22

[takethat]

[Thanks to Larry not knowing how to operate a stepladder correctly, Phoenix is currently laid up in bed, blue cast on his right leg, and an endless stream of whining ever at the ready.

He's also incredibly bored. Painting and drawing got old long ago, and he can't seem to stay focused on anything he tries to read. Never mind that he could probably pretty easily get out of bed and actually do something despite his (not very severely) broken leg...

He whines, over-dramatic, into the journal.]

Don't trust Larry Butz, everybody... he'll just break your bones and make you miserable...

...on a related note, come and sign my cast.

[With a bit of apprehension, he adds a filter.]



Um... Trucy? ...mind keeping your uh... old man... company for a little while?

[Good lord but he feels ridiculous even asking this of a teenager he's only just recently met.]

Comments

[cantacquityou]

Perhaps I should think to tie you up whenever you get out of hand, since the idea seems to please you so.

[takethat]

I thought you'd probably take to that concept pretty quickly.

[cantacquityou]

Whatever gets you to behave...

[takethat]

But Miles. Think about it logically.

[Snerk]

...if I like it, and I get what I like from misbehaving, chances are good I would "behave" even less.

[cantacquityou]

Then I'll just have to get a hell of a lot of rope.

[takethat]

[A laugh, and he shifts to get more comfortable.]

How promising.

[cantacquityou]

Hmph.


[He chuckles.

...


...Backtrack.]



...Wait, is that something you actually like?

[takethat]

[Blink.

Time for a slightly more flustered Phoenix.]

Admittedly, I have one single instance of experience in that regard... but...

[cantacquityou]

..."But"?

[takethat]

...











...I was unopposed to it?

["But please don't hurt me," he'd like to add. Oops.]

[cantacquityou]

I...suppose this...is the sort of thing I should be aware of...

[takethat]

N-no, you really don't have to think about it...

[cantacquityou]

As your lover, is it not my duty to know what pleases you?

[This is a chuckle. Of embarrassment.]

[takethat]

[Good thing Phoenix doesn't realize that's an embarrassed chuckle... he'd probably be all mushy about it if he did.]

Honestly... Miles... j-just, you know, being with you, that's "pleasing" enough...

[...or he'd be mushy anyway.

Even so, he means that; he hasn't been concerned with anything out of the ordinary, so happy is he just to be involved in this relationship at all.]

[cantacquityou]

Oh, I am relieved. I couldn't imagine the embarrassment having to read one of those magazines of yours...

[takethat]

...there's not a lot of "reading" involved.

[cantacquityou]

I... bet.

[A pause. He'll just pretend as if he is not absolutely flustered to ask this question..]


Say, just out of curiosity, have you thought to look at any...mmm - how should I say this? - men's magazines?

[takethat]

...w-well, yes....

[Thankful, now, that he's still leaning on Edgeworth's shoulder and his bright red face isn't visible...]

...actually, I have. Lately.

[cantacquityou]

...I see.

[Awkward chuckle.]

So that is where you have been getting your little ideas...

[takethat]

Consider it research. For the benefit of both of us.

[cantacquityou]

Hmph. Consider me grateful...

[A pause.]

Well, in that case, have y-...


[...um. Wait.]

[takethat]

...have I what?

[He sits back a bit, trying now to catch Edgeworth's gaze.]

What's on your mind?

[cantacquityou]

-Oh God. What have I gotten myself into...?-

...It is nothing. Nothing important. Forget it.

[Suddenly, he's trying to read again.]

[takethat]

No sir.

[He splays a hand out over that book.]

What were you going to say?

[cantacquityou]

Oh, just when have I become like you to not think before I speak...?