[RL 52: There's no way this could end badly; Edgeworth, the Corinthian]

"Are you so sure? I've got lunch fare, if you'd prefer." Sieghard came up behind them on their way to the kitchen, insinuating himself artfully between the nightmare and his master while they walked.

At the Corinthian's suggestion, Edgeworth paused in the hall, glancing back over his shoulder, his eyebrow cocked curiously. "Such as?"

And the moment Edgeworth stopped the nightmare stepped around the dog to settle right behind the man, arms winding lazily around him waist. He leaned over his shoulder, three small smirks crossing his face.

"I'm sure we could come up with a few things...."

Caught completely by surprise, Edgeworth jerked away from the contact with enough force to send him stumbling into the wall if the Corinthian's grip didn't hold. Behind them, Sigi lowered his head and stared warily at the scene, his hackles raising.

Thankfully, the grip did hold. Tightened, even, and quickly pulled the man back against him when he started to stumble.

But once he was sure that Edgeworth was no longer at risk of falling over he actually let his hold go slack--didn't let go completely, but if Edgeworth had wanted it wouldn't be at all hard to move away--and leaned back with a raised brow. "Or....not, then?"

Having his momentum interrupted led to Edgeworth falling back heavily into the nightmare's grip. He tensed, gritting his teeth while a rather vehement curse flashed through his mind. This scenario was also disturbingly familiar...and if his suspicions were correct, this virus was going to be far less tolerable with only one of them affected.

"'Not' is good," he replied firmly, slipping out of the nightmare's uncomfortably casual embrace.

"You act like you know for sure what I even had in mind." His voice was flat, a frown replacing those smirks almost instantly. As much as the nightmare wanted to reach out and grab the man back, he managed, rather reluctantly, to hold off. At least for now. Instead, he crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall. "I think you're worrying your mutt over there."

Edgeworth frowned at the use of the word 'mutt,' but managed to restrain himself from commenting. He had every right to be frustrated over the situation, he was quite sure of that, but the Corinthian could hardly be blamed for their predicament. Lashing out at him wouldn't improve matters.

He glanced past the nightmare to confirm what he'd said: Sigi's ears were back and his hackles were up, and the tense line of his back made it clear he was waiting for a command to action. Edgeworth swallowed and said gently, "Sigi, komm." When the dog padded over, he leaned over to rub his head and neck vigorously before turning his attention back to his companion.

"Whatever you had in mind, the prelude was enough to tell me it wasn't of interest to me."

"You never know." The smirk was a bit thin when it returned, barely tolerant, but he made no other moves for the time being. That....hadn't been the way he wanted things to go. Not that he was surprised they did, but he didn't want Edgeworth to become upset with him for anything while they were together. Not when it would make things more difficult on both of them in the long run. He just wanted to spend a day or two relaxing with his friend before he was finally able to go and.....

....well, he'd just have to worry about that another time. For now he sighed, and he finally looked away as he awkwardly straightened up, though he stopped himself from walking over to where the other man stood. "If I have to be stuck here, I may as well make the most of it. I'm not just sitting around and watching you work all day this time."

The frown hadn't left his features. In fact, it only deepened as the conversation went on, until Edgeworth reminded himself of the assumption under which his friend was operating. Under those circumstances, Edgeworth's rejection took on a whole other meaning, and he was finding it difficult to press the matter hard enough to hurt. He sighed softly, shaking his head.

"So long as I'm left to my own devices, you're free to occupy yourself however you see fit. Once my work is done...I may be willing to join you, depending on what the entertainment of the moment may be."

If Edgeworth had been hoping to help placate the nightmare with his reply, it....wasn't quite the reaction he got. No, it earned a quiet scoff out of him, the smirk fading into a mildly exasperated frown as he moved, walked back over to him with a small shake of his own head.

And again he didn't pay any mind at all to Edgeworth's personal space.

"How often do I actually get to see you?" The question sounded almost genuinely hurt, but just one look at him could show that the feeling didn't quite reach much further. "You can work later."

Now that he could see it coming, now that there was a challenge inherent in the gesture, Edgeworth couldn't allow himself to back away from the intrusion into his personal space. Muscles tightening, he stood stock still and met the Corinthian's 'gaze' without a visible sign of trepidation.

"I will...directly after breakfast. Considering I should already be on my way to work by then, I think putting it off that long is more than generous." With a sharp accent on the last words and his eyes narrowed in warning, he turned and moved to stalk off down the hall, hoping to put an end to the conversation.

The man wasn't allowed to get very far; the Corinthian's reaction was quick, grabbing the rope between them and pulling Edgeworth back with a swift yank. Back against him, so he he could wrap an arm firmly around the man's shoulders. Keep him close.

"I was hoping you'd make this a little easier." It was a muttered response, only barely audible, but he shook his and looked at Edgeworth with a deceptively calm expression. "Later. Please?"

Whether the warning bells hadn't gone off before or he simply hadn't registered them, they were impossible to ignore now. A sharp cry escaped his throat as he was dragged back into the nightmare's waiting arms and embraced with a mixture of intimacy and possessiveness that made his skin crawl. This was a side he'd never seen the first time they'd been together, when the Corinthian had been cautious and deferential to a fault.

The sudden movement and, probably more importantly, Edgeworth's reaction to it appeared to have set off Sigi's warning bells as well. The dog was tense and bristling in front of Edgeworth now, his eyes fixed on the Corinthian, and a warning growl issued from his throat. "Bleib," Edgeworth snapped. Sigi relaxed immediately, though he kept his eyes trained on the Corinthian.

Potential crisis averted, Edgeworth turned his attention back to his companion. Perhaps he was simply reading too much into all of this. In context it didn't seem so far-fetched. Having the situation thrust upon them and having to endure unwelcome touches could be prompting him to overreact... And a supposed partner asking for more time was hardly an unreasonable request. Edgeworth clenched his jaw and placed his hands on the nightmare's arm, pulling on it in a gentle cue to release him. In a measured tone, he asked, "If I put my work off for a few hours, what would I be putting it off for?"

A sharp look was briefly thrown in the dog's direction, but Edgeworth's next response pulled the nightmare's gaze back just as fast. It caused him to pause, as though he had to think about what was just said.

And when he smiled, the gesture small and faintly relieved. There was no warning before he leaned in to nuzzle the man's neck with surprising fondness, but any comfort that may have been intended disappeared when his hold on Edgeworth tightened further, his free hand going up to grip the one gently tugging on his arm. Everything to keep him from leaving.

"I'm sure you can use your imagination," he said after a moment, a chuckle hiding under his tone. But when he looked up again it only was to gesture over at the dog still standing in front of them.

"But first, that has to be put away."

With that, all attempts to rationalize and excuse the Corinthian flew out the proverbial window. This was wrong, so very wrong. Whatever virus the nightmare was currently affected by, Edgeworth was now certain it wasn't the one he had assumed. The realization filled him with dread even as the hand closing around his arm caused a feeling of entrapment to bloom like fire in his chest.

"He is fine where he is. And before this goes any further, I think we need to talk." His tone was very carefully controlled, calm on the surface, if subtly strained underneath. He leaned away from the man and tried once again to gently extricate himself from the Corinthian's grasp, giving him one last opportunity to prove he was simply being...overzealous about his attention. "I believe this rope isn't the only virus effect we have to worry about."

Again, the nightmare's grip held firm. It seemed almost a touch harsher as he held Edgeworth flush against him, as if he was no longer bothering to even attempt anything remotely like reassurance. And still the calm in his voice never wavered.

"What makes you say that?" It was an all too innocent question, a mix of genuine curiosity and confusion, though not half a beat later it vanished with a small growl. He took a step back, taking Edgeworth with him, as he eyed the dog in growing irritation. His voice was low when he spoke again.

"Look. You can put him away, or I can deal with him for you."

The growl prompted an answering growl from the dog, who seemed ready to act in spite of his master's command. Edgeworth stumbled back with the nightmare, visibly paling at his threat, and his own grip tightened as his eyes found Sigi's glaring eyes and starkly white teeth.

"This," and he squirmed a bit in the nightmare's arms, pulling against his grip just enough to indicate what he was talking about, "makes putting him away a bit difficult." It was said with far more calm than he was feeling at that point.

There was a brief pause as the Corinthian considered.

Then, much to even his own surprise, he slowly released the man, if not a little reluctantly. And still without letting go entirely; one hand remained on Edgeworth's shoulder, just short of bruising, to keep him firmly between the nightmare and the dog. It was as much for Sigi's protection as it was for the Corinthian's. "Just put him in your office or something. He can come out when he calms down."

Edgeworth's quick acquiescence had been more for Sigi's benefit than the Corinthian's, but under the circumstances he had no idea the nightmare had the same considerations in mind. He gave an inaudible sigh as those (preternaturally powerful, his mind helpfully reminded him) arms unfolded to release him, and even started forward to try to soothe Sieghard when the nightmare's bruising grip pulled him up short again.

Gritting his teeth, Edgeworth stood before the Corinthian and held his hand out to the dog. The option of telling him to packen didn't even cross his mind. "Sigi, komm," he muttered in what he hoped was a reassuring voice. As always, the dog did as he was told, though he kept a wary eye on the Corinthian while Edgeworth took a few tense moments to pet and fuss over him. As Edgeworth, giving the nightmare a wide berth, lead the dog back to the office and directed him in with a firm, "Geh rein," Sigi readily went into the room, but he gave his master an almost confused look as the door was shut behind him.

After a few moments of silence, Edgeworth let go of the doorknob and looked back at the Corinthian. "You're not yourself."

It was only after the office was closed with the dog tucked inside that the Corinthian let his hand slide down Edgeworth's arm, before it fell away completely. Though he moved to stand beside his friend again, he seemed content to lean against the wall for now, hands slipped comfortably into his pockets while he looked at the man. Such a stark contrast to his attitude not ten seconds ago.

"I think I'm more myself now than I've ever been," he replied after a few moments. "What's wrong with that?"

The change was almost startling, so much so that for a moment Edgeworth nearly doubted his own assumption. He had to replay the last few minutes over in his mind to assure himself that he wasn't mistaken, that his instincts had been all too accurate. He took the opportunity to take a few steps down the hall, putting as much distance between them as the rope would allow.

"If you're right, then I think I prefer your pseudo-self's company. He'd never have to ask what was wrong with this picture."

"Possibly because there isn't anything wrong." It should have come as no surprise that when Edgeworth started to move, the nightmare straightened and followed, never allowing much distance to come between them. Once upon a time it may have seemed like a protective gesture, or perhaps even obedient, but as it was now....

"So I'm not acting like some twitchy little child anymore. It that really a bad thing?"

As it was now, it seemed oppressive and perhaps vaguely threatening. Edgeworth allowed the man's hovering to drive him further into the apartment and continued on to the kitchen, though he wasn't sure anymore of what he'd do when they got there.

"If it inspires you to manhandle me and threaten my dog, yes, I'd say it is," he snapped coldly.

"Funny, I thought I was keeping him from getting hurt," he said dryly, following close on the man's heels. The moment they were in the kitchen, however, he grabbed Edgeworth by the arm, pushed his roughly back against a counter top and boxed him in with his own arms on either side. There was nothing "vague" about the action this time, nothing that could be mistaken from what it really was.

"I just want to spend a little time with you while I have the chance." Perhaps even more unmistakable were the fingers that idly reached up to brush against Edgeworth's cheek, before they gripped his chin, forced him to meet his eyes. "I'm done letting every opportunity that's handed to me pass on by."

Caught off guard, Edgeworth didn't have a chance to resist before he was pinned against the counter with a gasp. He grimaced as he glared furiously up at the Corinthian, both his pride and tailbone smarting from the rough treatment, but it wasn't until the nightmare began to speak that a chill began to creep inexorably through his body. He tried to turn away from the touch, from the words, from those empty eyes, and was predictably put back in his place in time for the most discomforting statement of all.

A long pause followed the proclamation. When Edgeworth finally spoke, his voice contained a trace of fear whose source could easily be mistaken, given his current position.

"Opportunities for what, Corinthian? I don't recall you ever passing up an offer to spend time together."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject