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Spring
“So, Forehead. What exactly do you have planned for us?” Klavier asks, trying to cover his apprehension with his usual charm and decorum.
“You’ll see,” Apollo replies, a bemused smile on his face as he absently adjusts his bracelet. They walk through a less crowded part of downtown LA, approaching suburbia but with boutiques and coffee shops still crowding every block with bright colors gleaming off display windows. The air around them is crisp with the sensation of a sun shower, puddles on the sidewalk sparkling with reflected sunlight. It’s not the first time Klavier has seen a sun shower, but it is the first time he’s actually felt the luck that one implies.
How fitting, Klavier thinks, that such a rare occurrence would happen right before our first date.
It was when Apollo returned from Khura’in – with both the legal system and his own grief settled along with his belongings in a new LA apartment – that Klavier finally had the courage to ask Apollo about this strange thing between them. About if he had any interest in making it something more than the close friendship they had made together over the years.
To Klavier’s surprise, Apollo didn’t respond like the flustered, stammering mess as he half-expected. Instead, a noticeable blush crawled across his face as he cleared his throat, replying with that might work. But you have to let me plan our first date.
“Oh, shoot I forgot to ask you!” Apollo yelps suddenly, startling Klavier out of his recollection. “You’re not allergic to cats, are you?”
“Um, no? Not to my knowledge. …does this date have something to do with cats?” Klavier replies, mystified and even more apprehensive than before. Klavier liked cats, but it was very rare when they returned his affection.
Apollo’s shoulders sag with relief. “Good, okay. This would have been a total bust if you were. And uh, yeah. We’re here.”
Apollo opens the door to a soft-looking pastel building with large windows, a bell jingling to announce their presence. There was a small counter with typical café drinks and baked goods displayed, and a cheery-looking list of prices. Klavier looks through the doorway to his left – there are cat trees and comfy furniture strewn about the room, with cats of all shapes, sizes and colors lounging and enjoying the company of the people beckoning them with treats and pets.
“A cat café?”
Apollo laughs, pulling out his wallet to pay. A small voice that sounds suspiciously like Prosecutor Edgeworth echoes in the back of his mind telling him that he should be paying – Klavier did, after all, bring up the initial question. But Klavier ignores it, since Apollo was the one who was so intent on choosing the locale.
“Yeah – it’s always been my go-to first date, weirdly enough. I think the way a person interacts with animals is pretty indicative of how well I’m gonna get along with them. And I know you already have Vongole, so.”
Klavier chuckled nervously. “Ach, I feel like I’m about to fail a test. Cats don’t usually like me.”
Apollo gave him a broad smile and gently took Klavier’s hand like it was something to be cherished. A thrill shot up his spine.
“I think you’ll do just fine.” And it’s in the way Apollo says it – with utmost confidence and assurance, completely at ease, that calms Klavier’s nerves. He has a feeling that Apollo isn’t just talking about interacting with the cats.
They take a seat at the corner of the room, on a soft and surprisingly clean and comfortable fabric couch. As they settle in and their drinks are brought out, Klavier feels compelled to ask about Khura’in – something, anything to satisfy his curiosity of how Apollo could have changed so much and yet stayed the same man he first admired years ago.
“Honestly?” Apollo snorts. “I really didn’t like having to deal with politics and diplomats and stuff, and I realized that the more assertive I was, the less people higher up talked to me. I made Nahyuta do a lot of my dirty work,” he concludes, laughing a little awkwardly as he scratched his neck.
Klavier gives a fake gasp, placing an exaggerated hand over his mouth. “Why I never, Herr Forehead! The Khura’inese Minister of Justice being unwilling to play games?” Apollo actually laughs out loud at Klavier’s dramatics, and it makes something warm settle in his stomach. Even if the cats seem more interested in Apollo, he certainly wasn’t doing poorly.
Apollo affectionately scratches the ears of a cat that has sat in his lap, moving to its chin when it stretched and purred.
“Eh, he’s my brother. He has to deal with my nonsense.” Apollo has a smaller, more secretive smile on his face at that. “He and Rayfa are better at it than I ever was, anyways.”
Klavier chuckles, stretching back. It doesn’t seem like any cats want to come too close to him yet, so he makes himself comfortable. “Herr Sahdmadhi certainly has a way of wooing people, I’ll give him that. Even if he’s not quite as charming as I am.” Klavier winks, and Apollo wrinkles his nose and huffs out a laugh.
“Nahyuta? Charming? Please. He’s a nightmare in court.” Despite his scathing review, Apollo has a fond expression on his face.
“…and as a brother?” Klavier knows he’s pushing a boundary, when he asks. But he thinks he’ll be okay – that’s how their dynamic has always been, always about getting to the truth of the matter without pomp or circumstance.
“He was…” Apollo pauses in thought, truly considering his words before looking down at the cat in his lap. “It was hard, at first.” His voice is soft.
“I mean, it was like – I was left alone when I was nine. I didn’t really depend on whichever foster family I was in, and I became an emancipated minor when I turned sixteen anyways. I put myself through high school and college and law school, all on my own. So it was – it was weird to try to adjust to having a family again. Especially one that…that I thought abandoned me.” He suddenly inhaled, clearing his throat and lightly pounding on his chest.
“Sorry, I uh. I didn’t mean to get so sentimental right off the bat. This is our first date, right?” Apollo laughs nervously.
Klavier shakes his head, drawing closer to Apollo’s side. “Nein, don’t apologize. Thank you for telling me. I am…very glad that you trust me so much.” He gives a shy smile that Apollo returns. It’s a little awkward, in that way that all first dates are – both parties are excited to be there, but it’s odd being in another person’s space in such a new way.
“Oh! Klavier, don’t move.” Apollo is grinning from ear to ear. “Look.”
Klavier looks down at the cat that has crawled into his lap, moving around in circles before settling and stretching out on his legs.
“See, you’re not doing bad at all!” Apollo’s voice is almost a hushed whisper.
Klavier smiles, his shoulders relaxing as he delicately pets the orange cat that has chosen him. “I guess not.”
~
Summer
The WAA is in full swing preparing to attend a local Japanese cultural festival that Trucy has decided to use as a ‘team-building exercise,’ despite the fact that she’s a) not using WAA accounts to pay for their attendance, and b) is inviting people from the Prosecutors Office.
Trucy has inexplicably wormed her way into Klavier’s life as his boyfriend’s little sister, complete with an adorable yet still menacing shovel talk she gave him about a month into dating Apollo. And it’s not like Klavier minds – Trucy is an absolute joy to be around, and it brings Klavier inexplicable joy that Apollo has such a lovable family member.
That being said…Trucy Wright is a force to be reckoned with. Every time Trucy was with Apollo and Klavier (and that was on more than a few occasions, as Trucy hung out at Apollo’s apartment at least once a week), Klavier felt like she was testing him on something he didn’t study for.
So here he was, being crammed Prosecutor Edgeworth’s car for the WAA’s excursion along with Athena, Trucy, Apollo, and of course, Phoenix Wright himself. The festival is in full swing by the time they arrive, lit by strung-up lanterns and filled to the brim with stalls offering games and delicious-smelling food.
Apollo and Klavier are immediately dragged off by Athena and Trucy, who make a beeline for the fried food stands in the middle of the festival.
“Hey, Trucy, you know I’m not gonna pay for you, right?” Apollo says jokingly as they wait in line for takoyaki. “I know how it is, you’re not gonna get free meals out of me.”
“Of course not, Polly!” Trucy says, falsely affronted. “I would never ask my subordinate to pay for my food! His boyfriend, on the other hand…” Trucy slides a sly grin Klavier’s way, rolling her head dramatically.
“Ach, Fraulein, you know I could never say no to you,” Klavier says, equally faux-serious.
“Hey, don’t joke about that, she’ll actually make you do it,” Apollo cuts in, laughing. “Don’t be mean to him, Trucy. I like him.”
Trucy affectionately knocks Apollo’s shoulder, continuing to idly banter while they wait for their food. For a split moment, Klavier can feel Trucy’s eyes on him – like she’s analyzing him, briefly, under all the effortless charm and cuteness. Klavier shivers slightly and genuinely wonders if she actually does like him, or if she doesn’t think he’s a good fit for her brother. Either way, he desperately hopes to be able to convince her.
After stuffing themselves with greasy food and bags of candy, the four of them wander over to stalls with games, and Klavier feels his competitive streak rise up.
“Herr Forehead, I will bet you $5 that I can catch a goldfish before you.”
Apollo snorts in disbelief. “You’re on, rockstar. Your noodle arms have absolutely jack shit on these guns.”
“Ooh, that’s where you’re wrong, Forehead – this is a game of wits, not strength.”
“Oh, I win there too then! Tell me about the last time you beat me in court?” he says, all fake innocence and smirking confidence. Athena lets out a whoop and high-fives him – it’s clear that Klavier has to win, now.
“The game is on.” And for all of Klavier’s bravado, Apollo splashes him in the face with water when he gets too close to catching a fish.
Klavier sputters to the sound of Apollo’s howling laughter. “I-I’m sorry!” he guffaws out. “B-but you looked like you were concentrating so hard, I couldn’t resist.”
Wiping his face, Klavier can’t really bring himself to be at all mad. “Okay, that was a cheap shot, Forehead. But just wait, I’ll get you later tonight. When you least expect it.” He winks and can’t stop the smile that spreads over his face, even as he pulls up his shirt to wipe himself off.
“Oh, I look forward to it.” Apollo says, lighthearted. “But let’s call this a draw, or else I think the person running this stand is going to kick us out.”
“Agreed.” And it’s with that that Klavier and Apollo hold hands to leave, Klavier still feeling Trucy’s eyes on him, but feeling a lot more confident about it.
The next game is a shooting game, which, to Klavier’s surprise, Trucy challenges him to.
“Klavier! Let’s see who’s a better shot. We can give our prizes to Polly!”
“Huh? What’re you –” Athena shushes Apollo, covering his mouth.
“Yeah, that sounds like fun! We’ll be over here if you need us!” Athena says, jovially pulling a protesting Apollo to another stand full of trinkets.
There’s a momentary, uncomfortable silence while Klavier pays to play the game.
“So, Fraulein, am I right in assuming this isn’t just about who can play rigged carnival games better?”
Trucy shrugs nonchalantly, her easy smile never wavering. “Hmm! You’d be right, but let’s play anyways, just for fun.”
Honestly, Klavier isn’t completely sure what to expect from Trucy, so he shrugs it off and tries his best. Unsurprisingly, he loses. By a considerable number of points.
He sighs, and looks at Trucy with a good-natured but reserved smile. “Well, Fraulein Magician, I can’t say that I’m surprised I lost to you.”
She shrugs lightheartedly, not skipping a beat. “Well, I am a magician, after all. Fake guns are kind of my bread and butter. Or, they should be.” And the way she says it shows the years she’s lived through since they first met – a young girl now a successful young woman, self-assured and more confident than ever.
She pauses as she puts the plastic pistol down, exchanging it with the stall owner for a large stuffed cat. She turns, suddenly, to face Klavier.
“I know…you really like Polly. It’s hard not to – he’s kind of the best big brother you could ask for. And I’ve missed him a lot, since he went to Khura’in.” Klavier remains silent.
“And I know you probably have to. And I already gave you ‘the talk,’ so you get it, but.” She purses her lips in thought before continuing, her voice softer. “He really likes you. So…so don’t mess this up. You’re a good guy Klavier, and I’m really glad I’ve been right about you so far. So, keep it up.”
Klavier is shocked into a somewhat stunned silence, and before he can think of a response, Apollo and Athena have returned, holding various sodas and trinkets.
Apollo looks them up and down, choosing not to say anything despite his perplexed brow.
“Polly! I won! I got you a cat!” Trucy’s back to her regular upbeat self with a flourish, leaving Klavier to think that her momentary somber attitude was a mirage.
“Thanks, Truce…oh man, this cat is really cute though.”
“Isn’t it?!”
Athena briefly interrupts them: “Hey guys, aren’t the fireworks starting soon? We should find Mr. Edgeworth and Mr. Wright!”
“Oh! Shoot, that’s a good idea!” Trucy exclaims.
Apollo nods. “How about this – you two go find them, and we’ll find a place for everyone to sit down. Call me when you find them.” The two girls nodded before taking off, Apollo leading Klavier away to the nearby field where families and friends are settling on the grass.
“So…I’m assuming Trucy wanted to talk to you about something?” Apollo asks, his hand gently grasping Klavier’s own. “She can be kinda scary when she wants to be, so no shame if she freaked you out or anything.”
Klavier waves off his concern with his other hand. “Oh, no she was fine. She just…I think she finally approves of me now. It’s a relief, honestly.”
Apollo hums, giving it some thought. “That’s weird that you say that now – she raves about you to me since we started dating. I don’t think you ever had anything to worry about, honestly.” But he offers Klavier a gentle shrug, his eyes open and inviting. “I’m glad that you don’t have to worry about it though. Trust me, I am well sold on you.”
Klavier titters, scratching the back of his neck. “Ja, well I’m flattered. And likewise to you, Forehead – you are endlessly charming.”
“Pfft, please, you’re probably just dating me for my political influence and wealth.”
Klavier’s expression turns deadly serious, at odds with his easygoing tone. “Absolutely. I’m about to start another Khura’inese coup, didn’t you know?”
Apollo huffs out a breath, “I knew it. I’ve got to give you all the state secrets, now.” His words trail off as their faces come closer and closer, culminating in a kiss that felt as natural as breathing, as much as an extension of Klavier as the hand Apollo holds.
“Heh, wouldn’t it be funny if –” Apollo is interrupted by a firework going off, echoed by oohs and aahs from the people surrounding them.
“…huh. Well I’ll be damned.”
~
Fall
There was a fine line of apprehension drawing itself between Klavier’s eyebrows as he and Apollo drove further and further away from LA. Klavier was, of course, wary because it was October, and most couples tended to do…certain things, in October. Namely, watching horror movies, indulging in creepy costumes, and going to haunted houses and corn mazes and whatnot.
That last one was especially concerning to Klavier.
Because, he gets it. He knows Apollo loves horror. Halloween is his favorite holiday, indicated by the abundance of skeleton decorations and costumes he’s apparently collected for his cat over the years. He loves Halloween, and so it stands to reason that he would want to take Klavier to a haunted attraction.
But the truth is – Klavier cannot stand scary things. He still has to turn on lights when walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night, for crying out loud. And the last time he and Apollo went to the movies to see a horror movie, Klavier had just hidden in Apollo’s shoulder with his eyes squeezed shut the entire time.
But he has to be brave. He knows Apollo adores the spooky season, and it wouldn’t do to bring him down by being a wimp. After all, Apollo asks for so little from him – the least Klavier can do, as a good boyfriend, is suck it up and support him.
Even if he won’t be able to sleep without a nightlight for the next couple of days. A small price to pay in the face of Apollo’s joy.
“Okay, we’re here!” Apollo parks the car, positively beaming with excitement. Klavier looks at his childish expression, takes a deep preparatory breath, and exits with his head held high.
“…Apollo?” Klavier asks, timidly. They’ve gotten to the front of the car and Klavier has gently taken Apollo’s hand, rubbing his knuckle with his thumb.
“Hm?” Apollo tilts his head, adorably concerned.
“Schatz, I know you are…very excited for this, but I am…” Klavier clicks his tongue. Might as well just come out and say it.
“I am. A little bit of a coward. So, if I break your fingers as we walk through because I’m holding your hand too tight, or I start crying, I just want you to know I’m sorry and I love you.”
Apollo’s concerned expression turns into full bewilderment, and more than a little alarm. “Uh, Klav? What’re you talking about?”
“I know you like haunted houses and scary things, and I support you and want to have fun with you b–”
“Wh – oh, no, do you think this is a haunted house?” Apollo laughs lightheartedly and grips Klavier’s hand tighter. “No, babe, this is just a regular pumpkin patch!”
Klavier pauses for a moment. Looks at Apollo’s highly amused yet kind eyes. Glances around where they’ve actually parked, and realizes that yes, this is just a pumpkin patch. No creepy costumes to be seen, just groups of students jostling each other around and children holding their parents’ hands.
“…oh.” Klavier says sheepishly. “Ach, well that’s a relief.”
Apollo’s eyes soften with fondness, and he turns to face Klavier fully. “I know you hate scary stuff; I’d never want to put you through something like a haunted house. I thought carving pumpkins and taking pictures might be something you’d have fun with. But…” Apollo leans in a little closer, gripping both of Klavier’s hands to his chest now. “You’d do that? For me?”
Klavier’s heart absolutely sings at the knowledge that he doesn’t have to deal with any jumpscares tonight. And at how considerate his boyfriend is. “Of course I would, spatz. What’s important to you is important to me. That being said,” Klavier says, letting out a sigh of relief, “you have no idea how glad I am that this isn’t scary.”
Apollo giggles and leans up to kiss Klavier, his slightly chapped lips lingering on Klavier’s for just a moment too long before pulling away.
“Okay, well, I think you’re definitely gonna have more fun doing this.” And with that, Apollo leads Klavier forward into a corn field, decorated with twinkling fairy lights and fake candles that still somehow make the cool evening air feel warm.
Small shops are set up in rows, selling various trinkets and sweets for children and adults alike. The pair buy hot ciders and split a sliced caramel apple between them, quietly enjoying the sights and sounds, pointing out trinkets they like at each stop. Klavier has to be held back from running to the nearest ATM when Apollo finds a silly statuette of a turkey that makes his face light up like the sun with mirth.
There are indeed, stacks of pumpkins and hay bales where Klavier can take pictures for his Instagram, Apollo being ever patient as Klavier hums and haws over each photo. A few people recognize him through his disguise, but they’re shy and kind, and only briefly ask for autographs and pictures before excitedly going back to their friends. Apollo is always there, waiting with his hand outstretched, whenever Klavier gets sidetracked by such encounters.
The corn maze is, in all honesty, a little bit of a disaster. Despite both being incredibly intelligent lawyers, they get completely turned around in the maze, foolishly thinking they could make it out of the higher difficulty one with absolutely no problem. It’s not such a total loss, however, when they realize that their aimless wandering through the rows of corn could be better spent making out like teenagers in a dead-end corner, where they are sheepishly found by a highly unamused employee. Their whispered sorries as they skirt by the attendant are interrupted by their own high-pitched and out-of-breath giggles, which only receive a glare and eyeroll in return.
Even though the pumpkin patch closes before they can actually carve their pumpkins, Klavier still feels like he’s floating on air as they walk back to Apollo’s car, hand-in-hand and holding one small bright orange pumpkin each.
“So, I hope you had a good time?” Apollo asks, a little shy and tired but still swinging their hands back and forth between them.
“It was wunderbar, schatz. Thank you for taking me out on such a lovely evening.” Klavier pulls himself a little closer to Apollo as they walk, shoulders knocking together with every other step.
“Heh, I’m glad it worked out. We’ll have to come back next year to – I mean! Uh!” Apollo stutters and stops, his sudden and hot blush visible even in the dim lighting of the parking lot. “S-sorry, I didn’t mean to assume or anything. Um, forget I said anything.”
“…Apollo.” Klavier stops in front of the car, placing his pumpkin down on the ground gently before fully facing the shorter man, who seems to be looking everywhere except at him. Klavier gently cups his face between his hands and gives him the softest kiss he can muster – chaste and tender, as though Klavier held the world’s most delicate treasure in his palms.
“I would love to come back next year.”
And the shining grin that splits Apollo’s face makes every single doubt in Klavier’s mind vanish into dust.
~
Winter
Klavier wakes up before Apollo, an unusual occurrence. He ungracefully snorts, dragging his face up from the slightly drool-covered pillow. It was a well-kept secret, but he was always a terribly messy sleeper.
Especially compared to Apollo who, for all his bravado, slept as peacefully as a baby. His face was all soft creases from the comforter he clutched and quiet snuffling into his pillow. No matter how much he tried to deny it, Apollo was a grabber in his sleep – he’d either end up gripping a pillow or, more often than not, Klavier’s bicep.
Not that Klavier would ever complain – how could he, when his boyfriend was the best cuddle monster one could ask for? He was about to roll over and go back to sleep when he makes a startling realization –
It’s Christmas.
He creeps out of bed, gently pulling away from Apollo to enter the living room. The space is decorated with festive holiday lights and tinsel, complemented by a smattering of Christmas cookies that Trucy had delivered to Klavier yesterday. There’s even a Christmas tree in the corner of the living room, decorated with the help of the WAA and a very reluctant Simon Blackquill.
It’s the first time his apartment has been decorated in such a way – the first time that he had friends and family that had wanted to indulge in the silly festivities that he loved so much as a child.
‘I never really got the chance to do Christmas when I was in Khura’in,’ Apollo had said, while they were putting up decorations. ‘Nahyuta and Rayfa didn’t really understand it, and I think Datz just liked the holiday drinks. It was something I really missed – me and Trucy went all out for it before I left.’
‘And now we get to celebrate with you!’
Klavier offers some pets and belly rubs to a whining but sleepy Vongole before approaching the base of the tree, which is surrounded by brightly wrapped gifts with various labels. There’s one tucked out of sight that he reaches for – a box, small and innocuous. Barely big enough to hold a bracelet or charm.
Or a key.
He gingerly picks it up, ignoring the frantically pounding heart that bounces around the walls of his ribcage, and returns to his bedroom. Apollo’s shifting slightly, grumbling into wakefulness. He’s always been a light sleeper, apparently.
Klavier quietly slips back into bed, pulling himself back under the warm covers and nestling himself against Apollo.
“Good morning, schatz. Merry Christmas.” His voice is barely a whisper.
“Mmph, good morning. Merry Christmas.” Apollo gives him a gentle and sleepy smile, and Klavier can feel his throat constrict at how cozy and content Apollo has made himself in his bed. Klavier offers a brief and chaste kiss on the forehead, and Apollo hums appreciatively before rubbing at his eyes, forcing himself into wakefulness. “What’re you hiding behind your back?”
Klavier laughs, a little more high-pitched than usual. “Ach, you saw right through me. I wanted to spend a little more time cuddling with you before I gave you your gift.”
Apollo scoffs affectionately. “Believe me, I am all for that. But I want my present,” he whines, pouting and making grabby motions trying to reach for the box Klavier’s holding.
“All right, all right, settle down.” Klavier laughs, squishing Apollo’s cheek before dropping the gift into Apollo’s waiting hands. He tears into it with vigor, and Klavier mentally prepares himself and prays his voice doesn’t shake.
Apollo holds the innocuous gift in his palm – a silver key, completely unassuming.
“It’s um. The key to my apartment. If you want it.” Klavier finds himself stumbling over his words, his smooth façade completely gone in the face of such vulnerability. “Apollo, I really love you. I’m so – you can’t even. I can’t even believe how much of a positive effect you’ve had on my life these past nine months. I’m so glad that I’ve met you, and that you came home, and – and that you chose to be here. With me.”
Klavier isn’t brave enough to look at Apollo’s face just yet. He feels the need to fidget, but he doesn’t – not until he’s said his piece. “So – do you want to move in with me? And you don’t have to answer immed–”
Klavier is interrupted by Apollo tackling him onto the bed and covering his face in a flurry of kisses. None lingered – just desperate, soft presses of his lips to Klavier’s forehead, cheeks, lips, and anything else he could reach while he cupped Klavier’s face in his hands, fervently whispering yes in between each one.
It was with one last exuberant kiss to Klavier’s lips that Apollo pulled back to show Klavier his bright red cheeks and slightly teary eyes. “Yes. Yeah, I’ll move in with you,” Apollo says, breathless and a little sniffly. He gives a wet laugh, and pulls himself into Klavier’s chest with a warm embrace.
Klavier returns the hug, crushing Apollo against his chest at a somewhat awkward angle. “Oh my god, Forehead, you have no idea how scared I was to ask!” He giggles and has to wipe his own eyes, deciding to embrace the fact that he’s a sentimental fool wholeheartedly. “Really? You’ll live with me?”
Apollo pulls away a bit and looks at him with fond and slightly disbelieving eyes. “Of course I will. How could I say anything else? You mean the world to me, and I…” He sniffles. “I’m really happy I came home too.”
Later, they’ll go to Edgeworth and Phoenix’s house, to have a Christmas dinner and exchange gifts. They’ll probably both drink a little too much and end up having a sleepover with Trucy and Athena (and maybe Blackquill, if they get him to drink enough). But for now, they’re only concerned with each other, and the home they share in each other.