"Don't Ask About My Business" (Silence is Golden).
Oswald gets home late and Jim Frets….
Oswald gets home late. He limps quietly into the bedroom, trying not to disturb Jim.
He takes off his coat and jacket and hangs them in the wardrobe.
He sits in the bedroom chair and carefully takes off his shoes. He sighs, yawns and stretches, and passes his hand through his hair. He gives his aching leg a quick rub.
Then he strips off the rest of his clothes and gets into his pyjamas.
He hobbles over to the bed and slides in between the sheets slowly and carefully.
The clock on the bedside table says 3 am.
As he settles down Jim stirs. He is lying facing away from Oswald.
He turns over and blinks awake, rubbing his eyes sleepily. He yawns.
"Hey. Did you only just come to bed? I waited up for you as long as I could…."
"Guilty as charged, Detective Gordon."
Oswald's manner is weary despite the light-hearted jibe he often greets his lover with. He sounds and looks exhausted.
"Are you ok?" Jim asks, frowning. He strokes Oswald's hair back and kisses him softly. He sees Oswald's eyes are troubled as well as heavy. He knows better than to say "Where have you been?" or "What have you been up to?"
"Yes, I'm fine Jim. Let's just go to sleep." Oswald gives him an edgy little smile.
Then he burrows down against Jim's chest, closes his eyes and sighs deeply. He clings to Jim tightly.
"OK, OK," Jim rasps, getting the message, and wraps his arms around Oswald protectively. He rubs his back and kisses his soft raven crown. "I'm glad you're home, Oswald," he murmurs into his parting. He inhales hard, enjoying Oswald's warm, sensual signature scent. Oswald grunts drowsily and sighs again, relaxing his grip a little.
Jim continues to stroke his sleepy little lover rhythmically. He feels his man's warm, silk clad body breathing deeply against his as he falls asleep.
He wonders what has happened. He wants to ask but also wants to let Oswald rest. He wonders if Oswald will reveal anything to him in the morning when they wake in each other's arms - but he won't push it. He knows better than that now. He thinks that maybe Oswald doesn't want to share the gory details, not let Jim be touched or tainted by them - although Jim wants to comfort him in his pain.
He is glad and grateful to have him back safe and sound, and this is always his main concern. He will keep a vigil, holding his lover's breathing body close and watching him sleep, until he eventually loses consciousness himself.