[Ace Attorney] fic: His Pet Brother Part 2
Title: His Pet Brother Part 2
Fandom: Ace Attorney (AJ era with references to AAI1)
Words: 1,758
Summary: Upon his colleague's recommendation, Kristoph visits a pet shop in Chinatown to acquire a pet dog but somehow returns home with a human instead. No matter how much he condemns himself, he can't bring himself to part with his new brother. He thinks the world of Klavier -- until he breaks the contract.
Notes: Have I mentioned how much I adore brothers in fiction? Dysfunctional ones included. Or perhaps I should say, especially dysfunctional ones.
Previous Part
His Pet Brother Part 2
Things that day had been so magical that Kristoph hadn't even stopped to question that he had brought home not a dog but rather a human being. He didn't know why the thought hadn't even crossed his mind. He went to sleep feeling content...and woke up with his world turned over.
The first thing that greeted him when he opened his eyes was a shock of light blond hair, the very thing that had condemned him to practicing human slavery, for what he had done could only be called that. What else did you call buying a human as a pet?
He dropped his head into his hands, feeling the beginning of a headache. He needed to return Klavier as soon as possible. This was ridiculous. Just what had he done? He was a lawyer, for goodness's sake. This was entirely against the law, against all morals he knew of. This was unheard of, buying a human boy from a petshop. What was he thinking?
Said boy turned around with a soft grunt and cuddled closer to Kristoph. Kristoph couldn't help but throw an arm around the boy.
There had been no money involved, Kristoph tried to reassure himself. He did not buy Klavier. Klavier wasn't a pet. He was his brother who had willingly come home with him. If authorities looked into the matter, they would have nothing on him. There was the contract, but the rules were so silly and simple, it could easily be written off as a game between brothers.
Klavier shifted once again and cracked open those clear blue eyes of his.
"Good morning, brother."
There was no way Kristoph was returning Klavier back to the shop.
Kristoph had wanted a pet to keep him company, having found that evenings at home were lonely indeed. Instead of a pet, he had landed with a brother. He had always wondered what it would be like if he weren't an only child. Now, he was about to find out.
He gave Klavier his old clothes, finding it fascinating that they truly could pass off as brothers. Klavier's hair was much shorter than his, but the color was similar. They had nearly the same eye color too. Klavier's skin was slightly darker, but that mattered little when the cut of his jaw and the shape of his nose were so like his. Klavier was simply breathtaking.
Kristoph continued working during the day like usual, but he always came home to a smile and eager pleads to play. There was never a quiet moment at home with Klavier around. He gave Klavier his own room, but Klavier would always sneak into his room and cuddle up to him. When Kristoph tried to push him away, Klavier would look at him with pleading eyes that he could never resist.
His colleagues at work commented that Kristoph seemed much happier lately, to which Kristoph replied that his little brother had come to live with him. The lie had come so smoothly off his tongue that he hadn't even noticed he uttered it until after his colleagues commented that they hadn't known he had a brother.
He raised one eyebrow. "Surely I must have mentioned him before?" he said, playing at being forgetful. He had been careful not to say anything, but now that he had, denying Klavier's existence was not something Kristoph could do. It would only make him appear like he had something to hide even though Kristoph didn't want the world to know about Klavier. He didn't want to share. Klavier was his and his alone.
Their responses were ones he expected. What's he like? How old is he? Will we see him someday? Why don't you bring him with you sometime?
Kristoph smiled his usual smile when he responded to their questions, but unease churned within. He couldn't keep hiding Klavier indoors without his own identity. Resolute, Kristoph began faking Klavier's information. Kristoph didn't find it surprising that Klavier didn't even know his own age. At this point, there was little that could faze Kristoph anymore. He decided that Klavier must be around 14 or so, the age for high school.
That was how Klavier Gavin came to officially exist as the younger brother of one Kristoph Gavin. It was Kristoph's first taste of forgery and manipulation. It was beyond exhilarating. Klavier looked so much like him that no one would ever suspect a thing. He was going to get away with buying a human for a pet.
Kristoph gasped. No, he hadn't bought Klavier. Klavier was his brother! His one and only little brother. If Kristoph hadn't been so scared of losing Klavier, he would have realized that he was only making matters worse. He could have gone through official means. He could have investigated the petshop. But his oversight was a blessing in disguise. Even if he were able to investigate the petshop, there would be no evidence of human trading there. They would only find exotic animals and the owner's penetrating stare with those mismatched eyes.
"Brother, what's that?" asked Klavier one day as he peered at Kristoph's paperwork over his shoulder. The younger boy had his arms around Kristoph in a loose hug from the back. Kristoph had never been one for affectionate cuddling, but with Klavier, he welcomed it. His touch was warm. Trusting. Entirely his. Kristoph laid one hand on Klavier's arm softly.
"It's my work, Klavier," replied Kristoph. When Klavier continued asking questions, Kristoph humored his curiosity and explained more about his work as a defense attorney. He thought Klavier was merely curious and that his explanations wouldn't make much sense to him, but he soon discovered that Klavier had a brilliant mind. He understood and remembered everything Kristoph told him. He was a genius in the making. Despite Kristoph's qualms about how he had acquired Klavier, Kristoph did not regret the fact that Klavier was so very much a part of his life now. When Klavier expressed his wishes to be like a lawyer like Kristoph, Kristoph could not refuse him the opportunity.
The older Gavin didn't want to send his little brother to high school, but Klavier needed the education and the socialization. It would also ease Klavier into society so he didn't appear out of nowhere later on. Cooped up inside Kristoph's home, Klavier was no more than a pet that he had stowed away. Klavier was so much more precious than that. He knew sending Klavier to school was the logical thing to do, but Kristoph couldn't help but feel frightened of how Klavier might change. At home, Klavier only had his influence. Klavier was his to shape. Outside, Klavier would be beyond his reach. Klavier could possibly change into someone he didn't recognize at all.
Kristoph's fear wasn't unfounded. The changes came pouring in.
When Klavier returned from school that first day, he was brimming with energy and immediately began lavishing tales about his day at school. Kristoph listened with a small smile. His little brother was usually energetic enough for both of them, but today he brought his enthusiasm to a whole new level. Klavier's almost lyrical German was soothing to listen to despite how he was talking a mile a minute. Kristoph felt himself relaxing as Klavier continued recounting his day. Perhaps sending Klavier to school wasn't such a bad idea.
"And then the boy," said Klavier excitedly before he stopped to take a breath. He backtracked and began speaking again, this time much more carefully. "The boy i-introduced me to the band."
Kristoph pulled his attention away from his paperwork and looked at Klavier. His brother was smiling shyly at him, waiting for his response, but Kristoph was still stuck on what Klavier had just said, or rather, how Klavier had spoken. Klavier never stuttered. Klavier's speech was like music. Klavier's words were...
Oh. Klavier had just spoken in English. To him. At home, without anyone around. For some reason, Kristoph felt something drop within. Wasn't German the reason why Klavier had taken such a liking to him? Without their shared language, what did they have?
Kristoph straightened his papers and folded his arms. His appearance betrayed none of what he felt within. "Your English is not bad, Klavier."
His little brother's shy smile widened into an uncontrollable grin before he jumped right back into his story, this time in almost impeccable English. Still, he had a very noticeable German accent, and he threw German words in now and then. Kristoph was actually glad for that - without those little reminders, it almost felt like the intimacy they had shared in those initial days was no more. He was the one who had urged Klavier to use English more, but now that Klavier had chosen to use English even at home, Kristoph found that he liked it much better when they had spoken exclusively in German. Klavier was demonstrating more and more often that Kristoph really didn't know all that much about him.
The next to go were the light, lavender shirts that Klavier had borrowed from him. Each time they went shopping, Klavier slowly replaced his borrowed clothing with darker and more form-fitting clothes. Klavier's taste was certainly different from Kristoph's, but Kristoph had to admit that the dark clothing brought out the blue in Klavier's eyes and the color complemented his hair. Klavier's choice of clothing wasn't all that alarming, but Kristoph was surprised when Klavier began wearing chains, rings, and even earrings. He had not taken Klavier to get his ears pierced. Klavier must have gone by himself or with "friends." Kristoph made no comment on the earrings - Klavier cared about appearances just as much as he did, even if they expressed that in a different way - but Kristoph did question Klavier about who he had gone with. Kristoph didn't trust these classmates of Klavier's. Klavier was at such an impressionable age.
His little brother was a very fast learner. He was also an attractive boy. His teachers found him to be a genius - he excelled at everything so much that they recommended him to skip a grade. His female classmates hung on to his every word. Even his male classmates were in awe of Klavier. Normally, with an appearance and an intelligence like his, he should have been garnering envy and hurtful words, but it wasn't so for Klavier. Klavier was the love of the class with his curiosity and his friendly nature. Everyone wanted to be like him, but Klavier only wanted to be like his older brother. Klavier even expressed interest in wanting to study law just like his older brother Kristoph, but music put a snag into that plan.
to be continued
Next Part
Fandom: Ace Attorney (AJ era with references to AAI1)
Words: 1,758
Summary: Upon his colleague's recommendation, Kristoph visits a pet shop in Chinatown to acquire a pet dog but somehow returns home with a human instead. No matter how much he condemns himself, he can't bring himself to part with his new brother. He thinks the world of Klavier -- until he breaks the contract.
Notes: Have I mentioned how much I adore brothers in fiction? Dysfunctional ones included. Or perhaps I should say, especially dysfunctional ones.
Previous Part
His Pet Brother Part 2
Things that day had been so magical that Kristoph hadn't even stopped to question that he had brought home not a dog but rather a human being. He didn't know why the thought hadn't even crossed his mind. He went to sleep feeling content...and woke up with his world turned over.
The first thing that greeted him when he opened his eyes was a shock of light blond hair, the very thing that had condemned him to practicing human slavery, for what he had done could only be called that. What else did you call buying a human as a pet?
He dropped his head into his hands, feeling the beginning of a headache. He needed to return Klavier as soon as possible. This was ridiculous. Just what had he done? He was a lawyer, for goodness's sake. This was entirely against the law, against all morals he knew of. This was unheard of, buying a human boy from a petshop. What was he thinking?
Said boy turned around with a soft grunt and cuddled closer to Kristoph. Kristoph couldn't help but throw an arm around the boy.
There had been no money involved, Kristoph tried to reassure himself. He did not buy Klavier. Klavier wasn't a pet. He was his brother who had willingly come home with him. If authorities looked into the matter, they would have nothing on him. There was the contract, but the rules were so silly and simple, it could easily be written off as a game between brothers.
Klavier shifted once again and cracked open those clear blue eyes of his.
"Good morning, brother."
There was no way Kristoph was returning Klavier back to the shop.
Kristoph had wanted a pet to keep him company, having found that evenings at home were lonely indeed. Instead of a pet, he had landed with a brother. He had always wondered what it would be like if he weren't an only child. Now, he was about to find out.
He gave Klavier his old clothes, finding it fascinating that they truly could pass off as brothers. Klavier's hair was much shorter than his, but the color was similar. They had nearly the same eye color too. Klavier's skin was slightly darker, but that mattered little when the cut of his jaw and the shape of his nose were so like his. Klavier was simply breathtaking.
Kristoph continued working during the day like usual, but he always came home to a smile and eager pleads to play. There was never a quiet moment at home with Klavier around. He gave Klavier his own room, but Klavier would always sneak into his room and cuddle up to him. When Kristoph tried to push him away, Klavier would look at him with pleading eyes that he could never resist.
His colleagues at work commented that Kristoph seemed much happier lately, to which Kristoph replied that his little brother had come to live with him. The lie had come so smoothly off his tongue that he hadn't even noticed he uttered it until after his colleagues commented that they hadn't known he had a brother.
He raised one eyebrow. "Surely I must have mentioned him before?" he said, playing at being forgetful. He had been careful not to say anything, but now that he had, denying Klavier's existence was not something Kristoph could do. It would only make him appear like he had something to hide even though Kristoph didn't want the world to know about Klavier. He didn't want to share. Klavier was his and his alone.
Their responses were ones he expected. What's he like? How old is he? Will we see him someday? Why don't you bring him with you sometime?
Kristoph smiled his usual smile when he responded to their questions, but unease churned within. He couldn't keep hiding Klavier indoors without his own identity. Resolute, Kristoph began faking Klavier's information. Kristoph didn't find it surprising that Klavier didn't even know his own age. At this point, there was little that could faze Kristoph anymore. He decided that Klavier must be around 14 or so, the age for high school.
That was how Klavier Gavin came to officially exist as the younger brother of one Kristoph Gavin. It was Kristoph's first taste of forgery and manipulation. It was beyond exhilarating. Klavier looked so much like him that no one would ever suspect a thing. He was going to get away with buying a human for a pet.
Kristoph gasped. No, he hadn't bought Klavier. Klavier was his brother! His one and only little brother. If Kristoph hadn't been so scared of losing Klavier, he would have realized that he was only making matters worse. He could have gone through official means. He could have investigated the petshop. But his oversight was a blessing in disguise. Even if he were able to investigate the petshop, there would be no evidence of human trading there. They would only find exotic animals and the owner's penetrating stare with those mismatched eyes.
"Brother, what's that?" asked Klavier one day as he peered at Kristoph's paperwork over his shoulder. The younger boy had his arms around Kristoph in a loose hug from the back. Kristoph had never been one for affectionate cuddling, but with Klavier, he welcomed it. His touch was warm. Trusting. Entirely his. Kristoph laid one hand on Klavier's arm softly.
"It's my work, Klavier," replied Kristoph. When Klavier continued asking questions, Kristoph humored his curiosity and explained more about his work as a defense attorney. He thought Klavier was merely curious and that his explanations wouldn't make much sense to him, but he soon discovered that Klavier had a brilliant mind. He understood and remembered everything Kristoph told him. He was a genius in the making. Despite Kristoph's qualms about how he had acquired Klavier, Kristoph did not regret the fact that Klavier was so very much a part of his life now. When Klavier expressed his wishes to be like a lawyer like Kristoph, Kristoph could not refuse him the opportunity.
The older Gavin didn't want to send his little brother to high school, but Klavier needed the education and the socialization. It would also ease Klavier into society so he didn't appear out of nowhere later on. Cooped up inside Kristoph's home, Klavier was no more than a pet that he had stowed away. Klavier was so much more precious than that. He knew sending Klavier to school was the logical thing to do, but Kristoph couldn't help but feel frightened of how Klavier might change. At home, Klavier only had his influence. Klavier was his to shape. Outside, Klavier would be beyond his reach. Klavier could possibly change into someone he didn't recognize at all.
Kristoph's fear wasn't unfounded. The changes came pouring in.
When Klavier returned from school that first day, he was brimming with energy and immediately began lavishing tales about his day at school. Kristoph listened with a small smile. His little brother was usually energetic enough for both of them, but today he brought his enthusiasm to a whole new level. Klavier's almost lyrical German was soothing to listen to despite how he was talking a mile a minute. Kristoph felt himself relaxing as Klavier continued recounting his day. Perhaps sending Klavier to school wasn't such a bad idea.
"And then the boy," said Klavier excitedly before he stopped to take a breath. He backtracked and began speaking again, this time much more carefully. "The boy i-introduced me to the band."
Kristoph pulled his attention away from his paperwork and looked at Klavier. His brother was smiling shyly at him, waiting for his response, but Kristoph was still stuck on what Klavier had just said, or rather, how Klavier had spoken. Klavier never stuttered. Klavier's speech was like music. Klavier's words were...
Oh. Klavier had just spoken in English. To him. At home, without anyone around. For some reason, Kristoph felt something drop within. Wasn't German the reason why Klavier had taken such a liking to him? Without their shared language, what did they have?
Kristoph straightened his papers and folded his arms. His appearance betrayed none of what he felt within. "Your English is not bad, Klavier."
His little brother's shy smile widened into an uncontrollable grin before he jumped right back into his story, this time in almost impeccable English. Still, he had a very noticeable German accent, and he threw German words in now and then. Kristoph was actually glad for that - without those little reminders, it almost felt like the intimacy they had shared in those initial days was no more. He was the one who had urged Klavier to use English more, but now that Klavier had chosen to use English even at home, Kristoph found that he liked it much better when they had spoken exclusively in German. Klavier was demonstrating more and more often that Kristoph really didn't know all that much about him.
The next to go were the light, lavender shirts that Klavier had borrowed from him. Each time they went shopping, Klavier slowly replaced his borrowed clothing with darker and more form-fitting clothes. Klavier's taste was certainly different from Kristoph's, but Kristoph had to admit that the dark clothing brought out the blue in Klavier's eyes and the color complemented his hair. Klavier's choice of clothing wasn't all that alarming, but Kristoph was surprised when Klavier began wearing chains, rings, and even earrings. He had not taken Klavier to get his ears pierced. Klavier must have gone by himself or with "friends." Kristoph made no comment on the earrings - Klavier cared about appearances just as much as he did, even if they expressed that in a different way - but Kristoph did question Klavier about who he had gone with. Kristoph didn't trust these classmates of Klavier's. Klavier was at such an impressionable age.
His little brother was a very fast learner. He was also an attractive boy. His teachers found him to be a genius - he excelled at everything so much that they recommended him to skip a grade. His female classmates hung on to his every word. Even his male classmates were in awe of Klavier. Normally, with an appearance and an intelligence like his, he should have been garnering envy and hurtful words, but it wasn't so for Klavier. Klavier was the love of the class with his curiosity and his friendly nature. Everyone wanted to be like him, but Klavier only wanted to be like his older brother. Klavier even expressed interest in wanting to study law just like his older brother Kristoph, but music put a snag into that plan.
to be continued
Next Part