(saying this as someone who likes the idea of dadnix) About the dynamics apollo-phoenix, many like the “phoenix is a dad to apollo” dynamic more than the canon dinamic (shitty boss, shitty client who nearly disbarred him shortly after making his debut, treats apollo as the cleaning person of the agency, clear favoritism towards athena, etc.) is because of apollo and trucy being siblings. And because the idea of phoenix adopting apollo so trucy can have her brother back is really compelling in this fandom.Is the yearn for the woob, fix it and wholesome fluffy adopted family dynamics that is a prevalent theme in the franchise. And if canon doesn’t support that is best to ignore it.
I feel you, anon. It’s a very compelling dynamic to imagine for them. It’s really emotionally satisfying, and it would be nice if we saw more of it in the text. I love to see their relationship get to that place in fanfic.
It’s pretty clear that Apollo does crave Phoenix’s approval, too, judging by his reaction in Spirit of Justice to Phoenix putting him in charge while he’s gone, and saying he’s proud of him. Not going to lie, that made me tear up.
But part of the reason it did make me tear up and felt like such a huge deal is because as you suggest, it stands in stark contrast to every other interaction between them in canon. Where Apollo is constantly given the shit jobs, manipulated, and passed over in favor of others.
The bonus case in Dual Destinies where Apollo is left alone at the office to do the chores while everyone else investigates (and makes fun of him), was a pretty egregious example of this.
I really want Phoenix Wright to be nice to Apollo, to have a kind of fatherly relationship with him– but he just kind of doesn’t.
The best he really manages in canon is jerk big brother.
Discussion ¬