Author's note: Special thanks to oswaldsandwich for the prompt!
Oswald Cobblepot awoke on a couch, room darkened with the early morning's sunless sky. He turned over, eyes scanning the room until he found the clock on the wall. '4:30' it read.
Close enough.
He sat up, the blanket and clothes that resided on the couch surrounding his thin body. Walking to the bathroom- his limp preventing complete stealth- he glanced back across the room. Ed lay peacefully still in his bed, the gentle pattern of breathing undisturbed by Penguin's noisy gait. Oswald watched him for a brief moment before turning back to the bathroom.
It had been several weeks since he moved into Edward Nygma's apartment. They had decided that this was the best arrangement for the both of them, since by staying together Oswald could lay low from the law while Ed gathered valuable advice from him.
Advice about murder. At least, that's what Penguin preferred to think.
He decided to ready himself for the day instead of returning to sleep. After getting dressed, he sat deep in thought on the couch. He was still there when Ed woke up a couple of hours later.
"Good morning, my fowl friend," Ed said, voice already perky and energetic. Oswald's response of complete silence only provoked his spirit.
"Get it? Because 'fowl' refers to birds, and you're also a notorious-"
"I got it," he cut in. "Morning to you too, I guess." He waved a hand dismissively.
Edward walked around the bed to the couch and placed an arm around Oswald's shoulder. He flinched, turning his neck to look at Ed. He was wearing long pajama pants and a t-shirt, his ordinarily neat hair somewhat tousled with sleep.
"What's the matter? Would you like some coffee this morning?"
"No, no-nothing's- I mean-" he stuttered, incredibly uncomfortable with the sudden breach of personal space.
"I'll begin preparations immediately," Ed released his arm and made his way to the makeshift kitchen area.
"Really- don't trouble yourself."
"That's alright- more for me."
Penguin chuckled. "Like you need any."
Ed smiled as he continued on, pulling the necessary objects needed for coffee making from their various locations. Oswald watched in silence as he worked, the man humming a familiar tune as he readied the coffee. Oswald looked down at the jacket he was wearing, his fingers running wistfully along the fabric.
The coffee gurgled as it began the process of brewing. Ed plopped down on the couch next to Penguin, his disregard for personal space so great that their thighs touched.
"So... what's on today's agenda?"
"Hm?"
"Well, I was thinking of stopping for some takeout for lunch. Want me to pick you up anything?"
He shook his head. "I'm heading downtown for something so I'm not sure when I'll be back."
"I could bring you something for dinner, if you'd like."
"I'm good, thanks."
The two sat in silence for a few minutes, the sound coffee dripping into the pot making it slightly more bearable. Ed reached a hand out, examining the various jackets spread along the couch.
"I've got plenty of space in the closet for these. It might make you feel a little more at home if you-" The coffee maker beeped, indicating that it was ready. With an excited cry he jumped up. "I'll be right back."
He soon returned with two glasses and set them on the table beside the couch, returning to his position next to his discomforted roommate.
"Careful, it's hot."
"Thanks," Oswald took a glass and raised it slowly to his face. Noticing the eccentric grin on Ed's face he stopped himself short, shooting him a skeptical look.
"Oh, don't worry- I didn't poison it or anything," he laughed, still smiling.
Oswald sighed, then took a cautious sip. Then another. He looked up at Ed, who was transfixed on him.
"What did you put in it?"
"Cinnamon. Pretty good, if I were to be so bold to say so."
"Yeah," he said, blowing the surface of the liquid in an attempt to cool it. They continued with small talk as they consumed their coffee, Oswald seemingly less tense than before. After a while he handed Ed the cup and stood.
"Well, I must be going," he hobbled to the door.
"Oh wait-" Ed called, Oswald turning in the doorway in response. "You forgot your key."
"Oh, yeah." He grabbed the key from off a nearby table, sliding it in the pocket of his pants. "See you later."
"Don't get arrested while you're gone!" he shouted as the door shut behind Oswald.
"I don't plan to!" came the somewhat muffled response beyond the closed door.
Ed sat for a minute, quietly taking in the moment. He looked at the coffee cup Oswald had handed him, now empty, and chuckled to himself.
"One step at a time, Nygma. One step at a time..."