Ed had had a single encounter before this place, one that had ended with death and madness. And the scars he has from his childhood and his upbringing kept him tangled up about himself until Vrenille had whirlwinded him into something like acceptance of his own sexuality.

He knows pointing out Oswald's own dislike and mistrust of being touched will spark him, but he also has confidence that even time hasn't changed Oswald so much that he'll kick off right now.

He waits, sighs and falls into step behind Oswald, hands still in pockets. "There's elevators ahead, to go to the Down."