Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The moment the Not Guilty verdict had been handed, Apollo wanted nothing more than to go home, order takeout, and play Mario Kart until four am. You know. Like the grown adult he is.

His client smiled at him, going up to the bench to thank him profusely for all he had done for her. Apollo blushed from embarrassment, telling her it was no problem, and that he was glad the real murderer was captured. Once niceties had been exchanged, Apollo left the Defenses’ Bench, stepping into the lobby of the courthouse. He was just about to leave the courthouse entirely when he heard someone call out from behind him.

“Herr Forehead! Nice work today!” 

Apollo tried to stifle a groan, and failed rather miserably. He turned on his heel, being met with the sight of Prosecutor Klavier Gavin. He was, arguably, one of the most annoying people he’d ever had the misfortune of meeting, but still somehow managed to be one of the better prosecutors he had gone against in court. The man wasn’t hellbent on some self fulfilling prophecy streak of being the best prosecutor in the world or anything of that sort. He lost more often than not, but in the end, always seemed to get the right person behind bars. Though the man had an air for the dramatics over everything else, he never once complained once a verdict had been reached. He was grounded and sure of his choices as a prosecutor, so, in that respect, he was pretty alright.

Klavier caught up with him in a few, languid strides. He clapped Apollo on the back in a friendly manner, but it still made Apollo jump out of his skin. “Congrats, Herr Forehead. You did well today.”

“You didn’t do so bad yourself. It was your idea to cross examine that last witness. My client surely would’ve gone to jail if it weren’t for you.” Apollo said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

“ Another rockstar performance from me, as always.” Klavier grinned cheekily. 

“Wow. Someone’s modest today.” Apollo deadpanned.

“Aw, but you love this self centered fool, yes?” Klavier teased.

“Only in your dreams, Klavier.” Apollo sighed. Light, frantic footsteps suddenly came running up from behind the two of them. Klavier turned around, confused for a moment before breaking into a smile. “Fräulein!” he exclaimed excitedly. 

Apollo turned around to see Trucy running from down the hall straight into the arms of the rockstar, Kristoph walking not far behind. Klavier picked the girl up with ease as he spun her around, the magician squealing in excitement. 

“Hi, Klavi!” she giggled. “You excited for tonight?” 

“Of course, I get to spend the evening with my biggest fan in the world. Who could ask for anything better?” Klavier smiled. He set Trucy back down on the ground, the girl turning to look at Apollo. 

“Hi, Polly!” Trucy waved. 

“Hi, Trucy.” Apollo waved back, smiling. 

It had been about two months since Apollo had first gone to the Wonder Bar with Trucy and Mr. Wright. After making himself sick with the thought of hurting Trucys feelings, Apollo had sent her an apology message over text that spanned over 4 paragraphs (which Trucy, oh so graciously, responded with a thumbs up before going back to her cheery self).

They had gotten closer with each other in that time, Trucy even coming to watch some of the trials he did when Kristoph served as his co council. His boss seemed to encourage it, saying it could “broaden her horizons” to other career paths. Trucy admitted to Apollo that she only liked going because she was almost always able to convince Mr. Gavin to get her lunch if they won the case.

“What are you guys up to?” Apollo asked, looking between Trucy and Klavier. 

“Me and Mr. Gavin needed to go to the store, but he wanted to talk to you guys before we did!”

“I assume your trial went well?” Kristoph asked, looking at Apollo.

“Mhm. Full acquittal.”

“As I assumed,” He smiled, turning to Klavier. “How’d you feel you did?”

“As long as the truth is brought out, I do not mind the verdict.” Klavier swiped his hair out of his eyes. “I did all I could.”

“Then that’s all that matters.” Kristoph nodded at his brother.

“What are you doing after this, Polly?” Trucy asked him as Kristoph continued talking with his brother.

“Uhh…nothing much? I’m probably just gonna order some food and stay in with Keko.” Apollo shrugged. “How come?”

“Well, we’re having a family dinner tonight! I wanted to see if you could come, Polly!” Trucy offered. “Mr. Gavin makes really good food, and Daddy’s been cleaning out the living room all week to find all the boardgames we have!”

“I don’t know, Trucy…I don’t wanna show up uninvited.” He mumbled. ‘And more importantly, I am not family.’ He thought.

“Nonsense, Apollo.” Kristoph smiled. “The more the merrier, isn’t that a saying here?”

“I think that’s a saying anywhere, Mr. Gavin.” Trucy wrinkled her nose at him. 

“Ah, well, my point still stands.” Kristoph adjusted his glasses. “We’d love to have you, Apollo.”

“Oh…um, then, sure, I don’t see why not.” Apollo fidgeted with his hands.

“Perfect.” Kristoph smiled, placing a hand on Trucy’s shoulder as he looked down at her. “Alright, Trucy, we ought to get going.”

Trucy waved them both goodbye as the two of them left the Courthouse. “See you guys soon!”

Klavier and Apollo waved back, their hands frantically swaying back and forth until the two were long gone. 

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The warm September air was making Apollo feel sticky with sweat as he walked down the street towards the Wrights’ apartment. In his hands, he held a bottle of wine that Google told him would be “ good for its price”. He didn’t want to be rude and show up empty handed, of course, so cheap wine from Aldi would have to do.

Approaching the apartment complex, Apollo heard the sound of an engine revving behind him with loud bass booming from inside it. Knowing exactly who would be doing something like that in a neighborhood, Apollo stopped in his tracks, waiting for the car to inevitably pull up next to him on the road.

“Herr Forehead!” Klavier called out, waving excitedly as he rolled down the window. “Did you walk here?”

“I took the train. Some of us can’t can’t really drop 25k on even a used car right now.” 

“Hm.” Was all Klavier said on the matter. “Wait up for me while I find somewhere to park, ja? We’ll walk in together.”

Without much of a choice, Apollo stayed where he was as Klavier pulled away from the curb. The man was back within two minutes, the sound of his chain belt clinking and clanking against itself signaling his arrival far before he came into view. 

“You ready, Herr Forehead?” He asked cheekily.

“I have a name, you know.” Apollo furrowed his brows, walking up the steps with Klavier following behind him. When they reached the top, Klavier flicked him on the forehead.  

“Change up your look every once in a while and maybe I’ll consider a nickname change to go with it. But for now, I fear your forehead is the biggest thing you’ve got going for you.”

Apollo groaned, shoving him as he knocked on the door. “Trucyyyy let me in, Klaviers’ being mean to me.”

“I am not, he is slandering my name.” Klavier called out. Both men playfully banter back and forth for a moment before the lock on the door clicked open, Trucy standing in the doorway.

“Thank the heavens, Fräulein. You’re freeing me from this hideous man.”

Trucy smiled just as Apollo felt a tug from his bracelet. He looked at her, seeing how shaky her expression was.

“Trucy? Is everything okay?”

“Yep! Everything’s good.” She replied, her smile only stretching further.

“If something happened, Fräulein, you can tell us.” Klavier added. Trucy glanced between the two of them before sighing. Apollo felt the hold of his bracelet lessen.

“Um, can you guys actually wait outside for a minute?” She asked, looking down at her shoes nervously.

“Trucy!” Kristoph yelled from inside. “It’s fine, they can come in.”

Trucy glanced nervously inside the house. “But what about-”

“It’s fine.” Kristoph yelled again, his voice terse. “It’s too hot out to make them wait.”

Trucy hummed, looking sad. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, is everything okay?” Apollo asked. Trucy stepped aside to let them inside. 

“I dunno…Daddy’s been acting weird since we got home from the store. He was doing fine earlier!”

Klavier glanced at Apollo, his mouth opening and closing like he was trying to find the right words to say. It never seemed to come to him.

Taking off his shoes by the door, Apollo noticed that the walls were visible, for once. Most of the boxes seemed to have been cleaned out, allowing for Apollo to see photographs he never knew existed. There were plenty of Phoenix with 2 girls he didn’t recognize, one with black hair and the other with light brown. Included as well was a faded copy of Mr. Wright’s Admission to the Bar. It was like a punch to the gut seeing it; a reminder of a life that was no longer Mr. Wrights’.

Mr. Wright himself was seated on the ground, rummaging through a box on the ground. He was muttering something to himself, tossing objects haphazardly on the ground beside him. Trucy walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Daddy, the others are here.”

“Okay, I’ll be done in a minute, promise.” He mumbled, waving her off. She frowned, moving to stand next to Apollo.

“Daddy, please,” she begged as she did so. “We gotta start getting ready for dinner-”

“Ah, hallo, Herr Wright!” Klavier greeted, seemingly trying to help Trucy with getting him away from whatever it was that he was doing. Mr. Wright paid no attention to him, continuing to dig through the boxes, muttering panicked nonsense under his breath.

“I can’t find it…where did he-”

“Herr Wright?” He asked, this time in a much softer voice. “Is everything okay, what are you doing?”

“I misplaced something…I’m just-” Mr. Wright tried to explain, his words catching in his throat. He made a noise of frustration. “I need to find it.”

“We can worry about it later, Herr Wright,” Klavier placed a hand on his back. “The mess will still be here afterwards, ja?” 

Mr. Wright sighed, his hands shaking a bit. “Y-yeah, you’re right.” 

“Natürlich bin ich das. Jetzt!” Klavier smiled warmly. “Let’s get some food for you, okay? I’m sure it’ll do you some good.”

“I didn’t understand anything you just said right now,” Mr. Wright laughed under his breath, allowing himself to be led by Klavier into the kitchen. Apollo glanced nervously at Trucy.

“Is he-”

“Not now, Polly. Please.” 

“Okay,” He whispered, following Trucy into the kitchen. It’s never a normal day with this family, it seems.

The kitchen was small, but clean. The air was filled with the tantalizing smell of roasted vegetables and the sound of sizzling steaks. Apollo’s stomach nearly growled, recognizing only then how hungry he was. He saw Klavier filling up a glass of water, sliding it over to Mr. Wright (who was seated at the table). The man smiled, taking a sip as he seemed to finally notice Apollo in the room.

“Hey, kid.”

“Uhm…hi, Mr. Wright.” Apollo acknowledged. Kristoph turned around from where he stood in front of the stove. He smiled warmly.

“Hi there, Apollo. What do you have there?”

“Oh!” Apollo held up the bottle. “I dunno if you guys drink…sorry if you don’t, but…”

“Ah, Phoenix doesn’t anymore, but I indulge every now and again.” Kristoph explained, looking pleased. “You didn’t have to bring anything, Apollo, but I appreciate the gesture nonetheless.”

“I felt bad showing up empty handed.” Apollo admitted, his ears burning bright red.

“Oh c’mon Herr Forehead, I do it all the time.” Klavier chimed in, sitting at the table.

“...I don’t think that’s something you should admit out loud.” 

Klavier shrugged nonchalantly as Apollo went to set down the bottle on the counter. “Do you need any help, Kristoph?”

His boss shook his head. “I’m almost done. Go sit down with the others, okay?”

Apollo did just that, sitting next to Klavier. Trucy chose to sit next to her dad, being directly across from Apollo From there, Trucy pulled out a deck of UNO from god knows where, enticing everyone to play a few rounds with her while they waited for Kristoph to finish cooking. She slid the cars to her dad, who shuffled them effortlessly with an air of confidence Apollo had only ever seen in those Visit Las Vegas ads on TV. 

“Where’d you learn how to shuffle like that?” Apollo blurted out. 

“Prison.” He hummed. Apollo gawked at him, which made both Trucy and her father laugh.

“Jeez, kid, what do you take me for? I’m just messing with you.” He slid everyone the appropriate number of cards. “No, I used to work at this club a few years ago. I wasn’t necessarily the card dealer, but you always pick up a thing or two on the job.”

From there, they played a few rounds, Mr. Wright winning most of them somehow. Apollo felt the most relaxed he had since he had met the man just a few months ago. He could be quite funny, he found out, albeit having a twisted sense of humor and a pension for being overly competitive. Just as they were wrapping up Mr. Wright’s third win in a row, Kristoph announced that the food was ready. 

“Do any of you guys want a glass as well?” Kristoph offered, looking at the group as he picked up the wine bottle from the counter.

“No thank you, I drove.” Klavier explained.

“I’m good, thank you.” Apollo said.

“I’ll take some.” Trucy tried to sneak in. Mr. Wright shook his head.

“No you will not.”

Kristoph laughed, grabbing the bottle. “Just me, then? Alright, give me a second to open this, then I’ll set out the food-” 

“I got it! Go serve the food, Kris. I’m sure the others are hungry,” Mr. Wright said quickly as he stood up from his chair, taking the bottle from Kristoph. He sifted through what looked like a junk drawer, eventually pulling out a corkscrew. As Kristoph was filling up everyone's plates with generous portions of steak, vegetables, and some kind of sauce Apollo couldn’t recognize, there was a small clatter. Mr. Wright yelped in response. “Ah, shit-”

“Are you okay?” Kristoph whipped around, looking at Mr. Wright, whose finger was now dripping blood. Not enough to be an actual problem, but still troublesome.

“Nicked myself with the fuckin’ corkscrew.” He swore under his breath. Kristoph tried to take the man's hand in his own, but Mr. Wright pulled away.

“I got it, I got it.” he reassured halfheartedly, squeezing Kristophs’ arm in an attempt to soothe his worries. “Just give me a minute, sorry guys!” he called over his shoulder to Apollo, Trucy, and Klavier before leaving the room. Kristoph shook his head, exasperated, 

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with that man,” He muttered under his breath. Klavier smiled, albeit a bit tense in nature.

“I’m sure he’s fine, Kristoph.” the prosecutor assured. 

“How do you even manage to cut yourself on a corkscrew,” Kristoph uttered as he handed everyone their plates of food. Once done, he went back to the counter, uncorking the bottle and pouring himself a glass before he sat down at the table, pinching the bridge of his nose. For a few, awkward moments, everything was silent before Trucy cleared her throat, trying to break the tension.

“So! Klavi, do you have any news of an upcoming EP? Y’know, a lot of the Gavineers fandom on Tumblr is speculating you guys are gonna drop one.”

“Really? Well…I can’t exactly say anything yet-”

“Oh my god, are you serious?!” Trucy looked at Apollo. “Polly, did you hear that?”

“It’s truly a miracle,” He monotoned. Trucy furrowed her brows.

“Do you not like The Gavineers, Polly? I thought you and Klavier were friends.”

“Yeah, Herr Forehead, I thought we were friends.” Klavier teased. 

“Leave Apollo alone, you two.” Kristoph sighed, taking a sip from his glass.

“No, please continue, it’s funny.” Mr. Wright spoke, suddenly in the doorway to the kitchen. He had both his hands in his hoodie pockets as he walked, sitting back down.

“Everything okay?” Kristoph asked him quietly. “You took a while.”

“Couldn’t find the bandaids.” He supplied. Now with Mr. Wright there, everyone began eating their food. Apollo revelled in the flavor, the sauce adding a sort of sweetness when paired with the steak. It was definitely some of the best food he had ever had.

“I never knew you could cook this good, Kristoph.” Apollo complemented.

“Mr. Gavin’s a really good cook!” Trucy nodded, taking a bite of her stake. “So is Daddy, but he doesn’t cook all that much anymore.”

“I never knew that about you, Herr Wright.” Klavier echoed with a smile. 

“Ah, I don’t do much anymore.” He shrugged. “Kristoph’s all but banned me from the kitchen.”

“In my defense, you started a grease fire trying to make breakfast once.”

“And, if I remember correctly, someone tried to put it out with water.” Mr. Wright shot a playfully accusing glance at Kristoph. Apollo watched in mild amusement as his boss's face reddened, the man trying to cover it with his hand.

“That…was a mistake on my part. But it was only one time!”

“As was that grease fire! I had it under control.” Mr. Wright rolled his eyes, taking a small bite of his food. He grimaced, setting the fork back down and stuffing his hands back in his pockets. Apollo noticed Mr. Wright's eyes glancing back to the doorway every now and again, a hazy, unfocused look casting over himself. Trucy looked at her dad, tilting her head.

“Are you not hungry, Daddy?”

“I’m fine, Truce,” He smiled. Kristoph sighed deeply, looking at Mr. Wright.

“Phoenix, dear, you’ve been acting off all day.”

“It’s nothing, Kris. Just eat your food.” Mr. Wright replied in a much harsher tone than he had just used to speak with his daughter. 

“It’s not nothing, Phoenix. If something’s wrong, I want you to tell me.”

“So! Apollo, Klavier, you both had a trial today, right?” Mr. Wright tried to change the subject. “How was it?”

Apollo shifted in his seat uncomfortably, feeling a horrid tension seeping into the room. This was the part of Mr. Wright that he loathed. He didn’t trust him when he was like this; skittish and seeking escapes from confrontation. “Um…it was fine, I guess.”

“Phoenix,” Kristoph interjected. “You’re testing my patience. I just want to know if you’re alright. You’ve been out of it all day today. It’s gotten me worried that…that maybe…”

“Drop it, Kris. Not when we have guests over.” Mr. Wright mumbled, looking at the doorway once again. Apollo saw a flash of fear in his eyes before the man ducked his head down, staring at his plate of food as if it committed some mass offense. 

“Listen, Phoenix, it is not my fault you’ve given me reason to doubt you. I’m not trying to corner you, I’m just concerned. Nothing else.”

“It’s fine, Kris.” Mr. Wright reiterated. Apollo could sense the man was starting to get agitated, but he kept himself quiet. This wasn’t his place to step in, as much as he wished to. He hated when people argued with each other.

“Is this something that I’ve caused? H-have I done anything to you?” Apollo watched as the gears turned in Kristoph's mind. “...Does this have to do with Mia?”

“Don’t talk about her.” Mr. Wright hissed. “You don’t get to talk about her.”

“Phoenix, she’s gone. She’s never coming back.” Kristoph stated harshly. “You need to let this go, already.”

Trucy looked offended. “Mr. Gavin!”

“Am I wrong, Trucy? We’ve visited that woman' s grave more times than I can count. You know as well as I do that she’s passed away.”

“Yeah, but maybe have some sympathy?!” Trucy cried, looking at her father with concern. Mr. Wrights’ expression was unreadable. 

“Trucy, coddling your father is just only going to enable him,” Kristoph explained, sounding tired. He looked at Klavier and Apollo, who were both trying their best to not make eye contact with anyone else at the table. “I’m sorry, you two. It…might be best if you leave right now.”

“No, no they can stay.” Mr. Wright said coolly. “Since, clearly, whatever you needed to tell me was so urgent you couldn’t have waited the two hours this whole thing would’ve lasted without starting a fight.”

“Phoenix,” Kristoph started to say before Mr. Wright stood up, slamming his hands down on the table.

“No, ‘cause why not let everyone here know how fucked up I am? Turn me into some kind of trauma porn to share with these two, why don’t you?” 

“Phoenix, calm down.” Kristoph sighed as Mr. Wrights’ eyes were beginning to fill with tears. “Just tell me what to do, how to help you, and I will.”

“Stop, stop,” Mr. Wright began to feverishly mumble under his breath, continuously looking back and forth at Kristoph and the doorway. “Both of you just shut up!”

There were several beats of silence, not a single person in the room daring to speak. Apollo reflexively looked at the door despite knowing he’d be meant with emptiness. Looking back, he saw Kristoph looking positively shaken.

“Phoenix…please, please don’t tell me you’re seeing her again.” Kristoph shuddered. Mr. Wright had the audacity to laugh.

“Whatever I tell you, you won’t like it.”

“What happened? You were doing so well! The- the meds…were they not…were they not working?” Kristoph mused, shaking his head frantically. Mr. Wright took something from his pocket, slipping it next to Trucy's plate before he walked away from the table, his back to the rest of them. Kristoph followed with his partner, trying to reach out to Mr. Wright who flinched at his touch as though being burned.

Apollo saw Trucy's face blanch as she looked down at the table. Carefully, she picked up what looked like a small, glowing green rock. Maybe a crystal? Whatever it was, it seemed to spark a memory in Trucy. She looked back at Kristoph. “...It’s today. Mr. Gavin. Mia died today. Wh-why would you have people over today?!”

Trucy stuffed the rock in her pocket just before Kristoph looked back at them. He looked gutted; an expression Apollo had never once seen on his boss. “You’re…right. Scheiße, how could I forget?”

“You didn’t,” Mr. Wright accused, his voice shaky as he began to back away from Kristoph. “I know you. You don’t-you don’t forget stuff like that.”

“Phoenix, how could you say that?!” Kristoph exclaimed, looking hurt. “I only ever want what's best for you. I understand you’re hurting, I empathize with you…”

“No you don’t, Kristoph.” Mr. Wright sobbed. “You don’t know what this is like. She’s here, Kris. I know she’s here she-she was right-”

“Then, please enlighten me on where this…this mysterious woman is! Get it through to yourself that she’s dead, Phoenix.” Kristoph yelled at Mr. Wright who had his back pressed against the fridge. He sank to the ground, putting his hands on his head as he visibly shook.

“I know she’s dead! I had to fucking bury her!” He wailed. 

“Then why must you always try to convince yourself that she’s in this house? She’s dead, Phoenix. No amount of wishing is ever going to bring her back, I’m sorry.” Kristoph sighed. Mr. Wright sniffled, shaking from where he sat.

“I know she’s here,” He repeated like a broken record. “She’s always been here.”

“She’s been dead for ten years, Phoenix. You need to let her go. You’re not seeing anything.” Kristoph whispered slowly. “There’s no one there. There never has been.”

Apollo felt his wrist twitch, his bracelet vibrating at Kristophs’ statement. His blood ran cold and he reflexively placed his opposite hand over the bracelet as if he could conceal its’ nature. Surely this was wrong. It had to be wrong. He felt the breath leave his lungs as he stared at Kristoph and Mr. Wright.

“Y-you guys can see her, right? I-I’m not- I’m not lying about her.” Mr. Wright hiccuped, desperately looking between Apollo and Klavier. “Please, there has to be someone here who can see her too…”

“Herr Wright…there’s no one here,” Klavier said, softly. He sounded sad, frowning when he saw Mr. Wright shake his head.

“No, no you guys can, I know you can.” Mr. Wright wrapped his arms tightly around himself. “I’m not lying about this, I-”

Kristoph sighed wearily. “Let me help you up, Phoenix. I…we can call the psychiatrist again, we can try a new round of therapy, or-or meds, and-”

“No! I’m not doing this again. I don’t need to talk to anyone about this!”

“I’ve stayed with you all these years, Phoenix…” Kristoph pleaded. “I know what’s best for you.”

“No you don’t! You’re fucking psychotic!” Mr. Wright suddenly screamed. Kristoph looked morose, crouching down where Mr. Wright was. He reached out to hold Mr. Wright, but he smacked his hand away. Trucy was sitting frozen in her seat still watching the argument unfold with tears welling up in her eyes. Apollo put a hand on her shoulder, not failing to see how hard she flinched at the contact. “Trucy, let’s go outside, okay?”

Trucy nodded wordlessly, the three of them slipped out the house and onto the steps of the apartment complex. Faintly, Apollo could still hear Kristoph and Mr. Wright yelling at each other. Poor little Trucy seemed so scared, her eyes wide and brimming with tears.

“Fräulein,” murmured Klavier. “C’mere,” 

He extended his arms out towards her, which she collapsed, sobbing into his shirt. He petted her hair, humming as he swayed her gently from side to side. Apollo stood by the side, never having been one for physical affection. “Trucy-”

“How could Mr. Gavin forget that?” She wailed. “I knew something was wrong with Daddy, I knew it!”

“Hush, Fräulein,” Klavier breathed. “It is upsetting, I know…I’m sure my brother isn’t happy with himself either.”

They could hear more yelling coming from inside the house, followed by something clattering to the ground. Klavier wrapped his arms tighter around Trucy, almost as if he could shield her from everything happening inside. Apollo awkwardly reached out to Trucy as well, patting her on the arm.

“Why don’t you come stay at my place for a bit, until things cool down? I uh…I can get some ice cream, you like that right?” Apollo offered, feeling himself grow more anxious as the yelling inside the apartment only continued. “Uh…and Klavier could join us too! And, maybe…uh, shoot, maybe Ema? She’s a friend of ours. Really funny, once you get to know her.” 

“Yes, yes!” Klavier grinned, trying to make himself seem more cheerful than he was. “You’d love Fräulein Detective, Miss Trucy. She’s a wunderbar woman, if I do say so myself.”

Trucy shook her head, still hiding her face against Klaviers chest. He and Apollo exchanged looks of concern at each other.

“I-I don’t mind, and I’m sure Kristoph would…like the space while he sorts out everything here.” Apollo mumbled. Trucy sniffled, looking at him.

“...I wanna stay here, please.”

“Are you sure, Fräulein?” Klavier asked, wiping her tears with his thumb. She nodded, digging into her pockets before holding up the strange rock she had taken from the table.

“I need to hide this before Daddy notices I took it…” She explained quietly. “It’s something Mr. Gavin does…so he doesn’t get like this.”

“I understand, Fräulein.” Klavier whispered. “You will call me or Herr Forehead if anything changes, yes?”

She nodded, drying up the last of her tears and attempting to put on a brave face. “Yeah. I will.”

Klavier gave her one last squeeze of a hug before letting go. Without any further word, Trucy went back into the apartment, locking the door behind herself.

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The second the door shut, Apollo let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His heart rate only picked up from there, his mind fully going into a blind panic. Quick, heaving gasps escaped him, and he sunk to the ground, his vision going blurry. What the fuck, what the fuck just happened-?

“Herr- Apollo, is everything okay?” Klavier asked, sounding a bit afraid himself as he crouched down beside him. He reached to put a hand on Apollo's back, but hesitated at the last moment. “Breathe, Apollo, breathe.” Klavier tried his best to soothe him.

Apollo took a shuddering breath, coughing as it caught in his throat. “What the fuck, what the fuck was that?!” Apollo repeated as he dug his nails into his forearms. Klavier gently reached for Apollos’ hands, guiding them away from himself.

“I know, I know,” Klavier fretted. “Just breathe, Apollo, it’s okay.”

Apollo scrubbed at his face once Klavier had let go of his arms, but the tears kept coming. “He, he just-”

“I know, Mr. Wrights’... incident wasn’t…the most pleasant thing to bear witness to.” Klavier tried to console.

“No, no, your brother!” A loud sob tore through him. “Klavier, I think, I think he was-”

A cutting breath escaped Apollo's throat, sending him further into panic once more. He couldn’t even process this. Klavier went back to comforting Apollo, ignoring what the man had just tried to say.

“Why don’t I drive you home?” Klavier offered, helping Apollo stand up. “I can’t let you, in good consciousness, get on public transportation.”

Apollo sniffled, attempting to make conversion, though his throat was still tight and constricted. “I-...I, um-” 

“I know you’re going to say you don’t want to be a bother, and I assure you, I’d not offer if I did not want to help.” Klavier supplied. “Come, let’s get in my car.”

Apollo inhaled shakily, letting himself be led into the vehicle by Klavier, giving the Prosecutor directions via Google Maps as he tried desperately to not start sobbing again. Klavier turned on the radio, the noise being nothing more than a faint, low rumble in the background. Apollo stared out the window, watching the blurs of trees and other cars as they neared closer to his neighborhood. His mind wouldn’t stop running at a thousand miles per hour no matter how much he tried to distract himself.

Gazing down, Apollos’ wrist still felt the constraints of the bracelet from earlier; phantom pain still pulsating whenever he moved it. She’s been dead for ten years, Phoenix. You need to let her go. You’re not seeing anything. There’s no one there. There never has been.

A thought came across him, sprouting new tears that he struggled to keep from falling. It made him feel sick to his stomach, almost. He didn’t want it to be true, because if it was, he did not know what to do from there. 

Mr. Gavin is lying about something.

He’s lying about Mr. Wright.