Ah. Well. [Oswald tips his head in the equivalent of a shrug, not minding Ed having occupied his home.] Fair enough.
[But the suggestion that Ed puts forward isn't as well-received. He'd be lying if he argued that pride has nothing to do with it; he'd rather frame it as a matter of dignity, but it's easier for him to say nothing at all, to try and leave Blackgate in Blackgate although it hasn't left him, his shoulders hunching defensively and his hands clenching and unclenching in his lap as if he isn't being asked but forced to surrender to Olga and to being scooped into her arms.]
No. [Comes his knee-jerk answer. He studies his socks, ears burning. Pulls in a breath before trying again, looking up.] Your concern is duly noted. ...And appreciated. [He adds, a wry half-smile curving the corner of his mouth.] But I can handle it.
[He makes a point of standing without using the nearest table to help himself up, shifting his weight off his bad leg. Meeting Ed's eyes with sudden difficulty, he continues:]
If you're hungry at all, please, help yourself. No need to wait on my account.
[Not pausing for an answer, he'll see Ed off with an easy shoulder clap and make his way for the stairs, jaw tensing as he grips the bannister and hauls himself along. At the second floor landing, when he's fairly sure he's out of sight, he'll stop to rest for a minute, temples sheening with sweat.]
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2019-12-05 09:00 pm (UTC)[But the suggestion that Ed puts forward isn't as well-received. He'd be lying if he argued that pride has nothing to do with it; he'd rather frame it as a matter of dignity, but it's easier for him to say nothing at all, to try and leave Blackgate in Blackgate although it hasn't left him, his shoulders hunching defensively and his hands clenching and unclenching in his lap as if he isn't being asked but forced to surrender to Olga and to being scooped into her arms.]
No. [Comes his knee-jerk answer. He studies his socks, ears burning. Pulls in a breath before trying again, looking up.] Your concern is duly noted. ...And appreciated. [He adds, a wry half-smile curving the corner of his mouth.] But I can handle it.
[He makes a point of standing without using the nearest table to help himself up, shifting his weight off his bad leg. Meeting Ed's eyes with sudden difficulty, he continues:]
If you're hungry at all, please, help yourself. No need to wait on my account.
[Not pausing for an answer, he'll see Ed off with an easy shoulder clap and make his way for the stairs, jaw tensing as he grips the bannister and hauls himself along. At the second floor landing, when he's fairly sure he's out of sight, he'll stop to rest for a minute, temples sheening with sweat.]