Ed stood outside the apartment door, key in one hand and large plastic bag in the other. As his hand reached to open the door he stopped. From the other side he could hear the melancholy notes of a piano, a sorrowful elegy accompanied by a voice.

"...my, my mother's love.
I light another candle,
Dry the tears from my face..."

He leaned his head against the door, listening intently. He decided to wait until Oswald finished the verse before moving, intentionally jingling his keys loudly as a way to announce his presence. Ed gave him another few seconds by fumbling with his key in the lock before entering.

"I've got dinner," he announced, holding up the bag of takeout food as he entered. Oswald had turned himself around to face the door, eyes slightly puffy and red.

"Just because you've brought an apology dinner doesn't mean I'll spare your chemistry set."

"Apology?" Ed laughed, setting the boxes of food on the table, "Oh, no- this is a reward for figuring out my little riddle."

Oswald grinned, despite himself.

Dinner was full of spirited conversation and debate about a range of subjects; from future crime schemes to trivial chitchat their chemistry made even the most mundane of topics enjoyable. As the evening continued on, sky long past dark, they found themselves still seated at the table, conversation ebbing and flowing as drowsiness set in.

"I've been wondering," Oswald said, pushing aside a bottle of cheap wine, "how did you get that key in my pocket?"

"Oh, that? That key has been in there for some time now. Probably a week and a half, give or take a few days."

"How did you know to put it in there?"

"I didn't," he confessed, placing his pair of chopsticks near the emptied boxes of food. "It was more guesswork than anything, since I don't have sufficient data to work with."

"I- what?"

"You see, I've been observing you for the last month or so and noticed a curious habit of yours. On days where you wear that jacket," he gestured to Oswald's top, "you are seven percent more likely to forget your keys on that day. That doesn't sound like much, but scientifically that is an incredibly significant amount."

"Seriously?"

"I haven't spent enough time with you to be able to share that observation with full confidence, though I noticed the pattern and decided to place the key in your inner pocket in case you'd lock yourself out."

"That's... wow. That's really observant."

Ed smiled. "Though that begs the question- why that jacket?"

Oswald looked down, running his finger along the suit as he spoke, "My... this was one of my mother's particular favorites." His voice quivered slightly. "She always said it showed how much I had grown up, how proud it made her..." he trailed off, a sudden silence in the room.

Ed stood and walked to the couch. He pat the cushion beside him, a friendly gesture for Oswald to join him. After a moment's hesitation he sat down beside the other man. Ed wrapped his arm around his shoulders, rubbing Oswald's arm with his hand.

"...You once said that some people find strength in love," Oswald spoke, eyes staring blankly at the wall ahead of him, "but I can't even begin to understand that. All it does it makes me feel sick, weak..." he swallowed, trying to shove his emotions down his throat. "How could this possibly give people strength?"

Ed stopped, hand gripped firmly but gently on his arm. He was silent for a moment, deep in thought.

"Maybe," he reached a hand up to Oswald's bangs, running his hand through his hair, "maybe that's something we can try to figure out together."

Oswald turned, looking Ed in the eyes. Their gaze held for a few seconds before Oswald's composure broke. With a swift movement Oswald wrapped his arms around Ed, forehead resting in the crook of his neck and chin on his chest. Ed wrapped an arm around Oswald's back, his other hand patting the back of his head. Oswald cried quietly into Ed's sweater, his tears drying on the soft material.

Ed left him cry, holding him tight. Eventually, as the sobs subsided, he leaned his head forward, pulling his chin back. He gave a small, gentle kiss- his lips gently touching the top of Oswald's head. His lips lingered for a few moments before pulling away.

Oswald released his arms from around Ed and straightened his back. He looked up at Ed, small smile lining the man's face, and wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Thank you."

Edward nodded, running his hand through Oswald's hair one final time before pulling himself up from the couch. He walked over to the table, grabbing food boxes from earlier and tossing them in the garbage. Oswald watched, his body slumping with sudden fatigue.

"You're always welcome to use my bed," Ed said, taking notice of his weariness.

"It's alright," he said, easing his body down onto the couch and rolling onto his side.

Nygma sighed. "Well, if you're going to sleep there at least change out of your suit."