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He was used to getting notifications, of course he was. His phone is silent, only buzzing for important calls, which he isn’t used to getting after 10pm. Of course, today is different. It’s a chilly autumn evening, and Klavier is strumming at his guitar, which doesn’t happen often nowadays. After the flaming disaster that was his last show, picking up a guitar has been hard. He misses it, but it all happened too recently. The scars it left on his mind are too fresh.
A man was murdered. During his show . By his friend . He grips the guitar a little tighter when he thinks of his former ‘partner’, and then takes a deep breath.
Getting up from his couch, he places the guitar back onto the stand, does a full-body stretch, and grabs his phone from the coffee table. And as if fate felt this, his phone started buzzing. The words displayed note that there is a call incoming from Herr Forehead.
That’s weird. That hasn’t happened before.
Klavier checks the time again. 10:23pm.
In a bit of a panic, he picks up the phone.
“Hey, Herr Justice, what’s up? It’s not like you to call me at this hour-” Klavier says.
Then he realizes he’s hearing sobs from the other side.
“Hey, hey, hey, what’s wrong? Are you crying?” he adds, worry rising in his chest.
“Oh, hi, uh, god this is so stupid, I feel so stupid,” Apollo murmurs, and it sounds like he’s suppressing more sobs. “Can I come over right now? I feel really stupid, I’m sorry, but I just. I really need a friend to talk to. I don’t want to be alone right now. And I don’t want to see anyone from the fucking agency right now.”
“Apollo, calm down. Please. Take some deep breaths.”
Apollo pauses for a moment, and Klavier can hear him take a deep breath, and sighing it out. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Am I bothering you? You’re probably busy. This is stupid.”
“You can come over right now, don’t worry, I don’t have any plans.” He looks over his apartment, and absentmindedly starts picking some things off of the floor and starts tidying up. “You know how to get to my apartment, right?”
“Mhm, I’ll come on my bike. Be there in a few minutes.” Apollo affirms, and Klavier is simply met with the disconnecting noise.
What the fuck is that about , Klavier thinks to himself, while throwing some laundry into the hamper and some old dishes in the dishwasher. While he’s in his kitchen, he decides to make some coffee for the distressed Apollo who could arrive any moment now. The first mug he sees in his cabinet is a hideous Gavinners merch mug, bright purple with the logo slapped on it. He snickers at the thought of Apollo drinking out of that, but he decides against it because of the circumstances. Instead, he grabs the mug behind it, one that’s shaped like a fox. It’s red. At that moment, he also remembers that Apollo always drinks it with unreasonable amounts of milk and sugar, so he puts that in, and stirs it for a bit.
Then he notices the rain outside. Its not just a little bit of rain, it looks like it’s almost a thunderstorm. Klavier prays that Apollo will arrive safely to whatever gods might be out there.
He grabs a coaster from his little stack he keeps, and places it and the mug on the table. For himself, he boils some water, and makes some tea. After pacing around the room for what feels like hours, glancing at the clock every now and again, and feeling like time is passing way slower than it should, there’s three knocks at the door. Klavier basically sprints over there, and opens the door.
Apollo looks miserable . His clothes are soaked, his eyes are bloodshot, the skin around his eyes is red, his nose is red, his hair looks disheveled because of the rain, and he’s just staring at the ground when Klavier opens the door.
“Hey, Herr-” Klavier starts, before getting the air knocked out of him by the smaller guy, who launches at him and wraps his arms around Klavier’s waist. He immediately feels his shirt get wet in the place where his eyes are pressed against it, and he freezes for a moment. Then he puts his arms around Apollo, and starts rubbing small circles into his shoulders. Apollo is clutching at the fabric of Klavier’s shirt like it’s the only thing in the world, and as if when he lets go, everything would fade away.
“I’m here, Apollo , I’m here.” Klavier whispers, not quite sure how to act in this situation. In response, Apollo lets out a few sobs.
“Just take some deep breaths, okay? Don’t hurry it, just take your time. I’m here, and we’re gonna be okay, okay?” Still rubbing circles into Apollo’s back. It takes a bit, but his breathing starts to calm down, and after a minute or five, he lets go of Klavier’s shirt.
“God, I feel like a disaster. Fuck, and I ruined your shirt. Sorry.” Apollo says, rubbing his nose, and looking up at Klavier.
Only then, Klavier realizes what he’s wearing. A shitty old, oversized Gavinners shirt, some sweatpants and two different socks. Instead of his contacts, he’s also wearing his glasses. Instead of his usual braid, he’s wearing his hair in a messy bun.
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll just wash it. I made you some coffee, it’s on the table.” He looks Apollo over once again, noting that he’s shivering slightly. “Scheiße, Apollo, you’re gonna catch a cold. Here’s the bathroom, wait a second,” he says, while walking to his bedroom and pulling out a comfortable sweater and another pair of sweatpants. “Here, put these on. You can give me your clothes, I’ll put them up to dry.”
He expected Apollo to be more flustered at this, but he’s really hard to read at the moment. He almost looks numb. He takes the clothes, murmurs something that sounds like a ‘thanks’, and disappears into the bathroom, locking the door behind him. Klavier also takes off his shirt, hangs it up, and puts on a sweater. He just grabbed the first two comfy sweaters he could find, and his is one that was given to him by a fan once. It says ‘Go Sports!’ in faded letters on a light grey fabric. He’s also taken off most of his jewelry, keeping one ring on each hand, and his earrings, because he likes to fidget with them.
Fairly quickly, Apollo emerges from the bathroom, and Klavier snickers at the way he looks.
“Is this really the only hoodie you had?” Apollo says, sounding tired, yet amused.
“Nein, but it is one of my most comfortable hoodies. You should be honored.” Klavier says playfully, at which he receives and eye-roll in return.
The hoodie is a deep purple, with the Gavinner’s faces on it. Klavier front and center, of course, and the rest of the band around him. It was merch from one of their tours, so it also has the tour dates on the back. The Gavinner’s logo is on the sleeves.
“It’s terrible,” Apollo remarks, which gets him a chuckle from Klavier, “but you’re right. It is very comfortable, and I am oh so grateful that I am allowed to wear this.” The sarcasm is dripping off of his voice, but he’s smiling. Klavier lets out a relieved sigh, knowing he can still make him smile.
Klavier makes his way over to his couch, and plops down onto it. He pats the space next to him, gesturing for Apollo to sit down there. He hesitates for a moment, but then he sits down. Apollo sits crosslegged with the mug of coffee in his hands, and takes some deep breaths.
“So, I’m not one to pry, obviously,” Klavier starts, at which Apollo shoots him a glance. “Okay, maybe I am, but not in situations like this,” and he gestures at Apollo, “so I won’t pressure you into talking about anything at all. You sounded really serious on the phone, Herr Forehead, and I will respect that. However, I just want to note that I am here for you.”
Apollo shoots him an apologetic smile. “Could you… not do that right now? Call me Herr Forehead, I mean. I know it’s not meant in any bad way, and I don’t mind, usually, but you called me Apollo earlier, and that’s. just a bit nicer right now. I don’t know. Sorry, this is all weird.”
Klavier blinks. “Wait, I did?”
Apollo nods. “Yeah, like… twice?”
They sit in silence for a while, Klavier trying not to observe Apollo too much. This is such a different version than what he’s used to. Usually, Apollo is energetic and kinda loud, happy and enthusiastic. This isn’t that Apollo. This one seems sad, serious and tired.
After finishing his coffee, Apollo speaks up. “Do you ever think you know someone, but then it turns out that they’re not quite what you thought they were.”
Klavier looks him in the eyes, images of Kristoph and Daryan flashing before him, and he flinches.
“I think you know the answer.”
Apollo smiles painfully. “Yeah. Yeah, I know. And I’m…” he takes a deep breath. “I’m really sorry. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t know, and you wouldn’t have had to worry about either of them, and I’ve never apologized for that.”
Klavier is taken aback by that. “Apollo, no. No, that’s not it. You did the right thing.” Klavier sighs, looking up at the ceiling. “Yeah, it sucks. It sucks so much. I miss them both. I miss Kristoph, I miss my brother. And of course, I miss Daryan, I fucking miss him.” He looks at Apollo again. “But it was the right thing. I don’t think I miss them, but I miss the ideal versions of them that I have in my head. Now that I look back at everything, it makes sense. Things fall into place. I guess I always knew that they weren’t good people, I just didn’t want to believe it.”
The expression on Apollo’s face has fallen, and he’s just looking at the mug in his hands now.
“Still, I’m sorry that all happened to you.” He says, quietly.
“It’s okay, I’ll be fine. We’re not here to talk about me right now, after all. Just… Just know that you don’t have to apologize for doing the right thing, okay?”
Apollo nods.
Apollo breaks the short silence. “How much do you know about the Gramaryes?” he asks.
“Uh, not too much, I guess. I was mostly too young, abroad and busy when they were famous. Of course, we learned a bit about them during that trial, but that’s about it. They’re Trucy’s family, right?”
Apollo nods. “There were four members of the Gramarye Troupe. Magnifi, of course, then Valant, and Zak, Trucy’s father.” He says through gritted teeth.
“I thought you said four?”
“Yeah. Thalassa Gramarye. Magnifi’s daughter, and Trucy’s mother.”
“W- Wait what??” Klavier stumbles over his words.
“Oh, but it gets better. Because you’ve met her.”
Klavier can almost hear the cogs and gears turning in his brain.
Apollo looks at him. “You’ve performed with her.”
“Lamiroir??” Klavier mutters under his breath, not believing what he’s hearing.
Apollo nods again. “But guess what, there’s still more.”
Klavier looks Apollo in the eyes, and there is something wrong. He can’t quite make out what it is, but it isn’t right. There is an anger in those eyes, something he isn’t used to seeing in Apollo. He looks hurt. He hasn’t seen Apollo like this before.
“Before Lamiroir, or Thalassa, got with Zak, she had another marriage,” Apollo says, breaking eye contact.
Klavier doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t know what’s coming next, or why this is something that Apollo is so hurt over.
“With Jove Justice.”
Klavier just sits and stares at Apollo while everything falls into place. The dots are connecting, and the gears are turning really hard in his head. Apollo puts his mug on the table, and his head in his hands.
“So, you and Trucy, -”
“Yes. Half-siblings.”
“And Lamiroir?”
“Our mom.”
Klavier blinks.
And he blinks again.
“And your father is the Jove Justice?”
Apollo looks surprised. “You’ve heard of him?”
“Have I heard of him?? Yeah?? Of course?? Who hasn’t??” Klavier says, taken aback. “I love his music. You’re his SON??”
In response, Apollo rubs the back of his neck, like he does when he’s embarrassed or ashamed. It’s adorable.
“I’m sorry, that’s not what this is about, is it? I can fanboy about that some other time,” Klavier adds quickly. “Or not, if you don’t want me to. Gott. What the fuck, man?”
Apollo just throws his hands up in a shrugging motion. “You’re asking ME?”
Klavier laughs. He doesn’t mean to; this situation isn’t funny at all. But Apollo joins him, and they’re both laughing on his couch.
Klavier loves the sound of Apollo’s laugh; it fills the room with warmth, and it feels like a warm hug.
“I guess we’re both not so great at living a normal life, are we?” Apollo says, calming down from his laughing fit. Klavier nods in agreement, still chuckling.
“Ah, did you want something else to drink?” he gestures at their mugs, both empty now.
“Uhm, just some water would be nice, I think. Thanks, Klavier.”
“Of course, no problem,” he responds while getting up and walking into the kitchen to fill two glasses with water, and takes them back to the couch.
When he returns, Apollo is on his phone, which is buzzing with an incoming call. He presses the refuse button, and looks like he wants to chuck it across the room.
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve seen you this angry before. Are you okay?” He hands a glass over to Apollo, who quickly takes a swig and then puts it on the table.
“It was Mr. Wright.”
“Oh?” Klavier says softly. Now that he mentions it, he does remember that Apollo said that he’d rather not see anyone from the Agency right now.
Apollo looks uncomfortable, and there are tears in his eyes again.
“You know, you really don’t have to talk about anything, I don’t want to put you on the spo-”
“He knew.”
Klavier stops in the middle of his sentence.
“Was?”
“Mr. Wright. He knew. He figured it out a while ago. He told Trucy.” Apollo grits his teeth. Klavier is in shock.
“I’m, what? But he didn’t tell you? Why?”
Klavier notices Apollo’s hands turn into fists, and before he knows it, he has put his own hands on top of his.
Apollo shakes them off.
“PLEASE, just let me be fucking angry for a second. I appreciate it, but I just. I don’t. I can’t. I don’t know.” Apollo get up from the couch, and starts pacing around the room. “I don’t know why. I don’t know why he decided to hide it from me. I thought he cared, but apparently, he just does what is convenient for him. He only decided to tell me now because she’s coming to visit soon.”
Klavier doesn’t respond, and instead just looks at Apollo.
“And Trucy didn’t tell me either. Of course, she didn’t. Why did I ever think that I could trust a Wright or a Gramarye. Obviously I can’t trust either of them.”
“Apollo.”
“I just thought that I had found my fucking place. Finally. I’ve been so many places and I grew up in foster homes. I never stayed anywhere too long. And with this family, this fucking agency, I thought I might’ve found a place, but now it just feels like its slipping through my fingers as well. Why can’t anyone just be fucking honest.”
Before he realizes what he’s doing, Klavier gets up from the couch, stands in front of Apollo, and grabs his wrists. Apollo flinches, and looks up at Klavier, who is at least half a foot taller than him.
“Apollo. Please, calm down.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“No. It isn’t. And you’re right, this shit sucks. And you’re in your right to be angry at them, okay?” Klavier says with a serious look on his face. “And I might not have this,” he says, tapping Apollo’s bracelet, “But I know you don’t believe it either. I know the Wrights love you a lot, and they care about you. I am sure that they’ve had their reasons to hide things, okay?”
Apollo averts his gaze, and pulls his hands free from Klavier’s. He lets him.
“I’m sorry,” Apollo mutters again, making his way back to the couch.
“You really don’t have to apologize.” Klavier responds, sitting down next to Apollo. He looks at Apollo’s hand from the corner of his eye, and takes it in his own.
This time, Apollo doesn’t yank it back.
“Why are families so fucking complicated,” Apollo mutters angrily, leaning his head onto Klavier’s shoulder. “It’s not fair. I’m not a bad person, right? Why does shit keep happening to me?”
“You’re asking me?” Klavier snorts, and he feels Apollo laugh into his shoulder in return.
“Yeah. Like you said, I guess we’re both not the best at living normal lives, huh.”
“I guess so.” Klavier responds, and he looks at Apollo again.
His face is way closer now, on his shoulder. He looks him in the eyes again, and the anger he noticed earlier is gone. He still looks hurt, so extremely hurt, but there is no more anger. There is still sadness in there, which he can’t blame him for.
“Klavier, thank you.” Apollo whispers, and he’s close enough for Klavier to feel his breath on his lips.
“No problem, Hase.” He whispers back, and before he knows it, Apollo’s lips are on his. Not for a long time, barely noticeable, the briefest touch, and he freezes up.
Apollo scrambles back on the couch, creating a freezing distance between the two of them. He looks flustered and in a bit of a panic.
“Oh god. Oh fuck. What the fuck. I am so sorry. I did not mean to. Oh my fucking gods can this night get any fucking worse. What the fuck.” Absentmindedly, while Apollo is rambling, Klavier puts his fingers against his own lips, still feeling starstruck. Trying to remember the fleeting feeling of Apollo’s lips on his. He moves over on the couch towards the other end where Apollo curled himself up now. He’s sitting with his knees against his chest, and his head on his knees.
He reaches towards Apollo’s forehead, and brushes the hairs out of his face. Apollo looks up at him.
“Can I kiss you?” Klavier whispers, and Apollo nods.
Again, the kiss is short, and not enough for Klavier, but he doesn’t want to overwhelm Apollo right now. When he pulls his head back, Apollo just looks at him with the biggest eyes.
“Holy shit.” He murmurs.
“That bad?” Klavier remarks, which causes Apollo to roll his eyes again.
Klavier reaches up to Apollo’s face, and wipes the tears from his cheeks. Apollo leans into the touch, and sighs heavily. Klavier chuckles.
“I. Was that part of what you wanted to talk about tonight?” Klavier asks, genuinely curious.
Apollo cringes. “Honestly? No. I hadn’t even considered it. I. There was so much on my brain tonight, my big fat gay crush wasn’t really close to the top to be honest.”
Klavier dramatically puts his hand on his chest and gasps. “Apollo Justice has a big fat gay crush on me? Mein Gott, miracles do still happen.”
Apollo rolls his eyes again, and buries his head in his hands again. “This has to be some fucked up dream.”
Klavier laughs, and presses a kiss to Apollo’s forehead, causing the other man to flinch and look him in the eyes.
“For what it’s worth, I like you too. Like. Like-like. Does that make sense? Whatever. I also have a ‘big fat gay crush’ on you.”
Apollo cringes again, and Klavier laughs again. He reaches over to the table, and hands Apollo his water. They both take a few sips, and then Klavier places the glasses back onto the table.
“I am so fucking tired,” Apollo sighs.
Klavier checks his phone for the time, and he sees that he has a few missed messages from Trucy.
11:36pm - Truce: uhhhh so i kinda fucked up
11:37pm - Truce: is polly with you
11:37pm - Truce: daddy and i kinda fucked up a lot
11:42pm - Truce: please
He shoots back some messages.
11:48pm - Klavgav: yeah dw he told me
11:49pm - Klavgav: I think he’ll be staying the night here
11:49pm - Klavgav: NOT LIKE THAT
11:49pm - Truce: oh my god?
11:50pm - Truce: okay well if he’s fine that’s great
11:50pm - Klavgav: did you know that he likes me??
11:50pm - Truce: lmao goodnight
“Who’s that?” Apollo asks.
“Oh, I got some messages from Trucy, she asked if you were here.”
Apollo buries his head in his hands again. “Why is everything so complicated??”
Klavier shrugs. “No clue. That’s just life, baby.”
Apollo snorts. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”
Klavier turns to Apollo again. “It’s almost midnight, and its fucking pouring outside. You can sleep in my bed; I’ll sleep on the couch. My bedroom isn’t that clean, it’s a bit of a mess, but it should be fine.” He gets up, and offers Apollo a hand to get up. He takes it, and Klavier guides him to his bedroom.
His bedroom is big, with a king-sized bed. Most of the stuff is purple, because of course it is, and there is a bi pride flag on the wall. One of the walls is covered in bookshelves, and there’s a desk with a pc.
Apollo chuckles when seeing the bed. “Dude, why is your bed so big. You really don’t have to sleep on the couch, it looks like there’s more than enough space.” Realizing the implication, he lets go of Klavier’s hand, and starts scrambling and searching for words. “I mean. I don’t mean it like that, I just mean, the couch doesn’t sound that comfortable. I am not ready to sleep with you yet, but I wouldn’t mind sleeping in the same bed, you know?” he buries his head in his hands once again, and Klavier can’t help but laugh.
“Don’t laugh at me! I am tired and words are hard!” Apollo says, dramatically pouting at Klavier.
Klavier puts his hand on Apollo’s cheek again, and presses another light kiss to his lips.
“Don’t worry, Hase, that’s fine. After all, I don’t wanna do anything you’re not comfortable with. Do you wanna sleep with clothes on? I probably have some more PJ’s if you need them.”
Apollo shakes his head. “I usually just sleep in my boxers? If that’s okay? If it’s weird, just tell me, I can put on pants or a shirt-”
Klavier snorts again. “Apollo, please. It’s fine. Do you want me to wear anything? I’m used to just sleeping in a shirt and boxers.”
Apollo smiles at Klavier. “That’s fine, I don’t mind.” He sighs. “Oh, shit. Hey do you also have a spare toothbrush?”
Klavier thinks for a second. “That’s a good question, I think I might?”
This time, Klavier's hand is quickly being grabbed by Apollo, and he pulls him towards the bathroom. Klavier intertwines his fingers with Apollo’s, and they both smile. Klavier digs an unused toothbrush out of a drawer with spare, unused stuff. They both brush their teeth, and get ready for bed.
Klavier gets his hair out of his messy bun, and gets ready to start braiding it for the night. He’s standing in front of the mirror, when Apollo notices what’s going on.
“Do you want some help with that?” Apollo says, making his way over to Klavier.
“Do you know how to braid hair?” Klavier asks, genuinely surprised.
“Yeah, I might be a bit rusty tho. You didn’t answer my question.”
“I mean, sure, I’m not one to turn down a helping hand!” Klavier grins, and let’s go of his hair.
“Do you have a hair tie? Let’s do this on the bed, might be more comfortable than standing.”
Klavier nods, and they make their way back over to the bedroom. Apollo is still wearing his oversized Gavinners hoodie, while Klavier has already switched into a comfortable t-shirt. Klavier sits down on the bed, legs crossed, while Apollo sits down behind him, on his knees, and starts braiding Klavier’s hair.
And so, they sit in silence, only the sounds of rain against the windows, and some thunder rolling in the distance. Klavier’s mind is lost in the repetitive, pleasant feelings of getting his hair braided. It’s been ages since someone else braided his hair.
When Apollo is done, he finishes it with the hairtie, and presses a kiss to the crown of Klavier’s head. “Is that okay?”
“Yeah, that was really nice, actually. Danke.”
Klavier turns around to face Apollo again, and he hasn’t seen him so tired before.
“Let’s sleep, okay?” Klavier asks, placing his hand on top of Apollo’s.
“What’s it like?” Apollo asks, quietly.
“Was? What’s what like?”
“Having a brother. Being a brother. I’ve never been one before. Well, not really. Of course, in foster families, but that’s different. I guess… maybe once. But I haven’t seen them in a while. Anyway, my point is, I don’t know what to do. Everything has been turned upside down and I’m really lost.”
Klavier ignores the sting in his heart. “Well, I could definitely give you a list of pointers of what Not to do as a brother.” He tries to play it off as a joke, but they both know it’s a sensitive subject.
“I’m not sure. It’s something that just, happens. But I think you’re already doing a good job at it.”
Apollo looks up from their hands, fingers intertwined, into Klavier’s eyes. “What do you mean??”
“Well, the relationship you two shared has always been pretty… sibling-like? I think? Seeing you two banter in court or at crime scenes always makes me smile. I think you’re just overthinking all of this. You don’t need to change anything, or do anything different. You’ve always been protective of Trucy, and you’ve always cared for her. I don’t think there’s much more to it than that?”
He notices the tears well up in Apollo’s eyes again, but he knows that it isn’t out of sadness this time. For the second time that night, Apollo launches himself into Klavier’s arms. Klavier embraces him back, feeling his heartbeat.
“Thank you, Klavier.” Apollo murmurs into Klavier’s neck. Klavier is rubbing circles into Apollo’s back again, and they stay like that for a bit.
“Kein Problem, Hase. No problem at all.”
Apollo lets out a deep breath, and he lets go of Klavier. He gets off of the bed, and starts to strip down into his underwear. Klavier looks away respectfully, and Apollo chuckles at that.
“Never thought I’d get Klavier Gavin to look away like he’s some Victorian gentleman,” he says through his laughter. Klavier also chuckles at that.
“Well, I’m sorry for wanting to respect your privacy,” Klavier says, sarcasm overflowing from his lips. He feels the bed next to him dip down again, and he looks over at Apollo.
Klavier can’t help but stare. Apollo is beautiful. His body is covered in freckles, and Klavier is getting lost in all the constellations on his skin. There are two scars on his chest, right under his pecks. Apollo isn’t skinny like Klavier, but instead he has more muscle on his bones, especially in his arms.
Apollo realizes that Klavier is staring, and cringes at himself.
“What’s wrong?” Klavier asks, quickly meeting his eyes instead of oogling Apollo.
“I just. You know,” Apollo says while gesturing at his body, “Never really been happy with anything. It’s not that I dislike my body, but I’ve never really been a fan of others having to see it. I guess.”
Klavier reaches his hand out toward him, but hesitates.
“Can I?” he asks, and Apollo nods.
He traces a finger along the scars, smiling at the nervous man in front of him.
“I didn’t know you were trans?”
“I mean, I didn’t tell you, so I sure hope you didn’t?” Apollo says, awkwardly. Klavier pulls his hand back, and smiles at Apollo.
“It’s. It’s nothing personal, by the way, I just don’t really like to flaunt it to everyone, you know. All kinds of people with all kinds of reactions, and not all of them positive.” Apollo sighs.
Klavier nods. “Yeah, believe me, I know. Pronoun check?”
Apollo looks surprised. “Oh. Uhm, he/him? I don’t really mind they/them either, but mostly he/him. How about you?”
Klavier nods and smiles. “I don’t really mind? Fluxuates a bit, but today is mostly a he/they day I think.” Apollo looks kind of surprised at him, so he continues, “It’s been a bit of a recent development. Always knew that I wasn’t cishet, obviously, and friends have been using he/they for a while, but the feminine days have been happening more often recently.”
Klavier lets out a deep breath after saying that, and it feels like a weight is lifted off of their shoulders. He glances nervously at Apollo, awaiting his reaction. He knows Apollo won’t judge, and that this is a safe space, but coming out is still weird sometimes.
“Oh okay! Good to know,” Apollo responds, and quickly adds, “would you rather that I ask for your pronouns every now and again or will you just let me know?”
Klavier feels himself choke up a bit. “Oh. Uh, I’m not sure, I think I’ll just let you know?”
“Did I say something wrong?” Apollo asks, noticing Klavier’s shift in emotion.
“No! No. No, not at all. It’s just. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who reacted so casually. It’s a nice change of pace.” Klavier responds, taking Apollo’s hand in his own again.
“Can I kiss you again, Klavier?” Apollo asks, smiling, knowing the answer.
“Yes, you can kiss me again, and again, and I’ll let you kiss me as many times as we want.”
Once again, the kiss doesn’t deepen, it doesn’t lead to anything more, it’s just comfortable.
They both get into bed, instead of just sitting on there, and they both lay on their side to face each other.
“You know, Apollo,” Klavier whispers toward the half-asleep Apollo, who hums in recognition, “You’re really lucky that you’re able to surround yourself by people who love you.”
Apollo smiles drowsily. “So are you. Sleep well, Klavier. Sweet dreams,” he says, dozing off.
Klavier just smiles at him. Life is hard, weird, and difficult, but it’s a bit more manageable when you do it while you’re surrounded by loved ones.
Maybe he should stop by the Wright Anything Agency more often.