~*~SLUMBER PARTY~*~ <3

[shifting]

Who: A shifter, a lawyer, and Satan (the fun one)
When: Night
Where: Sam & Edgeworth's apartment
Summary: Sam and Edgeworth have a guest over for dinner
Warnings: TBA
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[it's quite the domestic scene, Sam in the kitchen turning steaks on a griddle and Gizmo at his feet (hoping for a fallen scrap). Plates and glasses are already set out on their small table, as is a bowl of ceasar salad and some honey-glazed biscuits.

The salad is healthy at least.]

Don't know what time he'll be here. Should be soon I guess. [he glances over his shoulder at Edgeworth, grinning cheekily] You decided which Star Wars movie we're gonna watch tonight?

Comments

[shifting]

Well we are the ones playin' host to you. [an easy agreement with Edgeworth, only marred by the knot of tension between his shoulders. He hesitates a moment, then goes to get a can of wet dog food. Either Edgeworth will take over pouring the wine or Lucifer will swoop in and do it - either way, it's probably better he's not between them when it happens.

At least Gizmo finally found the courage to check Lucifer out. The cautious pomeranian sniffs his pant leg before the sound of the can opener distracts her]

[thelightbringer]

[He laughs lightly, and fills the glasses anyway. With a touch, he also makes the wine glass full again.]

Just Lucifer. And I understand that you're skeptical; most people are. I'm surprised Sam wasn't more than he was.

[ergomaniac]

[And Edgeworth pushes the glass away from his hand. He's now glaring openly.]

First, I'm not claiming skepticism, and second, again, you're the guest, so please stop helping.

[shifting]

Hey now, whoa - [stepping over despite earlier intentions (and nearly tripping over Gizmo, who's eagerly following the opened can in his hand)] It's all right.

[a short, meaningful glance at Edgeworth] It doesn't matter who's helping long as someone's doing it. Right? ...Now how 'bout you both just take a seat and I'll join you. All right?

[thelightbringer]

[There was a very distinct moment where Lucifer considered snapping Edgeworth's jaw off. It's a very real temptation, but instead he smiles slowly, and brushes his hand against the small of Sam's back. It's a small reminder of why he's behaving--of why Edgeworth escapes without a scratch tonight.

He steps away then, toward the table.]

You're right, Sam, we should go sit. I think there's too many of us in here. Let's get to know each other better, Edgeworth.

[ergomaniac]

[When Edgeworth catches that glance from Sam, he feels ashamed of his behavior. It lasts roughly seven seconds, until he sees what looks like a very deliberate touch of Lucifer's hand on Sam's back. Either fury or nausea lurches up in him, and he turns on his heel, marching out of the kitchen and sitting wordlessly down at the table.

It was just an accident, he tells himself. Also: Why do you care. And also: You're acting like a child. And only with the weight of those three thoughts combined is he able to bring himself to grate out:]

Fine. Please tell me about yourself.

[shifting]

[Sam closes his eyes just long enough to release a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. There's the sense of a crisis averted. The brush against his back (which earns the angel a briefly grateful look) makes him wonder when the next one will be.

...He wonders if Edgeworth has some bias against the other Lucifer. While it's surely not hard to fluster Miles, this quick a reaction still seems - off.

But if he doesn't stop thinking about it and put this food down, Gizmo's going to chew his ankle off.]

[thelightbringer]

[He gives Sam a small, reassuring smile before he sits down, and manages to shove aside all fantasies of violence.]

I'm an angel; I recently decided to take my chances with homelessness, and that's working out about how you would expect.

[that's almost a joke.]

What about you? When did you get Gizmo?

[ergomaniac]

[He scowls and looks away, trying to force himself to calm again. Why do you care is his mantra; Even if there was something between them, why do you care.]

...Nearly two years ago.

[But that's not very forthcoming, and so, grudgingly, he elaborates:]

I adopted her from the Siren's Port Animal Shelter over on Glenn. Rather close to here.

[shifting]

[good - Gizmo. That's a good topic. Safe. Sam goes back to scooping their hungry Pomeranian's food into her bowl, much to her waggin delight. She leaps on the dish as soon as he sets it down.]

[thelightbringer]

That was good of you. Sam was going to find a dog for me. He sold me by telling me about Gizmo, actually.

Not a fan of cats?

[ergomaniac]

[His frown lessens very, very slightly.]

I've no feelings against them, especially. They simply make poor companions, to my way of thinking.

[shifting]

[Sam sets down a plate of steaks between them, smiling again, then takes a seat himself.]

I think I've found a breeder, by the way. Didn't want to tell you 'til I was sure, but since you were talkin' about it.

[and to Edgeworth:] Not to mention cat fur'll stick to everything you own. You'd go into the courtroom lookin' like a briar patch.

[thelightbringer]

[For once, Lucifer is flustered.] Thank you, Sam--

[He seizes on a topic other than the fact he no longer has a home for the dog.] What do you do here, Edgeworth?

[ergomaniac]

I'm an attorney. I had been a prosecutor, but I was...released from that position, and now I work in defense.

[Edgeworth reaches for a glass of wine. He shouldn't be the first to start drinking, but there's a knot of anxiety in his gut and some strange unhappiness in his throat and he suspects the alcohol will wash that away.]

[shifting]

[Sam selects a steak for himself, then passes the plate.

(And he's secretly grateful to see Miles will be drinking. Maybe it will take the edge off.)]

[thelightbringer]

[Lucifer takes the smallest piece. He's still a vegetarian, but the gesture can be seen as generosity toward Edgeworth, perhaps.]

You must have plenty of work here. What about fun, though? How do you really spend time?

[ergomaniac]

[His expression is slightly puzzled before he smooths it over.]

I..."really" spend time on my work. As for "fun" - [His slight gesture takes in the apartment, Gizmo, and their books - and Sam, as well.]

What of yourself?

[shifting]

I have managed to get him out campin' a time or two though. [with a fond smile for the lawyer. He sips his wine.]

[thelightbringer]

Camping? [Eyebrow raise.] Isn't that a step on the dangerous side around here?

[ergomaniac]

It takes special equipment, as a matter of course, and we take numerous other precautions as well. Setting up lines of communication, et cetera. [The memory of those trips, though, does seem to drain just a little more tension from Edgeworth - and maybe that smile does as well. When he picks up his glass for a swallow of wine, his movements are less stiff than before.]

[shifting]

[They spur other memories for Sam, too. - Times of closeness and privacy, affection and something more. Times alone and together. A day under cherry blossoms, and what followed after.

He swallows a quick bite of steak, roughly.]

[thelightbringer]

[And Lucifer is just watching Sam now with a knowing, clever smirk, like he's caught the shifter in the act of--well, of anything one wouldn't want to be caught doing.]

Careful, Sam, you don't want to choke.

[Lucifer hasn't touched his own food yet; watching the two men is thus far too entertaining.]

[ergomaniac]

[And that makes Edgeworth's temper rise once more. "Lucifer's" tone sounds nearly mocking, which is inappropriate if indeed Sam is in danger of choking and inappropriate if that expression on his face is indeed unhappiness rather than some airway-related distress.

But he ignores that anger, instead turning, half reaching out before drawing back, self-conscious at that unrestrained gesture. Still, he doesn't turn away until he's certain Sam is in no danger of choking.

Then he looks back to Lucifer, a slightly vicious note in his voice.]

You didn't answer my earlier question.

[shifting]

[...which is the point where Sam did choke, realizing that Lucifer could see. He coughed and grabbed his wine glass, washing his throat clear.]

I'm fine. [Not looking at him.]