Saying "I love you" (1)
Oswald had settled his mind at the breakfast table. It was about time anyway. Too long he had already felt this strange sensation in his heart whenever he was around Edward, and when he had thought Edward dead that one night in the club, he had felt something in his soul disappearing. Oswald couldn't even really explain it to himself how it had happened, how he had slowly found himself in love with Edward Nygma. There certainly had been something between them for a longer time, but now… After all this time, after all the murders, the insanity, the questions, the losses, the pain, Oswald had slowly started to feel alive again. And Edward had been the one responsible. The skinny odd man had shown him what he was capable of, even though Edward was slightly younger and less experienced than Oswald, he had helped the black-haired man to be even stronger. Edward was in awe of Oswald, but for a long time now Oswald found himself struck by Edward's character just as much. So now there was only one way. Oswald was simply too sure to think of anything else. He had to tell Edward about what had been going through his head the entire night.
Oswald's wardrobe was always very dapper anyway, but he chose to wear one of his favourite and most elegant outfits. Nervously he fixed his tie, gripped the handle of the cane even tighter, and then he walked through the hall to the office. One of the campaign people hurried past him as he entered, but Oswald didn't even really notice her, his eyes were immediately on Edward. The tall young man was attentive and busy as always, making sure to support his friend in the best way possible. When he saw Oswald enter he instantly rose and greeted him with a smile.
"Good morning, mayor Cobblepot."
"Good morning to you, my chief of staff." Oswald replied with a gleeful grin.
"Here's your schedule for the day." Always on point, always on time. He couldn't have chosen a better man as chief of staff.
Oswald took the papers, not really paying attention to what was written on them or what Edward was telling him about them. It still seemed admirable to Oswald how professionally Edward was taking care of everything, making sure that the mayor would always look good and never be disappointed.
"You really are settling into your role here, aren't you Ed?" Oswald chuckled.
A shy expression flitted across Edward's face. "And yet I still have so much to learn from you."
Oswald smiled and shook his head. He was trying very hard not to blush so he avoided Edward's eyes for a moment. For a second the two men were in admiration for each other until Edward cleared his throat and turned his head in slight disappointment.
"I came up empty tracking down Butch." he admitted, unable to look at Oswald.
The smaller one looked at him for a second then shook his head in order to adjust his expression to the current atmosphere. Oswald listened to Edward's words, heard the self-disappointment in them; he didn't like seeing Edward like this.
"I'm sorry for letting you down." Edward eventually said with a low voice, still not daring to look up.
Almost immediately Oswald stepped in, trying to comfort and reassure his chief of staff. "You have done nothing of the sort." A nervous smile of appreciation came over his lips. "I would be lost without you."
Edward couldn't help but smile as he heard those words. For a moment Oswald observed his face, tried to organise his thoughts somehow. It was about time.
"In fact, uhm-" His voice was shaky but he couldn't help it. "There's something I need to tell you." Edward turned towards him with an alert and curious expression. "Something very important."
The light of the sun was shining through the big ornamented windows, framing the two men who were so different in height in an almost adorable fashion. Oswald stared at Edward, not blinking, trying to get the words out while Edward was standing there in all seriousness as if he was expecting an important order from the mayor. Nervously Oswald leaned on his cane more and more every second, still looking in the eyes of the other one while his heart and head both seemed to explode. Slowly Edward appeared to realise that something was on Oswald's mind and his expression changed.
"What is it, Oswald?" he asked. What was that look on Oswald's face? His eyes were shining.
And still Oswald was fighting with the words, bobbed up and down on his cane while gazing into Edward's eyes. He saw that Edward's expression had changed, had become softer, but that only seemed to make Oswald even more nervous.
"I…"
It was as if Oswald's throat was jammed by every thought that went through his head which prevented from speaking his well-prepared words.
Suddenly Edward's expression changed yet again. Suddenly all seriousness and professionalism had disappeared and his heart had started to race. For a moment he couldn't form a clear thought and only stared into Oswald's eyes.
"I…"
Oswald shook his head in desperation, cursing himself that the rest of the words wouldn't come out. But then they overcame him.
Impulsively Edward had stepped forward, touched Oswald's cheek and bowed down to touch the other's lips with his own. For a moment Oswald was frozen, simply letting Edward move but then he closed his eyes and leaned into the kiss. Standing on his toes he wanted to be as close to Edward as possible, now also lovingly touching the other's head with his free hand. Still framed by the beautifully lit windows they stood there, embracing and kissing, their eyes closed in the atmosphere of this wonderful scenery.
Slowly they moved apart, both blushing but smiling shyly. Their hands were still touching each other, they didn't want to let go of one another, never wanted this moment to pass.
"I love you too, Oswald." Edward said reassuringly and the smaller one chuckled in embarrassment.
For a few silent seconds they stood close together, simply smiling and looking at each other, enjoying the beauty of what was just happening. Laughing, Oswald eventually rested his head against Edward's chest before he looked up to him.
"Knowing you, I assume there isn't a chance of rearranging my schedule for today?" he asked while adjusting Edward's glasses that had slipped down his nose.
The taller one chuckled and grabbed his glasses nervously, carefully touching Oswald's hand in the process. The two men smiled at each other, knowing that finally all doubts, all pains, all worries had passed by.
"Maybe tomorrow." Edward said.