ACE ATTORNEY AU

[enigmaster]

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[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 His body language is immediately more withdrawn and he swallows.]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]

[enigmaster]

[His grip on his sleeve tightens visibly.] ...Poor phrasing, then.

[agoodname]

....it's fine. [....what is happening. He swallows.] Anyway. Um. Good night?

[enigmaster]

Right, yes. Good night. [He takes his box, obviously, since. Well. Clothes in there and all. And then he just... makes his way over to the bedroom. Sitting down on the bed and letting out a long breath. Then... inhale. Exhale. Slow breaths. He's. Fine.]

1/2

[agoodname]

[and Oswald just....sits down, hard, on the couch. Stupid. Stupid--he shouldn't have--and he presses his fingers to his eyes, not thinking about it, don't think about it, just-- He shouldn't have done. Edward's clearly uncomfortable and whatever Oswald did, with however he reacted, it must've been too obvious how much he wanted Edward to touch him, how much he wanted his attention, for him to be close and he-- He should have pulled back. Put some distance. Paid better attention to Edward's reactions and not been so stuck in feeling besotted that he was blinded to how uncomfortable he was. Oswald swallows, dropping his hands and reaching for the blanket he used last night, and pulling it around his shoulders. He should just...sleep. Maybe he'll wake up and Edward will be gone. Maybe he'll still be there. Either way, he's...he can't do that again. If Edward stays. He has nowhere else to go, and how horrible would it be if he thought he was obligated to the clearly unwanted attention that Oswald put on him? He lays down on the couch, reaching for a pillow and tucking it under his head, and closing his eyes. ]

2/2

[agoodname]

"....do you want to talk about it?" [softly, though Elijah doesn't fully materialize, clearly unsure of his welcome]

[enigmaster]

[Edward doesn't look up. He opens his mouth, he's not sure if it's to say no, go away, please go away or to say yes, god, please. He doesn't know. He doesn't know and he just closes his mouth, slowly, and stays quiet, because he can't decide on what to even say. So that's... not much of an answer.]

[agoodname]

[....that's not a no.

Elijah finishes materializing, and sits next to Edward on the bed. and just...waits.]

[enigmaster]

[Edward withdraws into himself more. It's... hard. He's not sure he can say anything. He just knows that, at some point, the nervousness turned into anxiety which is slowly just turning into all-encompassing fear. It's familiar. That doesn't really make it any easier. He needs... a bit. Just give him a few more moments to get himself together. Slow breaths. It's fine, just. Slow breaths.]

[agoodname]

[that's fine. Edward can take all the time he needs. Elijah is used to being patient.]