Chapter Text
The scales of justice... two scales, perfectly balanced.
Apollo studies the symbol on the wall as he waits outside the courtroom for Mr. Gavin. This is a typical day for him, ever since he started working at Gavin Law Offices. Mr. Gavin always defends the case, while Apollo watches from the audience. The verdict had just been declared - Not Guilty. At which point everyone had dispersed, and that left Apollo here in the lobby, waiting for his boss to appear.
The scales of justice represent the law of this land, and bear Apollo's name. Fair. Equitable. Balanced. Orderly. Mr. Gavin was a fair, equitable, balanced, orderly mentor, too. Just like these scales. Apollo was pretty sure he had never even seen him yell. Even his "Objection"s were soft and well-mannered. Firm, but proper. Always the gentleman and the genteel man. He was gentle with Apollo, too - teaching him, guiding him, through the twisted mazes of the law. Apollo felt lucky to have him, to have such a great man who knew so much working closely with him - so wise, sage, kind and experienced.
If Mr. Gavin had one flaw, it would probably be that he was very critical. Apollo didn't always like that, but most of the time he would later realize that Gavin just had his best interests at heart, so it wasn't that bad. It's not like he was... mean about it. Just condescending. Apollo could deal with that, he supposed. A lawyer should be well-versed in working with varying personalities, after all.
At length Apollo finally caught a glimpse of his boss, walking the hallway with the prosecutor for the case by his side. Were they... laughing? Joking? They seemed to have a casual tone established between themselves. Apollo caught a snippet of their conversation.
"Yes, and I'm glad we could reach a deal that benefited everyone, Prosecutor. I look forward to... working with you again."
"Same here, Gavin. I'll keep that in mind..."
A deal? Apollo mused. He must be talking about a plea bargain... but there was nothing like that discussed at the trial... some kind of back-room thing, huh...
The prosecutor moved on and Apollo caught up with his boss. A win always put them both in a better mood - not that a rare loss was likely to put Mr. Gavin in a foul mood. He'd just become quieter, more contemplative and closed off. It'd be harder for Apollo to tell what he was thinking at those times. But right now, he was his normal even-tempered self, greeting Apollo with a soft smile.
"Ah, Justice. Your face is all flushed. I see the excitement of spectating another scintillating case has gotten to you again, has it?"
Apollo rocked on his heels. "Your cases are always exciting, Mr. Gavin. Congratulations on another... Well, it was a brilliant win, really, sir. I sure enjoyed watching it play out. So... so, I can join you on a case soon, right? After all, I've been working for you for, what, two years now...!"
Apollo's duties at Gavin Law Offices involved typing up form letters, filing paperwork, organizing evidence and brewing coffee. He enjoyed being a glorified receptionist, but there was more to the lawyering life than being simply a paralegal. There were trials! The most important activity of any lawyer! The anticipation that came from being sidelined so frequently was getting to be more than Apollo could really bear. He had his badge! He was ready!
Mr. Gavin chuckled as they walked down the hallway to the courthouse main lobby. "Patience is a virtue, Justice. I know you're an eager beaver to make your debut as my co-counsel. But understand, I must select a proper case for you to cut your teeth on. Something... simple, so that you can focus on learning as much as you can. And perhaps something... not so gruesome. A civil suit would do well."
So far Apollo had defended a few of his own mock trials, but that wasn't the same as being in a real courtroom! He was ready! He was ready a whole year ago when he'd graduated law school!
"A civil suit? Come on! I can defend any case, even a homicide case, Mr. Gavin. You wouldn't even let me see last week's trial..."
"Ah, ah - what have I told you about back talk? Outside of court, that is, mind." Apollo blushed at the embarrassing rebuke. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was being treated like a child. "And as you know, I had good reason. That victim was hacked to pieces. I saw no benefit to exposing you to crime scene images of that nature, green as you are."
"I've seen all that kind of stuff before." Apollo grumbled. He knew he sounded like a grumpy toddler, but there was something about arguing with his boss this way that made him feel... juvenile. As if he was the one asking for something ridiculous.
"Well, as strange as it may seem, I have my own way of mentoring my assistants. And you would do well to guard your own innocence from such heinous violence until you mature. You'll bear witness to plenty of dastardly deeds soon enough - no need to rush."
Maybe he really does just have my best interests at heart... Apollo mused. There were worse things, but it wasn't going to stop him from coming back with a rebuttal. It was just in his nature to argue.
"Well... well, that's true, but how am I meant to become a great lawyer without practical courtroom experience?" Apollo knew he was kind of whining, which Mr. Gavin really didn't like...
"Spectating is experience." Mr. Gavin responded crisply. "Besides, when you appear in court, you will be perfectly well prepared, Justice; you have me for a teacher, after all." (A metaphorical pat on the head.)
"Okay, but if that's true, then I want all the keys to victory." Apollo challenged.
"So impatient. There are many keys to victory in law, Justice. But what do I always say?"
Apollo sighed. "Evidence is everything in court."
"Very good." Mr. Gavin grinned, and Apollo interpreted the expression on his face as beaming pride.
---
"Back already?"
Clay is already at Gavin Law Offices when they arrive. In keeping with his current duties as custodian of their small office, he is dutifully watering the plants, most especially Mr. Gavin's roses.
Apollo was lucky to have his best friend working so closely with him. However, Clay didn't study the law. Instead, he mainly swept up and kept things neat once or twice a day, bringing the employee count to three.
Clay's dream was to gain entrance to the GYAXA space program as an astronaut. To that end, he was studying like mad for his entrance exams. In the meantime, there wasn't too much a student with a bachelors in aerospace could land on Earth that would be degree-relevant.
"Mr. Gavin sewed up the case without breaking a sweat!" Apollo proclaimed, smiling from ear to ear.
Of course Mr. Gavin would find a way to reach a deal that would work for everyone. He was great at it. Just like Apollo wanted to be someday.
"Hm, breaking a sweat, you say? Heaven forbid. And you, Terence, what of your tasks?" Mr. Gavin inquired, addressing Clay as he sat at his desk.
"Everything's vacuumed, scrubbed, disinfected and polished to perfection, boss. Also, my name's Clay, not-"
"Yes, yes, naturally. If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing perfectly, isn't it?"
"Uh-huh." Clay sighed.
Apollo really wished his boss and his friend could get along a little better. But, as it was, they sort of went together like oil and water - as in, not at all.
"And you got to everything?" Mr. Gavin studied his nails.
"Yeah, I didn't forget to water your stupid ficus tree this time."
"Very well, Mr. Terrace." Mr. Gavin had given up on trying to improve upon Clay's disrespect. (Apollo had a feeling the only reason Clay was kept on the payroll in the first place was Apollo's begging.)
"That's Terran."
"Whatever." Mr. Gavin waved a hand dismissively. "Justice, why don't you go fetch me the incoming mail?"
"Of course, sir!" Apollo acquiesced happily. It was his job, after all.
The mailboxes were located on the ground floor of the office building, but it was only a quick elevator ride away from the fifth floor office. Being as sought-after of a defense attorney as Kristoph was meant there was always a great deal of mail to sort through, defense requests, procedural paperwork, and the ever-present junk mail that Apollo had to shred.
And Apollo returned with the armful of envelopes to find them still at odds today. Why can't we all just get along?
"You'll need to finish cleaning the restroom before the end of the day, Mr. Terrapin." Mr. Gavin smirked.
"Aye aye, Captain. By the way, it's Terran, not... whatever you just said."
"Mhm. Justice, I'll be going out to meet a friend."
If Mr. Gavin didn't extend an invitation to Apollo, then Apollo knew he was not invited - and any inquiry about further information would be met with a disapproving frown.
"I need you to file away everything to do with today's case. You may leave for the day when you are finished."
Apollo smiled. It was only noon, and his boss had already taken care of most of the organizing for him. That left a lot of the day open to do whatever he wanted. This was one of the main reasons he liked working here. Every holiday off, two weeks in the summertime, two weeks around the holidays, and extra time off basically whenever he asked for it. When they had a trial the next day, Kristoph worked him to the bone, usually into the small hours of the night preparing statements and files. But any other time the job was very agreeable.
"Thank you, sir." Apollo replied warmly.
Mr. Gavin smiled, nodded, and took his leave.
Once he had left the office, Clay sighed. "Gag me, dude. I know you want to be a lawyer, but to put up with him? You sure can pick 'em."
"What's so wrong with Mr. Gavin?" Apollo inquired, rolling his desk chair over to the filing cabinets.
"Um, other than the fact that he's creepy and weird and kind of a total douche?" Clay replied.
Apollo frowned slightly. "He's my mentor. I admit he can be a little stuck-up sometimes. But he's such a good person. It's not like he's done anything bad, right?"
"Well, who knows?" Clay murmured cryptically.
Apollo spun his chair around, intense. "What are you trying to say? That Kristoph's not-"
"Apollo, calm down." Then, lower. "Who knows what kinds of bugs he has planted in here?" Clay sighed once again and gave Apollo a knowing look. "Dee's Diner. We gotta talk. Outside of here, I mean."
"...Fine." Apollo grumpily acquiesced.
---
The pair slid into a booth at the diner and placed their orders. The energy was picking up, close as it was to lunchtime.
"The boss is... well. There's something weird." Clay says quietly, almost conspiratorially.
"What do you mean by 'weird'? He's Kristoph Gavin, the best attorney in town." And quite possibly, the world...! Apollo replies.
"Maybe so, but no one's that good. I'm talking about the cases that keep making the news. Evidence that shouldn't be there, witnesses that shouldn't even exist... I mean, you have to admit a lot of it is kinda suspicious? And, well, I know how you tend to like, cling... I'm just saying maybe the whole hero worship thing could backfire on you a little. If he turns out to be, y'know, shady."
Apollo bristled. "Mr. Gavin's not shady. You're probably just saying that 'cuz he makes you do so many chores... maybe you should try negotiating, I know he seems like kind of a snob at first, but I promise he's nice once you get to know him."
"To you, maybe, 'pollo. But..."
"Like on the Valencia case, he helped that one homeless witness to get into that hospital where they're giving him the help he so desperately needs!" Apollo smiled, parroting the words Kristoph had used when he'd told him about what came of the guy after the trial.
Clay's face darkened.
"I know the case. And that guy wasn't nuts, he was telling the truth, so I don't know if you can say that having him committed was like, a good deed or anything. The victim's wife in that case was my cousin Sara. All of the critical evidence just disappeared without a trace. And that defendant's lawyer was..."
"...Mr. Gavin. Okay, Clay, relax, evidence doesn't just disappear, and Mr. Gavin checks everything over himself. There must be some kind of inconsistency in your logic. Are you sure you know what really happened?"
"Well, something stinks. I'm gonna do my own investigation. You can do as you like."
"Come on, Clay, at least be on the sly about it. I need this job. This is a good job, Clay."
"I know. But, later on. I can refer you to something nice at GYAXA."
Apollo shot him an unimpressed look.
"What? There are lots of lawyers there. Patent lawyers for all the aerospace inventions. They do lots of stuff."
Always with his head in the clouds, that's Clay. Besides, what's the point of working anywhere that's not Gavin Law?
"Well, think about it at least."
Apollo was pretty sure Clay was just seeing things. Had to be.
"Yeah. Sure."
---
A month passed.
Before Apollo knew it, a week arrived where he suddenly found a day on his calendar circled three times in red. A quite important day, actually, and one he'd been waiting for for a very long time.
"I'll admit it, I'm nervous."
"You'll be fine! I'll be there in the audience to cheer you on, too!"
Apollo smiled. "Thanks, Clay. I can always count on you."
Apollo had been watching court cases on video and from the gallery pretty much since the day he'd arrived in the USA. He had already decided by then that he wanted to become a defense attorney, like Dhurke.
But today was going to be the very first time he appeared on the defense bench as co-counsel to an attorney. Officially.
And not just any attorney, but the finest attorney in town - a Bar Association member - a well respected steward of the court - his boss, Kristoph Gavin.
Apollo was definitely not going to throw up.
He'd be on the bench today only as co-counsel. He probably wouldn't even have to address the court at all, just handle evidence and hand Mr. Gavin various papers.
It's not like Mr. Gavin was going to confer with him on anything - he didn't need to, after all. Apollo was just appearing today as his assistant.
But, that didn't change the fact that all eyes in the courtroom were going to be focused squarely on the defense bench. Of course people showed up to watch prosecutors prosecute, and the witness at the stand was most often the center of attention due to the conspicuous spot where they stood. However, the defense bench was where all the magic happened. For once, Apollo wouldn't be relegated to the stands, he'd be a cast member, practically on the stage for everyone to see. It was definitely a different feeling than being a spectator who didn't have to do anything but watch.
And if he had to say anything at all, which was a possibility, he was going to have to enunciate and project and remember all the things Mr. Gavin taught him about courtroom etiquette and procedure and addressing the court and... what if he overdid his vocal training again, and...!
By the time Apollo showed up at the defense lobby that morning, his stomach was churning with what-ifs and anxiety.
"Ah, there you are. Good morning, Justice."
"G-good morning. Sir."
"A case of pre-trial anxiety, I take it? Did you follow my advice and get enough sleep?"
"I tried..." Apollo mumbled. "Had a nightmare where all my teeth fell out..."
Damnit. The lack of sleep had done nothing to sharpen his mind. He hadn't really wanted to share that.
Mr. Gavin just gave him a sympathetic smile and soft pat on the shoulder. "That's normal. Remember, don't focus on those in the gallery. They have nothing to do with our case. The only people in that courtroom that you need concern yourself with are the prosecutor, the judge, the witness and myself. ...In fact, it might be better if you keep your focus on me for this trial. I'm sure you'll learn something if you do."
"Y-yes, sir." Just as usual, I guess...
"Since you're acting as co-counsel, I'll remind you that you are to be seen and not heard. It is not your place to make suggestions or speak out of turn, understood? If there is a relevant document or piece of evidence that I need, I will ask you for it. As far as the court is concerned... you are present only as an extension of me. And in that spirit, please refrain from embarrassing me, if you would."
Apollo gulped.
"Justice, don't look so stricken. This is what you asked for, no? Please don't make me regret it."
Co-counsel was never introduced or even really acknowledged. And Apollo doubted if the judge would even remember him next time. He was just an assistant. That was all. The way Apollo felt right now, he knew it'd be some time before he was ready to defend for real. Someday soon, I'll...
Ten o'clock finally arrived.
"It's time." Mr. Gavin said. "You are prepared, aren't you?"
"O-of course." Apollo held up the briefcase he'd so meticulously prepared. All of the relevant court documents were inside.
For sure. He'd quadruple checked.
His mentor granted him a genteel smile. "Off we go, then."
Apollo smiled back. He knew he'd be just fine as long as Mr. Gavin was here.
---
The trial went as smoothly as it possibly could have.
Apollo didn't know why he expected anything less. Any incompetence he could've shown would be drowned out by his mentor's stunning wisdom and poise.
Regardless, there were no incidents and Apollo found himself happily humming through his chores at the office the next day. Being in court made him feel like a celebrity. It was everything he'd ever wanted - a seat at the table and a part in the show, not just a spectator anymore. He could help! And now more than ever he was going to do everything possible to make Mr. Gavin see that.
"Found your glasses, sir." Apollo smiled as he plucked the spectacles off the bookshelf. "Pretty strong prescription."
Apollo was always careful, when he teased. Mr. Gavin would scold him if he spoke out of turn, though never harshly. (But the disapproval would still sting.)
"The better to read the fine print with, Justice." Kristoph takes his glasses back in one fluid motion. "Now, I believe you owe me a verbal report on yesterday's proceedings."
"I... didn't like how the witness called us 'two snobby looking gremlins standing there with our arms crossed'." Apollo reported.
"Hm. Well, I've been called worse. Some people are too boorish to know how to mind their manners. You'll get used to it." Apollo nodded in reply.
Kristoph then gave him a meaningful glance, after a moment. "I still think you should wear your suit jacket when you appear in court."
"Honestly? It... um... it's too tight." He'd bought it off the rack, after all.
"My goodness, why didn't you say something earlier? I'll take you to get fitted for something bespoke, then."
A custom suit? "Mr. Gavin, you really don't have to-"
"Nonsense. I won't have you standing next to me in court looking like a ragamuffin and that's that."
Ugh!
"The look on your face indicates you are dissatisfied with my charity, Justice." Kristoph arched a critical eyebrow at him, as he was wont to do.
Not the eyebrow! "Wh-who, me? Never, sir!" Apollo gulped. "I... I really, truly appreciate everything you do for me, sir."
"Mmm. I would hope so." Mr. Gavin nodded sharply, then paused before adding, "You know, we have a very important client visiting today."
"H-huh? Oh, yeah! Of course..." Apollo certainly hadn't forgotten in the wake of all the excitement of his first real case.
But, it would be better for him if he feigned a good memory. Kristoph was a stickler for details, and Apollo really didn't prefer to be treated to his crocodilian smile that he saved for his victims right before he ripped into their flesh.
"The Shade case. Do you have the relevant paperwork I asked you to pull?"
"Yes."
"And the witness statements?"
"Yes!"
"And you didn't forget to file with the court?"
"Yes, Dad!"
Not that!
Apollo screeched internally as the horror set in. Now that was a Freudian slip too far! He could die.
"Y-yes... sir. Sir." Apollo corrected, face crimson.
But it was far too late. Mr. Gavin had heard him quite clearly. This smile was all crocodile.
"Why, Apollo. Do you think of me as a father figure?" Kristoph asked sweetly.
"Wh- n-no!! If anything, I think of you as a bother figure 'cause you're always bothering me..." Apollo grumbled the last bit at what he thought was an inaudible volume.
"I heard that." Kristoph's still smiling serenely. "And I forgive you. If that's how you see me, it's all right. In fact, it's perfectly natural to-"
"Mr. Gavin, please, l-let's just pretend I never said anyth-"
"Justice, it's very impolite to interrupt someone while they are speaking to you, especially your superior." Mr. Gavin interjected, doing just that.
But luckily for Apollo, Mr. Gavin didn't have time to embarrass him further, as the office doorbell chimed.
Apollo really did hate it, sometimes. There were times when Kristoph seemed to think of himself as some sort of an armchair psychologist, and his little observations of Apollo's behavior were numerous and unwelcome. For every time Mr. Gavin would instruct him to sit up straighter or mind his p's and q's, there was a time when he'd point out something truly... ridiculous, like Apollo using the word "philosophy" when he meant "philanthropy" and dote on it, calling it "cute" or even "sweet" or "something you'll grow out of". It kind of bordered on disgusting. And it always, always made Apollo blush, like it's making him do now as he gets up to go and answer the door.
It's another one of Mr. Gavin's shady, snooty friends. Apollo doesn't like them. He won't admit it, but some of the people they defend are not fun to be around. But, they deserve a good defense all the same.
The shady man, of a nondescript height and build and adorned in a dark gray pinstripe suit, extended his shady hand to Apollo.
"Jack Shade is the name. I run a very very lucrative nightclub and casino." he said, and he had an awfully tough grip of a handshake, which Apollo quickly learned.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Shade." Apollo said automatically, as had been drilled into him, trying not to cringe.
Kristoph wouldn't do business with just anyone, but he was open to doing business with anyone as long as they had the funds, and this seemed to be one of those folks. (Apollo quickly pushed the words that Clay had said earlier out of his head. There were certain things he just didn't want to think about.)
"Shade." Kristoph came over to greet him as well. "Now that you've met my illustrious assistant, I'm sure you're eager to get down to brass tacks about your case. Why don't we all sit down and discuss the finer points?"
"Would love to, Gavin, would love to. And the kid, is he -"
"Oh, Apollo's the very picture of confidentiality. You have nothing to worry about. He knows the rules, and follows them to the letter."
Apollo definitely didn't pout. Talking about me like I'm not even here again...
"Fantastic, anyway, some yo is accusing me of allowing minors in to gamble. That's strictly against club rules, you know. I don't tolerate things like that. That's where you come in; to represent me, my reputation and my good name in court tomorrow."
"Indeed. Such reprehensible falsehoods will never stand up in court. They have not a scrap of proof for their claims."
"Why sure, sure. Listen, let's run everything by the books, all right?"
"Certainly. At Gavin Law Offices, we believe in compassionate care for every client."
"He says it in the commercial!" Apollo added brightly.
Shade blinked. "Ah... that's nice, kid. Real nice."
---
Most of Mr. Gavin's investigations involved showing up to very ritzy places around town and talking to snooty-looking people for hours on end, at the end of which he'd depart with some strange package or paper that always ended up being relevant evidence in the next day's case.
Apollo wasn't sure quite how he did it, but he did it. Confidentially, he found the conversations hard to follow, the turns of phrase always cryptic. How Mr. Gavin did what he did... it seemed almost supernatural. His powers of persuasion were legendary.
Apollo also wasn't sure how much more brunch he could take. It seemed like all they did was attend meals with these people. Mainly brunch. And they would drink, drink and drink and drink, though Apollo didn't fail to notice that Kristoph avoided alcohol completely on these outings.
Apollo didn't drink either, of course. He simply sat and observed, as he was always wont to do.
---
The Shade trial was getting intense, punctuated by the emotional state of the woman at the witness stand.
"My... my daughter was pulled in, too. Shade, he sets up his video arcade next to his slot machines. They're in the very same parlor. My girl started gambling and couldn't stop. She's hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt! It was that man who hooked her!"
Mr. Gavin eyed her critically. Sizing her up. "How old is your daughter, Mrs. Jennings?"
"...Why, she's nineteen this year, but I don't see what that has to do wi-"
"Mrs. Jennings, please. I did not ask for commentary. Isn't it true that your daughter is above the legal age to gamble? Haven't you considered that she is currently responsible for making her own decisions in life?"
"But listen to what I'm saying! Her gambling problem started years ago, when -"
"And I don't suppose you have any proof of that." Mr. Gavin enunciated smoothly. Then he drew himself up, addressing the courtroom with a commanding presence that Apollo could only hope to emulate someday.
"My client is being crucified for running a respectable business. These dangerous and untrue allegations are damaging to the reputation of his business and therefore, himself. The defense moves for the court to throw out the case - with prejudice."
With that, Mr. Gavin sewed up the trial in short order, and won handily.
"Ho ho, Gavin! You've done it again!" Shade was practically glowing with happiness.
Apollo found himself strangely... conflicted. He'd caught a glimpse of the lady witness, Mrs. Jennings, crying outside the courtroom.
This is... right, isn't it?
Is this... justice?
---
"We're going to go out and celebrate the big win. You should come along, if you're free!"
"Yeah, I don't really gel with snobby bigwigs like that. You go have a good time, 'pollo." Kristoph was notably left out of Clay's good wishes. They're back in the office, now, getting ready to leave.
"They're not so bad once you get used to - ack!" Apollo squeaked as Kristoph fastidiously straightened Apollo's tie, delicately fastening the top button of his work shirt while he was at it.
"There. Perfectly presentable... ah, just one last thing-" Mr. Gavin hands him the very much not-wanted red suit jacket, then. It's been pressed, inexplicably. "You left it here last month. You really should keep better track of your things, Justice." Kristoph adds with a grin.
Apollo sighs, pouting. "Fine, fine. I'll put it on." The jacket pinches, in the back, but Apollo buttons it up anyway because he doesn't want his boss doing it for him. He's not a little kid.
"Then we bid you goodnight, Mr. Turpin." Mr. Gavin made to depart, without a look in Clay's general direction.
"'Night, folks. I won't wait up."
---
Jack Shade was pleased enough to pop, that night. He'd outfitted his nightclub in style, inviting all manner of high rollers to celebrate his freedom from the long arm of the law.
"Thanks to Gavin, our little playground will stay in operation for a long time to come. A toast, to the man of the hour!" Shade announced, raising aloft his glass.
All in attendance did the same, some even cheering. Kristoph always garnered a certain respect in these circles, and it seemed to Apollo that the other attendees probably knew that they'd better stay in his good graces if they wanted his help in the future. I guess flattery really will get you everywhere. he thought quietly, watching the scene, and Kristoph's good-natured smile. But Mr. Gavin is so humble, it's like nothing to him... he must be used to it by now.
"But how can we forget about the little people, hey? Let's hear it for Gavin's right hand man, Avery Justman!"
Apollo blushed, forced himself to smile as he was taught and politely ignored the error. There was maybe a cheer, or two. In the back. Probably.
"Now, we don't always check IDs here, let's be honest." Shade continued, winking. Everyone laughed. "But you, I'm going to have to card. You don't look a day over fourteen, kiddo. Where do you find your assistants, Gavin - the cabbage patch? Ahaha..."
Blushing again, Apollo knew it was just good-natured ribbing but as usual he figured it was safer to take the path of least resistance and just play along. Like he always did. "H-here you go, sir." he muttered, tossing an ID card onto the bar.
Shade almost did a spit take when he took a look. "Holy crap, twenty-thr- you're twenty-three? Jesus, sell me the youth potion, kid. It's because he's so short. Unreal!"
Mr. Gavin chuckled. "Mr. Justice has a rather... unique look, doesn't he?"
Apollo just smiled awkwardly, shifting around in his seat. He never knew what to say in situations like these. A smart retort would always come to him later, when it was far too late. 'At least I get the college student discount on the bus,' or something like that.
"C'mon, Gavin, let the kid have a few drinks, huh? A big boy reward before you tuck him in for beddy-bye." Shade leaned in and Apollo cringed at the cigarette smoke and scent of alcohol that emanated from him.
Mr. Gavin shrugged absently when Apollo looked to him for some kind of final approval.
"Justice can make his own decisions. I'm merely his employer, not his keeper."
Apollo wasn't exactly sure when the night swirled into a pleasant fugue. All he knew was that Mr. Shade kept putting down drinks in front of him, and all of them were in awfully pretty colors with little umbrellas on them that made them look harmless and fun.
Unfortunately, Apollo had had one too many before he'd even realized it. Being a featherweight when it came to alcohol was not an advantage, especially when just one of the drinks was strong enough to render him susceptible to taking the next one. And the one after that.
The delightfully warm haze of a buzz gave way to a calm nothingness.
---
There was a car, there was definitely a car.
Apollo opened his mouth to ask the mystery driver if he would please turn the air conditioning on, as maybe that would bring some lucidity, but no sound came out and he was just so tired and achy, and floaty, so very floaty...
He drifted again into stupor and darkness and knew no more, until...
---
Apollo comes to in a thick haze. The thought of being "hung over" barely occurs to him, as last night (?) is now a blur. He is now the proud owner of a migraine paired with a stomachache that could bring an elephant down.
At first he has no clue where he is, but a sense of familiarity pervades the air around him. It is a dark room. There's a thin carpet beneath him. Somehow, he's lying on the floor. The idea of "what happened last night" floated around in the haze, suggesting nothing but warmth and good cheer. We won the case, we won the case... - the thought ran on loop through Apollo's mind as he tried desperately to reconstruct the events of the previous day. He should be feeling good, warm, happy-
Except -
There's something -
Everything smells like... blood.
Apollo frowns, blinking slowly at the darkness. He's never -
There's no way that there can be this much blood. It's like weather, thick and sharp and metallic - a slaughterhouse, maybe??
A desperate feeling of loneliness grips him, then, and he struggles to sit up. Take stock of the situation.
There's something in his hand, too, thin and sleek, but it's too dark to see what it is. His fingers fumble around it, twisting. He can't remember -
And there's a little light trailing in from a window, moonlight. It's... still night. By the light, now Apollo can see that there is someone else here with him, a body - prone -
The body is lying on the ground.
Still clutching at the whatever-it-is, Apollo struggles over to the other person. The odor of blood grows much stronger. It's when the other person's face finally catches the moonlight that Apollo realizes -
This body... it's Clay.
Eyes, wide open. There's darkness, staining him. He's expressionless -
he's lifeless. he's gone.
Apollo's brain can't catch up, stuck on pause between stupor and sobriety. The overwhelming confusion and fear is dulling everything else. He's struggling to force everything into replay, but the thoughts won't surface now, and he's -
This can't... be right... no, no, it's just a nightmare... just a nightmare, and I'll wake up soon...
The little something in his hand catches the light and he stops. It's glinting - stained, too - a blade...
Someone opens the door and light floods the room, then. Apollo looks to it - it burns his eyes.
Standing in the doorway is Kristoph Gavin.
"Apollo." Kristoph whispers, almost pityingly - for the first time, it was always "Justice", never "Apollo", not until now - maybe once? maybe twice? - an inscrutably neutral expression painted over his staid features, voice impeccably clipped and unmistakably disappointed.
Apollo cannot see his eyes behind the glare of his glasses.
"What have you done?"