Edgeworth's mask cracked briefly as he watched his friend walk away. He was grateful the Corinthian couldn't see it. Once he was alone, he spent longer than was necessary straightening up the living room and putting away the freshly cleaned wine glass. Sigi loped after him from one room to the next and on into the bedroom, where he settled into his dog bed. The apartment was quiet as Edgeworth finished his evening routine, turned off the lights, crawled into bed with langourous movements, and lay there, staring at the dreamcatcher in the corner of his room.

It was a long time before he finally fell asleep. He experienced no nightmares that night, only dim memories of warmth and a strong, generous body.