[Alfred is stable, would recover – and Oswald waits for the next moment to come, for the sheer relief that’s supposed to swell inside him, just like it did back at the Van Dahl mansion, and pour out as tearful laughter. But there's a heaviness settling in his chest. Something he’s afraid to label after everything he’s been through tonight.
He had wanted Alfred back. That hasn’t changed.
He swallows and nods dimly, looking at his feet.]
See you next week.
[He says, his throat aching.
He’s the first to turn away this time, slowly making his way back into the kitchen where the tomato soup is gently bubbling. He listens for the sound of the front door while ladling out as much of the solids as he can into a single bowl. Balancing a tray while hobbling up the stairs strikes him as an accident waiting to happen. So, he brings the soup first – Alfred’s – hugging the bowl to his chest as he fights his way up, step by step. By the time he reaches the top, he’s completely breathless. But at least nothing has spilled. Life, now, is about the little victories.
After giving his heartbeat a moment to even out, he moves on, rounding the corner into Alfred’s bedroom.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 08:51 pm (UTC)He had wanted Alfred back. That hasn’t changed.
He swallows and nods dimly, looking at his feet.]
See you next week.
[He says, his throat aching.
He’s the first to turn away this time, slowly making his way back into the kitchen where the tomato soup is gently bubbling. He listens for the sound of the front door while ladling out as much of the solids as he can into a single bowl. Balancing a tray while hobbling up the stairs strikes him as an accident waiting to happen. So, he brings the soup first – Alfred’s – hugging the bowl to his chest as he fights his way up, step by step. By the time he reaches the top, he’s completely breathless. But at least nothing has spilled. Life, now, is about the little victories.
After giving his heartbeat a moment to even out, he moves on, rounding the corner into Alfred’s bedroom.]