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[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]

[Gazing levelly at Edgeworth.]



How do you know what I do and don't want?

[cantacquityou]

For one thing, you're still shy. [Gesturing to his hiding behind the door.]

[takethat]

I don't think being a little shy has anything to do with it!

[Also, he's not sure how to feel about Edgeworth definitely having control of this situation; he's worrying a little more than he ordinarily would be, since he can't seem to quite keep up with Edgeworth here.]

[cantacquityou]

[If only he realized that Phoenix was once again competing with him inwardly, he would be greatly amused...more than he already is, anyway.]

Oh, really?

[takethat]

[Please. Everything's a competition between these two--even romance.]

If you really want to be that boring, then I'll just... leave you alone about it.

[And, in one last attempt at proving he's on top of this, he'll turn and march his naked bum right over to the tub and climb in.]

[cantacquityou]

[Before Phoenix walks off, he utters with an oddly whimsical hint of delight to his tone.]

I'll join you shortly...

[...and he walks off.]

[takethat]

[He shakes his head with a quiet laugh and sinks into the hot water, exhaling powerfully as suddenly all the events of the day come rushing back to him.

God, it's been a tough one.

There's some kind of aromatherapeutic something in the water, and he's grateful for it (is that lavender?) as he shuts his eyes, trying to picture each of his worries just melting away into the water. It's an old relaxation trick of his, and it usually helps; this time, it's sending him into a pseudo-sleep. Within a few minutes, he's dozing there, some distant memory of having a fish tail tugging at his consciousness.]

[cantacquityou]

[Some ten minutes later, Phoenix should feel a light stroking of his hair.

Edgeworth sits to the edge of the bath, upon the top of the steps, clad in a deep red bathrobe, lined with black and gold.]

[takethat]

[He feels it, but it takes him a moment to stir from his dozing. When he does, he's startled for a half-second by Edgeworth.]

What--!

...oh, Miles? I guess I fell asleep...

[cantacquityou]

[Oh...how cute. He lowers his head to meet Phoenix's, playing with the lobe of Phoenix's ear.]

...That you did.

[takethat]

[For once, he doesn't shiver when Miles touches him--probably because he's steaming like an asparagus in the bathtub. He smiles lopsidedly.]

I'm glad you came back. Didn't expect you to.

[cantacquityou]

You continue to doubt my honesty, I see...

[takethat]

Just your returning.

[cantacquityou]

I rest my case.

[takethat]

[He shuts his eyes again, steeling himself not to pick a fight.]

Whatever you say, Miles.

[cantacquityou]

Well, if you were still hoping for my company, you'll have to grant me a bit of space.

[takethat]

Mmhm.

[He's still a bit sleepy and relaxed, but he scoots up to give Edgeworth plenty of room.]

[cantacquityou]

[He removes his robe, folding it and setting it aside, and slowly climbs in. He leans back on the wall of the bath, draping his arms on the edge of the bath and flinging his head back, exhaling appreciatively.]

[takethat]

[In an instant, Phoenix leans back against him, whether he's invited or not, and murrs in appreciation of the comfort.]

[cantacquityou]

[...Which is what he was going to invite him to do, anyway. For once, they are one the same wavelength.

He promptly wraps his arms around his waist, depositing his chin in the dip of his shoulder.]

[takethat]

[If someone had told him a month ago that he'd be sharing a bath with Miles Edgeworth soon, he'd have probably told them to stop being so mean to his poor emotions.

As it is, he pulls in a deep breath and runs his palms along Edgeworth's legs lazily. For the second time today, he's reduced to speechlessness.]

[cantacquityou]

Mmnn. This is a lovely idea. Why haven't we done this before?

[takethat]

Because up until a short time ago we would've probably both freaked out at the possibility? [He chuckles] But let's make it a habit more often...

[cantacquityou]

We would have only pretended to 'freak out' at the possibility.

[takethat]

I guess that's true.

Either way, it doesn't matter now. [Because the physical contact and the heat from the water are working together to make him lightheaded, and it's a wonderful feeling, and not much else matters.]