Apollo Justice x Reader (Ace Attorney)

Chapter 10- A Photo

Y/N p.o.v

The courthouse never seemed more darker and scarier.

"Are you ready, Y/N?"
Phoenix looked at me.

I have a lead. I have a plan.
But now, standing outside...

I'm getting worried by the second.

"Daddy and I believe in you..."
Trucy tried.
I faked a smile.

"Thank you."

Trucy seemed like she knew I was faking, but she didn't say anything.

"No pressure.
Remember that you can always stall for time."

"I-I know... I... I just need to breathe in some more fresh air."
I sighed.

"It's time for us to take our seats in the gallery, anyways..."
Phoenix said after looking at his watch.

"Good luck..."
Trucy said and went inside.

"What is it, Nick? Aren't you going to join Trucy?"
I asked. He stayed behind.

"I wanted to give you this. It's a picture I took of the first case that the Wright Anything Agency has won."
Phoenix handed me a small photo, then nodded and went along.

I nodded at him, looking at the picture.
It was taken a year ago.
Apollo and Trucy were standing behind the defence stand, so happy as confetti was falling from the ceiling.

A smile crept on my lips. Both of them are too cute.

"Y/N, fräulein..."
I heard that German accent. I hid the picture in my suit pocket, close to my heart.

"Klavier... you are on the case, I see..."
Klavier looked like there was something worrying him in the back of his mind.

"I was forced to take it last minute. I really tried to avoid it...
Just seeing how the evidence points to herr forehead makes me unsettled.
But... I have a job to do..."
He sighed.

"O-Of course, I understand..."
I mumbled.

"You worry me too, fräulein.
You'll be there on your own, a rookie... And I can't afford to go easy on you..."
He genuinely didn't want to do this.

"Don't worry about that. I have a lead. I'm sure I'll manage somehow...
But, um, seems like there's something nagging you..."
I quickly replied.

"M-Me? It's nothing.
Just, uh, music stuff. And herr forehead. Really stressful.
Well, I better go inside. Good luck."
Klavier quickly excused himself.

"Y-You too..."

I went inside after taking one look at the clear, blue sky.
It was... too perfect. Too peaceful.

I still head 15 minutes left.
I felt the stress taking over me.
The fear of failure is too much...

"I-I'm Y/N L/N and I'm f-fine..."
I started mumbling.

"You've got to shout it louder if you want it to work."
I heard a chuckle, followed by footsteps.
A guard was watching the door.

"APOLLO!"
I cried out, hugging him tight.

"Hello, Y/N. How are you?"
He hugged me back.
I felt his heart beating next to mine.

"I think I'm going to manage.
I mean---
MY NAME IS Y/N L/N AND I'M FINE!"
I said, proud.

Apollo laughed.
"That's what I like to hear.
I know you can do this."

He looked very tired and drained. His suit was slightly wrinkled and the two spikes on his head were leaning down a little, but he still smiled brightly.

The guard said that it's time for Apollo to go to the defendant's seat, so he gave me one last hug, whispering some more reassuring words.

When he left, I could finally stop hiding my blush, and I felt it burning darker on my cheeks.

N-No, Y/N. No time for crushing.
You have to calm down and go inside the courtroom.
You. Can. Do. This.

I took a deep breath, opening the heavy door.

I got to the defence stand, spreading my papers in an organized way.
While preparing, I caught a glimpse of the photo in my pocket.

It gave me a boost in confidence.
I was determined to make Apollo and Trucy smile just like in this picture.

I looked at the gallery behind me. Nick held Trucy's hand, calming her down. He noticed me looking and waved. I waved back.

To my right, behind a fence, Apollo was sitting in the defendant's chair, looking at the floor. Two security guards keeping him there.

He raised his eyes, locking into mine.
He gave me a reassuring, tired smile.
I smiled at him too, struggling and trying my best to keep my heartbeat at bay.

In front of me was Klavier.
I don't think he ever used papers or notes or any files.
Only evidence.

He didn't look very confident, which was very unusual.

The judge knocked on his hammer and it caught me off-guard.

I gulped.

Last time I was just a counsellor.

Now, I am a defence attorney.

Standing on my own.

Ready to fight for Apollo.

It begins.