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[whatam_i]

What demands an answer, but asks no question?
....
A telephone.
And I'm not here to answer mine so please leave a message at the sound of the beep.

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[whatam_i]

[A childish part of Ed wants to spend every night by Oswald's side, seeking confirmation that he is there and okay but the adult in him realizes that he won't actually get any rest like that. His body will always be half awake and on alert should Oswald need him, so as much as it pains him he starts sleeping in his own bed at least half the time. He is exhausted from weeks of taking care of his partner and he needs to re-charge.

Which is why on this particular morning he actually sleeps in well past his usual time, Olga is around today and no doubt she will take care of Oswald's breakfast and when he finally gets up to check on Oswald he is pleasantly surprised to find him up, showered and out on the little second floor patio.]

Good morning.

[He says as comes outside, carrying a mug of coffee with him.]

[hobblepot]

[The sound of Ed's voice puts a sudden pang in his throat - and a strange and powerful yearning overwhelms him, a yearning, somehow, for someone who never left. He offers Ed a smile over his shoulder, the corners of his eyes crinkling.]

Isn’t it just? [He takes Ed in with a fond, weary look, waiting for him to settle.] ...You look well.

[whatam_i]

So do you.
In fact, you look rather dandy.

[He says with a bright smile and leans in to kiss Oswald's cheek.]

Feeling a bit stronger today?

[hobblepot]

[Oswald flushes faintly under Ed's lips, looking down at himself as if he's only just noticing that he is, in fact, dressed. It’s not a brocade robe Ed hasn’t seen before. But a fresh change of clothes is no doubt an improvement.]

I was... [he says, with a chuckle] and now that I have gotten comfortable, getting up again seems quite impossible. But I do not find myself in any particular rush this morning.

[There’s none of his restlessness now; just a rare sense of peace, for once, with the idea of doing nothing at all. It's the first time in years when he has stopped to watch the sun, to feel the shivery warmth of it on his skin. He's surprised that he missed this, too.]

...Beautiful, is it not? [He motions vaguely to the sprawling expanse of his yard.] The sun is shining, a gentle breeze is blowing... I honestly cannot remember the last time the weather was this agreeable.

[His bones are grateful for the drier air.]

[whatam_i]

Why rush when we can just sit and enjoy ourselves. After all I think we've earned it.

[He points out and shifts his chair a little closer to Oswald's, reaching over to lace his hand through the other's while he sips his coffee and looks out at the sunshine.]

It's rare for weather like this in Gotham.

[He's going to take it as a good omen.]

Did Olga get you breakfast already?

[hobblepot]

Yes – and I was even able to enjoy it.

[He holds Ed's gaze. Although Ed’s hand has found his, bridging the gap, he seems so far away, still.]

No awful upset stomach to contend with. I think I am finally recovering from all those antibiotics.

[whatam_i]

[Ed's eyes light up and he smiles sweetly at Oswald, leaning in to kiss his cheek again.]

That is great news. I'm very happy to hear both of those things.

[Especially the part about Oswald enjoying the breakfast, it means he can eat properly again and gain his full strength back.]

[hobblepot]

[The thrilled look on Ed’s face doesn’t blind Oswald to the fact that caregiving has no doubt taken some toll on him.]

...This means you can rest easier knowing there is one less thing for you to worry about.

[He answers Ed’s kiss with a gentle squeeze of his hand. And lets his thoughts drift a while, just breathing, listening to a soft, distant rustling of leaves. The kind of sound to which he could fall asleep very easily.]

Once again, I feel compelled to thank you for saving my life. And for making these last few weeks more comfortable than they would otherwise have been.

[whatam_i]

You really don't have to keep thanking me, you saved my life as well Oswald.
As for taking care of you, you should know by now that I'm always happy to do so. I love you and want you to always get the best care.

[He says softly and leans his head to rest against Oswald's, looking out across the gardens which are quiet and serene.]

While you were recuperating I had an idea that I'd like to run past you.

[hobblepot]

[His heart crowds his chest, swollen with all the feelings time and familiarity haven’t dulled. It hurts a good kind of hurt. He could thank Ed a hundred times over, for more than just his acts of service, and it still wouldn’t feel like enough. There are some things that words can't reach. But as they sit there, their heads just touching, he finds himself settling into a comfortable silence, too, unpressured to speak. Not needing to.

Then, Ed continues.]

...oh? [He prompts, distantly curious.]

[whatam_i]

We were lucky in that between you and Olga you figured out who took me, just as we were lucky that Myrtle took me to a location you knew.

[He says slowly, trying not to tense up at the memory of waking up in Myrtle's apartment for a second time.]

But it made me think of what could have happened if she had taken me somewhere else.

[He would be a drooling lobotomized idiot, that's what would have happened and he shivers.]

So I was thinking about the idea of making us personal trackers.

[hobblepot]

[A dull, ugly throbbing forms in the hollow of his stomach as his thoughts return, with Ed's, to the place where their story nearly ended. It takes him a moment to crawl his way out from the depths of that dark, fire-gutted building and back into the present.]

...It is not a foolproof solution. [He points out, after a while. Neither is his reliance on informants, he realizes.] But I am willing to carry one on my person for our mutual peace of mind. All I ask is that it doubles as a tie pin, or something equally convenient and unobtrusive.

[whatam_i]

I was actually thinking of fitting the tracking chip into something just like that, a tie pin, or cufflink or....a ring?

[He says, looking down at their joined hands and smiling softly. A very faint blush rising to his cheeks.]

[hobblepot]

[His heart gives a hard thump. Catching and holding Ed's gaze, he feels himself going blankfaced. Feels his next breath stick in his throat as he's left trying to gauge how deeply he's meant to read into the suggestion, if at all. A beat passes and he swallows, looking out onto the estate again.]

A ring, unfortunately, is the most liable to be misplaced. [He notes, treading lightly around Ed's answer.] I fear there is not much room for one under my gloves, and there would be some risk of it tumbling from my pocket. But, all the same... [something tightens in his belly] ...I would not be opposed to the idea.

[whatam_i]

Oh.

[Ed's reply is quiet but then he glances up into Oswald's face when he mentions he isn't opposed to the idea. His own heart skipping a beat and he gives him a tentative smile.]

Yeah?
I mean obviously it can't just be any ring, it has to be the right kind. Something slim but aesthetically pleasing.

[The right kind of ring for the right person.]

[hobblepot]

[Pleasantly:] ...I trust your judgment. [Is the answer he settles on, his hope kept firmly in check. Any disappointment will be lessened if he can manage not to pin expectations on Ed.]

[whatam_i]

[Ed's mind is already ticking away at the idea, making little notes of potential supplies and obstacles he might run into but he pushes them to the back of his head so he can lean in and kiss Oswald softly on the lips.]

Since you seem to have your appetite back I was thinking I could prepare us a little celebratory dinner tonight.

[hobblepot]

[Oswald's nose pokes Ed's cheek as he leans gently to meet him halfway. It's a sweet, sexless kiss on both sides, neither man asking anything of the other.]

I suppose I could let Olga take the night off.

[whatam_i]

Excellent!

We can have a nice romantic dinner, just the two of us.
Do you have any requests for the meal?

[hobblepot]

[He feels a fluttery, giddy excitement rising inside him, as if Ed is proposing the idea for the very first time. He smiles breathlessly at him.]

...surprise me. [He says, with a wink.]

[whatam_i]

[Ed feels that same excitement, so much that after he and Oswald sit for a while he excuses himself to take a trip into Gotham to gather supplies. He knows that Oswald's stomach is still very tender so he won't be able to handle wine yet so instead he gets ingredients to make raspberry thyme shrub syrup that he can combine with sparkling water. It should basically taste like a fancy cocktail but without any of the alcohol content.

He also picks up a huge bouquet of Oswald's favorite flowers to be the center piece on the table and the makings of his mother's goulash recipe.

When he returns home he leaves everything in the kitchen and goes upstairs to check on Oswald.]

[hobblepot]

[Between the fresh air and exercise, Oswald is powerless to resist the pull of a restful catnap. Fortunately for Ed, he’s rousing just as Ed is padding down the hall. The bedroom has dimmed, hinting at the passage of time, and a glance at the clock confirms his quick nap was closer to five hours.]

...oh. [He rubs his eyes, dully astonished. Robe and hair askew, he carefully sits himself up, blinking dopily at Ed as he enters.] It seems I lost track of time.

[whatam_i]

It would seem you had yourself a little nap.

[Ed says as he sits down next to Oswald on the bed, leaning over to give him a hearty smooch on the lips.]

That's good though, you did more this morning than you have in weeks so it's good your body replenished your energy supplies.

Especially since it's date night, tonight.

[Can you see how excited and eager he is about this, Oswald?]

[hobblepot]

Date night...? [He repeats, with quiet wonder, as if he missed the memo. His ears redden. Affixing a label to something they’ve done before changes it in a way he can’t explain, and he can feel that same excitement running through him like a current.]

...yes, you are right. And that being the case, I must prepare.

[He looks down at himself, adjusting his robe with a tug.]

It simply would not do to celebrate a special occasion in my current state of dress.

[whatam_i]

Oh I don't know about that, you always look good in these robes.

[Plus it gives him easier access, not that he's planning on anything like that since Oswald is far too weak for any physical acts of love but it is a nice thought.]

But I also understand the desire to get properly dressed after so much time spent in your jammies.

[He leans in to kiss Oswald's slightly pink cheeks.]

Do you need a hand?