18

[takethat]

[Phoenix was whistling when he'd headed to Geoff's room, big goofy smile plastered onto his face and ready to share his good mood and maybe a few drinks with his dearest friend. It wasn't until after he'd knocked a couple of times that he noticed the missing nameplate.]

...oh, no.

[He tries the doorknob, finds it unlocked; when he slides into the room, everything is dark and bare, save for a few piles of personal belongings and a catlike Pokemon asleep amidst them all.

For a long while, Phoenix just stands there in the middle of the room, staring blankly. In some way, distantly, he's sure he's lucky--he's been here for eight months now, and this is the first time he's had to say goodbye to someone he's been very close to--but that thought isn't really helping. Looking to distract himself from threatening tears, he begins examining what's left behind in the abandoned room, and soon notices a stack of letters nearby. It doesn't take long for him to skim the opening note and sort through each of the labeled messages until he finds his own.

After he's read it over many times, he softly repeats the words he'd spoken to his friend that difficult night more than a month ago.]

Geoff... you still have people here who care about you, and you always will.

[And then, with a resolve that doesn't quite make it to his wavering voice, he cracks open his journal for the inevitable.]

Geoffrey Chaucer went home.

There's some stuff here. I guess we should divide it up, or something. And he left... there are letters. I don't even know some of you, but here are the names on the envelopes:

[Silence and a written list follow.]
Martel, Wesley, Ashura, Dairine, Del, Felix, Mark, Crowley, Fred, Nora, Cole, Gwaine

Comments

[takethat]

It's just nice to have you here... so close, and stuff.

[Suddenly, he's flustered with himself, feeling silly for trying to be... what? Romantic? Expressive of his feelings? Either way, it's not always something he has a lot of trouble with, but suddenly he feels very stupid to say such things.]

[cantacquityou]

[He snorts, trying to hold back a laugh]

I am sure even Lord Tennyson couldn't have expressed himself any better.

[takethat]

[He falls silent again, embarrassed and feeling his face flush.]

[cantacquityou]

[Saying nothing, he proceeds to drape his other arm about Phoenix's neck, leaning in closer. He nuzzles him distantly ...slowly ghosting the lobe of Phoenix's ear and the line of his jaw with the tip of his nose. A slight hum escapes as he does so.]

[takethat]

[Phoenix shivers at that, still too unused to this to keep from being completely shocked when Edgeworth actually makes advances. Still, he turns a bit to slink an arm around Edgeworth's waist, pulling him a bit closer, hoping to encourage some more of this snuggling.]

[cantacquityou]

[And he continues, speaking close to his ear.]

Are you feeling any better?

didn't get a notif of this ;;

[takethat]

Y-yes...

[And blushing considerably, too.]

You're very distracting.

[cantacquityou]

Is that all you can say?

[takethat]

Mm.

[He just grunts, and twists more, so that now he's able to press his lips against Edgeworth's jawline. This he does, repeatedly and a bit clumsily; clearly, the distraction was super effective.]

[cantacquityou]

[He slowly cranes his neck to grant Phoenix better access. Clumsy or not, his efforts are greatly appreciated, as his hand falls to rest itself upon Phoenix's hip, and reflexively gathers a bit of his shirt therein.


His eyes then fling open.]


Ah! The bath!

[takethat]

[He's just distantly wondering what he should try next, since the kisses were so well received, when Edgeworth's exclamation interrupts him.]

Huh?

[It takes his brain a moment to catch up, as foggy as it was getting a moment before. When it does, he whines.]

Just let it overflow...

[cantacquityou]

Hmph. [It's an amused noise...Nice to know Phoenix was enjoying himself, at least. He rests his chin in the dip of his collarbone and exhales, slowly running his hand up and down the spot on Phoenix's hip...]

...as tempting as that sounds...

[takethat]

["Enjoying himself" might be an understatement, and that sensation at his hip is making his head spin. It's been a while since he's been touched in any kind of a romantic sense.

Still, he reluctantly lets go.]

...s...stupid water. Interrupting things.

[And a nervous, short little laugh.]

[cantacquityou]

[He emits a low chuckle, himself, letting Phoenix go. He head toward the bathroom door.]

...You might wish to get ready for that bath.

[takethat]

Right. ...right.

[...but he's not moving anyway.]

[cantacquityou]

[By the time he got there, the water was a hair away from overflowing, so he took a moment to release a bit of it. A few minutes later, his voice sounds from inside, and he pokes his head into the room.]

Have you changed your mind?

[takethat]

No! No, I just... you know, I...

[Oh, screw it. He just shakes his head and stands up, heading to the bathroom and pulling his shirt off as he goes, giving Edgeworth a needlessly defiant look.]

[cantacquityou]

[Smirking, he watches him through the corner of his eye for a moment, before waltzing to the door.]

I'll leave you be. I trust you can take it from here?

[takethat]

Unless you want to help.

[He returns that smirk and is really only partly joking.]

[cantacquityou]

I seldom don't.

[takethat]

M-Miles!!

[He sputters a little too much at that. And here he thought he had the upper hand in that comment!]

[cantacquityou]

Oh, you were joking, were you?

[takethat]

Ha! You wish!!

[It's an almost nonsensical comeback, but he wasn't expecting to be taken up on his suggestion. He glances over at the hot tub of water and suddenly feels very cold standing there with his shirt off.]

...either way, that bath looks pretty inviting.

[And then he quirks an eyebrow, glances back to Edgeworth; for a moment, at least, he's regained his footing in the teasing banter.]

[cantacquityou]

[Oh, is Mr. Wright grasping? I think he is.]

...You are telling me? If you're simply going to stand there and stare, I may have to take it over, myself...

[takethat]

Hey, I already asked you.

[With a shrug, he moves to finish undressing himself. His hands are shaking, but he's banking on Edgeworth's bluffing... or his own nerves calming down a little.]