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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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[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?

[hobblepot]

[As much as he values his hard-won independence, some help would speed things along.]

You know what? Sure – why not? [He pauses to stifle a yawn behind his hand before sluggishly scooching over to the edge of the bed.] That way I might actually have some energy to spare after dinner.

[whatam_i]

Good idea.

[He says and gets up off the bed to head towards Oswald's large walk in closet.]

You can sit there and tell me which pieces you'd like me to pull. What colors were you thinking?

[hobblepot]

[The doors open to Ed, both sides of the closet neatly lined with shoes, coats, robes and formal wear, with room to spare. More pressed suits and waistcoats and starched collars that he could have ever dreamed of owning what only feels like a few short years ago, sometimes, when he was still living on Moroni and Falcone’s dime. Overhead, a tactical shotgun and a few smaller, no less familiar weapons lay across a rack.]

I think I am in the mood for some violet and gold today.

[Opposite his purplest suits, with tails and without, are his father’s things. Some in boxes and the rest still on hangers, as if nothing changed at all.]

[whatam_i]

Violet and gold, good choice.

[Ed says with a nod and starts running his fingers along the suits, finding the best choices within that color palette. He loves it when Oswald wears purple, it makes him look regal and brings out his pale eyes.]

Do you feel like a patterned vest or something more plain?

[hobblepot]

[Oswald cants his head, wearing his first cheeky half-smile in too long.] Did you have a preference?

[whatam_i]

[A tingle goes down Ed's spine when he sees that cheeky smile and he can't help but respond to it, a wide grin surfacing.]

I'd like to see you in patterned. Something fancy.

We're celebrating after all.

[hobblepot]

I cannot argue with that. [He gestures to the open closet over Ed's shoulder as if to say, go on.]