Story: Apollo Justice, "Turnabout Detective, part two" [Daryan/Klavier]

[foxysquidalso]

Title: Turnabout Detective (part two)
Fandom: Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice
Word count: 2,870
Pairing(s): Daryan/Klavier
Location(s): Prison Hallway, Prison Infirmary
Rating: 16+
Genre(s): Mystery, romance
Spoilers: a bit for all AJ, basically, but especially cases 3 & 4
Warnings: poison!
Summary: Klavier continues to investigate his brother's attempted murder of fellow prisoner Daryan Crescend--as well as his own feelings about his ex-boyfriendbandmate.

Part one is here.


Part Two: Prison Infirmary.


Mr. Ward was waiting for him outside the cell block. "Good news, Mr. Gavin," he said at once. "Mr. Crescend has regained consciousness--I just got the message from the infirmary."

"Ja, that is good." Klavier brightened. Good news was what he needed after that unproductive interview. "Do you think it would be possible for me to see him now?"

"Certainly, Mr. Gavin. I told the doctor you'd be there shortly."

There was one bright side to interviewing Kristoph. After speaking with his brother, everything else seemed easy in comparison, and everyone else struck him as a pleasant conversationalist. For instance, as he followed Mr. Ward down the hall towards the infirmary, he saw a familiar female face, crowned by a familiar mane of thick, black hair, and he didn't even blink at the sight. He kept walking calmly towards her, even as she spotted him and a deep frown drew a line between her high, penciled brows.

Klavier smiled to combat her frown, but his effort was in vain. Her frown deepened as she moved to meet him. He did not speak until he stood facing her. "Mrs. Crescend, I'm so sorry--"

He recoiled as her open palm struck his cheek. "Don't you dare apologize to me, Klavier Gavin! Not after what you did to my baby."

He backed up in a gesture that was half-bow, half-retreat, his face stinging with the pain. She certainly hadn't spared him with that slap. "Ja, of course. My apol--I mean, I will not do you the disrespect of apologizing."

"Look what happened to him because of you!"

Klavier did not protest that it was not his fault. He partly agreed with her. Yet it was painful to hear it from her lips. It was not so long ago that he had been her favorite, the apple of her eye, his cheeks recipients of kisses instead of slaps. "I'm going to find out how this happened," he said. "I'll help him. I promise."

"Don't do me any favors," she sniffed. She was like her son in some ways. "I'm going to get Daryan some of his pajamas from home. You'd better not be here by the time I get back. I don't want to see your face again." She drew back her hand, showing him her palm, a promise of further slaps to come.

Klavier knew when he'd met his match. "I'll try to stay out of your way, ja."

Mr. Ward, good man that he was, offered no commentary on this encounter as Sofia Crescend stormed away down the corridor without a word of farewell. The prison guard attending her followed closely behind her, hurrying to keep up. Mr. Ward lead on towards the infirmary.

The physician in charge was one Doctor Thera, a tall, dark-haired woman with a clipboard in one arm and a front pocket full of pens. "Hello," said Klavier, as they were introduced. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Doctor."

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Gavin." She shifted her clipboard and jotted down a brief note on it.

He'd never met this woman before, but her guarded tone was familiar to him. He could tell that she was a fan of his music, but was too conscious of her dignity to say anything about it. He wasn't about to bring the subject up, as it was the last thing he wanted to talk about at the moment, but he smiled extra sweetly for her benefit. "I hope it won't tax Mr. Crescend too much if I visit with him a little?"

"He can handle a brief visit. Just don't excite him too much."

That wouldn't be easy, where Daryan was concerned, but Klavier would do his best to keep things as calm as possible. "Thank you very much, Doctor. Would you mind if I asked you a question or two, first?"

"Not at all! Please, ask away." She jotted down another note, happily.

"As for the poison, was it atroquinine?"

"Oh, no. Thankfully. Or we'd never have saved Mr. Crescend." The way her voice rose as she pronounced "Crescend" made it clear to him who her favorite member of the Gavinners had been. "No, the poison used was cyathallium. Fortunately, I was able to get some Prussian nitrite rushed here from the Hickfield Clinic. It's the only known antidote."

"And how did the poison get to Mr. Crescend? Do you know?"

She shook her head, sadly. "The only thing we can determine is that it wasn't in his food. There was no sign of poison in his most recent meal, and no known way for the perpetrator to access his food."

Mentally, he thanked her for saying "perpetrator" and not naming his brother. "I see. Very interesting." It was true that atroquinine was difficult to obtain. Kristoph might well have run out of it and moved on to another poison. Though how he had managed to keep poison with him in prison--that, Klavier could not begin to understand.

"They searched Mr. Crescend's cell, but they couldn't find anything else that he might have ingested."

"Thank you very much. You've been a great help, Doctor. I'll go in to see him now." Klavier tried to seem casual and unconcerned, as if this meeting were no big deal, but it was a very big deal. How long had it been since he had last seen Daryan? They used to spend almost every day together, back before Daryan had started working for International Affairs, before things had begun to change.

"He's in there by himself," said Doctor Thera, adding, "Mr. Ward and I will be right outside."

Daryan was lying very still in the hospital bed, his eyes closed. His hair was down, covering the pillow and a good portion of the mattress around his head. "Daryan?" Klavier called out softly.

There was no response. Slowly, he approached the bed. He said again: "Daryan." Daryan remained motionless, and Klavier felt a tremor of unease as he came to stand at his old friend's bedside. "Daryan!" his loud whisper was almost a hiss. If Daryan didn't respond in the next moment, he was going to get the doctor and--

Daryan opened one eye in a reverse wink. "Got you." His voice was a low rasp, weakened by the poison, but his words were distinct.

"Daryan, what is wrong with you?" Klavier demanded. "I was worried sick! And all you can do is make another one of your stupid jokes--"

Both Daryan's eyes were open now, his gaze fixed on Klavier. "Fuck you," he said.

Klavier broke off.

"You don't get to tell me what to do anymore, Gavin." He closed his eyes again, and Klavier wondered if Daryan was simply going to refuse to speak to him. He realized that that wasn't the case when Daryan continued, "Finally gracing me with your presence, huh?"

"When I heard what had happened, I had to come."

"So that's what it takes to get a visit. I'll keep that in mind."

"I know you're angry with me."

Daryan started to laugh, but the effort seemed to pain him, so the laughter soon trailed off. "Shit, wow, you usually don't understate things so bad."

"I'm sorry."

"Huh? For which thing?"

It was difficult for Klavier to decide which, of all the possible things Daryan might have wanted him to be sorry for, he was actually sorry for. "I don't know. But I'm certainly sorry this happened to you."

Daryan snorted. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. What do you want, Gavin?"

Klavier hated to be so direct, especially with all the words that remained unsaid between the two of them, but he didn't want to strain Daryan for too long, and he had important work to do, for Daryan's sake. "Can you tell me what went on? Between you and Kristoph."

Daryan's eyes flashed. "What went on is that your psycho brother tried to kill me."

"Ja, I know that already. I've been to see Kristoph."

Daryan shuddered at the mention of his name. "Ugh, he gives me the creeps."

"I understand that. You never liked each other. But was there anything else? Anything you did or said that might have given him a reason to want to injure you?"

"Now it's my fault that some crazy bitch tried to kill me? Real nice."

"No, of course not! It's not your fault in any way. Kristoph is very easy to provoke. All you have to do is annoy him or get in his way. I need to know anything you can tell me about the situation between the two of you."

Daryan hesitated. "I didn't do anything."

His voice changed pitch as he spoke. Klavier caught the shift. He was good at reading people's voices, just as he could identify the notes in all the music he heard. It was one of the benefits of having perfect pitch. Moreover, he knew Daryan's voice very well, and he'd always found it easy to read. It was the opposite of Kristoph's voice. Daryan was the opposite of Kristoph in many ways. "Are you sure? You didn't do anything?"

"No--nothing really."

"What does that mean? That really?"

"I talked to him. We're in a fucking prison together, and I don't have anything else to do. It's driving me crazy. Though not as crazy as him, thank god."

Klavier knew Daryan all too well. Daryan and his jokes. "Daryan, you didn't--play a prank on him, did you?"

"What? Me? No! No way."

His voice almost broke, that was how obvious his lie was. "Daryan. You didn't."

Daryan glanced away. "I wouldn't call it a prank. That's kind of a strong word, you know?"

"Tell me what you did."

Daryan sighed. "Okay, but you're totally going to see that it was nothing when I tell you."

"Let me be the judge of that."

Daryan kept his gaze averted, but he spoke. "So, the food here is crap. I eat most of it, because whatever, I don't care. But for some reason, almost every day, they give us peas." He raised a hand to point. "Look. I got poisoned, and they already gave me some more fucking peas."

Klavier hadn't noticed it before, but there was a tray of food on a small, wheeled table next to Daryan's bed. They must have brought in a meal at lunchtime by default, and he saw, through the clear plastic covering, that there was indeed a small portion of peas. "Peas," he said thoughtfully. "What do peas have to do with Kristoph?"

"Well, I had the peas, but I wasn't going to eat them. So, I thought...." He trailed off guiltily.

"What did you think, Daryan, if what you do can ever really be called thinking?"

"I thought it would be funny to throw them at him."

Klavier staggered back, shaking his head. "You--you--" He knew Daryan was reckless, foolish, more fond of his jokes than common sense, but to go so far? To endanger himself like that? "You threw peas at Kristoph!?"

"Yeah--a little."

"What do you mean by a little?"

"Not that much."

Why was he still avoiding telling the whole truth? "Daryan," said Klavier desperately. "I know you're angry at me, but Kristoph poisoned you. If we don't figure out what he did, he might be able to do it again. There's no way of telling. So I want you to tell me everything. For your own good."

Daryan laughed, softly. "Aw, don't sound so worried about me, Gavin."

"Talk to me, please?"

"Yeah, okay. Full disclosure, I get it. I'll tell you. I threw the peas at him every day."

"Every day." Klavier could hardly believe it.

"Every day I got peas, anyway. It was pretty funny. You should have seen how mad he got. Hilarious." Daryan chuckled at the memory, then sobered. "Until he poisoned me. That part wasn't so funny. Fuck, being poisoned hurts a lot worse than I thought it would."

Klavier shook his head again. He still couldn't believe Daryan had been so stupid. "I hope you've learned your lesson."

"What? Don't throw peas at Kristoph?"

"I wish you would learn not to play unsafe pranks in general, but that will do."

"Fuck yes, I learned my lesson," said Daryan emphatically. "I'm not throwing anything at him ever again. Shit, your brother's devious, man. How the hell did he poison me, anyway? "

"How he poisoned you is what I am currently attempting to find out. Is there anything else you can tell me about his behavior? Do you have any idea how he might have gotten the poison to you?"

"No, I don't. It couldn't have been the food. They have some guy bring it in every day, directly to the prisoners. There's no way for Kristoph to get his hands on it before it gets to me."

He was happy that Daryan was being open with him, but at the same time, it saddened him a little. That tone--that was the tone Daryan had used as his detective. Brisk and maybe curt at times, but informative. Daryan would never be his detective again. Klavier couldn't afford to reflect on that fact now, however. The investigation had only just begun. "And do you think it likely that Kristoph had an accomplice? Working in the kitchens, perhaps?"

"There's no way. Nobody likes him. He's so condescending. Even if he wasn't, there's no way for us in the solitary cells to get in touch with someone like that. And the guy who brings us the food hands out trays randomly, so you couldn't tell who was gonna get the poison."

"The guard who brings the food--what can you tell me about him?"

Daryan rolled his eyes. "Real annoying guy. Totally harmless, though. He brings us our mail, too. I'm sure he couldn't have had anything to do with it."

Klavier made a mental note to ask Mr. Ward more about that individual later. "There's nothing else in your cell you might have ingested?"

"There's only my posters, my guitar, some weights--there's not much there. My mom sends me stuff sometimes, but I haven't gotten any food from her recently."

It was true that Daryan's cell was not particularly cluttered, but he would have handled the guitar and the weights daily. It was possible the poison had been on something he touched frequently and the poison was transferred from his hands to his mouth.

"Thank you, Daryan," he said. "You've been very helpful." He smiled at the detective--no, not a detective any longer. He had to remember that. "You look tired. Unless there's something else you think I need to know, I'll let you rest now."

"Yeah, I feel pretty out of it," Daryan admitted.

"But first, would you mind if I took some of these?" Klavier pointed to Daryan's lunch tray as he walked around the bed towards it.

"The peas? Fuck no, I don't mind. Take them all, if you want."

Klavier opened the lunch tray, wrapped the peas carefully in a napkin, then put them in his pocket. When he looked up, he realized that Daryan was watching him intently. "I'm not even gonna ask, Gavin," he said.

"When I was little, I used to hide my peas in my napkin like this, so I didn't have to eat them," said Klavier. "I hated them."

"Yeah, who the hell likes peas?"

Klavier shrugged. "Someone must." He remained where he was, standing at Daryan's bedside, looking down at him. Daryan did look terrible. He was quite pale, except for the darkened skin under his eyes, and an awful strain showed in the muscles of his face. He had so very nearly died.

For months, Klavier had been trying to forget about Daryan. What he had tried to make himself forget, above all, was the fact that he missed him. His help. His voice. His friendship. Klavier could be impulsive, and he gave into an impulse now. He couldn't stop himself. He leaned down and pressed his lips against Daryan's.

In spite of his weakened state, Daryan could still move fast. He seized Klavier by the shoulder before Klavier could pull back, and he returned the kiss. It was a quick kiss, but hot and fierce. It made Klavier's legs feel weak. He stumbled when Daryan let him go.

Daryan's regard was as fierce as his kiss, angry and clear. "Screw you, Gavin," he said, but his eyes were too bright, and Klavier knew him well enough to know that he was not really angry--or at least, anger was not his primary emotion.

"I'd better go," said Klavier. "Ja?"

"Ja," agreed Daryan, dryly. He had the worst German accent, but Klavier had always enjoyed it when he'd tried to speak it, ironically or no.

"I'll come to see you again. I promise."

"Whatever," said Daryan.

Klavier paused in the doorway and watched Daryan close his eyes. He allowed himself a small smile. In a strange, sad way, he was happy. They were working together again. That was something he'd never thought would happen. It was something else he'd missed, very much.

Comments

[armistice-day.livejournal.com]

Sofia Crescend made us laugh.
Perfect Pitch made us all wish for a magical power to use for good.
Dr Thera made us all sigh with Fangirl Sympathy.
Daryan's demeanor made us weak in the knees with fond love.
Klavier telling about putting the peas in his napkin weakened us further.
Kissing and Missing made us want to have a cry.
The plot thickening made us thrill.

Oh, what times those were!
Oh, what times Part Three will bring! ♥

[foxysquidalso.livejournal.com]

Haha, aww thanks so much! ♥ So happy you enjoyed part two. I'm glad it made you laugh and cry. I like hearing what your favorite parts were.

Oh, Perfect Pitch! Once Prosecutor Gavin gets his "magical spunky girl sidekick", there will be no mystery he and Apollo can't solve!

Also, that icon is way too cute. Little Klavier!

[smudwasadraigon.livejournal.com]

There are so many wonderful things I could comment on, like characterisation, but I'm going to have to be true to my nature and be most excited about the poison ^^'

What is cyathallium? I've tried to look it up, but I can't find a compound with that exact name. It does seem appropriately evil to use a thallium compound in this case, though, since one of the first symptoms is hair loss... poor Daryan XD

[foxysquidalso.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! <3 I'm really glad you liked this part. And the characterisation.

Oh, haha, I'm glad you noticed the poison! Cyathallium is a made up poison. I thought "atroquinine" was funny, so it's a joke based on that, although instead of atropine + quinine, it's cyanide + thallium, and the "antidote" is also a portmanteau, of the names of the two antidotes for the real poisons. :D

I have to confess that probably, since Daryan is a survivor of fictional poison, he won't have too many lasting side effects, much like Vera. Either you die instantly, or you're totally fine! Hair loss would be just about the worst thing that could happen to poor Daryan, though, you're right.

[smudwasadraigon.livejournal.com]

*flails* I thought that must be it, heehee, I love made-up poison (it's so narratively convenient, too) XD And I still think thallium was an awesome choice >D

[foxysquidalso.livejournal.com]

Haha, yes, made-up poison is the best. Reality can be ignored!

I confess, I was mostly lead by what poisons sounded best when you put their names together. I'm glad you think I made the right choice. :D

FUCK YOU KLAVIER >:I

[redvelvetaddict.livejournal.com]

Crazy bitch, Poisoned Prankster, and Perfect pitch ahhhhh THE BEST TRIFECTA <3<3<3 Also kissing, the cherry on top.
I will reiterate that I enjoy this story's direction and contents VERY MUCH.

Oh I can't wait for the arrival of SPUNKY SIDEKICK <3 Who the hell likes peas?!?! ;3

EVERY
DAY

Re: FUCK YOU KLAVIER >:I

[foxysquidalso.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks so much, man! I'll try to write more soon. Hopefully you will continue to enjoy it. ♥

EVERY DAMN DAY.

[pandir.livejournal.com]

PEAS are certainly the source for a lot of trouble!
Also, Sofia Crescend is a wonderful woman. <3

Awww, damnit, you make my heart melt for those two over and over with angry, loving kisses and the hurt and love and disappointment. </3 Screw you, Gavin. ♥ I do hope you will continue it, for I find it very indulging myself! Also, I'm very intrigued what Klavier's investigations will bring. Klavier's ability was a brilliant idea. PS: Cyathallium confused me as much as atroquinine did when I first stumbled across the name. Those made-up poisons, will I ever get used to them?

[foxysquidalso.livejournal.com]

Ha ha, yes, the alternate title for this story is "Peas and Clues"! Because peas are what starts it all. Also, I find the idea of Daryan throwing peas at Kristoph hilarious, so I had to write about it.

I'm glad you like Sofia Crescend--I don't usually make up a lot of fan OCs, but I've grown fond of Daryan's loud, loyal family.

I really should finish this (especially as I was writing it for the kink meme, so I'll feel guilty if I don't). Your encouragement certainly helps inspire me! I have it planned out, too, so it's not as if I don't know where it's going. I guess I just got caught up in other stories.

Made up poisons are confusing, I agree! But also amusing, so I had to put one in there. :D

I love that little chibi Daryan icon of yours.

And thanks again! ♥

[pandir.livejournal.com]

Well, you have to put those peas to a use...!

It's hard to continue writing longer stories, especially when there are so much other projects and ideas waiting - I hope you find the time and the right mood to continue!

Because this story completely compensates for the lack of a Klavier Gavin Investigates game. :D

Yours is still the cutest. ♥

[winhall.livejournal.com]

I wanna throw lots and lots of hearts at Daryan! =D
<3 <3 <3

GOD, I love these two so much right now! *_*x

More please...?

Especially of the kisses...?

^_^x

[foxysquidalso.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you so much! <3 I'm so glad you liked this. And I definitely do want to write more of this! I got a bit distracted by other projects, but I hope I'll be able to get back to it soon.

(And there will be more kisses, when I do.)