Chapter Text
“AJ! Wake up!! C’mon!!”
So, this day had gone pretty bad for his best friend. Between learning Apollo’s mentor had murdered someone and learning Apollo’s role model forged evidence, he had it rough. Didn’t help that all the lawyer did was come home half steaming with anger, screamed about everything that went wrong, went into his room to cry.
Clay wanted to help, but he knew Apollo would hate it if he barged in and forced the other to talk.
That wouldn’t stop him from breaking into his workplace to reminisce.
Clay was the newest recruit at the Cosmos Space Center after a long training process. He’s the only one who survived past all the conditions, and he’d worked his entire life to get there.
But he would immediately give it all up for Apollo.
Why?
He’s madly in love with his best friend.
The space cadet can’t say that out loud though. That could ruin everything between them. He treasures their friendship.
So, for now? He’ll just figure it out as it goes.
“I swear to the stars, AJ, if you don’t get up right now, I’m moving out tomorrow.”
Apollo stirs. “Can you please leave me alone right now?”
Clay pouts, crossing his arms. AJ is never this stubborn.
With a sigh, he hauls his best friend onto his shoulder. The weak punches at his back are child’s play. “Listening now?!”
“Okay,” Apollo yells, half tired and half laughing. “LET ME DOWN ALREADY!”
He sets down the attorney and places his hands on his hips. “We’re going to the space center. Get dressed.”
“It’s basically midnight, and the space center is 2 hours away from here. What are you thinking?!”
“You know I have my license, asstorney. It’ll be an hour, and that’s not half bad.” Clay spins his car keys around his finger.
Apollo rolls his eyes. “Am I allowed to fix my hair first?”
“If you must! I’ll be waiting in the car!”
He ties his jacket around his waist and enters his car, bubbling with excitement. Apollo doesn’t take long in the bathroom, so they quickly speed off in the direction of his workplace. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches his best friend softly singing along to the music. He doesn’t acknowledge that though because he’d much rather listen.
Clay pulls into the Cosmos Space Center’s employee parking lot and yanks his keys out of the ignition.
“I cannot believe we’re doing this.”
“Believe it, already!” The space cadet punches the attorneys shoulder. “We did this once senior year of high school, and that was the greatest senior skip day ever.”
Apollo unlocks the passenger car door and steps outside. “Please don’t remind me of that. We crashed at 5 in the morning in the space museum! We had school the next day!”
Clay slips his jacket back on as he exits the car, slamming the door and locking it.
As he looks across the car, he smiles at an Apollo who’s far too focused on his cowlicks. His best friend didn’t really do his hair in the normal way, leaving it fluffy.
God, he’d give anything to run his hands through that hair.
“Assteroid, stop staring off into space, and let’s go.”
Thankfully, the moonlight is not bright enough to show how pink his cheeks turned.
“Remember how we had to lose that one cop after breaking in. That was fun, right?”
They walk towards the entrance of the center. While the building is still dark, the stars burn brightly in the sky. The only light Clay can focus on is the attorney beside him.
“That was terrifying. I hate breaking the law like that.”
“As if you’re not about to break it now?” Clay hops above the turnstile and lands on the other side cleanly.
His best friend can only grunt in response as he clumsily jumps over the same gateway. In that same vein, Apollo’s foot got caught on the rung, and he trips face first into Clay’s body. They land with a thud onto the sidewalk.
“You’re terrible at sneaking, AJ,” he sighs.
“I hate you and your snide remarks, Clay.”
The astronaut lifts his head up to find Apollo very close. He pushes himself up and forces the other off of him, taking deep breaths to control his heart rate.
“Oh, but you love me, though~” Clay responds, rushing the answer in favor of standing. He opens a hand for Apollo to take.
“I tolerate you.”
The attorney grabs his hand and hoists himself up, rushing to the entrance of the building. He catches up effortlessly, and the other allows him to decide where they go first.
He has a perfect idea.
“I’m making you sit in the chairs.”
Apollo groans as the duo exits the elevator door to enter the boarding lounge.
“You’re just gonna make me sick to my stomach.”
“Oh, that’s the best part!”
The boarding lounge is solely lit by the holographic image of a yellow creature roaming an alien planet, with a pink sky and neon green ground. Bright orange and white oxygen tanks lie silent. The zero-g seat above their heads is what he would’ve tortured Apollo with if he could access it.
“You have no idea how fast Clonco goes, so you don’t get to be sick.” He plops into the seat, preparing to spin the table as fast as he can.
“Fine, fine!” His best friend smiles for the first time all night. “Are we doing Hands Off or not?”
The game, Hands Off, is an idea they got at a state fair. Neither of them are allowed to use their hands to hold onto the seat, hence the name. The only item they can touch is the table to spin it faster. First one to either steady themselves with their hands or fall off the chair wins.
The astronaut coughs to hide his blush, shaking it off and then smirking. “You’re going to lose, asstorney. This is MY turf.”
“I win all the time. You’re going down, assteroid.” Apollo sits, stretching his neck to both sides.
“3, 2, 1, GO!”
Clay yanks the table. He often forgets that Apollo is far too strong for his height, so the whiplash he gets from the spin is surprising. He’s not going down without a fight though.
Each time he does a full turn, he marvels at the blur of brown and red lit by the hologram’s neon colors. It forces Clay to remember the night he was shit-faced drunk after a frat party where his best friend carried him into their dorm. Their faces were also lit by neon then. Apollo looks good in any light.
Before he can continue that train of thought, Apollo manages to yank the table so hard Clay slips out of the chair and onto the floor, laughing at both his crush and the fact that he’s lost this game twice because of staring too much.
“You okay?”
The worry in his best friend's voice is satisfying.
"I'm fine!” He retorts, immediately thinking about what else they can do in here.
Duh, the space museum!
After a short conversation, they walk into the next room, and he heads straight for the accurate rocketship in the center of the room. The space cadet knows every dent and bump on this model rocket. He gets lost in its design as per usual.
Then, he moves over to the photo of all the employees at the space center. He’d always come here as a teenager. He knew everyone. Kind of. The names are lost on him now.
Before long, his eyes drift to the attorney who seems to be lost in thought. Apollo seems to avoid Clay in this place, completely the opposite of senior year.
Didn’t he fall asleep with him?
The space cadet shrugs off the memory.
He startles the attorney who is most likely bored of this room. While asking if the other is fine, he gets the feeling they should move on.
“Sorry, AJ. We can go to a more interesting room if you want. Something that’ll distract you.”
Right. Tonight’s supposed to be about cheering his best friend up.
“I mean, I like this room too, but maybe somewhere else for now. Any ideas?”
As the two head out of the space museum, Clay’s about to offer the idea of going to the robotics lab until Clonco comes their way.
It should be charging right now.
Shit, Aura’s going to know about this.
But showing off his jacket will probably be the only way they get out of this situation right now. Plus, Apollo isn’t registered as a guest.
“Clonco!” He says in a strained happy voice.
“Oh, it’s you! Mr. Terran!”
Before the robot can come any closer, he tosses his jacket onto Apollo. “Do not talk.”
The order is in a different tone of voice too. Sure, he’d give up space to be with the attorney who looks adorable in his oversized jacket. If he absolutely had to.
“Yea, I forgot my jacket! You know me,” he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.
“I am very happy to see you! Though, your training’s supposed to start at 6 am. You need a good night’s rest. Ms. Aura will not like-“
In a moment of desperation, he picks up Apollo bridal style. Best way to cover his face until the elevator.
“YEP! I know!” His voice is cracking. “Clonc, can you keep this between us? And not tell my boss’s right hand woman?”
“Why wouldn’t you want to tell Ms. Aura?”
She’ll murder him without remorse. He’s still the new recruit after all.
“I don’t want to lose my job!” That response is honest.
The robot frowns. “I’d hate to see you leave, Mr. Terran! I won’t tell her!”
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow! Well. Today. But later.” He speeds to the elevator door, thankfully already there. “Bye!”
Clonco waves goodbye. He gives the robot a smile while the doors close.
The astronaut sighs in relief. “You okay, Apollo?”
Clay presses the button down to the entrance of the space center quickly. If Clonco is up and about, that would mean Aura isn’t far behind. How late did they stay up? If Mr. Cosmos heard about this, he’d kiss his career goodbye.
The passing conversation between Apollo and him was so casual he hadn’t even noticed what he was talking about.
Then he realized he’d been carrying his best friend the entire elevator ride. He suppresses the blush inching across his face.
As the two hop above the turnstiles where Apollo didn’t trip this time, he sighs. They walked in silence the entire time after the awkward bridal style carrying situation.
He curses himself for not making a move.
The space cadet rationalizes that making a move would have been a terrible idea. It would make Apollo’s day worse, probably.
“What did you think about my pity party? Good trip down memory lane or just as bad as the rest of your day?”
His best friend smiles again. “Good trip down memory lane. Thanks.”
Clay rustles Apollo’s hair. He hadn’t expected such a genuine response. Would’ve been more in line to say ‘Oh yea, Clay you made it much shittier by just rambling about space for hours and also you’re just a friend to me.’
Maybe he was projecting his worst fears.
Despite that, he drapes his arms around Apollo’s shoulders. “So, since I’d rather keep my job and we can’t go back inside, how about some stargazing? Or have you had enough space for one night?”
“Being your best friend means I can’t get tired of space, headass.”
Somehow, he doesn’t mind the fact Apollo draped his coat around his shoulders. This could almost be considered a date with how they look. And that response was in line with the attorney’s grumpiness.
“That’s a yes to me.” He smirks, squeezing his best friend just a bit closer.
What he would give to kiss Apollo’s temple right now.
Reluctantly, he removes his arm from the other’s shoulders when they arrive. Clay pulls himself up onto the car’s rooftop.
This experience of stargazing with his best friend happens time and time again, yet it feels special and new each time. His ramblings about space are ingrained into his brain at this point. But being here? With Apollo? Gushing about all the stars and planets is great, but having him here is even better.
“AJ?” The question startles the man beside him, from what he can feel on his shoulder. Staring at Apollo when he’s this close is torture.
If he looks into those eyes, Clay will immediately kiss him.
“What is it?”
“I just wanted to ask you something.” He takes a deep breath.
Ever since his employment at this facility, Clay has endured grueling traffic, constantly being late to training, and many reprimands from Mr. Cosmos, Ms. Blackquill, and even Mr. Starbuck. And Mr. Starbuck is normally the easiest on him. That was the last straw.
Clay regrettably knew he had to move closer here. Closer to the space center.
Away from Apollo.
Just for his dream of space travel.
But after today? The attorney lost his job, more specifically his source of income. Plus, Apollo would probably be unable to find another so soon if he doesn’t take up Phoenix Wright’s offer.
And with what Clay heard? He wouldn’t work for that liar either.
“You’re my best friend, you know, and… and I was supposed to move out by the end of this week.” He clicks his tongue in disapproval. “But I’m not gonna leave you now. Not after all this shit has happened.”
Against his urges, he turns his head to look at his best friend in the eye. Somehow, saying all that may have hurt Apollo more.
“Would you mind if I stayed another month? Just until you get back to work.”
God, why did his best friend look so forlorn?
He’s trying to help him out.
Should he have not said that?
“I’m not doing this because I pity you or anything.” The astronaut continues talking even though he’s sure Apollo wants him to stop. “I’m staying because I want to help you, Apollo. So, please, don’t be stubborn about it.”
...
So, getting back home at 4 in the morning after a night of reminiscing about their lives together was a bad idea.
Clay knew he’d have to take a shower and immediately get back in the car if he wanted to get back to work on time. At least Apollo looked peaceful as he fell asleep in the passenger seat.
Despite everything that happened, something didn’t stick right with him. He thought that what he said was right. Direct action rather than beating around the bush. However, he felt the near tremble of his best friend in their hug on the car rooftop.
Why did he nearly make Apollo cry?
Did he not want him to stay?
He settles back into their driveway, parking his car. Apollo had been using his jacket as a blanket, and Clay didn’t mind. That meant he’d faintly smell the other’s hair products on his person all day. He gets out of the car, and gently opens the passenger seat door.
“Alright, AJ, c’mere...” Clay’s voice is low, rumbling in his chest with such a low volume. He manages to put on his jacket again, and the astronaut gently tugs Apollo out from the seat and onto him. Carrying him has never been a problem. So, he picks the attorney up and kicks the car door back shut, bringing him into their home.
As soon as they get upstairs, Clay lays his best friend into his bed. Clay even remembers to take off the other’s shoes. He’s being over-considerate after what transpired.
Before he leaves, Apollo weakly tugs him back to his bed. “D’you really have to go to work today?”
His heart pangs because... Yes. He does have to go to work. Taking a day off as a new recruit will kill his chances of being a real astronaut.
But Apollo wants him to stay.
That makes Clay smile.
He turns back around to find his best friend barely awake. Very cute. Bad for his health kind of cute. Bad for his sanity kind of cute. Bad for his career kind of cute. He leans down and plants a kiss on Apollo’s forehead.
It’s not enough of a gesture to say, ‘I’m totally smitten by you.’ It is enough to say, ‘I care.’
“I’ll be back home at 10 tonight. I promise.”
With that, he slowly closes the door to his best friend’s bedroom. He eyes the other turning over in his bed again, getting a faint glimpse of Apollo’s face in the light. When the door clicks, he settles into his work mindset.
He‘ll recover from tonight without any hindrances. However, Apollo’s reaction may infect every part of his life.
A quick shower. Brushing his teeth. Making sure to bring a phone charger since he’d been out all night and his phone‘s half dead. Grabbing a slice of bread from the kitchen and strolling out the door. Clay cricks his neck as the car is brought to life.
His jacket does smell like AJ.
(Thank you, Clay.)
Before he can get lost in his romantic feelings, he’s on the highway again. Traffic will kill him at some point. The fatigued astronaut tries his best to not be irritated by the terrible drivers who keep cutting him off, but by god, he will punch something if he doesn’t get to work on time.
(Seriously, it means a lot to me.)
He rushes into the Space Center, wrestling on his visor before tumbling in the door.
(You've done so much for me already.)
His work is a blur. Expected, by the late night he spent. Between the constant zero-g training, physical exercise, and device monitoring, the day simply doesn’t come into focus.
(You dealt with it anyways, and you're going to keep dealing with it just for me?)
“Haaaaaaaaaaaaangh...”
Well, he recognizes that sigh.
“Hey, Mr. Starbuck!”
“Clay! This is the first time you’ve said hello, and it’s dinnertime!”
Ugh, god, he can’t catch a break. “Sorry, sir, long night.”
There’s a laugh from his idol. “Clonco may not have told Aura, but I got something outta that robot. You were here at 2 am.”
His breath hitches. “Sir, please don’t fire me. Apollo had a real bad night, so-“
When the man raises his finger, Clay knows to fall silent. “You’re good as long as I’m the only one who knows. I asked Mr. Cosmos if you could go home early because you looked sick, so you’re in the clear after dinner.”
The stars in the night sky sparkle in his eyes. “Thank you, sir!! Thank you so much!”
He hugs Mr. Starbuck and rushes home.
When he bursts into their house at 9, it’s the most relief he’s felt in his entire life. “Guess who’s home early, AJ?!”
The attorney is lazily watching television, and his head peeks over the screen.
“It’s 9 pm.”
“Dude. Don’t start. This is early. I’m literally so happy.” He removes his visor. “Now, lie the fuck down! Lemme use you as a pillow.”
Apollo is nothing but confused. “Was today that bad?”
He hadn’t asked for Apollo to be the big spoon since high school. And that was during junior year finals. Clay had been taking 5 APs, plus extra college courses.
“Today wasn’t bad. It was just... a day. So please?” He shrugs off his jacket and places it onto the coat rack, pouting in a childish manner.
“Get over here already! And grab the damn hairbrush too. Your hair is a total mess.”
Oh, now that’s a treat. There are just some things that Apollo can do really well. One of them is cheering him up after a tiring day.
He quickly grabs the brush and settles in on top of his best friend who’s already working his way through the nest of hair on his head. Apollo is warm. The perfect type of cuddle warm.
“You wanna watch Bloody Death 5 again?”
He doesn’t deserve such a good best friend. A smile graces his face.
“You’re too good to me, Apollo! Put it on.” He nestles into the other’s shoulder as the attorney picks the film.
Being casually intimate with Apollo is nice. But, god, his mind always wanders to kissing the man underneath him over and over again. Then, his mind travels back to the night before. How he nearly made Apollo cry by asking to stay.
(You're my best friend, after all.)
“AJ?”
“Yea?” The attorney is still tugging at his hair.
He sighs. “Did you... Do you want me to move out?”
The man drops the hairbrush onto the coffee table beside the couch they’re cuddling on.
“What made you think that?”
“Last night, you were about to cry when I asked if I could stay. All you did was thank me. Wasn’t exactly a yes.”
He buries his face into Apollo’s chest.
Confronting stuff like this should be easy for him. But this just... This sets him on the edge. Is all of this too much? All the physical affection?
“Clay, look at me.”
He reluctantly lifts his head to meet the attorney’s eyes. They’re hurt. Not again.
“So, you do want me to leave-”
Even though Apollo is weaker, a strong arm holds Clay in place.
“Shut up, assteroid. I want you to stay. Of fucking course, I want you to stay. It makes me so happy that you’re doing all this for me. I... I don’t know what I did to deserve such a good best friend. That’s why I nearly cried,” Apollo pulls Clay’s head into his chest. “If you could stay forever, I wouldn’t mind. But that would keep you from your dream. And I don’t want that.”
Clay closes his eyes, taking a deep inhale. The man underneath him smells like honey, chocolate, and hair products. He’s going to miss that when he leaves.
“So, stay as long as you like.”
The astronaut hugs his best friend a bit tighter.
“I’ll do just that until you find a new job without Mr. Wrong.”
He can feel the chuckle from the man underneath him. “If all else fails, I might have to.”
“Are you sure you can trust him though? Something about having a boss manipulate their employee doesn’t sit right with me.”
The screams from the horror movie blend into the background. Neither of them are startled. Actually, they would normally laugh at how terrible the movie is. An unsettling feeling sets the two best friends on edge, or at least it sets Clay off.
“Nope. But, I’ll be careful.” Apollo pats his head. “So stop worrying about me! I thought you wanted to relax.”
“Fine, you comfy asstorney.”