ACE ATTORNEY AU

[enigmaster]

Comments

[agoodname]

Yes, which is why I'm trying not to, now that you've said it's going well. [dryly, in return]

[enigmaster]

Alright, well. Go ahead, then. [He... tries to make his tone light.]

[agoodname]

Thank you. [EVEN DRIER

but that, at least, helps his focus a bit--and he manages the next two tumblers fairly handily]

[enigmaster]

[Edward just... watches. Waits. Sees how Oswald's doing.]

[agoodname]

[well now he can just feel the hairs on the back of his neck prickle because he knows Edward is watching him and that's tying his stomach up in knots all over again--and he swallows again, faltering just a bit on the next tumbler, but managing to click it into place as well. Just one more to go. But he might be losing a bit of the tension he's put on the wrench, which could definitely be a problem.]

[enigmaster]

[Edward swallows and, without thinking, puts his hand on Oswald's arm.] Careful...

[agoodname]

[YEP HE'S GONNA JUST GO UTTERLY STILL WHEN EDWARD PUTS A HAND ON HIS ARM BECAUSE AHHHHHHH?????????!?!?!?!?!!! that sure is contact that he didn't expect and normally that's not a problem for him but this is Edward and he can feel the heat of his palm through his sleeve and he's even closer now and it's a good thing he didn't jerk in reaction because he would've lost that whole thing but he does freeze up for just a moment--before he swallows, putting a bit more tension back on the wrench] Ah--right. Yes. Thank you. [his voice is a bit strained and he's definitely flushed he can feel it and he takes in another breath and holds that tension and really tries to focus on that last tumbler and just hope that Edward doesn't move his hand]

[enigmaster]

[Edward realizes what he did only after Oswald speaks, bringing him back to reality a bit. And. Suddenly he's very aware that he reached out and touched Oswald. What he kind of wants to do is pull his hand back. Immediately. But he's... a little frozen and he doesn't know, really, so he just... stays. Like this. For now. It makes him nervous, but not as much as it should and it's. Odd. All of it is odd.]

[agoodname]

[Edward doesn't remove his hand. It stays there, warm, one of the few moments of physical contact that they've ever had, and the longest so far. Oswald almost doesn't want to finish this last tumbler, just to see how long it might last. To try and draw it out. But....finish it he does. It clicks into place, and Oswald takes a breath, turning it slowly until the lock pops open--and then he lets that breath out in a whoosh]

[enigmaster]

[The lock clicks. It opens. Oswald lets out a breath and... Edward pulls back. Suddenly, nervously, now that the moment's passed and he remembers himself. His body language is immediately more withdrawn and he swallows.] Ah... Good job.

[agoodname]

[the lock clicks--and the moment's gone. And Edward with it. True, it was only a hand on his arm but it was...he feels like he misses it already. Oswald head jerks over to look at him and he's...closed. Again. He swallows at that, and turns his attention back to the lock, withdrawing the tools, managing a small smile] I had a good teacher. [he sets the tools on the table, next to Edward's kit] Thank you.

[enigmaster]

It's no problem. [That comes easier, now, as he puts his defenses back up. Grabbing the sleeve of his sweater and just holding it. Grounding himself.] It is a good skill to know. It really comes in handy, though... Maybe more so with my circumstances.

[agoodname]

[and Oswald pushes to his feet, albeit a bit slowly. Sitting in one position mostly on the floor hasn't done anything for his ankle, and he was distracted enough not to notice--and he tightens his jaw, refusing to wince] You did mention that a lot of requests constituted breaking and entering, so I can see why you're so good at it. [he stretches a bit--before blinking at the clock] Ah...it's later than I thought. Perhaps we should put the movie off until tomorrow? [As Edward may start focusing a bit more on his surroundings again and not just Oswald, he'll notice both Elijah and the Russian maid sitting on the couch just...watching the two of them. The latter with rapt interest, the former with gentle curiosity.]

[enigmaster]

[Edward starts opening his mouth to answer... ...when he notices the audience they have. And his mouth shuts. He ducks his head a little and he stands up quickly. Maybe a bit too quickly, honestly.] Sure, that's fine. It is kind of late. [WOW THE FLOOR IS SO INTERESTING ALL OF A SUDDEN HE'S JUST GONNA KEEP STARING AT THAT NOW!]

[agoodname]

[Oswald blinks at bit at how abruptly and quickly he's stood] ...yes. I'll just...get my pajamas and then the room's yours. [and he's going to just...start heading to his bedroom and try not to feel disappointed because what were you THINKING was going to happen Oswald, what is there to be disappointed about???] "...Edward--" [and Elijah's starting to get up as well]

[enigmaster]

[Edward just... keeps staring at the floor.] Sure, um. I'll wait... [nope nope he can't deal with this right now]

[agoodname]

[Elijah frowns a bit at that, concerned now]

"...are you alright?"

[the question is quiet, inquisitive]

[enigmaster]

Yes. [The answer's immediate. Too quick. He's fine, so fine, why wouldn't this be fine. Everything's fine. We're all fine here.]

[agoodname]

"It's also fine if you aren't." [gently]

[enigmaster]

Well, that doesn't matter, because I am. Completely fine.

[agoodname]

"Yes." [still gentle, and not mocking in the slightest] "I simply wanted to be certain. Thank you for reassuring me."

[enigmaster]

[Edward swallows. He still doesn't look up.] ...Sure.

[agoodname]

[and he'll...leave it at that, about the same time that Oswald comes back, now dressed in his pajamas. He looks...smaller and softer whenever he's out of his suits and this moment is no exception. He looks as young as he actually is. He peers at Edward a bit, who is still...looking at the ground. Right. He swallows.]

I'm...I'm finished.

Thank you for waiting.

[enigmaster]

[Edward nods, at that. Also a little quickly. It... kind of betrays his nervousness.] Sure... Um. I'll just... [He looks up now, hesitantly.] ...I'll get out of your way, then.

[agoodname]

[Oswald frowns, just a touch, at that]

You're...not in my way. [his lips press together, briefly]