Define Close [Nygmobblepot]

Ch11: Storm Inside

Edward's POV

The same evening we sit on the same couch we did few nights ago and I feel more at peace than I have in a long time. We decided to have just glasses of wine so we wouldn't repeat the earlier experiences, especially now that we really wanted to talk. We did end up drinking more but at a slow pace and not enough to get drunk, it feels more like a warm buzz. As cheesy as it sounds, I'm more drunk on him. I have a stupid smile on my face everytime I look at him which is all the time because I physically can't tear my eyes away from him when he's right there. I lean my head against my palm while my elbow is propped up against the back of the couch and smile at him as the glow of the fireplace moves on his skin and reflects from his eyes.

"What are you doing?" He asks, looking amused but his eyes are sparkling when he looks at me and it's a feeling I've never experienced before.

"Just looking at you." I reply, the smile actually stuck on my face and he raises a brow at my response. "Because you're beautiful." I say and he lets out a short laugh and turns to look at the fire. I don't know if he disagrees or is just bad at receiving compliments which I can relate to but I think I've at least managed to make him blush. "Oswald." I say and he finally turns to look at me again, this time more serious. "Come here." I say even though we're pretty close already but he doesn't question it, instead scooting closer, one of his legs folded on the couch and lifting the other off the floor to rest over mine and I smile as I put my hand on his knee. He puts his hand over mine, looking down at them while his other hand that's resting on the back of the couch is picking at the material and I wonder if he's a bit nervous. I lift my head off my palm to put my hand over his to stop his nervous movements and he laughs softly as he notices, interwining our fingers. Then he leans in, pressing his lips on mine and kissing me softly. I can't help but smile again which makes kissing a bit harder and he laughs quietly before leaning his forehead against my shoulder.

"You're truly wonderful, Ed." He says quietly and I kiss his head, burying my face in his hair and closing my eyes. "You really are the most brilliant person I've ever met."

"And not nearly as wonderful and brilliant as you." I mumble a reply without opening my eyes because more than anything I want to drown in the feeling of him and the peace of this moment, ignoring the storm inside my mind. So I smile and wonder how am I gonna take everything away from this man when I want to give him the world.

Oswald's POV

I wake up, feeling as comfortable as I did when I fell asleep. I can hear Ed's steady breathing and heartbeat as I lie on him on the narrow couch, between his legs, my head on his chest. I have my palm pressed against his chest as well but my other arm has fallen asleep between us and the back of the couch. He has his arm around me, the other hanging over the side of the couch and his chin against the top of my head. I can't remember the last time I felt so peaceful or safe because of another person. Later on I will hate myself for feeling like that but for now I feel too good to do anything other than enjoy the moment.

After a while I feel his hand drawing shapes lazily on my back, I barely feel it because of all the layers of clothing but I smile once I realize he's awake. "Morning." I say quietly.

"How long have you been awake?" His voice asks, his fingers now sliding down my spine.

"Not long at all." I tell him, pushing myself up on my elbow and shaking my other arm a bit to get rid of the tingling sensation and help the blood return to it. He smiles up at me and I can't help myself as I lean down to kiss him. Who the hell looks so beautiful in the morning?

"Can't we just stay here for the rest of the day?" He mumbles against my lips and I smile as I pull back a bit.

"I don't think so." I tell him with a small laugh.

He frowns, squinting his eyes. "I'd at least like to see you properly."

I roll my eyes. "Where did you put your glasses?" I ask him and in response he reaches over to the small table and feels around for his glasses before settling them back on, pushing them up the bridge of his nose.

"Much better." He announces with a smile before pulling me in for another kiss, his fingertips brushing against the skin on my neck and then running up through my hair. I sigh against his mouth, knowing I really wouldn't want anything more than to stay here with him for the rest of the day

Edward's POV

"Well, look who decided to show their face." Barbara says, spitting out her words and I roll my eyes. "Where have you been?" She demands and I set my jaw as I look at all their offended faces furiously.

"Doing the job you sent me to do." I point out. "The more I'm in contact with you the easier it'll be for him to realize what's going on."

"Whatever, you can't leave us hanging." Tabitha hisses at me. "What were we supposed to think?"

"I'd appreciate not to get accused of being a traitor when all I did was exactly what I was asked to do." I reply. "It's your own fault you got caught, I'm not your babysitter, I can't help you. But I can still pull this off if you don't ask me here for an emergency meeting for no reason every day."

"Who said we didn't have a reason?" Butch asks frowning. "You've been with Penguin, you know how worked up he is over this."

"Yes, which means you will die if he gets to you before you get to him." I point out with a smile. "So I suggest you hang back and let me do what you originally told me to do." With that I turn around and walk to the door with long strides. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a dinner date to get to."