What would high school KlavDarPollo(romantic or platonic) be like for you? Like say you got paid by the CAPCOM gods themselves to make a slice of life/coming of age type anime with this little trio. How would you approach it? What would be the plot? What would their character arcs be? What’s their backstory like? Etc. o think this is a fun/cute idea for you to pick at.
Sorry this took me forever, anon! My laptop keyboard started dying and trying to type up long responses with broken keys was a real pain. On the other hand, it means I got a lot of time to think about it.
So I'll admit I don't do much high school AU stuff, mostly because I didn't actually attend a typical high school and therefore it's all a bit of a mystery to me. BUT Ace Attorney canon does have Turnabout Academy, and that particular case did make me think about what Klavier and Daryan were probably like in high school; it's not too hard to add Apollo to that!
They still have to be precocious soon-to-be lawyers, because that's funniest to me and also keeps the intensity. I think the easiest way to do that is probably to send Apollo to Themis somehow and let them all meet a few years early. Daryan can attend Themis if you give the school a law enforcement/detective track we just didn't see in canon because it wasn't relevant/is a little bit more separated than the judge/prosecution/defense tracks (this is actually also the easiest way to make his backstory and Klavier's make sense in canon). Backstory-wise I don't actually think much has to change except maybe giving Apollo a reason to get to Themis early (scholarship, maybe? Shouldn't be too hard). Klavier's older brother is still Like That, Apollo's still a foster kid, Daryan's background is pretty much the same as my usual headcanons (single mom, pretty independent at a young age). There's definitely more of a clash if they're meeting early, because Klavier and Apollo are coming from wildly different backgrounds; I'd actually usually put Daryan as a scholarship kid, too, but if he's been hanging out with Klavier for a year or two he's probably adjusted already.
So, baby lawyers + detective, which means we're getting the world's most intense mock trial. You can get an entire plot arc out of that. Teen Klavier was, and I say this with love, an arrogant little shit, so I suspect his first meeting with Apollo went something like "Klavier says something mean about fifteen-year-old Apollo's hero, Phoenix Wright, and Apollo promptly starts yelling back, and the resulting argument lands them on each other's shit list FOREVER or at least the next couple months"; obviously the next day they both get picked for mock trial and spend the next few months being increasingly intense rivals while Daryan winds them both up because he thinks he's funny. (He's on Klavier's side, obviously, they've been best friends FOREVER or since Klavier got back from Germany two years ago, but that doesn't mean it isn't hilarious to occasionally side with Apollo just to see both of them get mad about it.) Mock trial results in grudging respect on both sides, but they're all still hotheaded teenagers so that gets them to "tolerating each other".
And then for plot arc #2 somebody commits a murder on the school's campus, and sure, they're fifteen and seventeen respectively but by god they're going to solve this case, if it kills all three of them. (Which it does not, aside from the inevitable Apollo/Daryan fistfight behind the maintenance shed, which ends in a begrudging sort of friendship and both of them very badly trying to claim it was an accident. No one believes them.) I don't actually have much of a plot for this, I just want the three of them bickering and trying to solve a murder because the one thing they can all agree on is that the actual cops are doing a terrible job of it, and gradually building on the friendship they started tentatively forming at the end of the mock trial.
At some point, Daryan fucks up. It's not anything as intense as canon (right now I'm inclined toward "lied about something involving the murder case because he's feeling a little outclassed by the two baby lawyers and wanted to follow up this lead himself"), but I do need him to have a pretty serious fight with Klavier and Apollo that lasts for a couple weeks until something even more serious happens and the three of them have to sort things out. Maybe the real murderer tries to kidnap all three of them or something, idk, I'm very tired. (NGL, if I actually wrote this I'd just steal plot points from Sonata and soften them down to work with a high school setting.)
I don't know if I'd make it explicitly romantic, but I do think this is right about when they're all trying to figure out their sexualities (okay, Klavier already knows he's bi, but Daryan's firmly in denial and Apollo has some complicating factors going on there), so there's subtext if nothing else. If it does get explicitly romantic at any point, it's because different combinations of the three try going on dates (or "we're grabbing food but it is DEFINITELY NOT A DATE"s) but keep getting interrupted by ridiculous nonsense and/or the murder case.
Their teachers are so tired. All three of them are great at their actual classes! But the interpersonal drama, dear god.
That or High school au with them cause that would lowkey be funny/kinda adorable.
Here ya are, under the cut! I had quite a bit of fun with this one, thanks for requesting! :D I went with the highschool au idea haha
Apollo slumped over his homework, staring at the trigonometry question that he had been stumped on for over ten minutes now. No matter what he tried, he just couldn’t get himself to focus on the task at hand. And who could blame him? Trigonometry was difficult. For some reason, the concepts that his class was studying at the moment just weren’t clicking with him. It frustrated him to no end- why did he need to learn math if he wanted to be a lawyer anyways? Did lawyers even use math? Tax lawyers did, but surely not criminal defense attorneys! It was ridiculous!
Apollo leaned back against his desk chair and sighed, stretching his arms behind him. He could hear the television blaring in the living room, his foster parents apparently watching a show together. Apollo closed his eyes and tilted his head towards the ceiling for a moment, until his ringtone jolted him out of his trance. The familiar snippet of “Contempt of Court” rang out against his previously quiet room. Apollo hesitated to pick it up for a moment, listening to the song that his boyfriends had made with fondness. Eventually, he answered the call.
“APOLLOOOOOOO!” a voice cried from the other end. Apollo jumped slightly.
“Shit, Klavier, don’t scare me like that!” Apollo scolded. “Can’t you avoid screaming on the phone like a normal person?”
Klavier giggled. “Nein, of course not!”
Apollo sighed and slumped back over his desk. “With all due respect, what do you want?”
Klavier giggled again. “Welllllll… Me and Dar are hanging out at my place right now, and-”
Klavier was promptly interrupted by Daryan shouting “Hey, you doll!” from the other end.
Apollo smiled and felt his face flush as Klavier shushed Daryan angrily.
“Anywho, babe,” Klavier said. “Weeeeeee were wondering…”
“Klavi, stop being annoying and just tell me what it is,” Apollo said.
“Okay! Damn!” Klavier laughed. “We want you to come over and spend time with us!”
There was a slight yelp, a laugh and some static as Daryan’s voice was suddenly much louder.
“We want to go out,” Daryan said. “Like… to go get some dinner together? Or just to walk around a bit? The evening’s fuckin’ beautiful, babe!”
“I can’t,” Apollo grumbled. “Trig homework. I’ve gotta get it done.”
“Ditch it!” Daryan said. “It’s a fuckin’ Friday!”
“No! I need to master this concept, if I don’t figure it out now I probably never will!” Apollo said, exasperated.
Apollo’s boyfriends started to chant “ditch it, ditch it!” in unison into the phone. Apollo got more annoyed by the second.
“FINE! Damn!” Apollo said finally. “Just stop that annoying chanting!”
Apollo heard cheers from the other side of the phone. Suddenly, Klavier’s voice was loud again.
“Pick you up in fifteen?” Klavier asked.
“Sure,” Apollo said. “But I’d better not see any moldy bread in your car again.”
“Is he talking about the bread thing?” Apollo heard Daryan cry. “I forgot the bread in your car ONCE! One FUCKING TIME!”
Apollo snickered as he quickly hung up.
~~~
Convincing his foster parents to let him go out wasn’t exactly difficult, granted that it was indeed a Friday and Apollo swore to them up and down that his homework was finished and that he’d be back before ten. In all honesty, they also weren’t the most attentive parents that he’d ever had, but Apollo wasn’t complaining as long as that meant he could be with his boyfriends and go out for secret late-night candy grabs with them.
Before he knew it, Klavier’s purple BMW was in the driveway of Apollo’s foster home. Klavier was sitting at the wheel with his sunglasses on and Daryan was in the passenger seat with his feet resting on the dashboard. Apollo chuckled as he opened the door and hopped into the backseat.
“How come you’re not yelling at Daryan to get his feet off the dashboard when you always yell at me for doing the same thing?” Apollo asked as he buckled his seatbelt.
“Because he won’t listen to me either way,” Klavier said. “Plus, Daryan has the decency to keep his boots spotless ninety percent of the time.”
“Damn straight!” Daryan laughed. “Ain’t no WAY I’m letting THESE puppies get dirty and STAY dirty. I wash ‘em every time I take ‘em off! They cost me hella money anyways!”
“I still think you’re nuts for that,” Apollo said. “But I would probably be the same way, if I bought designer shoes with my own money. But, uh, the money part isn’t really… following through.”
“We have got to get you a job, ‘Pollo,” Klavier said as he put the car into reverse. “You’re fifteen and you’re in the foster system. You’re gonna need some bucks to keep with you in case you need them. And you need money that ISN’T from an iffy allowance.”
Apollo sighed. “Maybe at the mall I’ll find a place that’s hiring.”
With that, Daryan got his hands on the bluetooth and started blasting his favorite music so none of them could hear each other for the rest of the way to the mall.
Eventually they reached the parking lot, which was nearly empty since it was so late. Luckily, the mall closed at nine, so they had about two hours to explore and shop. The three boys hopped out of the car and entered the mall.
“I love going to this place,” Klavier mused, looking around at the palm trees that lined the entryway. “Outdoor malls are so gorgeous.”
“Maybe not so much in fuckin’... I dunno, Minnesota?” Daryan noted. “I’d rather kill myself than be outside in weather that’s like, below fifty degrees. I hate the winter.”
Apollo chuckled. “Trust me Dar, the coldest temperatures during winter in Minnesota is not gonna be just fifty degrees. It’s more like… ten.”
“I knew that!” Daryan said. “That’s why I’m never going to Minnesota!”
A cool breeze blew past the buildings and through the palm leaves, gently brushing against the boy’s faces and filling the air with the scent of pretzels and luxury cologne.
“Where to first, guys?” Klavier asked.
“I know where I’m going!” Apollo cried. “The bookstore!”
Daryan groaned. “I don’t wanna participate in your nerd weeb shit. I know you just want to go there to get some more manga.”
Apollo pouted. “One of my favorite shōnens just came out with a new edition, I read about it online. You don’t understand Daryan, I NEED it! I gotta see what happens next in the story!"
Klavier chuckled. “I’ll take you, Apollo. Let’s ditch Daryan, you and me. Whaddya say?”
“Hey!” Daryan said. “Alright, alright, damn. I’ll go with you.”
As soon as he got the go-ahead, Apollo bolted for the bookstore as fast as he could. “Keep up guys!” he called behind him.
After waiting for a second to make sure that he didn’t lose his boyfriends in his dust, Apollo rushed into the bookstore and hurried up the stairs to the second floor. He knew the route by heart now, and in no time flat, he was in the manga section.
Apollo grinned as he eyed the extensive collection. So many awesome stories, just waiting for him to take home! He surveyed the aisles in search of the manga he was looking for. Eventually, after taking more than their sweet time, Klavier and Daryan caught up with him and joined him in the aisle.
“Did you find it yet?” Klavier asked. “If you didn’t, we can help you, can’t we Daryan?”
“It’s alright,” Apollo said. “It should be about…”
Apollo gasped. He grabbed the manga from the shelf and held it up, presenting it like a shining trophy.
“They have it!” Apollo said a bit too loudly for a bookstore. “It’s here! And it’s only twenty bucks!”
Daryan let out a low whistle. “Twenty? Really?”
“Well, it is brand-new,” Apollo said. “Any money is worth this manga. I love it so much.”
“I can buy it for you, if you want,” Klavier offered.
“What? No way!” Apollo said. “You don’t have to, Klav. I brought my own money.”
Klavier shrugged. “While we’re here, could I maybe look around too?”
“Not you too,” Daryan groaned. “Come on, I’m hungry as hell.”
“Just hang on!” Klavier said. “I’m going to check out the business section or whatever. Gonna see if there’s any books on law and philosophy.”
“I’m going with!” Apollo said.
The two of them looked at Daryan.
“I guess like, if you guys INSIST,” Daryan said.
The other two laughed as they all made their way to search for some books on law.
After finding the legal philosophy section, it didn’t take long for Daryan to become enamored in the display too. Law was the thing that connected all of them so well after all, and it was largely responsible for how they became so close. After choosing to take Business and Personal Law at their school every year, a pattern started to become obvious. They were the only kids in the school who stuck with the class for that long- most students moved on from it after one school year.
Klavier and Daryan had already been sort-of-friends, sort-of-dating. They had been friends since way back in their youth, and their bond only strengthened as they picked up music together and formed a band with a few of their other friends. Apollo, however, was new.
It didn’t take long for Daryan and Klavier to take notice of Apollo. He was as loud as he was sarcastic, as friendly as he was determined. He made himself known in the class from day one, and with a surname like Justice, it probably made sense. It also helped that he wasn’t particularly lacking in the looks department.
Apollo had been checking out the two of them for a bit as well. Mostly because Daryan’s pompadour was pretty hard to miss, but also because they radiated confidence so well together that he couldn’t help but be drawn to them. And of course, they were indeed a pretty hot pair.
Some working together on group projects and a few after school study/game hangouts later, they all eventually ended up on a group chat together. Klavier asked if Apollo could join his and Daryan’s relationship, he accepted the offer, and the rest was history.
“Got all your things, babe?” Daryan asked, clapping Apollo on the back.
“I think so,” Apollo said. “I couldn’t find anything new or interesting that wasn’t totally outdated, but that’s okay.”
“Klavier found a law textbook in German,” Daryan said as he ushered Apollo back to where their boyfriend was. “He said it’d help him when he goes to study abroad. He’s obsessed with Germany, I tell ya. I think it’s kinda funny.”
“Are you teasing me?” Klavier’s voice cried from behind a bookshelf. He appeared suddenly around the corner and approached the other two.
“Ah, shit,” Daryan laughed.
“It’s always out of love!” Apollo chimed. “Germany is a gorgeous country. I think you should follow your dreams, Klav.”
“I never said that he shouldn’t follow his dreams!” Daryan said. “I just think he’s funny!”
“Aww,” Klavier cooed, placing a gentle finger on Daryan’s nose. “You think I’m funny?”
Daryan swatted Klavier’s finger away. “Great job, ‘Pollo. Now he’ll gloat for the rest of his life.”
Apollo just shrugged. “Hurry up, let’s get out of here. There’s more of the mall to check out.”
The boys bought their books and put them in a bag. Klavier was forced into carrying it, seeing as Apollo claimed he was “too weak” to do it and Daryan was as stubborn as a mule.
They made their next stop at a clothing store, which interested Klavier and Daryan but not Apollo quite as much. Though Apollo did enjoy it as his boyfriends modeled their chosen jean jackets and leather pants for him in a private fashion show.
After buying a few clothes and window-shopping for a good bit, the trio noticed the time.
“8:45,” Klavier said. “We should probably get some dinner.”
“Anywhere in mind?” Apollo asked.
“I could go for some sushi,” Daryan grinned.
“Dar, I’m not buying you guys fucking sushi,” Klavier said. “Let’s go to this diner that’s nearby.”
Since Klavier was the one that was planning to pay for the food, he had the final input. And his input was to go to the diner, so that’s what the three of them ended up doing.
They sat down in a booth together, Apollo on one side and Klavier and Daryan on the other. Klavier leaned his head on Daryan’s shoulder as he looked at the menu, which made Apollo feel excluded, so Daryan opted for holding Apollo’s hand across the table to shut him up.
“I’m gonna get a cheeseburger,” Daryan said. “Do you guys know what you’re getting?”
“I do!” Klavier said. Apollo nodded as well.
“How about we all get a large milkshake for us to share?” Daryan suggested. “It should be big enough. We can get three straws.”
“That sounds perfect,” Apollo smiled.
Soon, a waiter came by and took their orders. There was nothing the three could do now except wait.
Tired of the affection, Daryan let go of Apollo’s hand and told Klavier to sit up, much to the boys’ distress. Klavier in turn moved to sit next to Apollo, holding his hand under the table as Daryan stretched across the booth and put his feet up on the cushioned chair.
“I’m glad you guys convinced me to go out with you,” Apollo mumbled. “It’s been a really fun night. Much better than staying back and doing my homework.”
“Of course,” Klavier grinned. “But it isn’t over quite yet, right?”
Daryan nodded. “The night is young. There’s still a lot we can do.”
“Well, I don’t want to stay out super late,” Apollo said. “I don’t mind being out a bit past my curfew, but I do have to sleep eventually.”
“You should spend the night,” Klavier suggested.
Apollo shook his head. “I’m good, but thank you, Klav. I don’t want my foster parents to have a heart attack in the morning when they realize I’m gone. But I mean, it probably would take them at least a couple hours for them to notice that I wasn’t in the house.”
Daryan chuckled. “Brutal, man. You’re a jackass.”
Apollo shrugged. “Doesn’t mean it’s not true,” he snickered.
Finally, their food arrived, piping hot and looking delicious. The trio shared a basket of onion rings and sipped on their shake together. Daryan was right, the shake was the perfect size for all of them to drink from. They chatted with each other as they ate their food, enjoying each other’s company.
After polishing off their food, Klavier paid the bill and the three boys headed out. Klavier said that he had an idea for them to go somewhere, but he was keeping the destination secret. The other two agreed, mostly because the mall was closed by the time they were done, yet none of them felt like going home quite yet. After bringing all of their bags back to Klavier’s car and putting them away, the trio set off to Klavier’s mystery destination.
The sun had long since set and the sky was colored a deep black, which faded into grey and eventually got brighter on the horizon as the streetlights illuminated the Japanifornia night. The cool air was charming and sweet as the three boys sauntered down the sidewalk, taking in the fresh smells of spring. Flower petals were shaken from tree branches and were blown across the ground, covering the grass in a mosaic of pinks, whites and purples. The group chatted about trivial things, following Klavier’s lead as he brought them to who knew where.
Suddenly, Klavier stopped.
“Here we are!” he said proudly.
Before them was a gorgeous, open field, lined with blooming trees of every color and filled with lush green grass. The trees framed the dark sky, making the scene look like something out of a painting in a museum. Apollo and Daryan “ooh”ed at the sight.
Klavier laughed and ran straight into the clearing, kicking up delicate blossoms and leaves. He drew a grassy path in his wake as he ran. The petals danced at his feet, following him in the wind. Apollo lit up and ran in after him, kicking leaves at his boyfriend and racing with him. Daryan slowly approached the field, looking around at the trees and observing the beauty surrounding him. He took in a deep breath of the fragrant air, smiling as he watched his boyfriends tussle.
“Alright, break it up, bitches,” Daryan said, waving his arms between Klavier and Apollo. The two laughed in response.
“Woah-ah!” Apollo yelped as he tumbled to the ground and fell on his back.
“Shit, Apollo, are you okay?” Daryan said. He and Klavier rushed to Apollo and looked at him from above.
Apollo let out a deep belly laugh and grabbed Klavier and Daryan by their hands, pulling them down onto the ground next to him.
The three boys laid on their backs, staring up at the treetops and sky above them.
“Thanks for dragging us here, Klav,” Apollo said. “It’s gorgeous.”
Daryan grinned. “He’s right. It’s kinda pretty.”
“You’re so hard to please,” Klavier teased, poking Daryan on his shoulder. “‘Kinda pretty’ is all get?”
“It’s not much prettier than you,” Daryan said coolly.
“When did you get so sweet?” Klavier asked, sitting up. “Come here!”
Klavier scooted over to Daryan and kissed him on the cheek, which caused him to flush slightly. Then, he leaned down to Apollo and kissed him on his forehead before lying back down.
Apollo exhaled, content. “What time is it?”
Daryan checked his phone. “It’s 9:50.”
Apollo sighed. He reached out to his boyfriends, clasping their hands gently.
“I don’t think my foster parents will be too upset if I stay out just a bit past curfew,” Apollo said. “What do you guys think?”
Klavier sat up and looked at the other two. “I think that I have an idea.”
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