[RL: After Dinner - Friday, 7:00PM | Phoenix; Edgeworth]

[attorneyatlol]

As they exited the restaurant, Phoenix fell in line behind Edgeworth, dreading everything from the walk to the parking complex to the ride in the car and especially the ultimate arrival at Edgeworth’s apartment. He had somehow managed to convince the other man to share a glass of wine with him before the night was over—one last celebratory gesture for an occasion Edgeworth seemed to care little for. Unbeknownst to Edgeworth, though, a throng of people were expectantly waiting for him there, standing in his living room, sitting on his couches, possibly eating his food… using his facilities…

Stomach twisted in knots, Phoenix tried very hard to focus on the bright side: dinner had been pleasant enough and thankfully affordable; despite knowing very little about sushi, he had managed to locate a restaurant that was both ‘decent’ (according to Edgeworth’s standards) and reasonably priced (according to Phoenix’s), and while their encounters were never perfect, Edgeworth had at least seemed to be enjoying himself. …As much as he ever allowed himself to, anyway.

…Which just made the whole thing that much worse.

Phoenix sighed, and for the umpteenth time that night, he wondered how the hell he had let Larry talk him into this.



((OOC: Post-dated to tomorrow evening. ...or would that be this evening? Oh well. Whoo~))

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

Despite Wright's haste the wait seemed interminable; as soon as the man was safely settled Edgeworth turned the key in the ignition, though he paused to determinedly ignore Wright's sigh before he drove out into the parking structure. At the exit booth he paid the fee without a word to the attendant, and the moment the bar was raised he turned onto the street with a slight squeal of tires.

[attorneyatlol]

The silence was quickly becoming oppressive, especially without any music to serve as a distraction. Phoenix frowned, casting a sidelong glance at Edgeworth every so often. The man was absolutely rigid, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as he stared intently at the road ahead, completely motionless.

“For what it’s worth,” Phoenix began before he realized he had anything to say, “I really did have a good time tonight.”

[samuraiprosecutor]

His anger didn't completely deflate. His fingers were still wrapped tightly around the steering wheel and his gaze remained fixated on the road ahead...but the tense line of his shoulders loosened somewhat, and his knuckles faded from white to his natural pale tone.

[attorneyatlol]

As Edgeworth visibly relaxed, Phoenix felt the tightness in his own muscles ebb away. It wasn’t much, but it was a start, he thought.

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth allowed the silence to drag on a while longer before breaking it. "It was a...pleasant evening." The words were softly spoken, and he flicked his eyes to the passenger's side as he said them.

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix turned to Edgeworth, a bit surprised by the sentiment but no less grateful. He smiled. “Maybe we can do it again some time.”

[samuraiprosecutor]

A stoplight granted him the time to spare another, longer glance at his companion. "...Perhaps. It will depend on the night's other events." A smirk briefly flashed across his lips, but was gone by the time he returned his attention to the road. "It might be difficult to share another meal if I'm incarcerated for the murder of one Larry Butz."

[attorneyatlol]

“We can always dine in prison,” he joked, unable to keep the smirk off of his face, “should you find yourself in need of an accomplice.” He still couldn’t believe that he had allowed himself to be talked into this, that he’d even entertained the possibility that this could be anything close to a good idea. At least Edgeworth seemed to be a bit calmer.

Thank goodness for small miracles, he thought.

[samuraiprosecutor]

"You'd be willing to go to prison on my behalf? How touching." His smirk returned and this time it remained in place. "Unless it's less for my benefit and more for Larry's detriment."

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix’s grin turned mildly sheepish. “Er… how about a little of both?”

[samuraiprosecutor]

"As long as Butz is made to suffer, that will suffice." Edgeworth fell silent as he turned off of Sepulveda; his home was minutes away now, and a chill seeped through his limbs in nervous anticipation.

[attorneyatlol]

The turn caused Phoenix to look out the window, and upon realizing where they were, a knot twisted his stomach anew. There was one last thing…

He reached into his pocket. “I’ll, uh… I’ll call him and let him know we’re on our way.”

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth's only response was to glance at Wright, his brows furrowed slightly, then return his attention to the road. Prospects for the evening seemed grim. Socializing wasn't something he was completely comfortable with when it was by his own choice; when it was all but forced on him...

With a resigned sigh and a growing feeling of dread he turned in to the complex.

Continued here, open invitation!!