Chapter Text
The truth about Klavier Gavin is that under his rockstar, prosecutor appearance he is undeniably ordinary. It first started in his teenage years when he suffered through hormonal acne and braces. He began caring for his appearance putting hours into researching skin care products and dental care. His Fridays turned into orthodontist and dermatologist appointments. At first he was frustrated having to deal with awkward acne and wonky teeth and he would rather play his guitar or hang out with friends. However, he soon found his new practices therapeutic. There's a calm and empowering feeling that comes with taking care of yourself. His skincare routine consists of soothing face masks and rich toners while music plays in the background. Klavier enjoys this new time for himself. He didn't have to worry about school, or his family. All he has to do is sing along to some cheesy pop song while fighting against his stubborn acne. Nobody has to bother him about his choice of music either, a catchy pop song is good once in a while right? He comes up with the best riffs while layering prescription creams and wearing animal themed face masks. At the end of his routine he always felt refreshed, like he just woke up from a great nap. After his skincare he tackles his teeth. He takes his time brushing, flossing, and scraping. He realized early on that flossing with braces is annoying. After a few months of fighting with string he invested in a water flosser. After flossing he uses a mouth rinse designed for braces. When everything is finished he puts in rubber bands for his overbite and starts his day. He smiles into the mirror every morning, taking notice of how fast his teeth would shift. During every orthodontist appointment he has his top and bottom bands replaced. He always settled on fun colors, going with blue, purple, green, and red. Staring back at him was a combination of purple and red, and someone who looked happier.
—
When his braces were removed he added a new step to his routine. He began using whitening strips while waiting for his face masks to dry. It has been two years since he started his beauty routine, and his acne has become manageable. He still keeps up with his skincare however, since one breakout could quickly turn into a few without proper care. A part of him wishes he has someone to talk to about this new part of himself. He wishes he has someone who would wear silly face masks with him, while gossiping about celebrity drama. Someone to sing along with when a pop singer releases a new single. In a way, Klavier never expected to become so consumed in his new practice. If his classmates ever find out he will surely be teased. He is already given weird looks for growing out his hair, and if they suddenly find out the truth they will accuse him of wanting to be a girl. Of course he knew there was nothing wrong with that, but he acknowledged that wasn't who he was. He only wishes the people around him care enough to understand that. However, he also felt envious. If he was a girl he could freely indulge in this new interest of his. He wouldn't have to worry about what others thought of him. He could experiment in finding himself and try out new things that are only seen as feminine. Being honest, he’s also a little interested in makeup. In things like nail polish and hair clips. Glitter eye shadow and sharp eyeliner. Klavier knows he’s in it deep. He feels shame in knowing he actually enjoys this hobby. However, he has never felt happier. He’s unsure to even call this a hobby anymore. He realizes he's becoming the person he always is. It only took him a few days until he caved.
—
He stepped into the giant beauty store utterly confused. He has no idea where to start, and is debating on turning back. Then he locked eyes with one of the employees, and she walked towards him. Oh no.
“Welcome in! Did you need help finding anything today?” The employee said.
Klavier's mind tells him to run. If he accepts her help there will be no turning back. He knows he will fall in love with makeup and he will be made fun of at school. He needs to run, but his feet stay planted.
“Sir?” She asks, with concern.
“Yes I apologize. I'm here for my… sister. I want to buy her products to start using makeup.” Klavier responds with uncertainty.
“Oh how nice! I can help you pick out beginner friendly makeup. Do you have a picture of her so I can see what her skin tone is?”
“Er… we have the same skin tone. Will that work instead?” Klavier gives a shaky smile.
“Yes, that's fine. Follow me.” She grabs a shopping basket and heads to the end of the store. Klavier and the employee spent the next hour choosing different products.
“It’s important to choose makeup that matches your skin type. Do you know what type of skin care your sister uses?” She asks while looking at the foundation.
“Well I have very sensitive skin and break out a lot. My skin is oily in some areas.” Klavier responds.
“Is there something that doesn't feel heavy on the skin? I don't want to make my acne worse.” He asks. The employee stands still confused, until it clicks. Her expression changes back to normal with a smile.
“Miss?” Klavier questions.
“Yes! We have a few options that will help prevent breakouts and are lightweight.” She guides him through the options until they are in the eyeshadow aisle. Rows are filled with brightly colored palettes and it makes Klavier nervous. He can’t possibly imagine wearing something that bold.
“Do you have something… more natural?” He asks.
“Of course. Here are a few palettes for everyday looks” she points. When they finally finish Klavier heads to checkout with a new foundation, concealer, contour, highlighter, eyeshadow, and mascara. In his opinion this is a lot, to which he expresses to the cashier.
She laughs and scans his items. “Most people have vanities full of this stuff. Being beautiful is costly and a lot of work.”
Klavier nods. He is beginning to learn that very well. He leaves and immediately gets to work. He follows a YouTube tutorial with shaky hands. The type of control needed is completely different than playing the guitar. He can strum as hard as he wants to on the guitar, but makeup requires being delicate. Klavier spends his entire school break learning makeup. His YouTube feed transforms completely, recommending him different makeup channels. His desk looks like a mess, with makeup scattered and smeared. He goes through most of his makeup before finally reaching a look he likes.
He sighs as he stares at the mirror. His blemishes, scars, and eyebags are gone. His face looks carved and built. He looks handsome, but actually wearing makeup in public is another challenge. With his hair down he even looks feminine. That scares him a little, and he reaches for his scissors. If his hair is shorter and more masculine he might actually be able to pull off makeup with it looking natural. He doesn't think twice and snips. At the start of the school year Klavier walks into school with his new look. He spent hours blending and hyping himself up. He can do this. Suddenly a classmate comes up to him.
“Woah Klavier! What happened over the summer! Did you start going to the gym?” a classmate asks.
“What are you talking about?” Klavier questions with slight anxiety.
“Don’t act like you don't know! Dude you used to be a nerd! You had that long hair and braces?”
“Oh. I got my braces removed at the start of break.”
“It’s not just the braces man, you look so different. Your face is even different, your skin used to be so spotty. I didn't even recognize you until I saw your backpack.”
Klavier freezes. He doesn’t realize he's wearing makeup, he believes his acne cleared up! Suddenly the bell rings and he has to quickly find his class. Once entering the room everybody stares at him and whispers. It’s going to be a long day. By lunch four different girls asked for his number. He realizes something very important. Those few months spent learning makeup made him very attractive, and he has no idea what to do. Every girl seems to love the bad boy aesthetic Klavier wore. He wore the same black jeans and band t-shirt as last year, why are people suddenly interested now? He sighs as he goes back to the beauty store after school. The same girl that first helped him is there, and he confides in telling her about his experience in school.
“My sister is getting all this attention at school after wearing makeup. I don't know what to do with all the attention” Klavier slumped.
The employee giggles and swatches a lip color on her hand, passing it to Klavier to try.
“You can stop with that lie you know.”
“What lie?”
“Your sister? You slipped the first time I helped you. The makeup is actually for you.”
“Oh.” Klavier pales. He blushes bright red at being caught. You can hardly see it however through his foundation.
“Hey, it's cool! I know a lot of people are judgmental about men wearing makeup but I don't see a problem with it.” she assures.
“About your school situation. If you're getting all this attention I say you should flaunt it.” She smirks.
“Flaunt it?”
“Show it off! People think you're hot now. You can charm any girl you want with your looks! Or… boy.” She wiggles her eyebrows. They both laugh loudly causing others to stare.
“I'll try.” Klavier smiles.
—
Klavier wakes up to his blaring alarm. He has a long case today, and a part of him wants to go back to sleep. He knows he has to get out of bed. He can't walk into court with a pimply face and heavy eyebags. Even as an adult he still struggles with his acne, he's glad he learned makeup early on before his music and law career kicked off. He worries however that the city's pollution might be a factor to his continued skin troubles.
Walking to the bathroom he starts his familiar routine. He still plays music while getting ready, the only difference is his new taste in American music. After moving to the states he has become familiar with speaking english, and began to appreciate english speaking music. He will never tell his co workers about this however. Their perception of his rockstar persona would shatter knowing he listened to Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift every morning.
As much as he loves makeup he can’t lie and say it isn't a hassle. He has an appearance to maintain however. He needs to be photo ready whenever in public. His whole charming persona relies on the fact that he is effortlessly handsome. He will keep up with that lie as long as he can. His appearance is very important to his career. No one would take him as a rockstar or prosecutor seriously if he is anything less than perfect. He sighs as he curls his hair. He wishes he can let his walls down in front of people but he can't afford to. If a reporter found out his long lashes weren't real, he could be cancelled in hours. He doesn't know how other celebrities do it. He sprays cologne and closes the door.
—
Klavier yawns, looking at the sunset outside the courthouse. He just finished a case with Apollo Justice. Apollo always seems to surprise him in court, and today isn’t any different. He seems to be getting closer to Apollo these days, spending long hours chatting about cases. He knows Apollo's food preferences from sharing lunches and dinners, and his favorite ways to spend his days off. Klavier has surprisingly become interested in the other man, in a way that has never happened before. Sure he's had a few flings with girls back in Germany, and he flirts constantly with men and women. However, it's always just flirting, and he's never wanted to kiss a man as much as he did now. Specifically one man named Apollo Justice. He asked Apollo if he wanted to hang out after work, and he politely declined. He said he needed to help Trucy with something, and he was needed at home. He picks himself off the courthouse steps and walks towards his motorcycle. He needs to stop by an Ulta and restock on some of his products. He has a photoshoot soon and can’t be unprepared.
He steps into the store in baggy jeans and a hoodie. He wears a face mask and prescription glasses. His hair is down unstyled, and his bangs are clipped to his hair. His favorite part of the day was dressing down, and he already feels the tension loosen in his shoulders. He gives his helmet to the understanding cashier and starts shopping. He is perusing the eyeshadow section when he overhears a familiar voice.
“Polly, which one looks better?” Trucy asks, holding up two swatched shades on her hand.
Apollo sighs and turns to his sister. “Why are we here again?”
“I need your help picking a color for my next show! Now, which one has more glitter!”
“I guess the blue one. It matches your outfit.” Apollo replies, swatching a color on his own hand.
“Trucy look! This looks like something Klavier would wear.” He holds up a glimmer purple eyeshadow shade.
Klavier steps closer down the aisle, were they talking about him?
“It’s not like he needs any makeup though, he's too good looking.” Apollo says.
Trucy glares at her brother, and Apollo wonders where she got that from. He knows entirely.
“Polly don't be dense. People who are good looking put a lot of work into their appearance. Do you seriously think Klavier wakes up everyday looking like that and smelling like vanilla?”
“…Yes?” Apollo replies.
Trucy sighs and puts her hands on her hip. “He definitely wears makeup, or at least has a killer skin care routine.”
“You really think so?”
“You really know nothing about beauty care do you? No wonder your skin is always dry.”
“Hey! My skin is great” Apollo grins.
Trucy rolls her eyes and puts the eyeshadow into her basket. They both walk towards the skincare section and Klavier follows. Trucy gasps and grabs a face mask.
“Polly look! I can't believe they have these! I've only seen them online! You have to do one with me!”
“No way! I don't want my skin to feel sticky.”
“Come onnnn! We can wear these and watch a movie, you can pick! You don't want wrinkles do you?”
Apollo gives in “I guess not, fine” they chat about Trucy's next magic show until she suddenly gasps and tugs on Apollo's arm.
“Listen! They're playing your song!” Trucy laughs.
Apollo stands still listening until he recognizes the song. He starts dancing and singing along. Very badly. In the middle of the store.
“Move it up down left right oh switch it up like Nintendo!” He faces Trucy dancing while she laughs loudly. “Thats that me espresso!”
Klavier could only stare dumbfounded watching Apollo. He's singing espresso by Sabrina Carpenter, the same song Klavier listened to that morning. His face blushed, and he doesn't have any makeup to hide behind. He wants to join Apollo, and laugh at how silly he is being. He wants to take the lead, and lead Apollo's step by step. He wants to sing with him, knowing the lyrics to a song rockstar Klavier should not know.
Klavier Gavin is so screwed.