inhotwater | BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AU 1

[Just stay.

For a moment, Edward's not sure if he heard that right. Oswald wants him to stay. He really must be delirious, wanting a monster like him here. Still, if that's what he says, then...

Then Edward just won't move. That's easy enough.

Oswald can just keep leaning on him.

That's alright.]

[he's still shaking. He can't seem to stop. Whether that's emotional or because of the high fever he's running right now, that's debatable. But it leaves him leaning heavily on Edward, which is honestly fine because he doesn't even have the wherewithal to logic up the calm that he's been keeping or the fear that he'd had before. All that he registers is soft and warm and something like a heartbeat and he just feels so awful right now that he's just going to

accidentally

fall asleep on Edward. Right here. He's just going to slip back into unconsciousness]

[It takes a second before Edward realizes that Oswald fell asleep. Once he does, he's... not sure what to do.

This isn't exactly the most comfortable position he's in right now. After all, he's half on the ground, half on the bed. He should probably just... go. But Oswald's sleeping again and he seems calmer, so. What can he do?

In the end, he doesn't dare move. Worried he'll break the spell or something... And isn't that an ironic feeling. He just... stays there, like that.

It's not comfortable. But he's been far less comfortable than this before.

...Night is when he should be most active, but. With him properly stuck and not moving, he'll fall asleep too, eventually. Which means that, in his sleep, his wings might fold up around them unconsciously.

So that'll be a strange way for Oswald to wake up.]

[when he wakes up, he's....warm. Finally not sweating, as it seems his fever has broken. But...it's definitely soft and warm and feels a bit like he's gotten tangled up in his blankets--]

Mn, wh--[and then he freezes. Because he realizes that he's tucked against the soft fur of Edward's chest. It's warm and comfortable and soft and he can't move. A brief glance over his shoulder proves the reason why: he's wrapped up in bat wings, cuddled against the beast.

Okay.

Oswald blinks, slowly, lifting his head a bit to look up at Edward and see if he's still asleep]

[Oh, Edward is super asleep, my dude.

Like.

Deep asleep.]

[....w e l p. Okay. Guess he's not moving for now. He should probably feel a bit more nervous about all this, but it's...not so bad, really? And if this doesn't confirm his obvious safety here, he's not sure what could at this point.

This is the strangest thing that has ever happened to him in his life.

Right.

Hellish-looking demon, but surprisingly easy to befriend. He could probably tear out Oswald's guts with those claws, but he's essentially done nothing but take care of Oswald since he got there. Granted, there's always the chance that he's waiting to pull something, but...honestly, Oswald finds that doubtful.

He debates whether to try and wiggle out, but his ankle is still just killing him and he doesn't actually feel that great still, so...probably not the best idea. Besides, it's not as though he's not comfortable. After a moment, Oswald settles again, back down where he woke. The best option right now really is to just try and get some more sleep. It's hard to determine how Edward will react anyway, so...that'll be a thing to worry about later.

...right. Oswald'll just...curl up here, and try and go back to sleep]

[Well, later on, Edward is... actually still asleep. Winter does weird things to his sleep cycle, it's not uncommon for him to just suddenly be OUT for a while. He is so sleepy, all the time.

The good news is that, once Oswald wakes up again, Edward has shifted his wings. One of them's tucked more against himself, not Oswald. And the other is more spread out, now. Which does cover more area, but is also easier to escape.

In theory.]

[He feels significantly more awake this time when he comes to consciousness. Perhaps because he's slightly less trapped and is therefore a bit colder. It's also because it's...still the most strangest of circumstances to wake up in.

Oswald swallows a bit, trying to turn slightly to get a better view of his situation.

Definitely possibly easier to slip out this way. He almost still feels reluctant to, but...he also really had to find a bathroom. So, right...he'll just suck in a low breath and slowly try to wiggle out from under that wing, all while not upsetting the bandage on his arm or his leg.

It's...not an easy task. By any means.]

[The sudden movement under Edward's wing is... not enough to wake him just yet, but...]

Mmn...

[He does make a noise and huff a little in his sleep, trying to burrow his head under the pillow a little.

Continue your quest towards freedom, Oswald.]

[Oswald freezes as Edward starts to move, tilting his head up to watch Edward's face, but...nope, still asleep. (That was, once again, cuter than it should have been) He sucks in a breath, before making another bid at freedom.]

[How far are you getting there, Oswald? So far you seem to be doing okay...]

[HE'S....about halfway out from under that wing. Just trying to escape out the side or something, moving slowly in an attempt not to wake Edward but...it's hard when one of your ankles is just out of commission entirely.]

[Yeah, about that attempt. Oswald might think it's going good, but then he... maybe moves in the wrong way, but Edward feels the movement in his sleep... and tries to roll over.

The problem: he's like, at the edge of the bed, kind of draped over it? So.

The good news is that Oswald is now very free.

The bad news is that Edward is rolling straight off the side of the bed. Which definitely wakes him, judging from the surprised yelp that follows.]

[alskdhfs THAT WAS NOT WHAT HE MEANT TO DO!!!

Oswald gasps, startled--] Edward! [he's scrambling to the edge of the bed, leaning down to peer over it] Are you alright?

[Edward's on the floor, kind of in a heap, before he sits up a little awkwardly. He looks a little dazed, which is fair enough. It's kind of a rough way to wake up.]

Wha's... [He shakes his head a little and rubs his wing over his eyes for a second.] ...Huh?

[Boy yeah he was in a real deep sleep up until a few seconds ago, give him a sec.]

[..........why is that so cute.

For a hellish-looking creature, he also somehow manages to look adorable. It's really not fair.

Oswald swallows]

You, ah...fell.

[He turns his head to look at Oswald. And then it dawns on him what just happened.]

Ah... Oh.

Oh, I see.

[Yep, okay, wow. That's incredibly embarrassing.]

I, ah... [He rubs at his face with his wing again, though this time it seems more like he's trying to hide his face.] Good...

...morn...ing? [He's guessing.] ...Evening?

[why is that motion so cute really it's absolutely unfair, and oswald swallows, turning to scoot across the bed to try and peak outside]

Ah, it's...still dark out. Morning, perhaps? I'm honestly not sure how long it's been.

I lose track a lot in the winter.

[Time is so fake.]

You're, um... looking better.

[Oswald shifts to sit again, stretching his leg out with a small wince.]

I'm...feeling better. [he does actually honestly feel embarrassed by that display. As much as he's all for people underestimating him, he only likes to be seen as weak if he's in control of it...and that's not what that was. He plasters a sheepish smile on his face] Though it seems I must apologize to you again. My imposition on you keeps worsening, I fear.

It's not like you could really help it. It isn't like you wanted to pass out...

[...no, he really didn't. He didn't want to pass out at all, he just overestimated himself. He's made of stern stuff and he's survived a lot, that's true, but...this was clearly too much. He can't miscalculate like that again]

...nevertheless, thank you.

[That still feels... incredibly surreal to hear.]

Oh, um... You're... welcome.

[It's a little unsure, like he's not certain if that's what he should say or not.]

...Um... I kind of had to take you upstairs, but I can help you go down...

I would appreciate that. [Oswald scoots to the edge of the bed gingerly, still careful of his ankle]

Do you need help now, or...

[He's a little hesitant, only just now getting up. Still... feeling a little wobbly and sleepy.]

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