Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was a day as normal as any other. He was having a quiet afternoon in his office as he was working on the last parts of the MASON system as the launch was going to be soon, and the kids were having their fun outside his office. 

The silence was soon broken as the door flew open, and in ran Apollo, who without saying a word, ran in and hid behind Phoenix desk. If he was hoping to hide from someone, Apollo should’ve maybe closed the door, because that was already a huge give away as to where he was. 

“Something up, Apollo?” He asked before being frantically shushed. 

“Keep it down. I’m hiding from Trucy. I just have to lay low until she decides on another trick because I am not going in that box again.” Apollo stage whispered. 

Volume was the boy’s biggest weakness, but that was not something Phoenix could fix for him. That was a lesson he had to learn the hard way, or he’d have to find a way to adapt. 

Though right now that seems to be the least of the kid’s problems. 

“You’re going to need a new strategy if you think Trucy’s going to forget. She’s got a better memory than anyone I’ve ever known.” 

“Well then what do you suggest I do?!” Apollo asked, barely maintaining his stage whisper. 

“I dunno. S’not my problem.” He shrugged. 

If Phoenix had to do things the hard way his whole career, then so was Apollo. Solving meaningless problems like this built character and that’s what you had to be to survive in this legal system. Especially as a defence lawyer. 

“Thanks, that’s a load of help.” Phoenix wasn’t looking at his guest, but he could hear him roll his eyes. 

“Glad I could help.” Because it seemed Apollo needed a reminder that he wasn’t the only one that could be sarcastic. Phoenix’s just wasn’t as snarky. 

“There you are, Polly!” Trucy stood in the doorway, blocking Apollo’s exit. 

He made an undignified squawk as he was addressed, sinking further down as if losing the line of sight would save him. 

But it was too late for him, as Trucy closed the door behind her as she walked into the office. “You thought you could run, but you should know better than that by now.” 

Apollo had been working with them for a few months, so Phoenix had to agree that he should know better. 

“I was just… Helping! Yeah! I was helping Mr. Wright with his…” Apollo, without a trace of subtly, looked over at Phoenix’s desk, “project!” 

“Well we can take a break. I’m sure you’ve done all you can for now.” Phoenix already had all the help he needed at the moment. Apollo would come into play later when it came time to test this in court and he needed a trustworthy attorney to cover the case. 

Apollo looked back at Phoenix with a pleading expression. But this was character building. He should consider himself lucky that he’s never faced off against Franziska. Phoenix was pretty sure he wouldn’t make it if he couldn’t handle a little magic trick. 

“Yeah, and since you’re not doing anything, you should be the one to help me practice.” Trucy huffed. 

“Can’t I take a break? I’m sure Mr. Wright can help you practice.” 

Come to think of it, even before he started actively working on constructing the MASON system, Trucy hadn’t asked for his help for any tricks. He always seemed to be the audience, rather than the assistant. 

“Daddy’s busy right now. And I know you don’t have anything else you should be doing.” 

“He can take a little break I’m sure. I think I’m all magiced out for the next little bit.” Apollo said, having no idea how big this project is, and how close to being finished it is. 

Trucy huffed. “Even if he wasn’t, he still can’t help me. Daddys aren’t good at magic.”

What she said soared right over Apollo’s head, but it didn’t miss the mark with Phoenix. He knew exactly what she meant, and who specifically she was talking about. 

Someone who wasn’t him, who by all accounts was an amazing magician, but in his final act disappeared and never reappeared. While Phoenix couldn’t claim to know a lot about magic, knew that’s not how the trick was supposed to end. 

He also knew that it went deeper than just being bad at magic. So much deeper. 

So deep that there’s middle of the night pinky promises made over it. 

“Apollo.” 

Apollo jumped to attention, having seemingly forgotten that Phoenix was even there, despite this being his office. “Yes, Mr. Wright?!” 

“You haven’t forgotten who your boss is, right?” 

Apollo pursed his lips as he turned to face Trucy.

“I pay your paycheck.” She reminded, even if Phoenix had to put his name on them to give them any validity. 

With a groan, Apollo let his head fall forward. He grumbled as he drug his feet on the way out of Phoenix’s office.  “Fine, but I’d better not be poked with any swords…” 

“You know I can’t promise that, Polly!” She beamed happily as she hopped after him, closing the door behind them. 

Though he could already hear Trucy telling him that he’s too old to be her assistant and that he’d just hurt himself (even though he was still a full eight years younger than Zak at least), he’d still tell her that he’d love to practice magic with her once things calmed down. 

He wouldn’t be a lot of help, because he could acknowledge that there were some things that he couldn’t do anymore thanks to his bad back, but he was sure that there were still some things that he could do. 

But promising to help in no matter what way he could was definitely still on the table, even if he wasn’t that good of an assistant. 

And that no matter what, Phoenix wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.