Surprise, surprise

[edge_of_honor]

Characters: Miles Edgeworth and Hisoka Kurosaki
Content: Two old comrades touch base and inform the other about what's been going on in their corner of Reial
Setting: Upper deck of the Convoy; later on, Edgeworth's quarters
Time: After Hisoka and Souji land, before the drinking begins
Warnings: Possible mentions of traumatic events

Comments

[son_of_the_lake]

Hisoka found a great deal to do after Edgeworth left. He explored as much of the ship as he could, partly because his experience in the family business had left him with an abiding interest in ship design, and partly because he had promised Kaoru a description when he returned to Serenity. At some time during that afternoon, he went up to the Convoy's upper deck and took a long look at what was left of the Hegua Lake Basin. Then he got drunk with IchigoMuch later, he ended up back at Edgeworths's door. He'd remembered that the Commander still wanted to know how Hisoka's investigation of Muraki had turned out, and he couldn't be sure they'd have time to talk about it the next day. He pushed the door open gently and found himself sinking onto the bunk, wafted there by the spring winds, as it were...and a little help from a lot of sake. Good thing, to have a place to land! The rectangle of the neatly-made up bed was a most wonderful landing strip

[son_of_the_lake]

"I thought of it when we met at the Hanami Festival," said Hisoka, "but I...well, I've probably felt that way from the beginning. It's hard to say, though. It had a quiet start."

He spoke calmly, matter-of-factly, and in a low voice, realizing that there might be a slow explosion occuring beside him. If so, he didn't want to give it any more fuel than he already had.

[edge_of_honor]

Wait, since the beginning? Oh lord, that made it even worse. Since when did his life become a cheap romance novel?!

Edgeworth took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. This was...unexpected, to say the least, but it was nothing to lose his composure over. He could handle this. They were both adults, ergo, they should be able to talk about this like adults.

He opened his mouth to speak. Nothing came out.

Edgeworth rested his hand back down on the mattress and glanced away, and thought on how absurd this all was. He should have taken Hisoka up on his earlier offer to continue the conversation later. Edgeworth doubted that this could ever have been easy to talk about, but some actual sleep couldn't have hurt.

"...this is very sudden," he said, his voice quiet, strained, but for the most part, calm.

[son_of_the_lake]

"Yes, and I apologize for that," said Hisoka. "I was afraid that if I waited, I would end up never speaking at all." He glanced sideways. "I didn't make it obvious, either, so I guess you couldn't have known."

[edge_of_honor]

A cold chill ran down Edgeworth's spine. Did Hisoka mean that he would lose his nerve? Or was it a reference to how dangerous both their lives had become?

Other than that concern, though, Edgeworth's nerves had calmed down from his earlier shock. He wasn't completely at ease, though. Tension lingered underneath his skin and buried itself deep in his muscles while his stomach churned with an unknown dread. However, this was all manageable, or at least moreso than earlier.

There was still one question on his mind, though. He furrowed his brow and, voice bewildered, asked, "Why?"

[son_of_the_lake]

Hisoka was silent for a moment. "I guess you can't see yourself from my point of view," he said, finally. "And I don't know how well I can explain it. But I'll try. First, I admire you. You know how to take action in the world - and I don't mean that I think it's easy for you - it isn't for anybody, I don't believe. But you have courage; you do what you think is worth doing, and if it has a cost, so be it. I find that compelling."

"Second, you've always been sensitive to me and my concerns in a way that is unusual. In fact, it's a little uncanny, but in a way that feels very right to me. It's a mystery, and...I don't think it's an entirely impersonal phenomenon, on your part. But I can't tell for sure; only you can."

"Third, you're attractive." He smiled. "In an odd sort of way. And by that I mean, you're a powerful, definite personality...and you seem to be almost all mind - oh, and emotion. I have no idea how you live in your body. But I'd like to find out."

[edge_of_honor]

Edgeworth's mouth went dry and his mouth parted ever so slightly. To hear those words was humbling, and he would have been left in awe if his mind didn't put up such a strong resistance to them. Surely Hisoka was giving him too much credit.

The last compliment, though, turned his face bright red. His eyes widened and he quickly averted his gaze, and his thoughts turned to one thing: how did he feel about the young man?

He had been protective, yes, but he felt the same way about many of his subordinates. After all, they were his responsibility. Plus, as much as he hated to admit it, it wasn't an automatic instinct when it came to Hisoka Kurosaki. Initially, he had felt suspicious of him, due to the shadowy circumstances that surrounded the Mary Rose

[son_of_the_lake]

Hisoka stood up, and stepped away from the bunk. For a moment, he remained facing away from Edgeworth, his eyes focused into the distance.

Then he turned around. The little smile was back on his face, but this time it was not the social smile, but the smile that was the shield of his heart. "All right. Thank you for hearing me out. And...for everything else. Good night, sir. And I hope you fare well, whatever happens."

The door clicked open and then shut. Hisoka's footsteps sounded in the passageway, quick, purposeful. And then vanishing.

Goodbye.

[edge_of_honor]

Edgeworth felt the mattress shift and looked up at Hisoka, only to see his back. Tension ran through the air like electricity and prickled his skin and settled in his bones. However, deep in his very core, he was steadied by a strong sense of resolve. Any other answer would have been false and brittle, no matter what his wants and desires may have been.

Then Hisoka turned around and smiled at him. Why did he have to smile at him? Edgeworth's chest tightened with guilt, and felt as if someone had slid a cold, sharp blade right between his ribs. However, before he could say anything, Hisoka had walked out

[son_of_the_lake]

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