#AASS2016

[marchsage]

It’s never too late to spend a late night shopping for the holidays with a good friend and a hot drink, right?

to: Kai!! @danger-jr

Hi!! I saw that you like Athena+Simon as a brotp, so I hope this gift brightens up your day ^o^ Apologies for the delay, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season this year! ♡

from: Gray ☆

((click on the image for higher quality!))

[commanderfreddy]

Merry (late) Christmas to @mogoliz!! At last, your gift for @aasecretsanta2016 is here, and I’m so sorry for the delay, but I hope nearly 5,000 words of Klapollo emotional catharsis is proves to be a good start to your 2017! 

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, and I can’t wait to see more of your stunning art in the coming year. Happy New Years!

[xek-xek]

That’s a rebel

Here’s my (belated) Christmas gift for @turnabout4what better late then never right?

“Are you sure you want me to do this Dhurke…” Datz was faced with two tiny, impressionable, and easily harmed children and his resistance was quickly wearing thin.

“It’s an emergency Datz I wouldn’t force you if I had any other options but I have to go. Besides they’re only children I’m sure you can handle it.” Dhurke was using his leader voice which meant that no was no longer an option.

“Fine I’ll watch them. But I won’t like it.” Datz said in a resigned tone.

Dhurke laughed and smiled. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” Which is how Datz found himself deep in the mountains in the dead of winter babysitting.

“Sooo…. Do you kids like… sewer lizards?”

Apollo and Nahyuta both turned to each other and stared silently for long enough that it became mildly concerning. After coming to some kind of conclusion through their silent interaction Apollo turned to Datz and spoke. “Not really.”

“Oh.” The night went on in that fashion. It wasn’t bad per say, the kids did listen to him, and there weren’t any big fusses. But he and the kids just weren’t connecting. It was almost disheartening, how could he expect to topple the Ga’ran regime if he couldn’t even get on the good side of a couple of toddlers.

“When is father coming home?” Nahyuta asked after getting frustrated with a set of blocks that weren’t stacking.

Datz smiled apologetically. “It’s still gonna be a little while Yuty.”

“I’m hungry!” Apollo piped in at an impressive volume from his spot on the floor with a ball.

“Well I can whip up something if I put my mind to it.” Datz said.

The boys were both on their feet before he could finish his sentence. “No lizards!” they yelled in unison.

“No lizards I promise, cross my heart.” And as he was saying that an idea came to him that would finally give him the in he was looking for with the kids. “But… if you wanna keep an eye on me to make sure I keep my promise, I could use some assistants.”

Just like that he had them hook line and sinker they’re eyes lit up like firecrackers at the word assistants and they were waiting for him in the kitchen before he even had a chance to move.

“Come on Datz.” Apollo called balance precariously on top of a stool so he could reach the counter top. And right behind him Nahyuta was pushing a second stool into place.

Datz grinned and walked over to join them. “Alright let’s get to work.”

So as it turns out making a respectable dinner is pretty easy, and watching two kids is still not that difficult. But watching two kids make a respectable dinner sat firmly on the wrong side of impossible. “Gently Apollo you have to mix it gently, we want it to stay in the bowl don’t we? And Nahyuta please just wait for me to come over there and do the cutting you’ll hurt yourself.”

The kitchen had quickly become a disaster zone, as it turned out Dhurke had never let the children into the kitchen before and perhaps it was for good reason. Apollo was all over the place and Nahyuta seemed to be eternally two steps ahead of what he was supposed to be doing. If they got out of this with something edible let alone good it would be a miracle.

But with a little quick thinking on Datz parts and some fairly innovative ideas from the boys they were able to pull together a meal after all. What had started out as fish filets and a rice based side dish had turned into more of a stew situation. But any chef worth their salt knew that all the best dishes started out as mistakes.

“Are you a dragon like father is?” Nahyuta asked.

Datz was slightly taken aback by the question but it seemed innocent enough. “Uh, yeah I guess so.”

“Have you ever hunted wild boar before?” Apollo asked.

“Once or twice.” Another simple if random question, which immediately set of rapid fire inquiries.

“Do you know how to fish?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever seen a bear?”

“Once or twice.”

“Do you have any kids?”

“Well, no.”

“Are you married?”

“No.”

“Do you-“

Before the boys could get another volley of questions out at him Datz interrupted. “Whoa whoa what’s with the interrogation?”

“Well…. You’re the only defiant dragon father ever lets us meet.” Nahyuta said.

“Yeah.” Apollo chimed in. “Other than you and dad no one else really comes up here.”

“Wait really.” Datz was surprised to say the least. “No one else ever comes up here? Not even any other kids?”

“Nope.” Apollo stated mater of factly. “It’s just me and Nahyuta, and Dhurke… and you sometimes.”

“Well sorry but I don’t know anyone I could bring up here with me.” Datz had never really considered what the rebel life might be like for the kids. Letting them play with any of the children from town wasn’t really an option not when Ga’ran had eyes everywhere.

“That’s okay, we’re not lonely.” Apollo said. “But it’s kinda boring sometimes.”

“Yeah and father is really busy too.” Nahyuta added.

“If that’s all it is then I know a thing or two about combating boredom.” Datz smirked and did a kitchen table friendly version of one of his signature poses. “I could come up here a little more often and play with you.”

“Really, you can?” Apollo grinned and stuck out his pinky. “You have to promise okay, pinky swear.”

“Alright alright, I promise I’ll come see you as often as I can.” Datz reached out and briefly linked his pinky with the young boy.

“You promised so you have to okay.” Apollo said.

“Yeah yeah you got it.” Datz said with a mock salute, and the dinner went on in good spirits. The cold winter wind was hollowing outside the walls of their cabin but the air inside was warm and full of cheer.

[zelinxia]

Title: Familiar Lazy Afternoon

Characters: Apollo, Athena, Trucy, Phoenix

Summary: Everyone in the agency has a lazy day because there’s no work to do and they would snuggle up on the sofa watching a movie. Contains reference for AA6 ending spoilers

Written for @tehmegacharizardx​ for AA Secret Santa 2016. Hope you enjoy the fic!

Apollo doesn’t hide that he misses the Wright Anything Agency, but he doesn’t know how much he does until he is back in the states for two weeks for the holidays.

The office is still the same as always in its organized mess. There are new magic props lying by the bookshelf. Charley remains healthy and green – and he never is certain just how old this potted plant is, but he happily waters it when he first drops by. Trucy had put up the usual decorations for the season: Christmas lights hung across the ceiling, and garland and stockings draped on the front desk. As tradition goes, she and Phoenix brings out the lackluster, garish blue aluminum tree. Ornaments from over the years, most of them handcrafted by Trucy in school and by the members during their free time, decorated it.

And for once, December is a peaceful month, free of affairs for the agency. He knows because Mr. Wright is calm and in a good mood. Apollo even checks the calendar and sees that it is remarkably light. Athena walks in from the kitchenette.

“Wow, Apollo, you’re looking at it and your eyes are bugging like this is something foreign to you.”

“In a way, yeah,” he says, laughing. “Things have been busy non-stop ever since I agreed to stay in Khura’in and work with Nahyuta. I just about forgot what it’s like to barely have any clients or cases to work on over here.”

“It has been boring, I have to admit.”

“Wanna trade places?”

“No thanks.” She grimaces. “Doing my part to revolutionize the court system here is enough on my plate. Besides, it’s nice to be free from assisting Trucy in her magic shows.”

“I still have nightmares!” Widget blurts.

Behind the front desk, Phoenix chuckles. “Oh, don’t worry, I’ve talked to her about taming down her assistant tricks.”

“About time, Boss.”

Poor Athena. She may have the best endurance out of them all, but she had been less equipped than Apollo to endure all the dare-defying stunts and tricks Trucy demands in her assistant. (“All for extra cash :( :( :(,” Athena had explained in an email to Apollo).

Trucy arrives at the office then. She drops her schoolbag and yawns loudly, rubbing her eyes. However, as soon as she spots Apollo, she perks up and runs over to tackle him into her famous bear hugs.

“Polly! Welcome back!”

“Hey Trucy,” he greets back cheerfully. “How’s it going?”

“Finally done with finals. Thank god it’s winter break.”

“Congrats! I remember first semester of senior year was gruesome.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Trucy plops down on the couch and pulls a pillow under her head. “I was already waiting for it to be over when I had to do college applications.”

“And you know it was wise for you to take a break from show biz to focus on them,” Phoenix says.

“Daddy, Polly, enough talk about this. My break has officially started.”

She rolls over onto her stomach and picks up the remote, turning on the TV. “I wonder what movie is on.”

“Ooooh, a holiday movie sounds like a good idea,” Athena says. She beelines to the couch, and helps herself to move Trucy upright so she is no longer hogging all the space to herself. “Apollo, bring out the usual thick blanket.”

“Really?” He sorts through the ever-growing pile of things they keep around for use in the office for the times they wind down. “I did not realize it was that cold here.”

“Course it is,” Athena whines. “Anything below mid 60s is freezing.”

“I’ll have you know we can manage to keep the heater running,” Phoenix deadpans.

Apollo shakes his head. “Man, it’s so nice and toasty coming back here, compared to the frosty winds from the mountains back in the kingdom.”

The three settle down on the couch while Phoenix brings over his office chair to watch with them. Trucy eventually settles on a channel that is about to air the Moozilla Christmas special movie. The new protagonist along with the loyal Moozilla must save the day – and Christmas – along with the guidance of the previous hero, played by 22 years old actor and series veteran John Marsh.

“Almost ten years later and Global Studios is still milking out money on this franchise?”

“Daddy, don’t act surprised. You know they still put out Steel Samurai and Pink Princess series. It’s all smart business moves.”

Phoenix sighs in exaggeration. “Yes, I know, Miss Future Business Major. And to think that Edgeworth got involved in a case where the first movie’s film location happened to be a scene of the crime…”

“Ay dios mios, how does murder get tied up with everything in LA?”

“Oh Athena, it just is the way the city has been since the 2010’s,” Phoenix says.

“Less talk of real life crimes, more focus on movie or other fun-filled topics.” While Trucy is sandwiched between Apollo and Athena in their bundled state, with her mocked-stern tone, she may as well have her hands on her hips and giving her disapproved glare.

“Even when it’s a lazy day at the agency,” Apollo starts.

“We still passionately talk about criminal law,” Athena finishes. “But sure, let’s cut it down.”

Trucy sticks out her tongue, but nevertheless, she pulls in Apollo and Athena for a tighter group hug.

For most of the movie, they watch in silence. Well, as much as they can, since Phoenix is the type of person who just cannot shut up whenever he is watching something on TV, pointing out something that seems absurd. He, as always, chalk it up to his inner-acting side, given that drama was his hobby back when he was in school.

Two hours later, after the movie finishes, Trucy and Athena call for a stretch break. As it is now past five, Phoenix decides to call it a day, and suggest they go out to dinner. With Apollo’s back in the area since mid-May, he is given the choice to decide where they will go.

Naturally, he picks Eldoon Noodles, because even on a lazy day in LA winter, nothing beats eating salty noodles and broth with all of the Wright Anything Agency.

[aasecretsanta2016]

Figured You Out

This is my gift to @zelinxia! The link to the story is here, or you can read it below! 

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12289161/1/Figured-You-Out

###

Athena had always loved Christmas. The agency shone like a lightbulb, wrapped with 3,000 twinkling lights and some glittery garlands. She’d also hung a few garlands of popcorn, which her boss was currently enjoying.

“Don’t eat the Christmas cheer!” Athena protested as Phoenix plucked a piece of popcorn off the string.

“I’m just trying to fill myself with it,” he replied. “You’ve wanted me to get in the Christmas spirit since October.”

“That doesn’t mean you should eat it!”

Athena sighed. Her boss had never been a holiday sort of guy, which baffled her. At least Apollo had an excuse, growing up in a foreign country.

Someone started knocking on the door. “Is that a client?!” Athena exclaimed. She swung open the door.

Blackquill shielded his eyes. “Incorrect, Cykes-dono.”

Athena groaned. “All right, Scrooge. Go ahead and come in. You’re in good company; the grinch is right over there.”

Phoenix waved.

“Are you trying to blind your clients?”

“No! We’re just a beacon of light for those who need a Christmas miracle!”

“I’d advise leaving a pair of sunglasses at the door,” Blackquill grumbled.

“Oh, bah humbug. What are you here for, if you aren’t a client?”

“I came to ask Wright-dono for a bit of advice.”

“Advice?” Phoenix asked, standing up from the couch. “What kind?”

“We’re doing a gift exchange at the Prosecutor’s Office, and I drew Edgeworth-dono’s name.”

“Good luck with that one,” Phoenix chuckled. “I never know what to get him.”

“But boss! You’re dating,” Athena pointed out.

“I know, that makes it even harder. I can’t even buy him a bottle of wine and call it a day anymore,” he complained.

“So have I come to the wrong place?” Blackquill asked.

“No. I’m your best bet for an Edgeworth research database. And I won’t whip you like other Edgeworth scholars I know.” He winced.

“Then what would you suggest?” Blackquill fiddled with the feather in his mouth.

He thought for a moment. “Tea is always a safe bet with him. So is anything he can spoil Pess with.”

“Pess?”

“His dog. Oh, and he loves the Steel Samurai too-”

“That kid’s show Maya likes?” Athena’s jaw dropped.

“Yeah, that’s the one. Everyone likes to feel like a kid sometimes, though he’ll tell you he watches it for the intricate relationships between the characters and the beautifully laid-out plot.” He chuckled. “I wouldn’t recommend buying anything that suggests you know he likes the Steel Samurai, though. They’re coming out with a new movie, so you could get him a gift card for a movie theater.”

“This has been quite informative.” Simon nodded. “I suppose I’ll be taking my leave, then. Thank you for your assistance, Wright-dono.”

“Already?”

“I don’t have time for idle chatter. I’m only allotted one lunch break.”

“Aww, fine. Merry Christmas!” Athena considered hugging him, but she figured she would stop while she was ahead.

“Merry Christmas to you, too.” Blackquill closed the door.

“He actually wished me a Merry Christmas!” Athena whispered, eyes glittering.

Phoenix snickered. “Well, I guess it’s back to work, then.”

“Wait! Boss, what are you getting him?” Athena pried. This was too interesting to pass up, especially when toilet cleaning was probably the alternative.

Phoenix grinned. “You have to keep a secret.”

“Boss, you know I can keep a secret!” Athena pouted.

“Oh, just like you kept Trucy’s birthday present a secret?” Phoenix crossed his arms.

“She was about to buy it for herself! I couldn’t let her do that!” Athena protested.

“Do you swear to secrecy under lawyer-client confidentiality?”

“Aww, you can’t legally bind me to this!” Athena frowned.

“Then you’ll have to be left in the mystery-”

“Fine,” Athena said. “Just tell me.”

“So back in the day, I defended Will Powers, the actor who plays the Steel Samurai, in a murder trial. So he agreed to put on a live-action play that hasn’t been performed since before I got disbarred. The entire thing’s a surprise, of course.”

“That is adorable,” Athena said with a small sigh. “Maybe you’ve got some Christmas spirit after all.”

“Oh, neither Edgeworth or I ever really liked Christmas… That was around the time when his dad died and I never saw him again.”

“Is that why you don’t like Christmas? Because of Edgeworth?” Athena asked.

Phoenix laughed. “You know, I’ve figured out by now that Edgeworth was my motive for a lot of things.” His eyebrows furrowed. “But no, I never disliked Christmas… It just wasn’t magical for me like it was for everyone else. I knew bad things happened on Christmas, just like they do every other day.”

“Oh… That’s so sad. I always loved the idea of Christmas miracles.”

“Here’s something my old boss told me, Athena: Miracles do exist. But you have to make those miracles happen.”

“Your old boss was really profound.”

“She was.” Phoenix smiled, and Athena noted he didn’t sound all that sad. “Christmas was the day I took on Edgeworth’s defense, you know. It split us apart and brought us back together again.”

“So Christmas is the day where you made the miracle happen.”

“Yeah.” Phoenix smiled. “You can come, if you want to. To the Steel Samurai show.”

“Really?”

“Sure. You could sit with Trucy so she doesn’t have to sit with her dad.” He smiled.

“Oh, you want to sit alone with him?”

“Yeah, exactly. But I’d need a good excuse not to sit with my kid.”

“Well, you’ve got the right girl for the job!” Athena clapped her hand to her fist. “You can count on me!”

###

“Hey, Trucy. You can tie a bowtie, can’t you?”

“Daddy, you look ridiculous in bowties.”

“I don’t want to dress up in the same way I do in court, though!”

“Wear your navy blue suit, then! It looks better anyway.”

Phoenix put on his navy blue blazer and frowned. “It doesn’t feel like me, though.”

“I’m not asking you to gel your hair down or anything,” Trucy said with a smile. “I just don’t want you to look like a penguin on such an important day.”

“But what if I want to look like a penguin? It’s winter, they’re festive.”

“Well, it’s too bad you can’t tie a bowtie, then.” She smirked.

Phoenix groaned. “Fine, I’ll put on the other suit.”

“There we go!” Trucy smiled.

Phoenix stepped into his closet and stepped out looking a bit less gaudy than before.

“That looks so good,” Trucy said with a smile.

“You’re okay with this, right?”

“I just said the suit looks good.”

“No, I mean… Tonight.”

Trucy smiled. “Of course. You know I’ve been waiting for this for forever.”

“Yeah, but… I just want to be sure.”

“You are not allowed to be stressed about this.” She put her hand on her hip. “You’re also not allowed to be late. I just called the taxi; it’ll be here in five minutes. Are you ready?”

“I think so,” he said nervously.

Trucy pulled a box out of the blue jacket he’d left on his bed and handed it to him. “Are you sure you aren’t forgetting anything?”

“Oh. Thanks.” He took the box and put it in his pocket. “I… I think I’m okay.”

“Good. Do you want the magatama back?”

“No,” he said. “I trust him.”

Trucy hugged her dad with enough power to crack a walnut. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I’m happy for me, too.”

###

Edgeworth straightened his jacket and popped a mint in his mouth. He doubted Phoenix would be on time, but it was good to be ready before 6:30 anyway.

To his surprise, Phoenix actually rang the doorbell at 6:28. It wasn’t all that cold, but Edgeworth put on an overcoat anyway, knowing a “surprise date” with Phoenix could involve just about anything.

“Hey,” Phoenix said when Edgeworth opened the door. “You ready?” Pess bounded up to the door to greet Phoenix, who rubbed the dog’s head with a smile.

“The prosecution has been ready for a while now.” He smirked.

“Of course, I should’ve known.” Phoenix’s eyes glittered as he smiled. “Come on, before Pess gets his hopes up.”

Edgeworth locked the door behind him after saying a quick goodbye to his dog. Phoenix led him out to a taxi, and Edgeworth was surprised to find Trucy inside.

“Ah, that’s why you were on time,” he said, pointing to her.

“What, like I can’t stay on time without her?” Phoenix acted as if he were hurt.

“That’s precisely what I was implying.”

Trucy was chatting enthusiastically with the taxi driver, who seemed to be rather sociable herself. Once their seatbelts were buckled, Phoenix decided to strike up a conversation.

“So, I heard the Prosecutor’s office had a Secret Santa gift exchange. Was that your doing?”

“No, that was entirely Prosecutor Gavin’s idea. I was surprised so many people signed up.”

“I was surprised you signed up,” Phoenix said.

“I didn’t sign myself up. I suspect Kay did.” He rolled his eyes. “But I was responsible for buying Prosecutor Debeste’s gift, so I couldn’t simply drop out.”

They discussed this for a while, and Phoenix seemed to take a particular interest in what he had received from Blackquill; apparently he’d gone to Phoenix for advice. Blackquill had always been good at doing his research, and Edgeworth had enjoyed the tea he’d received. 

They arrived at a theater Edgeworth hadn’t been to before, which was strange. He knew almost all of the local venues. It was as if Phoenix were taking him to see some college students put on an improv comedy show.

“What, exactly, are we seeing?” Edgeworth asked.

“I love this theater. The shows are usually either brilliant or so badly done it’s funny,” the taxi driver said.

“We’re hoping for the former,” Phoenix joked.

When even Phoenix was prepared to be surprised by his own date, Edgeworth knew to brace himself for an adventure.

Phoenix paid the taxi driver and the three of them walked inside of the theater. It was much more beautiful than Edgeworth had anticipated– burgundy and gold lined the inside, and sculptures stood by the entrance.

“Tickets, please,” someone said, and Phoenix handed him three. “Please enjoy the show.”

Phoenix had reserved the best seats in the house, to his credit. They were seated a few rows from the front so they could see the expressions of everyone onstage comfortably.

“They didn’t hand out a program,” Edgeworth said.

“Weird,” Phoenix said, grinning. He was obviously hiding something.

“Don’t I have to deal with enough mystery at work?” Edgeworth asked.

“I promise you’ll like this,” Phoenix said. He pulled off his overcoat to reveal a navy blue suit underneath and placed it on his chair.

“You’re wearing your nice suit.” Edgeworth touched his sleeve gently.

Phoenix smiled. “I’m a poker player. I always know which suit I need.”

Edgeworth glared at him and he laughed.

“Deal out any more puns like that and your opponent might forfeit,” Trucy laughed.

“Hey, Trucy! I didn’t know you were here,” someone said.

“Good evening, Miss Cykes. And… Jupiter, was it?” Edgeworth asked.

“Juniper,” she replied shyly.

“Do you want to sit with us?” Athena asked.

“I dunno, I have a pretty good seat,” Trucy said.

“Do you really want to sit with your dad, though?” Athena asked, grinning.

“Huh… You have a point,” Trucy said with a laugh.

“My daughter… Taken from me by my co-worker. I never thought this day would come,” Phoenix said in mock grief.

She laughed. “Whatever, Daddy. You have your boyfriend to keep you company.”

“True,” Phoenix said, wrapping an arm around Edgeworth, who raised his eyebrows.

After a while, the lights dimmed and a girl walked out with a sword. “Any phone that goes off during this stage production will face capital punishment at my hand. Silence it now, before I do it for you.”

“She looks like Cassara,” Edgeworth said absentmindedly, turning off his phone. An orchestra began to play sharp notes, and Edgeworth’s eyes widened. He turned to Phoenix, who smiled.

“When the moon is bright with a pale blue light and trouble is nearby….”

“That was Cassara.”

Phoenix kissed Edgeworth on the nose. “Love you.”

Edgeworth wouldn’t have stopped watching the show if there was an earthquake. The Pink Princess pulled no punches, a character just as real as the Steel Samurai himself. The Pink Princess and the Steel Samurai worked in perfect sync with one another, the Pink Princess taking down herds of lackeys as the Steel Samurai fought the Evil Magistrate. Phoenix had to duck out at one point, but Edgeworth hardly noticed, deeply engaged in the play.

When the play ended and the characters bowed onstage, Edgeworth couldn’t believe it hadn’t been real. There wasn’t a single death that hadn’t looked authentic, but no dead bodies lay onstage.

He looked next to him to find that Phoenix was gone. He looked around, eventually processing that Phoenix had gone to the bathroom a few minutes ago. Had he really been paying that little attention to his surroundings?

The Steel Samurai and the Pink Princess stepped onstage and the theater filled with applause, none louder than Edgeworth’s. The cast all bowed at once, only to split in half to let someone walk down the middle. Everything grew quiet as the spotlight focused on him.

“It was this show,” he began, “that taught me the love of my life wasn’t a complete asshole.” A roar of laughter went through the crowd as Edgeworth slowly realized it was Phoenix onstage, and he was talking about him.

“It was this day,” he continued, “that we were split apart by tragedy and, fifteen years later, brought back together by tragedy. And it was this day I realized he kinda meant everything to me. So I thought… That at this show, on this day… It would make sense that I ask him something.”

He got down on one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket. “Miles Edgeworth… Will you marry me?”

Edgeworth walked down to the stage, hardly comprehending what he was doing. Standing right next to the stage, he met Phoenix’s eye level. “I don’t think I could get you out of my life if I tried.”

“Is that a yes?” Phoenix asked, a smile forming.

“Yes,” he said with a small laugh, holding up his hand.

Phoenix smiled brilliantly, slid the ring down his finger, and kissed him passionately. Edgeworth’s head was swimming– lips, applause, spotlight, laughter– his own laughter. Phoenix started laughing too, bumping Edgeworth’s glasses into the bridge of his nose. Pain, more laughter.

“Sorry,” Phoenix said, pulling Edgeworth’s glasses off and setting them beside him. They kissed again, but they couldn’t stop laughing.

“What is so funny?” Edgeworth asked.

“I don’t know,” Phoenix replied. “It’s just… My entire life has been about me trying to figure you out. And I’ve actually figured some stuff out. Like, other people come to me when they want to know about you.” Phoenix laughed. “That doesn’t sound funny when I say it out loud. Why were you laughing?”

“Because I thought I’d never be happy. And I thought the only way to feel happy was to get away from you.” He laughed. “Now I’m happy because I’m with you.”

Edgeworth put his glasses back on so he could see Phoenix’s eyes, which glimmered with delight. “So you aren’t going to leave again?”

“We’re getting married, Phoenix.”

“I know!” He laughed. “You’ll never be able to get rid of me!”

“I never could anyway.” Edgeworth smiled. “Now get off the stage and kiss me normally before you hurt your back again.”

“It’s so nice to know you care.” Phoenix got down to Edgeworth’s eye level and took his glasses off. “See? I’ve got you figured out.”

Edgeworth pulled Phoenix’s head closer, and their lips took much longer to separate this time.

[kageyama-ritsu]

@tarmahartley i cant??? ping you???? im SO sorry for the delay, here’s your older married narumitsu, wearing terrible christmas sweaters to boot. trucy custom-ordered them to say ‘TRUE LOVERS’ in the back when phoenix and edgeworth were beside each other but these two dorks always forget and stand on the wrong side. 

real UE      TA ERS        LOV hours

[ojamahou]

Happy Holidays @poopopto! 

Hope you had a great day today! This was surprisingly fun to draw as I’ve never drawn Apollo or Juniper!

[aceprosecuties]

This is my @aasecretsanta2016​ gift for @nahoko-chan!  I hope you like it and Happy Holidays!  I chose to write about Franziska, which was fun because I never really get the chance to write about her!

Synopsis: Franziska is invited to spend Christmas with her little brother, and spends some time reminiscing about Christmases past. 

Words: Approximately 2400

Also on AO3.

------

“Passengers, we are due to arrive in 20 minutes. Please find your seats as we descend.”

Franziska von Karma opened one of her eyes when she heard the pilot’s announcement over the PA system.  She hadn’t been sleeping, though she wouldn’t deny that she was more than a little tired.  A twelve hour flight from Germany to Los Angeles – no matter how many times she had endured it in the past – was not exactly relaxing, regardless of the fact that she was sitting most of the time.  

She lifted up the shade that had been blocking her window, but it didn’t really help; instead of a view of the ground below and the outskirts of the city, she was just met with a dense fog obstructing her vision.  The 28-year old just huffed in annoyance.  Typical.  

It had been years since she had returned to California, and even more years since she and Miles Edgeworth had spent a Christmas together.  Normally, one or both of them was working, so their schedules never aligned properly to make plans.  Plus, Miles never really had taken a liking to the holiday season, even after he was acquitted for his father’s murder and her papa was arrested.  

So, she had been rather surprised when he called her asking her to come to the holiday party (or rather, get-together) that he was having at the prosecutor’s offices on Christmas Eve.  

“That’s unlike you, Miles Edgeworth,” she had said with an uninterested tone.  Although the video reception wasn’t always the greatest when they spoke to each other, he was able to catch her arched eyebrow, and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he replied.

“Once upon a time, I suppose.  But being the Chief Prosecutor means that I have a responsibility to thank my employees for the work they do once in a while.”

“Your foolish heart has grown soft.  That’s what happens when you hang around Phoenix Wright too much.”

“And when you’re not around to whip me into shape, right?”

“Of course.”

“So, will you be able to make it, or does Interpol have you traversing the globe again this year?”

“…I will come, but only because you so foolishly begged me to.  And because it has been a while since we have been together on Christmas.”  

Miles had chuckled and said goodbye before disconnecting.  Franziska had stared at her phone for some time afterwards.  Her little brother, throwing a Christmas Eve party?  A few years ago, she never would have imagined it.

She recalled a Christmas that had long since passed, three years after Miles Edgeworth had been brought into the von Karma household.  It was just past midnight, and Franziska had been trying to sneak downstairs in order to catch the fat red-suited man who was supposedly bringing her gifts the next morning.  In her hands she held a small plate of star-shaped cookies that she had baked with her mama; apparently the man could be bribed with them, so she had made sure they were absolutely perfect, even throwing out two batches before these ones because they just weren’t good enough.  Mama had told her to leave them out downstairs, but Franziska had grabbed them when her mother’s back was turned; if she used these cookies as leverage, perhaps she could goad the red-suited man into giving her some better presents.

But as she passed Miles’ room, she heard a distinct sound.

It was soft, but it was definitely the sound of muffled sobs.

Franziska thought for a moment, looking down at the cookies and then at the closed door, and finally, without bothering to knock, entered her brother’s room.

As suspected, he had been lying down on his bed and crying into his pillow, with a picture of him and his father next to him. She didn’t see the sight for long, because he had shot up and wiped his eyes quickly, trying to force himself back into the stoic persona that he always had around others.  She saw him swiftly attempt to hide the picture of Gregory Edgeworth under his pillow.  He probably thought she was her papa before he saw her.

“Franziska, what are you doing?  Shouldn’t you be asleep by now?”  Despite his angry tone, Franziska just strode across the room silently. Papa didn’t let either of them lock their doors, so Miles ought to have been used to someone invading his privacy at any given moment.  

When she got around to his side of the bed, she stared at him with narrowed eyes, before shoving the plate of cookies into his hands.

“Papa will be angry if he hears you, so here.” For some reason, her papa stopped liking Christmas a few years ago too, and so anything out of the ordinary, especially from Miles Edgeworth, would not be met with any amount of kindness.  

Miles’ expression had changed into one of surprise, and at the closer distance, Franziska could see just how red and puffy his eyes and nose and cheeks all were.  He must have been crying for some time before she had overheard him.  “I was going to use these to bribe the fat man with the presents, but I’d be a fool if I let my foolish little brother go on crying like this.  It is a big sister’s responsibility to keep her little brother from being so sad on Christmas.”  

Miles had for some time stopped trying to correct her insistence on calling him her “little” brother despite the fact that she was seven years younger than him.    

“…Thank you Franziska,” Miles said, even smiling a little.  Franziska couldn’t help but turn a bit red in embarrassment; she was just doing her job as a big sister, so there was no need for thanks!  

But as she turned to leave, he had grabbed her arm.

“Do…you want to eat some of these with me?  I couldn’t possibly finish them all by myself.”

Even though it was well past her bedtime, Franziska couldn’t deny the fact that she wanted those cookies (after all, she knew just how good they were), and she climbed into bed next to Edgeworth and together they ate the entire plate before falling asleep.

Although Miles Edgeworth has been with the von Karmas for three years at that point, Franziska had always considered that to be their first Christmas they really spent together.  

But thinking about that Miles Edgeworth – crying in his room on the early morning of Christmas Day – growing up to be a man who would voluntarily throw a Christmas party?  Franziska found it difficult to reconcile the two.

He really had changed, hadn’t he?

The plane finally landed, and despite the crowded airport and the saturation of people running around meeting family members with copious amounts of baggage and gifts, Franziska found that getting her luggage was a quick and relatively painless process.  And she was able to bypass the customs line; Interpol had gifted her with Global Entry, and so she already had clearance before she landed.

There was a smug sense of satisfaction she always felt when she bypassed the line and felt a hoard of people’s glares on her back.

She spotted Miles Edgeworth the moment she had made it back to the main lobby areas.  Most people probably would not have guessed that they were siblings given their almost professional greeting to one another – even though she hadn’t seen him in some time, she wasn’t the type of sister to go running into her little brother’s arms at the first sight of him.  Instead, she just held out one of her bags, which he graciously took hold of.

“Miles Edgeworth.  I appreciate you picking me up.  It saves me the time of having to find a taxi amongst all these foolish…fools,” she remarked, looking around distastefully at all the overly enthusiastic faces and reuniting families.  

“Franziska, it’s good to see you.”  Even though his sister wasn’t the affectionate type, Miles leaned in and gently kissed her on her cheek.  

“You must be in good spirits, Miles Edgeworth,” she said in response to that gesture.  

“It’s the holidays, and you’re back in town.  I suppose I am.”  

“Hmph, enough of this sentimental nonsense,” she barked, swiftly marching past him in an attempt to hide the embarrassment that was now evident on her face.  “Where is your car?”

Together, they walked out of the airport, conversing over their jobs and other menial things like Edgeworth’s glasses needing a prescription upgrade and Franziska’s recent haircut.  The car ride back to Miles’ place was remarkably uneventful; Franziska spent most of it staring out the window and remembering the past – it had been so many years since she had lived here, and yet everything felt so similar, in a weird way.  Like she was coming home for the first time after so long, even though Germany was where she technically lived and was raised.

“You know, Wright will be happy to see you too,” Miles said after they finally arrived at his place.  He opened the front door to let her pass through before him, and she strode through with the same pride that she always had, no matter where she was going.

“I thought this…party was for your prosecutors? Why is Phoenix Wright going to be there?”

“I invited him.”

Franziska sighed.  “This is why you’ve gone soft, Miles Edgeworth,” she reiterated.  Deep down, she knew it was good for her little brother; she actually saw him smile every once in a while now.  And she imagined he didn’t cry into his pillow so much anymore, due to his friendship with Phoenix Wright and his more…idiosyncratic subordinates.  “Who else will be there?”

“Gavin, Blackquill, Sebastian-”

“How is that fool doing?”  

“Not so much a fool anymore; he’s grown up quite a bit.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Please don’t whip anyone too much tonight, Franziska.”

“I will make no such promises, Miles Edgeworth.”

Even though he sighed, Miles couldn’t help but smile.  It felt nice, having Franziska back for the holidays.  The two of them just sitting in his living room, conversing…it reminded him of the fact that Franziska was truly the first ally he had after his father passed, despite how difficult she could be at times.  

“Actually, I have something for you.  I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I think you would appreciate it now.”  Miles got up and went over to the extravagant tree that was in the corner of his living room. Franziska noticed some of the ornaments as being magician-themed…Phoenix Wright and his daughter must have helped with this, probably not wanting Miles Edgeworth to do anything Christmas-related by himself.

That man was a fool, but Franziska still mentally thanked him for looking out for her little brother while she wasn’t around. Despite how soft it had made him.

“Here.”  Miles came back with an exquisitely-wrapped gift and handed it to Franziska.  She eyed it for a moment before taking it, and began to unwrap it slowly.  Expertly. Even when she was little, she never tore into her gifts like some overly-ecstatic child.  Instead, she peeled back the layers with such careful precision that the wrapping paper could actually be used a second time if anyone wanted to recycle.  Once the paper was off, she opened up the box.

Inside was a new stock whip.

Carefully, she took it out and inspected it.  It was lovely – twelve plait, perhaps six to seven feet long.  It was in two colors – black and teal, like many of her outfits, and she inferred that it was made from kangaroo leather.  

“You know, Miles Edgeworth, don’t you think it is a bit confusing to tell me not to whip anyone at your party and then give me this?”  

Edgeworth chuckled, and pushed his glasses up again. He did that a lot, she noticed.  

“Would you have preferred I wait?”

“It is too late for that now, isn’t it?”

“I suppose it is.”

“…Thank you, Miles Edgeworth.  It is lovely.”

Hearing gratitude from his sister was surprising, and Miles couldn’t help but stare at her with an astonished expression in his grey eyes.  Under his gaze, Franziska shifted in her seat before growling and turning her face away. Even after all these years, she hated looking Miles in the eye whenever she got overly embarrassed and cursed the fact that her cheeks had most likely reddened due to his reaction.  “I am not such a barbarian that I wouldn’t thank my little brother for a perfect gift such as this one!”  

Just as Miles was about to respond, his doorbell rang.  Franziska sighed a bit in relief after he went to go answer it, and while he was gone she couldn’t help but smile softly and admire the present he had just given to her.  

It really was exquisite.  Extravagant and beautiful, fitting perfectly in her gloved hands.  

Miles Edgeworth had gone soft…but perhaps that wasn’t a terrible thing.

A loud bang snapped her out of her trance, as Detective Dick Gumshoe tripped on the step up to the living room and dropped all the gifts he had been carrying.  She jumped a bit from the sound, and growled when she saw Gumshoe ungracefully sprawled out on the floor.

“Scruffy!  You haven’t learned to be more careful by now?”

Gumshoe looked up and immediately scrambled to his feet, looking simultaneously both surprised and afraid.

“M-Miss von Karma!  I didn’t know you were going to be here!”  Franziska eyed him and then Edgeworth as he calmly walked back into the room; he was so used to Gumshoe’s clumsiness by now that, unlike his sister, the fall hadn’t fazed him in the slightest.  

“Miles Edgeworth.  You didn’t tell him I was coming?”

“I wanted it to be a surprise.”

Franziska sighed in annoyance, though she couldn’t stop herself from being somewhat happy when Gumshoe smiled widely.  Not that she showed it on her face.  She had to keep up appearances, after all.  

“It’s good to see you, Miss von Karma!  You’ve really grown up!”

“Are you saying I wasn’t grown up the last we saw each other, Scruffy?”

Gumshoe’s smile fell and he stammered.  “Uh, no, I just, uh-”

Franziska smirked; now she had an acceptable target to try out her new whip on.

This really was going to be an excellent Christmas.

After all, she was spending it with family.

[positivelypotatoes]

Hey, Nimp (aka @nimpnawakproduction)!! Merry Christmas to you, as I was your secret santa! I was so happy to see that these two were on the list, I’d love to imagine how much butt they’d kick together. But anyways, I hope that you’re well, and once again, have a Merry, Merry Christmas!! :^)

Sincerely, Andi (aka @positivelypotatoes)

[brbaltering]

to: phebe!! @aroema

heeey so it turns out im your secret santa!!! i hope you like it, it was really fun trying to fit ur prompt of apollo + trucy sibling bonding! theyre trading presents (trucy giving apollo a pair of magic boxers to practice tricks with and apollo giving trucy a locket and plush bunny)! anyway, before i start rambling on, i hope you have a lovely winter, whether or not you celebrate a holiday!!!

my gift for @aasecretsanta2016 !!

[evilicing]

Remember that one time there was a scary man in the candy castle… >:) ((Happiest of holidays to @the–lord–protector! I hope you will accept a creepy MvK because we all know he’s the most royal of pains <3))

[snotprince]

To:  Kasey <3 @cephalopadre

MERRY CHRISTMASS!!! Apollo is baking cookies while Trucy and Klavier are just stealing them from him LOL. Tried to include stuff from your prompt! Hope you’ve been having a great day so far :)

From: Heidi @heidisart

@aasecretsanta2016

[pinesdevil]

hey everyone it’s some late night cuddly lanamia for my aa secret santa recipient @commanderfreddy !!!!!!

this is a Good Good ship n i really enjoyed drawing it, I hope you have a good holiday season freddy :) !!!!

[nothlits-archive]

here is my @aasecretsanta2016 piece for @kilometresrufflefuck! it’s the wright anything agency (and friends) family game night, for the prompt of “bonding”.

i was very excited and nervous to be matched up to you because, no joke, meet me in twenty is my very favorite narumitsu fic that i’ve ever read and it has brought me to tears multiple times... thank you so much for your contributions to this fandom. i hope you have a good holiday! and i hope this gift is something that you like! 

xoxo gav

[aasecretsanta2016]

“It is ver nice to meet you. Again.” Trucy corrected herself, and then she looked at him suspiciously. “I’m not so sure Mr. Hat likes you,” she added after a moment, and Miles looked at Nick, baffled

Nick sighed.

Miles Had A Bad Feeling About All Of This.

[fusilladerondo]

This is my gift for @adventuresofsarahjane1975!

I feel a bit bad for not drawing any of your favourites, but I can’t draw guys very well, and I wanted to give you a good looking gift! You seemed to like Ema as well, so I drew her instead! My gift to you is a Christmas-y Ema Skye.

I really hope you like this gift! I wish you a merry Christmas!