Chapter Text
By the time they reached his apartment, Gabe still hadn’t gotten over his astonishment that Oswald had not only shown up at the police station: he’d insisted on accompanying Gabe home. Home, in Gabe’s case, was an apartment in a not-too-shabby building in a working class neighborhood. In exchange for Gabe’s assistance with some personal matters involving loan sharks, the eternally grateful landlord had allowed Gabe to combine two small apartments into one large one- with modifications tailored to make Gabe’s life easier. These included a bathroom large enough to accommodate a Gabe-sized tub, and a bedroom large enough to accommodate a Gabe-sized bed.
Gabe sat on the side of the bed watching Oswald hang their jackets in the bedroom closet. “It’s no big deal, seriously-I’ve been shot before. For that matter, so have you, and not so long ago.”
“Butch’s aim was off, and I barely sustained a scratch.” Oswald busied himself unlacing Gabe’s shoes. “Your injury is much worse, in addition to which you were wounded while being a hero.” After removing Gabe’s shoes and socks, he stood and began to unbuckle Gabe’s belt.
“Hold on.” Gabe looked at Oswald solemnly. “If you’re planning on undressing me, don’t you suppose I ought to kiss you first?”
Oswald turned bright red. “I’m not, I mean your shoulder-I thought you shouldn’t...Gabe, you’re laughing at me!””
“ I’m just messin’ with you. Blame it on the pain pills that guy at the precinct gave me. ” Gabe stood up. “Listen, I’m gonna take a bath-an’ I promise not to drown, Ok?” He smiled reassuringly at Oswald, who still looked worried.
As he soaked in the tub, with his wounded arm propped up on the side, he decided he liked the fact that Oswald was worried about him. It was puzzling, considering how he’d been getting the cold shoulder all week; even more puzzling was the fact that Oswald had brought along a small suitcase, making it look as if he was planning on staying the night. Gabe gave up trying to figure it out. After toweling off and brushing his teeth, he caught himself about to walk out of the bathroom naked. He usually slept nude, but in deference to the fact that he had a houseguest, he donned a clean pair of boxers before returning to the bedroom.
Oswald, too, had changed. He was wearing black silk pajamas, a black robe that looked a great deal like a smoking jacket, and matching slippers.
They stared at each other. Finally, Oswald cleared his throat. “Well, someone looks like he’s ready for Valentine’s Day.”
Gabe looked down and realized the boxers were covered with red hearts and winking cupids. “Gag gift from one of my sisters.”
“Of course,” Oswald replied brightly. “Now, let’s get you into bed, Butch dropped off your prescriptions, I need to take your temperature, and then you need to take your antibiotic.” He popped a thermometer into Gabe’s mouth as soon as Gabe settled under the covers. “No fever; that’s good, do you think you can eat, can I get you something?”
Gabe shook his head.
Oswald gathered an armload of toiletries from his valise and disappeared into the bathroom. When he emerged, he stood at the bedroom door. “If you need anything during the night, I’ll be right out here on the sofa.”
“ You don’t gotta sleep on the couch. My bed’s the size of Canada; since you’re determined to stay, you may’s well be comfortable. Besides, I need to talk with you.”
Oswald draped his robe over a chair and lay down next to Gabe, propping his head up on one arm. “About what? I know I’ve been pushy, and you don’t think you need anyone to look after you......”
“Oswald. You’ve hardly spoken to me all week, and I get it. You don’t wanna hurt my feelings. I crossed a line when I kissed your hand, and now I owe you another apology.....because you deserve the best. Not some narcissist like Jim Gordon, or some broken down old thug like me. You deserve some young, smart, good lookin’ guy who’ll treat you like you’re the center of the universe...”
“Stop. Please. You’ve got it all wrong.” Oswald looked stricken. “ That’s not it, not at all, it’s me, I was.... frightened. You’ve been kind to me, really, genuinely kind, it’s like you actually care about me...and I panicked. I didn’t know what to do......I’m sorry.” He hesitated. “Would you...would you like to kiss me? I’d like for you to. But you’ll have to show me how.”
“You mean you’ve never been...with anyone?” Gabe couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I’m not a virgin, if that’s what you mean; but, my experiences with physical intimacy have been limited to contact with professionals. Their services didn’t include kissing.” Oswald looked down. “I’ve preferred to limit that aspect of my life to quantifiable transactions.”
“Come here.” Gabe reached for Oswald, stroked his face. “Relax. Don’t pucker your lips like that; relax your mouth. Part your lips, just a little.” He brushed his lips against Oswald’s, softly at first; sucked at his bottom lip, then pulled back. Oswald followed his lead, and was soon moving his mouth against Gabes’, eagerly deepening the kiss. He whimpered when Gabe began a gentle exploration with his tongue.
Gabe could tell by the way Oswald responded that he was starved for affection, starving to be touched; and it made Gabe crazy. Endorphins erased the pain in his arm, about the time he bit Oswald on the neck and ripped open his pajama top without unbuttoning it.
He felt Oswald trembling as he worked at kissing every single freckle on his shoulders, and trailed kisses down his exquisite torso before moving back to his lips. For someone who was new to kissing, Oswald was a fast learner; he gave himself over to it with complete abandon, moaning into the kiss as he felt Gabe’s hand move from his hip to the bulge in his pajama bottoms. He pressed himself into Gabe’s grasp; then moved away, slid out of the pajamas, and assisted Gabe’s festive boxers in finding a new home on the floor.
They moved together as if of one mind, flesh against flesh; hips pressed together, arms wrapped around each other. Gabe had one hand in Oswald’s hair, Oswald gasped and clutched at him, and then there was silence; white, blinding light, the absence of everything except one sound-Oswald was whispering his name, and he was falling, falling into Oswald’s blue-green eyes.
They lay panting and shaking in each other’s arms, coming down from the high; bodies slick with sweat. Gabe nuzzled the top of Oswald’s head. “You really don’t have any idea how lovable you are, do you?”
Oswald planted a kiss on Gabe’s broad chest, and sat up. “I promise to believe anything you tell me. Ew, we’re all sticky!” He grabbed the discarded pajama top, and used it to clean himself, and Gabe off; then tossed it aside. “Gabe-are you laughing at me again?”
“It’s your own fault for being adorable.” Gabe pulled up the covers as Oswald snuggled up to him, and they drifted off to sleep.
____________
To Gabe’s delight, sleeping with Oswald was like sleeping with an extremely affectionate cat. Oswald obviously thought of Gabe as a big teddy bear; a teddy bear in need of cuddling and petting.
The next morning, Oswald made breakfast; fussed endlessly over Gabe, touched and hugged him at every opportunity. He never suspected Oswald could be so affectionate and demonstrative, and he was loving every minute of it. That afternoon, Gabe had company when he went to take a hot bath; he and Oswald fit together in the tub just fine.
Evening found them snuggled together on the bed, watching an old movie on TV. Oswald had produced another pair of silk pajamas-burgundy ones, this time. They were about to abandon the movie in favor of making love when the doorbell rang.
Gabe instantly tensed up. Oswald put on his robe and slippers, got Gabe’s gun out of the bureau, and went into the living room. ‘Who’s there?”
“It’s Doctor Thompkins. Is this Gabe’s apartment?”
Oswald looked out the peephole, and quickly concealed the gun before opening the door.
“Doctor Thompkins! It’s such a pleasure to meet you. I’m Oswald Cobblepot.” He bowed, and kissed Leslie’s hand. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for taking care of Gabe.”
“You’re more than welcome. I wanted to check on how he’s doing.” She smiled warmly.
“It’s so kind of you to stop by.” Oswald shut the door and turned to her companion. “And Detective Gordon, it’s kind of you as well, to accompany Doctor Thompkins. Of course you’re not going to let her walk around this part of town alone at night. Please, have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, I’m fine.” Jim looked about as uncomfortable as anyone Oswald had ever seen.
Oswald led Leslie to the bedroom, where she changed the bandage and examined Gabe’s wound. “This looks good. Well, as good as a gunshot wound can look; no signs of infection.”
“Oswald’s been taking good care of me, Doc.”
Leslie stepped back and looked puzzled. “I seem to be stepping on something.”
She reached under the edge of the bed frame, and held up Gabe’s Valentine boxers.
“So that’s where they got to!” Oswald took them from her, then leaned over Gabe and kissed his forehead. “ I’m afraid I’ve been more focused on Gabe than housekeeping. You’ll have to excuse me.”
Oswald walked Leslie to the front door, the boxers still in his hand. “Thank you again, Doctor; please let me know if there’s any way I can repay you.”
“Gabe’s lucky to have such a devoted boyfriend to take care of him.” Leslie took Jim’s arm, while Jim eyeballed the boxers.
Oswald tilted his head to one side. “Actually, I believe I’m the lucky one. There’s nothing as wonderful as being with the right person; is there, Jim?”
“No, I don’t suppose so. I mean, of course not.” Jim’s expression conveyed how awkward he was finding the conversation. “Well, goodnight.”
Oswald giggled after he closed the door.
He returned to the bedroom, and curled up next to Gabe, who wrapped his uninjured arm around him. “You put on quite a show for Detective Asshat.”
“No show, Gabe; I’m perfectly sincere.” He laid his head on Gabe’s chest. “I’m all yours.”
Gabe kissed the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’m crazy about you, too.” He rubbed his face in Oswald’s soft hair.
Gabe was positive: at that moment, no one in Gotham was happier than he was.