[RL: Thursday Night, 8PM - Bella Cucina Italiana | Phoenix; Edgeworth]

[attorneyatlol]

It appeared dinner was coming to an end. Phoenix polished off the last few bites of his spinach ravioli (a dish he had ordered at Edgeworth’s thinly veiled challenge to try something new) and took a sip of Cabernet, already well into his third glass. The night had its bumps, as were inevitable when the two of them interacted socially, but it wasn’t unpleasant. More often than not, Edgeworth’s silence left Phoenix the task of filling awkward pauses, a responsibility not entirely unfamiliar. Although the other man had, perhaps, been a little more silent than usual tonight, it could have been attributed to many things: the late hour, for instance, or the fact that they had simply never done this before.

Several times over the course of the evening (and the course of the previous evening, for that matter), the thought had caused Phoenix to wonder. What had prompted Edgeworth to invite him to dinner? Why to a trendy Italian place on Hollywood Boulevard? As the familiar warmth and giddiness of one who’s just past their normal alcohol tolerance level settled in, however, Phoenix merely grinned, coming to the conclusion that the answers didn’t matter. They were two men enjoying each other’s company, and that was enough.

He aimed his gaze across the table, to his companion—his friend—and his smile grew softer. “I guess we should get the checks, huh?”



((OOC: Taking place the night after their IM conversation.))

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth made no protests, didn't call Wright back. He simply watched, expression indecipherable, as his companion...his friend walked away. Their waiter arrived shortly after; Edgeworth handled his portion of the bill and left without what remained of his lamb dinner. He climbed into his car slowly and leaned back in the driver's seat for several minutes, breathing deeply, his eyes fixed on some unseen point past the steering wheel.

The entire evening had hurt--too much, and that was the problem.

He drove home carefully, finished packing and made a few last-minute arrangements.


-End-