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It was definitely far too late to be watching Steel Samurai. Doing trial preparations at this hour was hardly appropriate either. Maya wouldn’t take Phoenix saying anything about it; she must’ve been spending too much time around Franziska as he was shut up like a von Karma witness (thank god she didn’t have a whip, though). He thought he had a pretty good grasp on time since he heard that god forsaken theme song every 20 minutes or so though the season finale was double the length, something or other about the birth of the Iron Infant. The clock read 23:55 when he expected to see 23:35 — Phoenix’s hands grappled on to the sides of the desk as he rapidly sat up, (it was truly a miracle that he managed to do this with all the paper scattered on it). Naturally, the sudden noise caught the spirit medium’s attention, she was more worried than anything — she didn't want to channel any more dead defence attorneys.
His grip on the table tightened as he spoke one scared word, holding intense eye contact with Maya, looking at her as if he was in an ASPCA advert. “Apple.”
“What…?” she paused her program, unsure if she should laugh or be concerned, “Are you definitely drinking coffee?”
“I haven’t had an apple today.” Maya’s words clearly went in one ear and out the other despite the initial shock wearing off, signalled by his voice’s volume decreasing significantly. His hands left the desk and returned to his side.
Maya knew Phoenix loves apples and eats at least one a day although she didn’t think it was anything more than him just loving apples. Maybe he really was just… sad about forgetting to eat his favourite food in between investigations and paperwork
“…We should still have some. Go check the fridge.” She spoke calmly before Phoenix sped out of the room and beelined to the office’s mini fridge. There were clearly apples in the fridge if the loud crunch that resounded through the office was any proof.
A loosened tie, undone top buttons and rolled sleeves made it seem like Phoenix was on a more arduous journey than retrieving an (almost) midnight snack. He was already half way through the apple by the time he re-entered the office, flicking his tie behind his shoulders as he walked in with an exhale when the apple was withdrawn from his teeth.
Maya stared at Phoenix, wondering what the hell was wrong with him. The manner in which her eyebrows were furrowed was akin to how Edgeworth stares at Gumshoe or Oldbag. Whilst laughing, she exclaimed “What was that about!?”
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” He stated nonchalantly, leaning against the doorframe as he took a final bite from the apple, throwing the core into the bin full of crumpled up paper right as the clock hand hit 12.
“Awww, come on Nick!” she stood up to jokingly slap his arm, “What's so bad about Hotti clinic?”
“I’d stay there for a week before ever taking Cold Killer X.”