Siblings

If you missed the description, this is your last spoiler warning. Don't read this if you haven't played Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice. Just don't. I don't want you here if you haven't played it.

that was harsh, i'm sorry.

but seriously, go away

unless you've played it, then feel free to read on.

***

"THEN TELL THEM! OR I'LL DO IT MYSELF!"

The sudden sounds of their boss's yelling ground the mundane activities in the Wright Anything Agency to a halt. He'd stepped out to make a call, and Trucy, Athena and Apollo didn't pay it much mind at the time, it didn't seem important.

Phoenix stepped back into the room, clearly still agitated. He started pacing around the room, muttering something in Japanese (incidentally, one of the languages that Athena didn't know. She could tell he was probably cursing, though.)

"...Mr. Wright?" Apollo managed to ask. He'd never heard the boss get so angry, neither had he seen him look so distressed. Neither had Trucy or Athena. "Is everything okay?"

Phoenix stopped pacing to look at Apollo. He was concerned. It only made Phoenix feel worse.

"Boss?"

That was Athena. Phoenix buried his head in his hands. He'd all but forgotten that she could tell what he was feeling.

"...wasn't supposed to be my secret to keep..." they heard him mumble.

'Who was on the other end of that phone call?' was the question of the hour.

"I.. Apollo..." Phoenix started, making eye-contact with the young man. "I need to talk to you."

"Mr. Wright? Did I do-"

"No!" Phoenix interrupted quickly. "No, no. You've done nothing. If anything did anything, it's me..."

"Daddy?" Trucy asked, worried. "What's wrong?"

"Will you accept 'nothing' as an answer?" Phoenix tried to joke, partly in an effort to raise his own spirits, if only a little. His daughter's expression didn't change, and Phoenix sighed.

"Thought not," he mumbled "I need to talk to you too."

"Me?"

"Yeah," Phoenix nodded. "Athena?"

"Yes, boss?"

"Do you mind if I talk to Apollo and Trucy?" Phoenix politely asked her to leave for a while. "It's really important."

It'd been a hot minute since Athena had heard this much discord, let alone from Mr. Wright of all people. It seemed to emanate endlessly from the depths of his heart. Whatever it was, it sure seemed heavy.

"Sure thing, boss!" She gave him a salute. "I'm sure Mr. Eldoon could use my company for a few minutes!"

Phoenix forced a smile. Athena's attempt at cheering him up failed spectacularly, but he appreciated the effort. She left soon after, leaving the three of them. Before he could say anything, Apollo walked up to him.

"Mr. Wright," Apollo started. "Um, I promise that I won't hate you or anything..."

Phoenix let out a weak laugh. He stepped past him, walking over to the shelves that held past files the Agency had worked on.

"Trucy tell you to say that?" he asked as he flicked through a binder.

"...Maybe."

"He won't, Daddy!" Trucy assured him. "And neither will I!"