[ Seeing Ed bracing himself for a hit certainly didn't make Oswald feel any better about himself. The whole point is that he was supposed to stop hurting him, not keep doing it. But as usual, his penchant to yell and throw tantrums had temporarily overwritten his softer emotions.

At the first sign of Ed's touch he felt himself flinch, but it only took seconds for his body to relax into it. That sensation had always been one of comfort, and despite everything Oswald imagined it always would be. He sighed quietly, silently soaking in their moment of intimacy. Eventually, though, they had to keep talking. There was more to say. He turned and gently took Ed's hands in his own, subconsciously circling his skin with soft strokes of his thumbs. ]

Ed, you don't know what it felt like for me to wake up here knowing that what became of us was something so painful. I didn't know if we could ever come back from it. I'll admit, I was afraid. I was terrified, actually. [ His voice wavered slightly. Even then, there was a bit of fear in him. ] But... while I don't know what you saw or lived, from now on I'm making a promise to trust that what you said is true. That we're alright. I can't keep making these mistakes with you, Ed. I love you far too much to squander the chance I have now. And... and if you feel the same right here and now, then there's nothing more I could ask for. Gotham be damned.