[The temptation to dig his heels in and just go back to work is tempting but the fact that Oswald came rushing in with a shotgun to protect him is kind of sweet. Ed knows how much it hurts his leg to do that and he sighs and scrubs a hand over his mouth and jaw.]
Oswald. Wait.
I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to scare you like that or to wake you up.
[His hand sweeps across his work bench and then flops down at his side.]
I'm avoiding sleep because I don't want to have another nightmare.
[Halfway across the room, Oswald slows to a stop, his back to Ed. He says nothing, still charged with adrenaline, with anger, his pulse slamming his eardrums. But there’s a slight softening of his shoulders the longer the apology sits with him. He’s here and he's listening, his continued silence inviting an explanation from Ed.]
[Ed goes over to his work table, talking softly as he slowly starts cleaning up all the bits of pieces, the act helping to put his thoughts and emotions in order.]
I fully understand that dreams are nothing more than the minds way of doing some daily house-keeping, of sorting and cataloging memories. They don't mean anything and it's foolish to be scared of them. But.
I...had a dream that Hugo Strange got a hold of me again. [He admits and swallows thickly.] And that he made me hurt you.
[Oswald stares at the floor, unmoving, for what feels like a very long time. Quietly absorbing everything Ed has to say until he falls silent too, and they’re both left to grapple with the ugly reality of life in Gotham. That survival comes always comes at a price, and only the dead, if they’re lucky enough, know true peace.
He lets out a hard, knotted breath that takes all the fight out of him, his shotgun swinging to his side, hanging from his hand. Then, after a brief hesitation, he leans the gun up against a wall. When he finally turns around, he looks the kind of weary that runs down to the bones, as if every troubled, restless night of his own has caught up with him all at once.
In a perfect world, he’d tell Ed that there’s nothing to worry about. That Hugo Strange would never lay a finger on either of them again, and Ed would never hurt him. But they know that isn’t true.]
And if that day comes, Ed... know that I will do everything in my power to stop you, with the understanding that you are not the person responsible.
[He's grateful for Oswald's honesty, it might be brutal and harsh but he'd rather that than a lie.]
Thank you, Oswald.
[He lets out a long, weary sigh and motions at the table.]
So that's what I was working on, something that might help keep that from ever happening. Except I forgot that there was some chemical residue on my work table from a few days ago and it reacted badly with the metal I was using and kaboom.
[As the storm in his head settles, he reconsiders the charred work surface with a faint twinge of sympathy.]
...I can see how focusing your efforts on a project with tangible results would offer you a sense of reassurance and empowerment. But, the solution to the Hugo Strange problem lies in simpler methods. ...Explosions optional.
[It's Ed who reminded him of the Gordian knot, once upon a time.]
[His eyebrows lift slightly, his smile falling.] ...And what about you? If these nightmares are a frequent occurrence, perhaps you ought to be seeing my doctor.
Oh. [A beat. His gaze unfocuses a moment, his mind caught in past events.
There're no longer at a point where their violent history comes up between them like an impenetrable wall. But it hurts, still, to think of how terrible they were to each other and the time they've lost.]
Well... should you happen to reconsider, do let me know. You would be in good hands.
I appreciate the suggestion and will let you know if I change my mind.
[He says and steps closer to wrap his arms around Oswald, hugging him and dropping a kiss on the top of his head as a small apology for bringing up the pier.]
For now I'll tuck you in and if I'm still worried about sleeping I'll do something quiet, like read.
[He says and gives Oswald a small, encouraging smile.]
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Go take a walk, drink a glass of milk, count sheep, I don't care! You are a grown man, for Pete's sake - figure it out!
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[He snaps back, looking down at Oswald.]
This is what I do when I can't sleep, I work!
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Well, you can go 'work' in the garage. [He takes up his shotgun in both hands again, keeping it aimed at the floor.] I am going to bed.
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Oswald.
Wait.
I'm sorry.
I really didn't mean to scare you like that or to wake you up.
[His hand sweeps across his work bench and then flops down at his side.]
I'm avoiding sleep because I don't want to have another nightmare.
blegh
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I fully understand that dreams are nothing more than the minds way of doing some daily house-keeping, of sorting and cataloging memories. They don't mean anything and it's foolish to be scared of them.
But.
I...had a dream that Hugo Strange got a hold of me again. [He admits and swallows thickly.] And that he made me hurt you.
no subject
He lets out a hard, knotted breath that takes all the fight out of him, his shotgun swinging to his side, hanging from his hand. Then, after a brief hesitation, he leans the gun up against a wall. When he finally turns around, he looks the kind of weary that runs down to the bones, as if every troubled, restless night of his own has caught up with him all at once.
In a perfect world, he’d tell Ed that there’s nothing to worry about. That Hugo Strange would never lay a finger on either of them again, and Ed would never hurt him. But they know that isn’t true.]
And if that day comes, Ed... know that I will do everything in my power to stop you, with the understanding that you are not the person responsible.
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Thank you, Oswald.
[He lets out a long, weary sigh and motions at the table.]
So that's what I was working on, something that might help keep that from ever happening.
Except I forgot that there was some chemical residue on my work table from a few days ago and it reacted badly with the metal I was using and kaboom.
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...I can see how focusing your efforts on a project with tangible results would offer you a sense of reassurance and empowerment. But, the solution to the Hugo Strange problem lies in simpler methods. ...Explosions optional.
[It's Ed who reminded him of the Gordian knot, once upon a time.]
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That's a good point.
He is overdue for a little bit of payback isn't he?
[Leaning down he kisses Oswald's forehead sweetly.]
Thank you.
I really am sorry I startled you awake.
[He kisses both his cheeks and then his mouth.]
Shall I tuck you back in?
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...tempting. [He answers, after some thought.] But I get the feeling you would only keep me up.
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I promise I won't.
I'll tuck you in, kiss you goodnight and sing you to sleep.
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[Vet by day, a criminal's best friend by night.]
He may have just the thing for you.
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I'd....prefer to not use drugs.
I relied on those a lot after...[He swallows a sudden lump in is throat.] ...after I shot you.
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There're no longer at a point where their violent history comes up between them like an impenetrable wall. But it hurts, still, to think of how terrible they were to each other and the time they've lost.]
Well... should you happen to reconsider, do let me know. You would be in good hands.
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[He says and steps closer to wrap his arms around Oswald, hugging him and dropping a kiss on the top of his head as a small apology for bringing up the pier.]
For now I'll tuck you in and if I'm still worried about sleeping I'll do something quiet, like read.
[He says and gives Oswald a small, encouraging smile.]