An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Another bonus chapter to nygmobblepot story âWhat Can Fly Without Wings?â, expect looks at their wedding night (mature, duh), mentions of Sofia (past tense), Oswaldâs revenge on Tabitha, and âIâm gonna fix you, Edâ.
âYou want to talk about it?â Ed asked.
Oswald opened his mouth as though to speak before biting his bottom lip, not rightly able to settle on how to feel âtoday was aâŚit was a complicated dayâ he managed.
He then shuffled forward to reach for the decanter on the coffee table and took out two glasses from the drinking case there, pouring himself one and offering to Ed as well. Whisky wasn't Edâs favourite but he decided to drink in solidarity this time and accepted it. Oswald was quick to down his while Ed took only a small sip and watched his lover carefully before joining him on the couch.
âOswald? what happened?â Ed asked âdid Professor Strange try anything or-â
âNoâ came the flat answer, âitâs not about that.â
Oswald poured himself another glass, clearly tired by the day just had, and raised it âto Butch.â
Ed hadnât expected Oswald to say that but it wasnât out of the blue, âyou cured him?â Ed asked as the glasses clinked.
âI killed himâ came the simple and shocking reply.
Dumbfounded, Edward froze for a moment trying to let that sink in, Oswald hadn't mentioned a thing about that as a plan and Ed wondered for a moment if it was by accident. âDid the remedy not work on him?â
âOh no, it worked, Butch got back to normalâŚhe looked so happyâ Oswald said, a mock cheeriness to his voice before a small sigh adding ââŚand I shot himâ leaning back on the couch and continuing his drinking.
Thoroughly perplexed, Ed put down his glass and sat surprised for several moments, that was until Oswald finished his second and went to pour a third glass.
Watching Oswald drink away whatever happened earlier to make him do that, Ed felt compelled to ask âwhy did you shoot him? you clearly didnât want to. Did he attack you?â
âNopeâ Oswald said and continued drinking âI got him back to his regular self, Tabitha Galavan had the love of her life back for a few wonderful momentsâŚIâm sure she felt so relievedâŚand hopefulâ Oswald mused, certain of every word âand I got to take it awayâŚâ and he downed that drink too.
As Oswald went to pour a fourth, he found Edâs hand on his arm and hearing âOswald, you might want to slow down.â
Oswald didnât glare but he did pause until Ed removed his hand and continued anyway, pouring his drink and he swirled it around in his glass a little, at least he sipped this one a little slower, Ed thought.
âRevenge for you mother, I presume?â Ed mused by Oswaldâs last statement, it wasnât hard to figure that much out.
âYupâ Oswald said casually, âwell, half way.â
âHer death, that needs to come laterâŚlet thisâŚlossâŚsit with her for a whileâ Oswald answered, barely finishing his words before taking another sip.
No judgement in his voice, it made sense, it really did. It wasnât too out of character for Oswald, it was a clean, apt revenge given Tabithaâs actions, but as Ed watched Oswald sit sulking rather than claiming a happy victory the act appeared costly.
âI know more recently youâve come to think of Butch as a friendâŚthat must have been hard...â