Chapter Text
“Well! Here it is! What do you think?”
Phoenix observed the building in front of his view.
It was decent sized, and very, what Maya would call, “cute.” The sign above the door was bold and bright, and said the words “Fey Cafe” written on it with a heart at the end. Phoenix started to hum in thought. “Dunno,” he looked at Maya out of the corner of his eye. “Could use less... pink?”
Maya puffed her cheeks out, whacking Phoenix in the arm, who let out a wincing ‘ouch!’. “It’s perfectly adorable to me, thank you! Who’s Cafe is it, hm?!”
Phoenix grunted, mumbling underneath his breath as he rubbed the new sore spot on his shoulder. “You’re the one who asked what I thought...”
“A... cafe?”
“Maya is apparently opening a Cafe. She said it’s going to help her settle back at home, or something like that.” Phoenix said to the room of three. Trucy, Athena and Apollo. Trucy was draped over the back of the couch, looking up at Phoenix and listening with a excited grin on her lips. Athena and Apollo sat on the couch, but had complete different expressions. Athena looked intrigued while Apollo seemed hesitant to agree.
“She wants us to help her out since she has no other employees.” said Phoenix. He started to recall the conversation he had a few hours earlier..
“You have no one else helping?” Phoenix had asked her, deadpan. She huffed, seemingly embarrassed and mad at Phoenix for pointing it out. “I do!” “Oh yeah? Who?” Phoenix accusingly questioned. Maya had then laughed triumphantly. “You of course!”
Phoenix shook his head at the memory. “Basically, we’re having a Cafe-cation!”
“Cafe-cation?” Apollo repeated, saying the words like they were some foreign language. “A cafe-vacation!” Trucy interjected, raising her hands. She then broke out into song, changing the lyrics to an already known musical number. “Cafe-cation all I ever wanted~” Athena looked up at her with a goofy smile and joined in, the two now singing together. “Cafe-cation had to get away!~” Apollo cringed at them, trying to look away, as if he didn’t know who they were.
“Do we even have time? I mean, what if there’s a case?”
“Silly Polly, nothing’s popped up for the last few days!” Trucy said, supposedly stopping her singing for now.
“Trucy’s right.” Phoenix agreed. “We just finished a big one, after all. I think we deserve a good break.” Phoenix then looked directly at Apollo, who’s face turned squeamish at the sudden staring contest. “Besides, you just got home from Khura’In. I think something like this is a nice way to welcome you back, am I right?”
Apollo hated to agree that it did sound nice to not be thinking about work after years of re-building an entire law system in another country. It was also great to see everybody again. He hadn’t talked to anyone in a good while, especially... hm.
“Y-Yeah, that does sound nice..” Apollo muttered. He let out a sigh. “Fine, I’ll help.”
Athena and Trucy both instantly cheered. “I knew you’d come to your senses, Polly!” Trucy said .
Apollo looked back at her, offended. “What does that mean!?”
And so, here they were. The entire Wright Anything Agency standing at the doors of the soon-to-be-opened Fey Cafe. And apparently....
“E-Eh!? Franziska!?”
WHACK
“Huh! I was waiting for your foolish arrival, Phoenix Wright!”
Maya skipped inside the doors, backing up beside Franziska and smiling to the rest of the crew. “Yep! ‘Ziska is helping out at the Cafe too!”
Phoenix thought he was going crazy.
He must have been.
Because...
Did... Did Franziska just stutter and blush!?
Franziska apparently blushed at the nickname, and Maya hopping up next to her. She cleared her throat. “Yes, I have decided to help out Miss Fey. You would be a fool to deny her offer. Such as yourself!”
“B-But, I accepted...”
WHACK
Phoenix yelped, instinctively trying to hide behind someone.
“M-Mr. Wright!” Apollo was surprised to see Phoenix try and hide behind him and escape the whip-wielded woman. “Do not talk back to me, you fool!” Franziska ordered. “Nor your foolish crew either!”
“Okay, ‘Ziska, I’ll take it from here,” Maya laughed guilty, putting a hand to Franziska’s shoulder who tensed from the touch. “Can you go help make sure the kitchen is ready for opening?”
“Hmph. Very well, Miss Fey.” And with that, Franziska left to do just as she was asked.
Phoenix’s mouth was agape. He could swear he felt his jaw physically hit the floor with how low it was hanging.
Did Maya just tell Franziska what to do, and she didn’t get a huge scolding or hit with her whip!?
“Maya, what did you do to her!?” Phoenix scooted his way to where Maya stood and whispered through his teeth.
“What do you mean?” Maya innocently asked.
Phoenix couldn’t even fathom a single word.
What the hell just happened???
“Okay! First order of business,” Maya clapped her hands together and got everyone’s attention. “Uniforms!”
Trucy immediately gasped. “Oooh! Did you hear, Polly? We get uniforms!” She squealed, holding onto Apollo’s arm and rocking back and forth. “Yep. I sure did..” Apollo responded, grumbling in protest. He was not one for dressing up. He already needed convincing to help out at a Cafe, anyways...
Maya waved a hand to get the group to follow her, and lead them into a back room that contained small dressing stalls and a wrack of uniforms hung with hangers. A good chunk seemed to be taken off already. “All tailored to your exact sizes!” Maya presented them, hands shaking like the display was meant to be dazzling. “And do I want to know how you know my exact size?” Phoenix asked, gently taking his uniform off the rack. He watched Trucy and Athena happily grab their own and rush into a dressing room.
“Oh, come on, Nick. After all these years, you think I wouldn’t know?” Maya raised an eyebrow. She rolled her eyes, “You wear the same suit everyday, anyways!”
“Not everyday,” Phoenix whispered, frowning. “Just go get dressed!” Maya pushed Phoenix into a dressing room. She wiped her forehead like what ever she did took so much work.
She eyed Apollo, who was looking at his rather hesitantly. “Oh no!” Maya gasped and ran over to him. “Did I get your size wrong!? It was kind of difficult since I don’t know you that well, no offense.”
“N-No! It’s not that.. um..” Apollo looked at it closer. It actually was his exact sizing, which was kind of weird. “I just.. I’ve never really worn a.. uniform like this.” he cleared his throat. It looked like a basic waiter outfit with a white button up to go underneath. There was also a turquoise bow tie hanging on it as well. “Well! Now's your chance!” Maya grinned. Apollo nodded and sheepishly smiled, an awkward laugh coming from his throat. “R-Right..” Why was he so nervous? It was just dumb waiter clothing. Nothing to be embarrassed about in the slightest.
Why did he feel so flush changing, then?
“Eeek! Look at all of you!” Maya squealed, admiring everyone in uniform. She had gotten changed as well, into a cute but modest maid outfit with a frilly apron upon the skirt. Long white socks went all the way up past her knees, and a magenta ribbon tied the apron, hanging in the back. A similarly colored one hung from her neck.
Phoenix stood tall, scratching his neck, a tad embarrassed from the compliment. His was super simple, just a white button up, black vest and a long black apron. He wore his pink tie under the vest. Athena and Trucy admired their own outfits, they were almost exact to Maya’s, except Trucy had a big blue bowtie and Athena had a yellow tie similar to Phoenix’s.
“Come on, Polly!” Trucy cupped her hands around her mouth, trying to get Apollo to come out. He eventually did, but reluctantly and slowly. He slid beside Phoenix into view. “Save your laughs, please.” He said, embarrassed to even look up at anybody.
“What? You look just like Mr. Wright!” Athena said. Apollo looked up at Phoenix and noticed the similarities, except he had a bow-tie and Phoenix had a regular one. “Yeah! You look great, Polly!”
“W-Whatever..” Apollo muttered barely above a whisper. He fidgeted with the long sleeves, and took it upon himself to roll them up instead. That felt better, somewhat.
“What next, Auntie Maya?” Trucy’s eyes glistened with excitement. Maya giggled at being called Auntie. It made her feel even more proud and confident of what she was accomplishing today. “Now, role assignment!” She lead everyone back to the main room of the cafe, aka where all the tables had been set.
Maya hummed in thought for a bit, thinking of where everyone would fit best. She saw it on Phoenix’s face that he was already dreading what ever she was cooking up for him. “Athena!” Maya pointed her way. Athena hopped up and grinned, saluting with two fingers. “Would you do the honors of being our hostess?”
“Ooh! Count me in!” Athena clasped her hands together and smiled widely. “Me too! Me too!” Widget chirped in as well.
“Trucy and Apollo, you are on waiter-duty!” Trucy cheered, and Apollo seemed like he couldn’t get any flatter. “Yay! We make the best team, Polly, don’t we!?” Trucy turned to look his way. Her smile dropped as she examined his nervous expression. “Polly?” She poked him. “You know, you can go home if you aren’t feeling good..”
“W-What?!” Apollo jumped. “Me? I’m fine. Yeah, I’m fine! Don’t worry!”
Trucy frowned. “Okay..” she eyed him before turning back around to face Maya.
“And finally, Nick.” Maya put a finger and thumb to her chin, rubbing it like she was thinking hard. She then smirked, and announced it to the empty cafe. “Clean up duty!”
Phoenix groaned on reflex. “Of course.”
Maya giggled. “Perfect! Everything is finished!”
“What about the kitchen?” Trucy tilted her head. “Are you going to be cooking, Auntie Maya?”
“Me? Hoho, no, of course not!” Maya cackled and waved a flimsy hand. “I’m the lovely host! I’ll be helping out Athena!”
“Woop woop! New team coming in! Sorry, Apollo, you’re old news now!” Athena teased him, nudging his shoulder with her own. Apollo just rolled his eyes at her antics, shrugging her off and crossing his arms.
“If Maya was in the kitchen, the cafe would be burned down five seconds into opening.” Phoenix quipped. Maya turned his way and puffed with anger. “You have no room to talk, Nick! You burnt Mac and Cheese twice!”
“Daddy isn’t really a good cook..” Trucy attempted to whisper it to Athena and Apollo, who both immediately mumbled in agreement.
“H-Hey!” Phoenix yelled, heart broken at Trucy’s words. “Way to be on my side, Truce!”
The sound of plates and dishes clattering echoed from the kitchen all of a sudden, alerting everyone on the floor. “You foolishly foolish fool! Grab the mop bucket this instant! Unless you want me to whip you into cleaning it off the floor on your knees!” Franziska’s voice could be heard quite clearly. Two other voices could be heard very faintly, no where near as loud as hers. It was difficult to make out what they were saying exactly.
“M-My apologies, Fraulein. That won’t be necessary, I assure you..”
“Don’t worry about it, Gavin. I will grab the supplies.”
“Are you sure, Herr Edgeworth? It was my fault.”
“Its quite alright. I will be right back.”
Edgeworth stepped outside the kitchen and sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose before breathing out and adjusting his glasses. He took a few steps outside into the floor and then stopped midway. “W-Wright?”
“Miles?!”
Silence washed over the group.
“What are you.. doing here?” Edgeworth asked. “I should be the one asking you that! You said you had piles of paperwork on your desk for a whole week!” Phoenix rebutted angrily. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to help out?”
“I..” Edgeworth fidgeted with his cravat. He was wearing the same uniform as Phoenix, but kept his cravat instead of some kind of tie like the others. “I thought you were going to deny the offer. But, I should know by now,” Edgeworth sighed. “You can’t deny helping anybody. Especially Miss Fey.”
“You didn’t want me to come?”
“I-” Edgeworth stuttered. This man was to be the death of him, surely. “It wasn’t that at all. I merely..”
“Mr. Edgeworth wanted to impress you, Mr. Nick!” A young, dainty voice came out of no where. From behind Edgeworth came Pearl, in a cute waitress dress similar to the other girls. Edgeworth went red, coughing into his fist. “T-That isn’t quite...” Phoenix immediately went smug. He raised an eyebrow, looking Edgeworth up and down rather closely. “I see. You wanted to serve me, is that right? How gentlemanly of you, Miles.”
“Quiet, Wright.”
Phoenix grinned wider, continuing to tease his partner. “There you are, Pearly!” Maya exclaimed. “Is everything alright in the kitchen?”
“Sort of..” Pearl bit down on her thumb nervously. “There’s been a mess made. Mr. Edgeworth was going out to get the mop. We didn’t know you were all here already,” Pearl said, eyeing the rest of the Agency. “Ah! No biggie!” Maya grinned. She pulled Wright away from Edgeworth, seemingly saving him from a plethora of compliments and teasing. “We have our own personal clean up man now!”
“Oh! Yay!” Pearl celebrated. “Mind showing him where the janitors closet is, Pearly?”
Phoenix cringed at his new job and sighed, following Pearl to grab the mop and bucket.
“Hi Papa!” Edgeworth opened his eyes to see Trucy standing in front of him, bouncing on her heels. “Hello, Trucy.” he smiled softly. “So, are you the one on kitchen duty?” Trucy tilted her head and innocently asked. He nodded. “Me, Gavin and Franziska are, yes.”
Apollo felt himself physically jump at the mention of a certain name. Athena looked over at him puzzled. “Wait-” Apollo’s eyes widened. “Did you say-”
“Herr forehead!”
That accent and voice made Apollo tense up immediately.
Oh god. Prosecutor Gavin was here. Helping out at the same Cafe. He hadn’t talked to him in so long. They barely swapped messages during the entire time he was in Khura’in. What would he say? What is Gavin going to say? Did he hate him? Wait, why would he hate him? Maybe he--
“P-Prosecutor Gavin!” Apollo jumped, looking at the taller man stand before him. He was dressed rather... differently compared to everyone else. He wore his usual purple shirt, was it always unbuttoned that low? He also had suspenders to hold up the black apron around his waist. “What a pleasant surprise!” Klavier flashed his signature smile. “It’s been quite awhile since we’ve spoken last, ja?” Apollo started to feel guilty immediately after hearing him say it out loud. “Y-Yeah, I guess it has.. um..” he tried to look everywhere but Klavier, ultimately, it failed, and he ended up making unfortunate and very, very awkward eye contact. “Sorry.” he coughed out. “A-About not talking! I mean, I know you sent a few messages and all, and um.. I was just so busy with.. uh..”
“Rebuilding an entire law system?” Klavier joked.
Apollo swallowed hard. Klavier simply laughed, it just made Apollo tense even harder. “Ach, don’t be so stressed, Herr Forehead. You had a lot on your plate, I understood completely!”
Apollo blinked and forced out a laugh. It sounded painful. “Haha! Y-Yeah! Right...”
More awkward silence hit the room.
“Um.” Apollo glued his eyes to the ground. Klavier sensed how awkward the situation had gotten, and decided to remove himself from the room. He excused himself to check back in on the kitchen, and Apollo was left in silence. He groaned, covering his face with his hands.
“Okay, that was just rough to watch.” Athena commented. “Very painful.” Widget put in his own two cents. Athena bit down on her lip and covered Widget with her hand, trying to save Apollo any kind of dignity that he had left. “You alright, Apollo?”
“Fine!” Apollo yelled suddenly, causing everyone in the room to jump. “I’m just fine!” Athena eyed Trucy, who gave her a similar look.
Apollo was a disaster.
“Okay, everybody! Listen up!” Maya came back out. “And I mean everybody!” She announced even louder. The rest of the crew inside the kitchen walked out. Phoenix begrudgingly strolled back outside with the mop and bucket in tow, Pearl helping him with the supplies. Franziska and Klavier walked behind them. Franziska had her whip in hand, prepared. “Walk any slower, you fool, and I’ll whip you into shape!”
Klavier raised his hands, trying to calm her before Phoenix would feel the wrath of her whip. “T-The bucket must be heavy, ja? Maybe give him a couple seconds, Fraulein Von Karma.” Franziska turned to give him a cold death stare. Klavier regret his words in an instant.
Maya started to talk again, and Franziska reluctantly put her whip back onto the hook of her apron. She seemed to be wearing the males uniform instead. Probably more suited to her tastes, Phoenix thought.
“Everyone,” Maya cleared her throat. She walked up to the front doors and took a deep breath in, with steady hands on the doorknobs. She threw them open and with a proud voice she had announced.
“Fey Cafe is open for business!”