madimpossibledreamer

Main Points:
Ace Attorney AU
Rating: G?
Word Count: 762
Summary, other main points under the cut

Summary: Apollo helps with Maggie's emergency
Very light Apollo/Klavier, Maggie/Gumshoe referenced this chapter
When he finally makes it to Maggie and her emergency, thanks to Ema dropping him off, he’s half convinced that she’s been framed for murder (again!) and needs an attorney. It’d be just his luck to have to stand in court on Christmas Day, especially since, technically, both his mentors had done so.

Instead, she’s crying, but appears to be fine. Until she opens the door and reveals her cast. “Our Christmas tree fell on me,” she explains, and Apollo stares with an open mouth for a minute before categorizing it in the ‘what did you expect from a friend of Wright’s’ grouping in his brain and wondering when he’ll stop being the straight man in this comedy show. “Richard…” That must be Gumshoe, Apollo thinks, determined to keep up as much as possible, “…is getting us a new tree, and drove me to the doctor’s…” Hopefully not the Hickfield Clinic, but it’s probably too much to wish for, “…but he has to go to work and he can’t replace his present, anyway. I’m just glad that I was able to get outside and throw it away before he saw it and the surprise was ruined.”

Justice thinks about shaking his head. Scolding her for walking around on a broken leg with nothing to keep it from getting further damaged. In the end, though, he decides it isn’t worth it. She’s not likely to listen, and if anyone should scold it’s the doctors. Not that he expects much from Doctor Hickfield anyway. “Okay, so you want me to go get it, right? A replacement?”

She nods cheerfully, and tells him.

He didn’t know what to expect for a present for Gumshoe, but a bunch of different canned foods and other foods that didn’t have to be refrigerated wasn’t one of them. She’d explained that ramen was the only thing that wasn’t on the list on purpose, but anything else should fit the purpose. Luckily, two markets, even if they were a bit small, were in walking distance. He decided to go to the further one, since it was easier for them to get food from the closer one, so maybe the other would be a bit more festive. Since she’d used up her funds and borrowing from Gumshoe for money for a present for Gumshoe seemed tacky, he’d end up having to use his own funds to purchase it, she explained cheerfully, apologizing until he snapped. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t fine.”

Maybe he was feeling a little guilty about yelling at her. Though he wasn’t exactly the richest person walking around either. But then, at least Edgeworth & Wright Law Offices paid better than the Wright Anything Agency. Potentially due to the fact that they ended up with more clients.

He paused, then added chocolate to the purchase. He could decide later what he wanted to do with it.

He dropped his frown long enough for the cashier to check him out. At least it wasn’t blizzarding again. He’d hear about that later. And there’s a group of well-bundled carolers singing to various houses.

It might be interesting to drag Klavier around caroling. He might be a little obsessed with getting his boyfriend to not sing just the horrible Gavinners stuff, but Klavier really does have a nice voice and musical style that’s often lost in that. At least it’s dragging him out of the somewhat scary Scroogy spirit he’s getting into.

He manages a smile when Maggie opens the door, and he’s quickly pulled into the closet. He sits in the dark, wondering about his life, when he hears Gumshoe. “I know it looks like a Charlie Brown tree, but at least it’s safe, and it’s got character, don’t you think?” They don’t have the money for a real tree? Either that, or he really does think this will be safer. Of course, with Maggie Byrde on the scene with her bad luck, it probably won’t be, but he doesn’t want to think about it any more than that and jinx it. Either way, he should probably have a word with Kay about salaries.

The door opens, and a car starts up. Maggie waits for a few minutes and opens the door eventually, looking sheepish.

“It’s okay. I understand.” He hands her the cans and other food. For whatever reason, he doesn’t give her the chocolate. He can figure that out later. “But if you’ll excuse me, I have more errands to run, so…”

She smiles from ear to ear and hugs him, kissing him on the cheek.