[RL: Sunday, Noon - Lunch [Freud!Virus] | Phoenix; Edgeworth]

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix stared at the piece of paper in front of him. The prospect of eating raw fish didn't seem as appetizing as his lunch companion made it out to be, and the fact that he didn't recognize a single item on the list only served to make him more skeptical. Magura? Hamachi? Kani kama? Perhaps if there had been some kind of explanation, he may have been less inclined to set the paper aside in favor of the regular lunch menu, although that was a very large if.

As he scanned the selections, he sighed in relief. At least you couldn't go wrong with a teriyaki beef bowl, right?

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

"You think it's normal to speak of him so often? Despite what you seem to believe, my life doesn't revolve around Wright. There are other, more relevant matters we could be discussing." As he spoke a mild irritation had bled into his voice, and when he reached for another bite of rice he stabbed the chopsticks into the bowl a little too forcefully.

With his food halfway to his mouth he stopped again, his brow furrowing slightly as he shot a brief glance across the table. "There has been a...recent development in the situation." Hurriedly he stuck the rice in his mouth, though not quickly enough to prevent the loss of a few grains that fell back into the bowl.

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix was about to ask what Edgeworth would rather discuss when the other man spoke again, and Phoenix quickly found himself tense once more. Suppressing the urge to whip out his cell phone and call for help, he swallowed hard, suddenly feeling a bit light-headed. "What... what kind of development?"

[samuraiprosecutor]

"A minor kind, though I'm sure you'll ascribe more importance to it than is necessary." A sharp glare at his associate before Edgeworth leaned back in his seat, setting the chopsticks on the side of his rice bowl. "It came to my attention recently that he's an...he's rather attractive. It was never anything I considered before, but in the nature of such things once it's come to your attention it's difficult to do anything other than acknowledge it."

His voice was uncharacteristically hesitant, and inwardly he halfheartedly cursed himself. It was a simple matter, really, and foolish. Whatever Ellison thought of it wouldn't change the reality of the situation. With an imperious tilting of his eyebrow, Edgeworth quickly added, "Before you jump to the conclusion I'm sure you're about to, the sentiment means nothing. For me, there's a distinct separation between idle fantasy and actual desires. Base urges are natural, but unlike some I attribute no more importance to them than they deserve."

[attorneyatlol]

As Edgeworth spoke, Phoenix could feel his face prickling with discomfort once again and his eyes wandered the restaurant nervously. The place was still relatively empty and no one appeared to be paying attention, though it did nothing to slow his pulse nor quell the sudden hitch in his breath. He hadn't realized his jaw was clenched so tightly until a dull ache throbbed in his temples when he opened his mouth to speak. "Edgeworth..." He began, uncertain, as he brought his attention back to the man across from him. "I- I'm sure he understands that, and so do I, but... Why are you telling me this?" Eyes briefly flicked as the host walked by, leading a couple to a table near theirs. "And do you really think you should be telling me here?"

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth shrugged; the gesture was far more nonchalant than what it was meant to hide. "I'm not advertising anything. My voice isn't raised and there's no one close enough for privacy to be a concern." He gave Ellison a measured look. "As for why, that's how this," he gestured between them, "works. It's unlike you to be questioning the release of such information. This is the sort of thing you usually hunt for."

[attorneyatlol]

For a moment, all Phoenix could do was stare until his tense muscles protested and he slumped, defeated, against the back of his seat. He brought a hand to his forehead and shot a desperate glance at the kitchen, but as expected, Kim failed to appear, and Phoenix hesitantly brought his gaze back to Edgeworth. He was at a complete loss. "Who do you think I am?"

[samuraiprosecutor]

"Supposedly someone who's meant to help me. Currently you're not managing it well."

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix simply shook his head; the only available option seemed to be playing along. Even if Kim returned with their check, he wasn't sure what could be done beyond dragging Edgeworth to a hospital, a feat which Phoenix truthfully didn't see ending well. "You'll have to forgive me," he sighed, rubbing his temple, "but I can't help thinking this isn't something you'd normally be so open about."

It was then a thought struck him, and he halted his ministrations, fixing Edgeworth with a studious gaze. The other man wasn't ill, at least not in any way Phoenix was familiar with, but the uncharacteristic behavior coupled with the lack of any other symptoms seemed very reminiscent of past afflictions. His jaw clenched.

[samuraiprosecutor]

"There's little need to hide a sentiment that means nothing. ...And whatever you might think of it, that is what it means." He met his associate's gaze with a warning glare, then reached for his glass. The ice within had all but totally melted and the surface was covered in condensation. He paused to dry it with a napkin before taking a long sip.

[attorneyatlol]

Expression softened, Phoenix relegated himself to listening. He folded his arms, gaze falling to the tabletop. "I know it is," he said softly.

Someone would answer for this.

[samuraiprosecutor]

What little ice was left in the glass tinkled softly as Edgeworth set it on the table. He stared at it, momentarily transfixed, though his gaze seemed to focus on some unseen point past the glass. Finally he spoke again, his voice unusually soft, sober. "Wright claimed to understand that as well. He found out, but when we discussed the matter he said nothing would change. I'm...not sure that I can believe him."

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix frowned, brows furrowed as his eyes shot up. He shifted uncomfortably; perhaps the food wasn't agreeing with him. "Has he done something to make you think that?"

[samuraiprosecutor]

"No. The discussion was recent. We haven't spoken much since." He glanced up, found Ellison's gaze fixed intently on him, and looked back down again. "Limited as my personal experience in this field might be, I'm not completely oblivious. I know such things mean more to most people than they do to me. He might...project, or misinterpret. He might assume something that isn't there, or grow uncomfortable due to imagined...advances."

[attorneyatlol]

Whatever agitation Phoenix had been feeling, whatever anger he was projecting towards those he assumed responsible, vanished with the other man's words. Edgeworth was afraid, he realized, and that thought alone was sobering.

"That's not going to happen," Phoenix firmly assured. "He's your friend, Edgeworth. It'll take more than that to drive him away." A smile, small but genuine, peaked the corners of his lips. "You should know that."

[samuraiprosecutor]

A derisive, somewhat ungentlemanly snort escaped Edgeworth. "If he hasn't left after..." a moment's hesitation,"...everything, I imagine I'll never be totally rid of him." He lapsed into silence, as he reflexively brought one hand up to rub nervously at his arm.

"Yet being present and remaining the way we are now are two mutually exclusive things. If my foolishness has..." A struggle flickered over his features, and he finally sighed, stubbornly turning his eyes away from Ellison as if attempting to forget he was there. "He means...a great deal to me. Not in the capacity I'm sure you're imagining, but he holds an important place in my life. I never wanted him to. Now...I'd rather not lose whatever's there."

[attorneyatlol]

As Edgeworth spoke, Phoenix simply watched, making a concerted effort to ignore his own unsettling stomach and the way his heart beat intently against his chest. The things he heard, the words Edgeworth was saying... Although it was encouraging to know where he stood, Phoenix realized these words would have otherwise gone unspoken between them and the fact that he was now wise to these private sentiments made him feel voyeuristic. Ashamed, he lowered his gaze. "You won't…” he said. “I promise. I-"

"How is everything?"

With a jump, Phoenix’s head immediately snapped up to find their waiter standing next to him. Kim, of course, remained politely silent, though a slight quirk of his brow gave away his curiosity, and Phoenix quickly cleared his throat, not deigning to look at Edgeworth.

"Oh. We're, um..." An attempt was made to dismiss the concern with an offhand smile, but Phoenix had a feeling he was failing miserably and finally sighed. "I think we need the check."

Kim nodded. "Of course. Would you like some boxes for your food?"

"Uh, sure. No," he corrected, and Kim's brow raised just a bit higher. Phoenix cringed. "I mean... The check is fine."

"...Of course." Nodding once more, the waiter hesitated for a split second before making his departure, disappearing somewhere in the back of the restaurant.

With another sigh, Phoenix watched him leave before turning his attention back to the table, though he found himself unable to look at Edgeworth.

[samuraiprosecutor]

When their waiter approached the table, Edgeworth didn't bother to look at him. Thankfully, the man's presence interrupted Ellison, and Edgeworth was quite willing to allow him to handle the details of the obvious end of their meal. In fact, he relaxed marginally at the distraction. He knew his therapist's next words would have been more hollow reassurances, more promises covering someone else's behavior. They meant nothing, and Edgeworth was glad not to be subjected to them. If it meant the loss of several pieces of expensive sushi...well, it would take a while to get back to his apartment, and sushi didn't keep very well, anyway.

As soon as the waiter was gone Edgeworth stood, grabbed his coat off the seat back, and pulled out his wallet. Calmly he laid several bills in the middle of the table. "That should cover my portion."

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix glanced up at the movement and immediately stood in response. "Where are you going?"

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth hesitated only a fraction of a second. "Home. I have an...appointment to prepare for. I'll call to schedule our next meeting."

[attorneyatlol]

"Hold it!"

[samuraiprosecutor]

The exclamation caused Edgeworth to pause in the middle of putting away his wallet. He fixed Ellison with a cold stare. "Is there a problem?"

[attorneyatlol]

"I, uh..." Phoenix lowered his gaze. His hand self-consciously wandered to his neck, lightly scratching the short wisps of hair while he took a moment to consider his words; he hadn't exactly thought this through (not that that was a first).

Uncertain, he frowned at Edgeworth. "Maybe I should go with you..?"

[samuraiprosecutor]

It was the last thing Edgeworth expected his therapist to say. His eyes widened momentarily before narrowing to a heated glare. "I'm capable of finding my own way home." With that he turned toward the door, preparing to leave.

[attorneyatlol]

As Edgeworth walked away, Phoenix watched, at a complete and total loss, before finally kick-starting himself in motion. Quickly fishing a few bills out for his share of the meal, he tossed them on the table, threw his own jacket over his arm, and made quick strides to catch up, stopping beside Edgeworth as they both reached the door. "What about a cab?" he suggested, almost desperately. "We could share one. That stuff was strong, after all." He knew his argument held absolutely no water, but it was worth a shot.

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth's already frayed patience was growing thinner by the moment. He tensed noticeably as Ellison walked up beside him, and shot him another glare as he laid his palm on the handle of the door. "I'm walking, if that's what's concerning you. I live close by."