[RL 55: In the dog house; Edgeworth, Phoenix, Trucy]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Sigi heralds his arrival, getting to his feet and trotting to the door before there's any sound out in the hall. the dog's a little slower than he used to be, but still just as excited to have his master home.]

[Edgeworth comes in without a word, discards his coat at the hall tree, his briefcase on the sofa table, his keys in the decorative bowl that's received them as long as he's been in this apartment. He meets Phoenix's gaze for a moment while he stands behind the sofa and pets the dog.] Has Sigi been fed yet?

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

[His glare is positively venomous now, but he covers it quickly with a disinterested shrug. He's fought enough of these battles to recognize a defeat. The only way to save any face in such matters is to demonstrate clearly how little he cares about the outcome.] I suppose it really doesn't matter. Use whichever you think suits me best.

[He's praying that subtle emphasis on 'me' will head off anything too outlandish.]

[magicalhalfpint]

You look like a Papa to me!

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix nods his agreement, still smirking.] Yeah, I think that's my favorite, too. [beat] Papa.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Dangerous smirk back. Enjoy this while you can, Wright. He's going to exact payment later.]

That title is for Trucy's use, Wright. If you must have your own, we can work on one later...privately.

[magicalhalfpint]

[Trucy watches their exchange with glee, the implication of her papa's response going straight over her head.]

Call him something ro~man~tic, Daddy. [She giggles.] Something like sugarbear! Or honeylumps! Hehe...

[attorneyatlol]

[The implication of Miles' response isn't lost on Phoenix. He cocks an eyebrow at the other man, his cheeks coloring in spite of himself as he shakes his head dismissively. He then turns his attention to Trucy, frowning slightly.]

Honeylumps...? Where on Earth did you get that from?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[That blush is oh so gratifying, but Trucy's proclamation is too distracting too ignore. He wrinkles his nose at the girl and mutters] And what in God's name makes you think it's in any way romantic?

[magicalhalfpint]

[She giggles again.] It means you're sweet, Papa!

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix just shakes his head. The things that come out of kids' mouths these days... Really, honeylumps?]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Edgeworth gives the girl a blank look.] But I'm not sweet.

[magicalhalfpint]

[Trucy laughs and throws herself at Edgeworth again, wrapping her arms around his waist as she looks up at him with a bright smile.]

Don't be silly, Papa! Everybody knows about your squishy, gooey center! Isn't that right, Daddy?

[attorneyatlol]

Hm? [Phoenix blinks, distracted by squishy, gooey thoughts of his own, namely the sudden, overwhelming realization that this is his family. An actual, honest to goodness family. It's definitely not what he'd imagined for himself while growing up, but... if given the chance, he wouldn't change a thing, he realized. It was more than he could have asked for, in fact.

He smiled down at Trucy fondly and then grinned at Miles.] Oh, right. Of course. He's one of the sweetest people I know.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[He puts on an indignant frown for their benefit, but when Wright doesn't join in with the gentle mocking as expected he gives his partner a questioning look. What he sees on the man's face doesn't give him any answers, just more questions. After allowing his gaze to linger a while longer, he turns back to Trucy with what can only be described as a pout.]

Nothing about me is gooey. You both should know me well enough to know that.

[magicalhalfpint]

But you love us, don't you?

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix allows Miles' questioning gaze to go unremarked, though he does briefly return it with one of his own.

He glances down at Trucy and then back at Edgeworth. He gets the feeling that this line of questioning might get a little uncomfortable for Edgeworth, as it often is for reasons Phoenix doesn't quite understand; he does try to respect those feelings, though.

Attempting to head it off at the pass, he leans over and tries to pry Trucy away from the other man.] Alright, that's enough out of you. Don't you think it's time to get ready for bed?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[This line of questioning is heading places he isn't comfortable treading; at least not after the emotional toll the night had already taken. The sudden reprieve is unexpected but welcomed. Edgeworth tosses Wright a somewhat sheepish look then hurriedly (but gently) extricates himself from Trucy's arms and lets her father guide her away.]