Twist of Fate

Chapter 11: Start of the Trial

Apollo sat in the defendant's lobby with Trucy at his side, talking to his new client Vera Misham. The young woman was quiet and preferred to draw pictures to communicate rather than talking. While this made interrogation difficult, Trucy was undeterred and kept the conversation going even with Vera's one-word answers. Unfortunately, this didn't make Vera any more conversational.

"You gotta know something! I know you wouldn't kill your dad, I have faith in you!" Trucy pleaded. Vera remained as unresponsive as ever.

Apollo sighed. "We can't help you if you stay silent, Vera," he said quietly. Vera looked to the ground.

"I know," she said simply.

"Then why aren't you saying anything??" Trucy cried.

"I just can't." The door opened behind Apollo, but before he could turn to see who it was he saw Vera's face change. She looked shocked, pale, and stiff. She reminded Apollo of someone, but he couldn't think of who.

"How is everything going in here?" It was the familiar German accent of Klavier. Trucy waved and said a greeting, but Apollo kept his eyes on Vera. She immediately relaxed after hearing Klavier's voice, and that's when it hit him.

Her reaction reminded him of himself when he looked at someone who was strikingly similar to Klavier, someone much more dangerous.

"It's going," Trucy pouted.

Klavier chuckled. "Well, mind if I borrow Herr Forehead for a moment, Fräulein?" Trucy shook her head. Klavier grinned, gently putting an arm around Apollo's shoulders to lead him out. He saw Trucy wiggle her eyebrows at them and Apollo fought the urge to blush.

The moment Klavier had dropped him off at the courthouse, Trucy bombarded them with questions. Apollo promised to answer them later because he at least needed to try to get Vera to open up before the trial. It wasn't the entire truth but was enough to placate the magician.

After getting their repressed affections out, Klavier insisted Apollo get some rest for the next day and because of his injuries. When Apollo said he wanted to talk about them Klavier changed his tune. So they stayed up for a couple more hours at least talking about what they wanted and where they were. In the end, both Apollo and Klavier decided to keep it quiet in case Mr. Gavin decided to use one against the other. The blond made it clear that if his boss tried to hurt him again, then he would not hesitate to do everything within his power to protect Apollo.

"So how is she doing?" Klavier asked. Apollo didn't say anything, he just stared down at the floor. He looked up when a hand was put on his shoulder. "Schatzi?"

"I..." He gulped. "I think Vera knows Mr. Gavin."

"Was?"

"She had the same reaction I used to have to you," Apollo explained. He saw a hurt look in Klavier's eyes and immediately regretted telling him this. But the rockstar just sighed, looking sad. He mumbled something in German.

"I'll be careful then," he said flashing a grin. "No yelling and less wall hitting, ja?"

Apollo opened his mouth to say something, noticing that look was still in his eyes, only to be interrupted by a bailiff saying that court would be beginning. The hurt in Klavier's eyes was replaced with mischief and he leaned down.

"Klav...?" The brunet's voice was barely above a whisper as said man leaned in close. He smirked before pressing a kiss to Apollo's lips. It was small and ended much quicker than he would have liked to admit.

"Preshow for later," was whispered into his ear with a wink. Apollo blushed wanting to shout about his broken arm and keeping quiet about their relationship, but he knew that Klavier liked to tease and wanted to see him healed before going farther.

Apollo had to follow him into the courtroom, still blushing a bit. Trucy bombarded him with questions but Apollo let the subject drop. He did have a job to do after all. As they stood at the defense bench, Apollo glanced at Vera who was more into her drawing notebook than the trial that would be deciding her fate. He knew she was innocent and he knew why she didn't say anything.

He shuddered, thinking of Mr. Gavin's ice-cold eyes. He remembered the gaslighting, how he had been sucked into the blond's grasp the moment the interview began. Apollo knew how manipulative his boss was, even if you only met him for a short amount of time you would fall prey to his clutches. So yes, he knew why Vera refused to say anything.

As the judge banged the gavel down to announce the beginning of the trial, the brunet looked to Klavier. Klavier was a rock, someone who could ground him in the moment of a panic attack, someone he could trust to catch him if he fell. Klavier was someone he could trust to get through this trial, a trial Apollo felt like was going to go much deeper than it seemed, and much much darker.

Klavier's blue eyes locked gaze with Apollo's brown ones. He flashed a reassuring smile and Apollo felt himself visually relax at the small gesture.

Yeah, Klavier would help get to the truth behind the case, no matter who turned out to be truly responsible.