[And Oswald is already there, gently cradling his face with the tips of his fingers, bending a bit to inspect his injuries]
We should at least get this clean--I know I have a first-aid kit in the bathroom--[he glances over his shoulder]--Butch, could you--?
"Yeah, I'm on it." [and Butch pushes to his feet, moving to retrieve it, and Oswald swallows, turning back to look at Edward again. There might be a bit of a tremble in his fingertips, very much still worried]
I was worried when you didn't answer your phone, I wasn't sure--[he cuts himself off, pressing his lips together, reaching up to tuck some hair back away from Edward's forehead] ....well. It doesn't matter. All it matters is that you're alright.
It's okay. [And impulsively he just, tugs Edward into a hug, half curling around him, arms tight around his shoulders] I'm just--[and his breath hitches tellingly, voice going a bit wobbly.] I'm glad you're okay.
[and Oswald is just going to hold him for a moment, just...trying to calm himself down a bit. It's fine. Edward's alright. He's hurt, but he's alright. Butch is here, which means something must have happened, but right now all that's important is that he's alive which is far better than anything Oswald's mind tried to conjure up]
[Oswald laughs, once, at that, but it's strained] Yes, I did surmise that, at least. [his voice is still wobbly, but he's trying] I am a lawyer, you know.
You just...went. [he can't help but repeat it because it just...it doesn't make any sense. Why would he do that? Just walk into danger like that, knowing exactly how bad it could possibly (and would possibly) be? He can't understand or logic it or follow the behavioral pattern that it might just be freaking him out a bit. He swallows, hard]
[Edward doesn't have anything else to say about it. What can he say, really? He doesn't know why he went in there. There wasn't a reason, it just... happened.]
[he doesn't respond for a long moment. He just....holds him. And tries not to panic.]
I...I don't know...[Oswald trails off after a moment] ...I don't know what to do. That doesn't make sense because you knew better. [his stomach is tying itself into knots, and his arms tighten around Edward a bit] How can I--what can I do? What if it'd been an even worse situation? [he's really trying not to freak out right now, and it's not really working] Will this happen again?
[It's hardly the first time he's been in danger or gotten hurt on these. But it's the worst that Oswald knows of and it's the first time that anyone's cared about it. It's upsetting to him.
...Edward doesn't want to upset Oswald.]
...I can, um...
I can... rethink going alone. That'd be fine then, right? Then it won't happen again.
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We should at least get this clean--I know I have a first-aid kit in the bathroom--[he glances over his shoulder]--Butch, could you--?
"Yeah, I'm on it." [and Butch pushes to his feet, moving to retrieve it, and Oswald swallows, turning back to look at Edward again. There might be a bit of a tremble in his fingertips, very much still worried]
I was worried when you didn't answer your phone, I wasn't sure--[he cuts himself off, pressing his lips together, reaching up to tuck some hair back away from Edward's forehead] ....well. It doesn't matter. All it matters is that you're alright.
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Oh... I hadn't realized you'd called. [oops...] ...I know I was supposed to call when I was done. I... kind of forgot. Sorry...
[Usually he doesn't forget stuff, but, well. Circumstances.]
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Oh.]
Ah...
[He's... not sure what he's supposed to do. But Oswald's holding on so tight that it's easy enough to just stay still instead.]
Y-Yeah... I'm fine.
Sorry...
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...can I ask what happened?
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[The question he really... didn't want to deal with right now.]
I just... ran into some trouble.
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[He's... going for light. Misses the mark. He suppresses a wince at his own dumb comment.]
I, um... I was just... I was trying to retrieve something that was stolen. And the people that had it weren't very happy with me.
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[....Yyyyeaaaaah.]
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...I don't understand. If it was dangerous and even the ghost didn't want you to go...why did you?
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[He's not... hesitating, so much, as genuinely kind of at a loss for what to say.]
I don't know, I thought... It was there and everything, so... I just went.
[...Edward doesn't sound particularly sure of himself, though.]
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...I see.
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...I'm sorry for worrying you.
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I...I don't know...[Oswald trails off after a moment] ...I don't know what to do. That doesn't make sense because you knew better. [his stomach is tying itself into knots, and his arms tighten around Edward a bit] How can I--what can I do? What if it'd been an even worse situation? [he's really trying not to freak out right now, and it's not really working] Will this happen again?
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[He's... quiet, at that. Oswald's... much more than just worried. And he doesn't know what to even do with that.]
I... [...] No... No, it won't happen again.
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[.....]
Because if you can't, then I--I need to know, Edward. I need to know so we can find a solution. So this doesn't happen.
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...Edward doesn't want to upset Oswald.]
...I can, um...
I can... rethink going alone. That'd be fine then, right? Then it won't happen again.
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It won't happen again.
[And Butch will be there. Just to be safe.]
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It is, a little.
But a lapse in judgement is being unable to judge a situation properly.
Edward judged this situation properly...he just chose a completely illogical path of action.]
And you'll take Butch with you?
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...which is about the time that Butch is going to uhhhhhh step back into the room]
"Hey, uh...I got that first-aid kit."
[And Oswald's turning his head to look at him then]
Oh. Thank you. [and he's releasing Edward so he can take that from Butch as he comes over]
"No problem."
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