Edward Nygma's Dreamscape- Healing Those You Love The Most

[riddleme_this]

Ed rinsed out the wet cloth in his hand and went to get another clean one. How many cloths had Oswald gotten through with his sweaty forehead? It didn't matter. All that mattered was that Ed cared for his friend and boss. He applied the cool water onto the cloth and walked back into the bedroom with it. Hopefully, it would help soothe Oswald's raging fever, along with the tablets he had already taken earlier in the morning.

The poor guy was stuffed up; his nose was bright red and congested. Oswald was shivering and his face was all red and his dark hair was matter against his forehead in sticky, spikey strands. As for his eyes, they looked as if they'd been punched many times, being all red and puffy. Ed sat down on the bed close to Oswald to slide the cool cloth over his hot forehead and pressed softly.

"There we go. This should help bring down the fever by applying a cool layer to your burning capillaries. Or just- it'll help keep you cool."

Ed was good at going into too much detail as he often did. Right now, he was worried, so of course he was going to spout. He knew Oswald probably didn't want to hear about his inflamed capillaries or how scientific his body was right now. All he wanted was rest and Ed was going to give it to him. But first, he just wanted to comfort the man.

"I've already fetched you a glass of cold water and a packet of pain killers if you need anymore. Just- go easy on those, Oswald. I know what you can be like and I don't want you taking too many."

His cheek twitched slightly out of nerves as he spoke. Ed knew how reckless Oswald could be regarding alcohol and pills. The bottle of whiskey or vodka was often drunk out of a moment of anger or rage when things went wrong. Ed would have to monitor him to make sure that he didn't dope himself up too much. Oswald offered his friend a squint and licked his cracked lips. His voice came out weak and strained.

"Ed....will you be alright? I mean- the duties- I can't-"

Ed silenced his friend by placing two long fingers against Oswald's dry lips. He had everything in hand so that Oswald didn't have to worry about his Mayoral duties or the underworld goings on. Edward Nygma was a very efficient man. He was always one step ahead at all times. The main focus was Oswald right now and getting him better. Suddenly, Ed felt the blankets get tugged slightly from where he was sitting on the bed as Oswald jerked to sneeze. Once. Twice. Three times. Ready as always, Ed grabbed a handkerchief from his suit pocket and pressed it up against Oswald's weeping nose. He had anticipated that there would be a few sneezes coming along, so had gotten the handkerchief from Oswald's top drawer.

"Thank you, Ed-"

Oswald blew his nose rather loudly then gave a slight shiver, pulling the blankets up higher to his chest. Ed narrowed his eyes and then got up to go and fill the water bottle. He walked into the bathroom, filling the rather old rubber bottle up with boiling hot water from the old bath tub. It worked and that's all that mattered right now. Ed came back into the master bedroom and slipped the water bottle under the blankets close to Oswald's chest, hoping it would help warm him up.

"It's nice and warm. Thank you, Ed."

Oswald realised just how many times he had said thank you to his Chief of Staff. It was well-earned though. What would he do without this man? He would just be sitting alone, cold in this vast bed just staring up at the ceiling. There was only one other person in the world who could take better care of him at a time like this; his mother. Alas, she was no longer of this world and Ed Nygma was the bravest man in the world right now.

"How are you feeling now, Oswald? If you need anything else you only have to whisper."

Ed offered his sick friend a warm smile and hoped that Oswald, did indeed, aim to catch his attention if he needed anything else. This flu, or cold, or whatever it was; it was just a passing thing. Ed knew he'd pull through. He'd make sure of it.

"I'm good thank you. Just- this damn cold, it's infuriating. I blame the public for spreading their germs to me."

Oswald blew his nose once more and felt tears stream down his cheeks. Damn them all. He never wanted to stand in a classroom full of bratty kids, or stand out in the cold answering questions and having his photo taken. If it wasn't for Ed, he might have just killed someone out of anger and frustration. Yet, he was the Mayor of Gotham and he had an image to keep up. He couldn't just go around killing people in front of the public eye. He'd just make sure he did it secretly that's all.

Ed had a sudden urge to just pull Oswald into his arms and hug him tightly, yet he knew this wasn't the time for that. The man was ill and besides it might spread to him. He sighed softly and gently reached out to clasp his friend's hand in his own, caressing the top with his thumb.

"I love you, Oswald Cobblepot and nothing is going to change that. You know I'll be here as your Chief of Staff and as your friend. Your best friend."

His throat bobbed as he spoke and realised he had been staring into Oswald's eyes longer than he realised. Oswald on the other hand just gaped slightly bewitched and sniffled. His own hand clasping Ed's in a warm embrace. He was touched, truly.

"I- don't know what to say- I- I love you too, Edward Nygma. Always."

Oswald managed to whisper out hoarsely; his large eyes gleaming from being wet with tears. This time he was nearly moved to tears and these weren't because he was stuffed up with cold. The words hit him straight in the heart. He felt a smile spread across his red face, realising that he cared for Ed more than anyone else in the world right now.

...

Ed groaned, as he rolled over. He was alone once more in his bed. It had all been another dream and Oswald wasn't ill. Or, he wasn't ill last time Ed had checked on him by peeking through the keyhole of the master bedroom.