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Phoenix Wright held his breath as he awaited the verdict.
Lamiroir had just finished deciding her decision, and all that was left was for the judge to announce Vera Misham’s fate. And with it, his fate.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three minutes.
…
It takes four minutes and eleven seconds for the verdict to be announced.
“Through vote of the jury, this court hereby rules Vera Misham… not guilty!”
Not guilty.
Not guilty.
Two words is all it takes for seven years of guilt, paranoia, and manipulation to be weighted off. You’d think Phoenix would have the urge to cry, or rejoice.
But he felt hollow.
And then Kristoph started laughing. A loud, manic, ugly laugh. He’d heard him genuinely chuckle over the years from a joke Phoenix made, or giggle when he was drunk. It was always nice hearing Kristoph make a sweet noise like that. This, though…
This was desperate, unforgiving, and painful.
The most vulnerable Kristoph had ever been.
Phoenix’s heart hurt, just a bit. He wondered, was there anything he could’ve done to save him? Phoenix thinks he loved him, and he knew Kristoph loved him back. Could real love have affected Kristoph at all? Maybe their love was real, but maybe it wasn’t enough. Was anything enough? He wanted to yell, break the black psyche-locks over his heart, anything to get Kris back-
Instead, Phoenix let go a sigh of relief and gave a strained smile as he watched his love be taken away in handcuffs. Maybe Kristoph would forever hold a piece of his bleeding heart. He couldn’t tell if he wished he did or not.
Just to ignore the pain, he turned towards the defense. Apollo seemed dazed, but defiant. Trucy, beautiful shining Trucy, was wiping at their eyes, a large grin on their face. Zak Gramarye’s murderer was caught for the second time, with Trucy’s help. He was so proud of them, standing at the bench with such a brave face. He knew they were hurting, but that’s Trucy, performance smile and all. Phoenix hopes they can break that.
Prosecutor Gavin held a pained expression, standing at the prosecution’s desk as he watched his brother be led away in chains. He watched as the younger Gavin switched back into his actor’s face—a trick he’s seen done numerous times before, be it by Trucy, himself, or Kristoph—before waving the defense off and leaving in hurried steps.
They were wrapping up now. Apollo was grabbing the evidence from the bench with Trucy’s assistance, and they left to the lobby, for post trial paperwork.
Kristoph’s laugh still rang in his ears. He’s never heard anybody make such a horrible sound before. The disbarred attorney has witnessed people break down at the stand before, but the only person he could compare Kristoph to was Dahlia. The thought of her name made him shiver. How ironic they were both past lovers of his.
Phoenix felt a tap on his right shoulder, and turned to see Lamiroir—now known to be Thalassa Gramarye—standing behind him.
“Mr. Wright?” She began.
Phoenix recovered from the startle quickly, “Yes? Is everything alright?”
“Yes, everything is fine. I just-“ Thalassa twisted her bracelet, “are you available tomorrow morning?”
“Possibly. Trucy might be home. D’you want to see her and Apollo—?”
She shook her head, “Eventually, yes. But I would like to talk about them with you… just to know how they’re doing.”
“You have my number, right? I’ll let you know if I’m free.” Phoenix gave a reassuring smile to Thalassa.
“Right…”
“Always am. Now I have to go meet them in the lobby. Hopefully, we’ll see each other soon, hm?” He didn’t make a move, despite this though. Neither of them did. The rest of the jurors were gone already, having left to fill out paperwork, most likely.
The air was tense. There were many things to be said. “What are your plans now that you have your memories back?” “You won’t take Trucy away, will you?” “You can’t take her. Or Apollo.” “Are they still your kids?” Phoenix will admit, he was scared that Thalassa would take Trucy back. It’s unlikely she will, of course, having been out of them and Apollo’s life for decades, but the thought still lingers.
“Good job today. You made the right decision.” Phoenix decided on, and left Thalassa in the jurors chambers to meet with his kids.
Phoenix found his kiddos in the defense lobby, waiting for him.
Trucy spotted him first, and lunged at him with a yell. “Daddy!”
They pulled him in a crushing hug, one they hadn’t given him since he was arrested. A huge grin was plastered on their face. Apollo came up from behind them and looked up at Phoenix.
“Hey, Truce.” He took off Trucy’s magician’s hat and ruffled their hair with a genuine smile. “Hey, Apollo.”
“Hello, Mr. Wright.” Apollo gave a small smile.
They stayed like that for a while. He didn’t know when, but at some point Apollo joined in on the hug. Phoenix was rocking them now. He wondered if Thalassa would’ve done this with them both if she could.
It’s strange, knowing he’s cradling siblings who didn’t even know they were. He’s known Apollo was a Gramarye for almost a year, when they first met in Kristoph’s office. The bracelet was the exact same one he saw Thalassa wear in Trucy’s locket. Gavin probably knew, too, with how obsessed he was with the troupe of magicians. It’s even stranger when you realize they both had a Gramarye with them—what a coincidence.
Apollo wasn’t his child, and he doubts Apollo sees Phoenix as anything close to a figure he could look up to, but he still felt the need to help him. In his own cryptic way that only left the kid more frustrated and stressed than motivated.
The kid probably hates him for it. He wouldn’t blame him—he hates himself for that too.
Apollo was the first to let go. He wiped at his eyes (Phoenix dusted his fingers over the spot Apollo’s eyes would’ve been, and felt it was a bit damp) and whispered, “Will we see Vera today?” His voice cracked.
“We can. It’s still visiting hours. Are you ready to go, Trucy?” He glanced down at the body still hanging on him. They nodded, and let go as well.
“I want to make sure she’s doing alright.” Trucy smoothed over their cape, which crumpled during the embrace. “Maybe we can get her something for when she wakes up!” They said the last part like a fact—Phoenix could only hope it was.
Apollo left and came back with a brown messenger bag he carried around during investigations slinged over his shoulder and some paperwork.
And they left in silence.
They walked to the clinic with no conversation between Phoenix and Apollo. Trucy did the bulk of the talking, about their latest tricks, things they’ve gotten up to at school, and the like. But never about the trial. Phoenix would have to get them to open up later, just to make sure they’re doing okay. He hopes they are—it can’t be easy to be the sole survivor of a family that died because of their hatred. Or, the only known survivor.
Phoenix responded with anything Trucy said with a measured and scripted response. Apollo was hanging beside Trucy, away from the road, intentionally distancing himself from the Wrights.
Apollo was likely still processing everything that happened today, judging from the faraway look in his eyes. Phoenix really did feel sorry for roping the boy into this mess. Unfortunately, he was the only person Phoenix knew would ever see the truth.
He worries, though. How much did Kristoph’s ideologies affect Apollo? Phoenix has seen some of Apollo’s tactics in court—so similar to his former mentor. Phoenix certainly hadn’t taught Apollo those tricks, though you could argue he hadn’t taught him anything. He knew Kristoph treasured Apollo—the greenhorn was his first apprentice and was bound to be rebellious because of his heritage, and Kristoph always had the need to train wild strays. Part of him worries that Apollo’s morals will devolve into Kristoph’s, but after today, that thought had almost vanished.
Trucy tried bringing their brother into their discussion—what the best toppings on pizza were, or something—but he only curtly responded. Trucy’s face fell for only a second, before they hid it with a tight smile.
The sun was beginning to set, and the breeze cooling the warm weather felt nice. It was nostalgic, and reminded Phoenix of the time he, Maya and Pearls would walk together back to the office after a trial.
He should call them soon.
He hadn’t been paying much attention to where they were, apparently, and Trucy has to stop him from hitting his head on the door of the hospital.
The three entered, and Phoenix went to talk to the receptionist about Vera’s room. She directed the group to where she was resting. Apollo came up to Phoenix after he was done talking, saying that Trucy was getting food from the cafeteria and would join them afterwards. He was a bit hesitant to let them go by themself, but conceded anyway.
Phoenix and Apollo left for the ICU together.
Vera Misham’s room was full of items Miles and Pearls dropped off that morning. There were Steel Samurai DVDs scattered on the floor, a toy pink piano in front of the bed (a gift Trucy bought for him for his birthday a year after he became employed at the Borscht Bowl Club. Speaking of which—his 34th was coming up in two days…), and fresh daffodils atop the TV that Miles bought for her. Apollo began organizing the DVDs, which at some point must have fallen from the tower they were probably stacked in.
Phoenix sat on the left of Vera, and watched her take shallow breaths. He felt a strange feeling of relief, knowing she has a chance of survival. It wasn’t just because he wanted her to live, but also because he was poisoned before. Not to the same extreme of Vera, of course, but a sense of protectiveness overcame him as he saw her lay unconscious.
Apollo pulled a chair next to Phoenix and sat without a word. Phoenix glanced over at his employee and stared as Apollo grabbed Vera’s hand. He began rubbing circles on her knuckles and took in a sharp breath.
Apollo started trembling, and as Phoenix opened his mouth, he spoke, “You’re kind of a dick, you know.” His voice was watery and cracked.
That caught Phoenix off guard. “Uh-“
“Shut up.” Apollo interrupted, “Please, shut up. I don’t want to hear you talk. You used me as a tool in this elaborate game you were playing with Mr. Gavin and you haven’t even shown you were sorry. And I wasn’t the only one in this shitty performance—you had Prosecutor Gavin, and Trucy, and Vera involved in this as well.” The attorney’s eyes were closed, and tears were rolling down his cheeks.
Phoenix should’ve expected this conversation would have been happening sooner than later. He thought about how to reply, but nothing came up. How do you apologize for something you don’t regret? Yes, he was sorry that everything turned out like this, but how would Apollo take it?
“You can’t even say anything. That’s just like you—speak big, cryptic bullshit but when it comes to talking about things that actually matter, you close up and-“
“I’m sorry.” Phoenix half-lied.
Apollo paused and opened his eyes. He turned towards the former lawyer’s direction, but didn’t make eye contact. “Are you?”
Phoenix didn’t try looking at Apollo either. “I am.” He tried to keep his expression as neutral as possible, to not let his eyebrow twitch or to pull on his beanie. He just hoped Apollo didn’t detect how tense he was.
Apparently, Apollo did, and groaned out of frustration. “You keep doing this. You never stop lying, or you don’t tell the full truth, or something or another! How am I supposed to help you if you won’t even communicate? Aren’t you supposed to be my mentor? You haven’t taught me shit! And now I know you aren’t even fucking sorry for possibly ruining my career.”
“I didn’t ruin your career-“
“That’s what you're worried about?” Apollo’s voice rose. He let go of Vera’s hand. “Not the fact that you made me present forged evidence? Not for making me imprison my mentor not once, but twice?! You know, I could’ve been disbarred because of that stunt you pulled in my first trial.” Apollo finally looked up at Phoenix. He laughed incredulously. “I can’t believe I looked up to you.”
Phoenix directed his gaze back towards Apollo. “I am sorry about the distance I put between us.” Apollo almost continued, but Phoenix stopped him. “Now, wait. I understand if you hate me. If you want to leave, you can. Uhm,” Phoenix swallowed, letting his mask slip for a second,” if you want me to recommend you to another office—a better one, then I know a few. A friend of mine knows another defense attorney and-“
Apollo shook his head, “No—no, I’m not leaving. I just need to hear something real from you. For once.”
Phoenix’s bottom lip quivered just the slightest. “My birthday is this weekend.” He really didn’t know where he was going with this. “And—there’s going to be a party. If you want, you can come..?”
“I’ll think about it.” Apollo hummed, his anger seeming to have died down. At least that was genuine.
Phoenix looked at the small man next to him. His hair had two horns, similar to Trucy, just a lot larger. Freckles dotted his face and neck—Trucy has them, and from what Phoenix could see, Thalassa as well. There was also a large scar from the bottom of his left cheek down to his neck. Maybe a burn? He knows Trucy has a few burn scars that looked somewhat like his when they weren’t taking care of them properly, but theirs always recovered eventually. Apollo’s seemed old and permanent.
Phoenix couldn’t help but notice even more subtle resemblances between the Gramarye siblings. Their eyes had a piercing presence in them, and they both still had baby fat clinging onto their cheeks.
Phoenix fully turned his body towards Apollo, and opened his arms. His subordinate, surprised by the sudden offer of affection, stared up at his boss and with a confused expression. He began biting his bottom lip in hesitation, but gave in.
The side of Apollo’s head rested on Phoenix’s right shoulder. Phoenix closed his arms around the smaller man, not too tight in case he gets uncomfortable. Apollo didn’t fully return the hug, his hands wrapping lightly around Phoenix, but he became less tense over time.
“I’m not staying for you, by the way.”
Phoenix knew he was talking about Trucy. Thinking about them, he wonders how long they’ve been gone and begins to worry.
The door to the hospital room quietly opened and Trucy entered the room, holding three sandwiches in one hand and their hat in the other. Apollo let go of his embrace with Phoenix and turned towards his sibling.
“I got sandwiches.” Trucy exclaimed, although muted compared to how they usually were. As they got closer, Phoenix could see the bags under their eyes, usually covered with concealer.
Trucy gave Phoenix a ham and cheese sandwich, and Apollo a tuna mustard sandwich. Trucy grabbed the only chair left in the room and sat in the middle of the two, eating an already half-gone chicken sandwich.
It was nice, sitting with his kids.
This was nice.