Define Close [Nygmobblepot]

Ch6: Breath of Fresh Air

Edward's POV

"Oh, dear, is that the time?" Oswald asks as we walk into his manor after a busy day and he finally seems to have enough peace of mind to glance at the clock. "I'm sorry it took longer than expected." The interview and everything related to it itself and afterwards stopping for the press on our way back, in order to get good press. The afternoon had passed quickly and it was getting late.

"Oh, don't worry." I assure him. "Thank you again for letting me come along. It was fascinating."

He smiles at me. "It was no problem. You were helpful and.. well, good company."

"I'm glad to hear that." I tell him with a smile. "Do you need help now?"

"What do you mean?" He asks and I wonder how to present it without irritating or offending him again.

"Well, you have a lot of stairs." I point out, guessing his bedroom is upstairs. "And your leg today-"

"Ed." He interrupts me but I'm kind of pleased by the use of my nickname. "I handle the stairs myself every single day, I think I got it."

"You handle a lot of things on your own but that doesn't mean you always have to." I tell him.

"Still, I think I can manage it." He just says, assuring me and I don't doubt him, I'd just love to help if it'd make it easier for him.

"As you wish." I agree anyway. "Is there anything else I can do?"

"No. Really, Ed." He says. "I'm not in need of some personal assistance, I'm fine."

"Trust me, I'd never fool myself into thinking you'd need me." I say. Of course he doesn't, he has a huge staff and he's quite capable on his own. "I just want to be useful if I can."

"You've been very useful, Edward." He assures me. "I don't need you to do anything tonight."

"Alright." I agree. "So, um..."

"Would you care to stay for a drink or something?" He suggests then. "Unless of course you should get going, I understand, you don't exactly live around the corner."

"No, I'd love to." I tell him. "I mean I'm not in a hurry." I chuckle lightly. "Why would I offer to stay and help if I was?"

He lets out a breath that might be considered as a slightly awkward laugh as well. "To be polite?" He suggests and I smile as I shake my head.

"I'm not being nice just to be polite." I say which seems to confuse him a bit. "I really like you, Oswald." I tell him and watch as he carefully studies my face, apparently so surprised by that that he expects me to take it back or explain what I really meant any second now. "Oswald?"

"You like me?" He repeats in a tone that makes me wonder if our plan could actually ever work, he sounds almost horrified. Disgusted.

"Of course." I say simply, trying not to freak him out. "I really enjoy your company. That's why I insist on making conversation and offering help." I laugh lightly. "Not because I feel like I should or need to in order to present myself in a correct way."

That makes the corners of his mouth quirk up a bit as well and he glances at the floor before looking up at me, leaning against his cane and tilting his head quite adorably. "Well, I really enjoy your company as well, Ed."

I smile, borderline smirking as I feel surprisingly glad and relieved to hear that. "So, you like me?" I question, considering his response didn't sound as personal. I might be crossing the line, though. Well, there's nothing wrong with being bold every now and then.

He lets out a scoff sounding laugh which makes me think I caught him off guard but he seems more amused and flustered than he does irritated. "Of course I do." He just says and I smile victoriously.

"That reminds me, you said I reminded you of someone when I asked why were you being so nice to me." I go back to our several days old conversation. "Who is that?" I ask curiously, very fascinated to hear what made him grow fond of me in any way.

"Me." He admits and looks a bit nervous about my reaction but little does he know, I take it as a huge compliment.

"Really?" I ask him, extremely fascinated now. "Because I was just thinking I've never met someone who'd be so.. on the same wavelength with me. I don't often feel like I'm talking to an intellectual equal but with you I do." I tell him, startling myself a bit as well considering it's all true. Maybe I don't talk to many people in the first place but I've always felt like I'm surrounded by arrogant people who in reality are a bunch of fools. "I feel like.. we have something in common. That we really are similar."

He smiles, apparently relieved. "I agree. Completely." He replies, looking at me in a way that locks me in my place. "I must say, you're a breath of fresh air, Mr Nygma." He says and I let out a small breath, my lips curling into a smile. The feeling in my chest that's slowly starting to feel overwhelming is making me wonder how close are we really? And of course, how close do I have to get? Not to mention, how close do I want to get? I didn't think I'd want anything but standing there, looking at him, makes me realize I just might.

"Likewise, Mr Cobblepot." I reply and he rolls his eyes a bit but I grin.

"How about that drink?" He asks then and I nod.

"Sounds good." I said smiling but that evening did not end up going exactly how I would've guessed.

AN: I haven't said this before but I'd like to point out English is not my first language so I'm sorry if some things sound kind of awkward, I guess? I'm aware it's not perfect because it's not my own language but I think this is one of the best ways to really improve and help your vocabulary grow so thanks to everyone who is sticking with me and my fics haha :)