he was playing into Klavier's hands. Because of a bloody language barrier, he was quickly losing his boyfriend to that no-good, divatastic, glimmerous fop! Absently, he regretted not paying attention during French class in high school. A second language would have given him an edge in love. As he suspected, Chords of Steel really wasn't very romantic.
"Ich habe den ganzen tag an dich gedacht … (I've been thinking about you all day... )"
Klavier was moving ever closer while Phoenix scrambled to the other end of the couch. He started to sweat and his red face really wasn't helping him retain control of the situation. Whatever happened to his free German lessons? Maybe he should have listened to Apollo… He was starting to see how bad his "brilliant idea" was turning out. Also, he was pretty sure he knew what, or rather, whom Klavier and Apollo were fighting over now.
"Klavier, cut it out!"
He struggled but a hand grabbed his knee to hold him in place. Klavier's handsome face was right in front of him, mere inches apart, breaths mingling – Klavier's hot with excitement and Phoenix's nervous and shallow. The blonde's eyes were half-lidded, his voice painfully seductive and Phoenix, to his utmost mortification, found it incredibly hard to resist.
"Ich steh' auf dich… (I'm into you…)"
He's what now?
"Schatz (Treasure)… Baby…"
P-P-Pet names?!
That hand travelled higher up his thigh, stroking and squeezing, and Phoenix thought he would pass out any moment with the amount of blood rushing to his face. His heart was beating like crazy and he felt heat pool between his thighs. That sun-kissed skin… those cerulean eyes… that hypnotic voice… that hand creeping between his legs… Phoenix's breath hitched. N-No…! Why was he getting excited under Klavier's attentions? And why the hell couldn't he push him away?
Apollo, help!
Suddenly, Klavier wound his hand around Phoenix's waist and tugged the blushing and sputtering lawyer onto his lap. Phoenix fell forward, wide-eyed, his face a breath away from the handsome prosecutor. They were so close, he didn't dare breathe.
"Willst du mit mir gehen? (Do you want to go out with me?)"
"K-Klavier, wait… I'm with - "
But his words weren't getting through to the blonde, who was eyeing him like a piece of meat. Klavier was impatient, hungry. Because of Herr Forehead, he had waited over three hours for this. With his free hand, he caressed and cupped Phoenix's cheek once more as he brought their lips closer together.
"Küss mich. (Kiss me.)"
Phoenix squeaked.
"EINSPRUCH!"
Apollo jumped in between them, grabbed his boss, and smashed his German language book in Klavier's face. It was open to the page on 'Objection'. Aha! Took him long enough to find it! Inwardly, Apollo felt rather smug about marring that pretty boy face of his rival's, as well as being able to make his point in the guy's own mother tongue.
Phoenix gaped at the twitching mass on the floor that was Klavier, but before he could ask if he was all right, much less poke him to check, he felt Apollo take him by the hand and drag him towards the door. His heart soared with relief. Saved!
"Apollo, thank –"
"We're going back to the office and we're having Athena teach us instead - are we clear?" he interrupted with a dangerous growl and Phoenix found himself nodding frantically in agreement. Note to self: Apollo could be really scary when jealous… violent too.
Klavier groaned as he struggled to sit upright. Urgh… what hit him? The room was spinning… and where the heck was Phoenix? When his vision finally cleared though, he was dismayed by the sight of a triumphant Apollo and a concerned Phoenix standing not too far from him, hand-in-hand. Ach, did this mean he would have to cancel that reservation now?
"Prosecutor Gavin."
At the sound of his name, he lifted his eyes to his rival, bitter and defeated. He didn't know which was worse: that infuriating smirk on the brunette's face, or knowing that he had lost again.
"Thanks for the lessons, but German's really not my thing. I do have something to say to you though."
"What?"
And to Klavier's utter horror, Apollo hijacked his signature pose and catchphrase. Again.
"Achtung, baby!" Apollo pointed a finger at him. "Verpiss dich! (Fuck off!)"
Klavier's jaw dropped.
Phoenix hid his laughter behind his hand as Apollo slammed the door shut behind them.
As they descended the Prosecutor's Building via elevator, Phoenix spared a curious glance at his fuming boyfriend and couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. Apollo whipped his head to the side and shot him an irritated scowl.
"What's so funny?"
"You," answered Phoenix in-between laughs, "You're cute when you're angry, you know that?"
Apollo's hair spikes shot up like a pair of antennae.
"Of course I'm angry! He was trying to steal you away from me! If I wasn't there to look out for you, God knows what he'd do!" He growled and pulled at his hair when all Phoenix did was smile at him with that infuriatingly carefree grin of his. "Argh, did you even know he liked you?!"
Said attorney raised a finger in a bid to deliver some witty comeback, only to lower his hand when he realised he had nothing.
"Honestly? … No."
Apollo rolled his eyes so hard he saw the back of his skull. Amazing – he just had to date the densest man in the whole freaking universe. Now he needed to start keeping tabs on Phoenix's phone calls… and find a way to block Klavier from his contacts list while he was at it.
"Anyway, apart from what you – Phoenix snickered – last said to Klavier, did you learn anything at all today?" He made a mental note to ask his protégé where he learnt that phrase later. He certainly hoped it wasn't Athena's doing.
Apollo smirked, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "I sure did, sir."
His hand shot out to grab his boss' tie and tugged Phoenix against him. The sudden action made Phoenix gasp. A strong arm snaked around his waist and he felt a hand push past the waistband of his pants to grope his ass and finger his entrance. Phoenix squirmed and blushed from Apollo's forwardness. Here? In public? But what if someone entered the elevator and saw them?
"P-Pervert! Stop it!" he hissed, "Or I'm cutting your pay this – ungh!" Apollo's finger entered him and Phoenix's hand flew to his mouth to muffle a moan. That finger began to move and he was wet in seconds.
Apollo didn't seem the least bit concerned though as he continued to pump his boss, adding another finger while he was at it.
"I think someone needs to be punished for flirting with other men…"
"B-But, I didn't… Haa… Don't…!"
He added a third finger and Phoenix fully collapsed against him, panting heavily.
"Apollo… Stoo… Stop… the lift might… Haa... o-open and someone… might see…"
"And you'd like that, wouldn't you?"
"Ob-objection!"
"Really now?" Apollo chuckled darkly as he pumped him faster, feeling his mentor's hardness press against him. "Then why does the evidence contradict your statement?"
Phoenix trembled.
"Ahh… Haa… St-Stoooop…"
"You're the real pervert, Mr. Wright."
"Nooo…!"
Apollo watched his boss come undone before him with dark, lustful eyes and for the final icing on the cake; he spoke in his sexy bedroom voice that always succeeded in making Phoenix's knees weak.
"Küss mich," he commanded.
And suddenly, the idea of getting caught didn't matter anymore. It was official: Apollo speaking German was like the best thing ever. Flushing scarlet, Phoenix allowed his eyelids to flutter shut and did as he was told. He couldn't wait for Germany.
Author's note:
I ended up submitting this earlier than expected, but I thought it would make a nice Christmas present :) Spread the OdoNaru love and joy, you know? Poor Klavier, but I had fun writing a sort of Klavier/Phoenix for a change. I admit, apart from Apollo, I do have a thing for pairing the Gavin brothers with Phoenix. And since the previous chapter included Kristoph, I thought I'd give Klavier a chance with our Comeback King! Of course, no one can win against Apollo ;)
On a side note, I apologize if I got any German words/phrasing/grammar wrong. I've zero experience in the language and only had my best friend to rely on who only started learning it not too long ago.