#my edward is very very different from gotham Edward | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

inamindfarfaraway · 2 years

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How much do you think the Signal’s debut shook the supervillains, and indeed all criminals, of Gotham? He destroyed their longstanding definition of a Gotham vigilante. All the rules went out the window. From now on, apparently anything goes.

[Early morning in a plain, modest safehouse. Jonathon Crane cracks his eyes open, yawns, slowly gets up and groggily shuffles to the kitchen/dining area, where he takes out a cup and prepares to use the coffee machine. Behind him his scientific equipment and notes are arranged neatly on the counter. A relaxed Duke is taking photos of them.]

Duke: (jovially) Good morning.

Jon: Good morning.

Jon:

Jon: Who the hell are you?!

Duke: I’m the Signal! (pats symbol proudly) The newest hero in town.

Jon: (blinks, still half-asleep) Like… the Bat-Signal?

Duke: Yeah, I’ve got this whole light theme going on.

Jon: But - it - it’s 6:30 AM.

Duke: Yep. Turns out crime doesn’t just vanish when the sun comes up, so I patrol in the daylight hours. The night shift has seven people; the day shift should have at least one, right?

Jon: But you’re a Bat! Bats don’t do that!

Duke: Actually, some species of bat, like fruit bats, are diurnal. I got precedent.

Jon, on the verge of a breakdown: Okay, okay, look. I have lost a great deal of sleep lately evading capture by the frankly ridiculous number of vigilantes active at night. You’re a teenager, a student with a very strenuous job. Surely you understand what sleep deprivation feels like.

Duke: I do.

Jon: Just please, please let me have my coffee.

[A weighted pause. Duke narrows his eyes, then softens.]

Duke: You get one cup.

Jon: Thank you.

[He makes his cup of coffee and lovingly inhales the smell. Just as he’s about to drink it, Duke bats it out of his hand like a cat. It smashes on the floor.]

Jon: YOU -

[Duke quickly cuffs him.]

Duke: Stop! Making! Trauma: The Inhalant! That’s all you have to do, man!

***

[Duke is fighting Poison Ivy in her greenhouse of killer plants.]

Duke, popping out the blades in his escrima sticks: Your vines are no match for my bat-chet blades!

Ivy: Great, another one who puns.

[She sends a new wave of vines, but he gracefully slices and weaves through them. Too gracefully. His reflexes are faster than even Batman’s. Curious as scientists are wont to be, she halts her attack, and then suddenly, silently strikes with a vine straight at the back of his head. He cannot possibly sense it coming. He ducks.]

Ivy: Wait… oh God, you can’t predict movements before they happen with crazy extreme ninja training like Black Bat, can you? I’m not fighting another Bat like that. No way.

Duke: Oh, no, no, no, don’t worry. I’m not nearly as well-trained as Black Bat. I just have superpowers.

Ivy: You what?

Duke: I’m a metahuman. I’ve got superpowers.

Ivy: But you’re a Bat! Bats don’t do that!

Duke: I get that a lot.

Ivy: Well, what superpowers?

Duke: I’m not telling you all about my powers - I’m literally fighting you - but basically I can process light differently. Part of that is seeing where it’s been, the past, and where it will be, the future. I call it ghost vision.

Ivy: How far into the past and future? Hours? Months? Years? Can you see before your birth or after your death? Can you predict other people’s deaths? Watch the rise and fall of civilizations?

Duke, whose ghost vision currently goes under a minute both ways: That’s for me to know and you to… (stares into the middle distance) I believe, never find out.

Ivy: (raises hands) I’ll go to Arkham.

***

[Duke kicks open the door to Edward Nygma's hideout.]

Duke: Give it up, Riddler, I've got a... whoa.

[He trails off as he takes the space in. There are papers - plans, to-do lists, riddles, ciphers, trap and gadget blueprints, maps and more - everywhere, in stacks, folders and scattered loose across every surface. A bin in the corner is overflowing with crumpled pages. Intricate model traps line a shelf, one fallen on the floor. One wall bears a large corkboard with green and purple strings connecting annotated pictures of the Batfamily, including a screenshot of Oracle's digital logo. Edward himself has not reacted whatsoever to Duke's entrance. He's hunched over at his desk, typing away at an expensive computer setup. On one side of him sit many energy drinks, on the other is a massive pile of empty cans. All this detail requires Duke's night vision to see, because the lights are off and the curtains are closed, the only light the computer's cold glow.]

Edward: (only briefly looking up to give him a haughty stare) Yes, yes, the Signal, I've heard. Rest assured, it will be my utmost pleasure to obliterate you in a battle of wits. I just need to finish a couple of things.

Duke: When was the last time you slept?

Edward: (slightly hysterical chuckle) Please. I have transcended my mortal weaknesses thanks to intense focus, indomitable drive and the miracle of stimulants, much as I presume you Bats do. You're in no position to lecture me on getting enough sleep. I mean, you're late, so you're clearly not on top of things.

Duke: What?

Edward: You're meant to be a daytime hero. It's a little late for that, isn't it?

Duke: (concerned) It's 8:00 AM.

[Edward blinks and looks at the clock on his screen. He frowns. He stands up, strides over to the window and opens the curtains, flinching at the bright morning light. Duke notices that he has deep bags under his eyes and looks even more tired than Jon did, but his movements are as energetic as ever. He stretches and winces from back ache.]

Edward: Ah. So it is. ...What day is it?

Duke: (more concerned) Monday?

Edward: Monday?!

Duke: Okay, you've clearly been in the zone for a while. And I know being autistic can make it hard to recognize and interpret your body's messages. When was the last time you ate?

Edward: None of your business. I'm perfect condition.

[He picks up another can. Duke punctures it with a batarang. Edward scoffs and throws it down in indignation.]

Duke: I don't think you should have any more of those. (scans the rooms with X-ray vision) Oh my God, there's no food in here. Did you forget to buy it? Listen, if you come quietly, I'll get you a full breakfast on the way to Arkham.

[Edward is distracted, rummaging through his rooms in search of food.]

Edward: Of course I have food, Duke. It's right... it's somewhere around... (finds the fallen model) oh, I was looking for this!

Duke: No, with my powers I - you know my identity?

Edward: (still distracted, talking increasingly fast) What, like it's hard? I know everyone's except Oracle and the Red Hood. If Jason had survived, he'd be a perfect fit, but he's dead. Now, true, Stephanie is still alive when I distinctly remember visiting her grave, but those are completely different situations. There was a motive to fake her death, to escape the criminal overlords she'd angered with that gang war; I cannot find any such benefit from Jason's faked death and relocation. Stephanie was gone for, like, a year. Jason has yet to return after most of a decade. Even -

Duke: You visited Steph's grave?

Edward: She was a brilliant adversary, I had to pay my respects. Anyway, even if Jason's death was somehow inexplicably faked, he wouldn't have chosen to live only as the Red Hood. Especially who the Red Hood was at first. That would mean sacrificing his close familial relationships and becoming his beloved father and brother's enemy. And why would he ever be a crime lord? It's a radical betrayal of all his values, and based on his backstory, he should resent organized crime. And Batman would never fight his own child. None of it makes any sense! But I can't figure out what else could work. Is he really just a random person the Bats took in in adulthood? So that's been weighing on me. And also -

[He trips over a folder and, weak and lightheaded, crashes to the floor. He's so exhausted that merely lying on a flat surface has him sleeping soundly in an instant, resting his head on a stack of paper. Duke stares at him incredulously.]

Duke: I'm buying you breakfast.

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i-smoke-chapstick · 2 months

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Can I request a Gotham Riddler who's love language is gift giving and they give Riddler a question marked pin just before he goes to stage.

'MOVES,

-GOTHAM!EDWARD NYGMA X READER-

⋆ 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 ; he's not used to being loved.

⋆ tags/warnings. GOTHAM!edward x female reader. pure fluff!!! wrote headcanons cuz my inbox is overflowing so I hope that's okay!!! Ed being surprised since he's typically the giver in his relationships, hints of obsessive and dramatic eddie.

♫ “I know that you're scared someone's gonna ruin you / I'ma put some goddamn moves on you babe / I know you need it.” Moves by Suki Waterhouse

⋆ You are his number one cheerleader.

⋆ He feeds off the affection you give him, gets practically drunk on it. Both sides of him are reeling from the high you give him.

⋆ Eddie baby is typically the giver in all of his relationships; his love language is most definetly acts of service. He was so used to spending hours cooking for Kristen and helping around the house with Isabella. He is no different with you; any problem that arises, he is there.

⋆ Ed will do the dishes, cook, clean. He's a bit of a housewife. After being alone for so long when he was in the GCPD, he learned to take care of himself and he learned to do it well. Besides, he's a bit of a neat freak already, so he doesn't mind whatsoever. You'll wake up to expertly cooked breakfasts, tea or coffee or water (whichever you prefer) filled in china cups.

⋆ Now, what he isn't used to is someone reciprocating the act of love. Kristen and Isabella, put simply, didn't do very much. They didn't live long enough to do so

⋆ When you give you're first gift to him, he cocks his head and narrows his eyes. Give him a second to process.

⋆ Then his eyes light up with a smile so big and you're scared he might combust.

⋆ From then on, from each one of your gifts- he's spouting numerous "I can't thank you enough,"s and even apologies. The feeling of being spoiled is so foreign to him that when he is- he feels like he needs to reciprocate it tenfold.

⋆ "Are you sure there isn't anything else I can help with...?" After he's already ran all your errands for you, made your bed, and given you the best massage of your life.

⋆ His favorite gift by far has to be the delicate question mark brooch.

⋆ Eddie's all about appearances, and when he's on a special "riddler high" he's all about how he looks.

⋆ He's a BIG fan of presentation.

⋆ So right when he's about to hijack the Macbeth stage, and you come up to him, he's hanging off your every word- eyeing the box in your hands mysteriously.

⋆ You present the gift to him, and he slowly opens it- careful not to damage it. Anything from you is precious and deserves to be worshipped.

⋆ When he see's it he nearly doubles over, mouth hanging in agape before spreading into an open-mouthed grin. A soft gasp and chuckle leaves his mouth.

⋆ He's turning to you, smile never leaving his face. Before you know it, he's on you- confidence and adrenaline running high before the big show.

⋆ He kisses your cheek, holding you close to him, practically breathing you in. His head is nuzzling into the crook of your neck and gloved hands are gripping you tight.

⋆ "Oh, thank you very much." He's growling out against your ear, both genuine and a bit unnerving. He's already thinking of ways to spoil you once he's finished up this little activity of his.

⋆ 100% asks you to put it on him, reveling in the feeling of you grabbing his suit jacket and adjusting his tie. He's looking at you like you're the only good thing in the world. And you're all his.

⋆ You give him one final kiss before he has to go.

⋆ "Dashing." You remark, looking up at him through your lashes. Oh, you're gonna be the death of him. "Break a leg."

⋆ He's giggling like a school girl at you're words, nodding.

⋆ He is gonna make this his best show ever for you.

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riddle-me-ri · 8 months

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Hi, I'm a big of your writing and wanted to request something please. How would the different Riddler react to the reader dying in their arms, possibly due to the work of another villain or saving Ed from and accident. I'd also love to see this for the different hatters and scarecrows but if that's too much to ask I totalumderstanding.

Thank you very much, please keep writing your amazing stuff 😁😁😁

a/n: oohh angst I love it! I can most certainly do that for you! I will say that is a lot to ask in one post lol, but I will do the Riddlers since it’s been a hot minute, and I may continue and do the rest of the dork squad when I get the chance or if someone requests it. Also I left most of how the injuries were sustained up in the air, so you could imagine what caused them. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my writin💚

Content Warning: death mention…multiple times, a wee mention of violence, and some blood/gore mentions, and heavy angst.

The Riddlers React to Reader Dying in Their Arms

Arkhamverse Riddler:

Much like most everything else, he's absolutely in denial.

You're already gone but in his panic he believes shaking you will jolt you back to life.

For a moment his mind clears and he tries to patch you up, tries CPR, tries anything…

But there's no denying it…you're gone and all he can do is just hold you.

Edward has promised himself early on in his childhood to no longer cry for anything or anyone.

But no one else is there to stop the flow as he clings to your lifeless body.

And unfortunately for Edward there's no one else to blame…

Reevesverse/Dano Riddler:

Edward is hyperventilating through the mask.

He was always afraid of this.

From the moment he let you step foot in his life as the Riddler.

Edward is doing what he can to patch up your gunshot wound.

But there’s so much blood, like it was one of his crime scenes.

Your pained screams rang in his ear.

The only thing that was louder was the heavy silence that fell in the room when you were gone.

Gotham Riddler:

No…no…NO…NO…NO!

He WON’T LOSE YOU!

He CAN’T LOSE YOU!!

Edward tries to mend your wounds.

He shakes his head as you tell him goodbye, to find someone else.

He shakes his head, he knows that no matter how hard he may look, even if he did.

There would never be anyone compared to you.

BTAS Riddler:

Edward is in a state of sheer panic.

He’s cradling you while trying to think of a solution.

The ambulance is on it’s way but not nearly quick enough.

He tries to make you comfortable as possible, trying to stop the blood.

Your breaths are choppy and every exhale was getting shorter.

All he can think of to do is tell you he loves you over and over.

You tell him you love him too before you pass.

Zero Year/Capullo Riddler:

Somewhat like Arkham Riddler, he’s in denial.

For once, his ego doesn’t get in the way.

He doesn’t care how it looks when he falls to his knees next to your limpless body.

He doesn’t care that his clothes are being stained in blood.

Edward was used to bouncing back whenever he faced any shortcomings…

But he doubt there was any coming back from this.

The one person who tolerated him long enough to see past his persona was gone.

TWOJAR Riddler:

Edward is frozen; as if time stood still.

He saw the fear and pain in your eyes as the knife that was driven into you slowly pulled out of your body.

It wasn’t until your body fell that Edward found the momentum to run towards you.

The assailant is gone, but Edward is more concerned about you.

Your body convulses as you struggle to breath, choking on your own blood.

He calls out your name, begging you to calm down, that everything will be okay.

Before you die, you hear a soft choked whisper; “I’m sorry.”

Gotham City Sirens Riddler:

This is what he feared the most.

When you began dating him, he was always worried about his work catching up to you and him.

For once, he loathed how he was right all the damn time.

He’s instantly trying to heal you, but you keep asking him to stop with your dying breath.

You just want him to listen…something he often struggled with.

You ask him not to live in regret, that this is what you wanted, and that it’s not his fault.

Edward nods understandingly, before you die and small tears begin to fall.

Telltale Riddler:

Edward wasn’t scared much of anything…but this was his worst nightmare.

He’s torn between going after the person who did this or staying by your side.

When you call to him, that answers the question for him.

He can heal you–He WILL heal you.

But you have to be strong, you have to hang on, you have to stay with him…

Yet, Ed can’t deny your body going cold and your heartbeat slowing down to a stop.

He whispers quiet apologies before reaching and closing your eyelids so you can rest in peace.

Young Justice Riddler:

Eddie is an absolute mess.

He’s fighting back tears, but they still fall continuously past his eyes.

His voice cracks even more as he begs you to hang in there.

He scrambles to get an aid kit, to stop the bleeding and try to get your breathing regulated.

Deep down he’s kicking himself, maybe if he was more competent you didn’t need to come in and save him.

Your trying to reassure him, that no matter what everything will be okay…

But nothing is okay when your eyes close and your head rolled back.

Hush (DCAU) Riddler:

For once Ed wished he would go instead.

He’s the one with cancer, he’s bound to die.

He’s more than willing to go if it meant you got to stay.

Edward knew you wouldn’t agree, but none of that matters now as you’re slowly fading.

No matter how hard Ed tried to rack his brain on how to save you, he knew all he could really do was make you comfortable.

He tries to appear strong for you, as you two share sweet memories and sweet nothings.

At least he was able to be with you for those final moments before being dragged back to Arkham.

#ri writes #arkhamverse riddler x reader #reevesverse riddler x reader #dano riddler x reader #gotham riddler x reader #btas riddler x reader #zero year riddler x reader #capullo riddler x reader #twojar riddler x reader #gotham city sirens riddler x reader #telltale riddler x reader #young justice riddler x reader #hush (dcau) x reader

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justariddleguy · 4 months

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I am going insane I AM GOING INSANE

Okay so love these versions of the riddler and scarecrow as a disclaimer. Why do so many people only talk about the Paul Dano riddler and Cillian Murphy scarecrow. I know they're pretty boys and all that shit but like.. the other riddlers and scarecrows are right fucking there. They aren't even the best characterizations of them, don't get me wrong I love these mfs but why do some people only see them. My autistic brain cannot comprehend how they can only see those two and go "yep! That's for me!" And not look at any other riddler of scarecrow. But but. I have a theory. I have a theory about this. It might be similar to Gotham penguin, where they see this pretty boy version of the rogue, and make a vision in their mind how this character should be. But what's similar about these characters is that they are very different from the main riddler and scarecrow. So they see them, make a vision in their head about them, and just do not see appeal in the other versions. Again not saying it's a bad thing, you consume whatever the fuck you want. But I see this pattern where a distinct difference version of the character, usually conveniently attractive, makes a big dent in the fan content of the character. And I think it might have to do with people not liking the gritty more "ugly" versions of the character, with Oswald Cobblepot it has a lot to do with fatphobia. With Jonathan Crane and Edward Nygma, I think it has to do with their looks and overall personality, because with the Cillian Murphy and Paul Dano scarecrow and riddler their personalities are much more straight forward and easy to swallow compared to the other versions of them.

Anyway I'm probably gonna get yelled at about this wish me luck

#batman #the riddler #the scarecrow #jonathan crane #oswald cobblepot #edward nygma #edward nashton

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clementine-writes-things · 9 days

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Opium Haze - E.N

Summary: After a chance encounter, y/n runs into Edward Nashton. Y/n was his light in the darkness, and they saved him from a dark path. Together, they created their own story. They saved him from becoming someone he did not want to be.

(A/N: I have never been on a subway, so I probably will not do a good job writing about them lol. I intended for this fanfic to be longer, but I really wanted to post something this weekend, so sorry :( but it's still super cute and I'm very proud of it.)

Content Warning: AFAB reader, they/them pronouns, explicit language, angst, tooth rotting fluff, mentions of murder, thoughts of suicide, blood. (this fanfic is so cute helpppp)

Word Count: 6,989

Songs For Inspo:

Swing Lynn - Harmless

My Love Mine All Mine - Mitski

Hey Lover - The Daughters Of Eve

Freaks - Surf Curse

Yes To Heaven - Lana Del Rey

A Different Age - Current Joys

Let The Light In - Lana Del Rey

Good Looking - Suki Waterhouse

Soldier, Poet, King - The Oh Hellos

Heart To Heart - Mac DeMarco

~Read Below Cut~

Fate is a touchy subject. Some people believe in it and others don't. It all depends on what their own beliefs are. But, if you looked at y/n and Edward's story, you'd probably start to believe in fate. They were two totally different people. The two of them ran into each other after a chance encounter in a subway. But, even then, it was extremely unlikely that they would talk to each other. And yet, they did. All it took was a few words to start the beginning of a beautiful life together.

Edward stood on the subway platform, glancing down at his work shoes. They were scuffed from tripping over his feet so much, scraping against the concrete sidewalks of Gotham city. The scuff marks reminded him of his own soul and mind. Scratched, shredded to hell, and unappealing. But then again, so was every other person in Gotham. Not one person was innocent, even him. His mind raced with thoughts of violence, inflicting them on the people who left him for dead in the cold and lifeless walls of an orphanage. A system that was supposed to keep him safe had done the exact opposite. Every single second of his childhood was pure torture. The tips of his fingers were scarred from the rats that would chew at his skin in the night, much like his heart was scarred. Over a decade of living in an orphanage only to be thrown out and forced to get a job and slave away at it for the rest of his life. It was just another type of orphanage that Edward found himself stuck in. A life he was stuck in while the upper class watched in amusement. There was only one way out, but he had work to do before that. He was going to purge Gotham of the scum that populated it. He was going to wash it all away, like flushing away sin. And when his work was done, he would leave the world.

'The train will be departing soon.'

Edward looked up, shaking himself out of his thoughts. His eyes widened as he realized his train was about to leave. He reached out as the doors began to close, knowing he didn't have a high chance of making it in time. Something ran into him from behind, causing him to be propelled forward. His nose hit the closed doors of the subway train with a strong force. Edward groaned, pushing himself off and watching in frustration as the train left. He winced, touching the bridge of his nose with two fingers, bringing them back into view to see blood smeared on the tips. Whipping around, he had a scowl on his face as he looked at the person responsible.

"Ow! What the hell is wrong with you!?" He exclaimed in a painful tone.

The person before him looked to be the same age as him, maybe a year or so younger. He couldn't really tell as he was distracted by the burning pain that came from the deep cut on his nose. Due to the bleeding, he assumed that he landed on a screw or some type of metal that was elevated off the train. They had pair of washed out jeans on, slightly ripped on the bottom. A baggy t-shirt that had an awkwardly standing cat on it covered their upper body. They gasped, holding their hands, wrists adorned with various bracelets, over their mouth.

"Oh...Oh my God, I'm so, so, so, sorry! I-I was trying to catch the train a-and I wasn't looking!" They stumbled, eyes wide.

"Well, I was trying to get it on it too. So I guess we're both screwed over." He mumbled.

The person sighed, rummaging through the bag they carried. He watched, pinching his nose as he started to get a nosebleed. They pulled out a band-aid, showing it to him. He raised an eyebrow, scoffing.

"I nearly broke your nose, can you please let me patch you up?" They asked, crossing their arms over their chest.

Edward noticed how embarrassed they looked. He sighed, rolling his eyes. Nodding, he walked over to a bench near the far corner. He sat down, legs making a 90 degree angle perfectly because of how long they were. Y/n frowned, removing the band-aid from the wrapping around it. Upon further examination, he realized that it had a bunch of hearts on it and it was pink.

"It's either this or you can keep bleeding everywhere." They said.

"Well, I wouldn't need a band-aid if you had just watched where you were going." He mumbled.

"Touché."

They carefully placed the pink band-aid over the cut on his upper nose. Gently, they smoothed down the sticky ends, making sure it was properly secured. Once they were done, they stood awkwardly in front of him, vaguely resembling the cat on their shirt.

"Um, I'm really sorry. You're right, I should have watched where I was going. I hope it doesn't hurt too much."

"It's fine." He replied quickly.

"Do you know when the next train arrives?" They asked.

"Why don't you read the sign?" He scoffed.

Turning around, y/n looked up at the sign on the ceiling. They huffed when they saw it would be another 30 minutes for the next train. Edward looked at them, knowing exactly what they would do. They would walk away and ignore him the rest of the time, as if they didn't just split his nose open. That's what everyone else in Gotham would do. No one cares about what happens to other people. Only them. Sure, it was nice of them to give him a band-aid, but that's about the nicest thing someone in Gotham could do. But, he was wrong. Extremely wrong.

"Do you mind if I sit and wait with you?" They asked.

He glanced up at them, holding back a laugh. Not really caring either way, he shrugged his shoulders. The stranger sat next to him, placing the bag they had on their lap. Edward wasn't quite sure what to do in that moment. He had terrible social skills as a result of being raised in an orphanage. But, he didn't really need to start a conversation. They did that for him.

"So, what's your name?" They asked.

He turned his head to them, blood dried underneath his nose.

"Edward."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Edward. I'm y/n." They smiled.

"Why are you talking to me?" He asked.

"Huh? Oh, do you not want me to?"

He went quiet, adjusting his glasses as he looked down at his lap. The truth was, he didn't really know. No one had ever willingly wanted to talk to him. Sure, coworkers talked to him at his job, but that was only when they needed something from him or it had to do with work. Edward wasn't used to having someone be friendly with him, let alone actually want to talk to him.

"I can sit somewhere else if you want me to. I understand if that's what you want." They said, smiling.

"No, it's ok."

Y/n nodded, opening up their bag. Edward, a curious man, peeked over. He watched as they pulled out a book, reading the cover.

'A Handmaid's Tale'

They opened up the book to a page with a bookmark in it. Removing it, they placed it in their bag. Edward couldn't help but try and read the book as well, despite having already read it. A subway wasn't the most relaxing place to read a book, y/n didn't have much to do.

"I've read that book before."

Y/n looked up, tilting their head at him.

"Oh yeah? What did you think of it?" They asked.

"It was quite interesting, pretty vulgar in some parts though. I found myself getting uncomfortable, but I'm pretty sure that's what Atwood was trying to do." He said.

"Yeah, I felt the same way."

"So, you've already read it?"

"Yeah!"

"Then, why are you reading it again?"

"Well, I really like the book. Plus, I'm helping out a student." They answered.

"Student?" He questioned, wiping away a new drip of blood from under his nose.

"I'm a librarian at a high-school. This is a required book in the English class, but one of the students just can't stomach reading it. It makes them too uncomfortable. So, I'm reading through the parts they can't read and taking notes for them." They smiled.

"That's awfully kind."

Y/n smiled.

"What's your job?"

"I'm a forensic accountant."

"Oh, that sounds interes-"

The phone in y/n's pocket rang, causing them to look down. They mouthed a 'sorry' and held up a finger. Answering the phone, they held it up to their ear.

"Yes, this is them."

Edward took note of their use of pronouns. He didn't really think he'd see them again, but it was just a tidbit of information he tucked away in his brain. He kept a lot of random information in there. Stuff that he would most likely never use in his life.

"Oh! I did?"

Y/n rummaged through their bag, scoffing when they stopped.

"You're absolutely right. I did. How embarrassing. Thank you so much for letting me know, I missed a train so I'll come get it right now."

Y/n hung up the phone, gathering their things as they stood up. Edward watched them, wiping away another drip of blood with his thumb. They sighed, pulling out a tissue from their bag. Y/n gave it to him, watching as he used the tissue to dab the blood up.

"Like a complete idiot, I left my laptop at the library. I have to go back and get it. I'm very sorry, I was really interested in hearing what a forensic accountant is."

Edward shrugged.

"I'm serious! I was enjoying our conversation."

Y/n pulled out a band-aid from their bag, grabbing a pen as well. Using their knee as a surface, they scribbled something on the wrapping. Edward recoiled slightly as they reached out their arm to them, band-aid held in between their fingers. They waved it, signaling for him to take it. Edward rolled his eyes and took the band-aid, looking down at the scribbling. It was a phone number.

"If you want to, text me! Or call, I'm good with either. Maybe we can meet up for coffee or something and you can tell me what a forensic accountant does."

"I could be a serial killer. You barely even know me."

"Well, that's why I gave you my number, duh. So we can get to know each other." They smiled widely.

Edward scoffed, putting the band-aid in the pocket of his coat. Y/n tilted their head, waving a good-bye before leaving the subway station. He watched how they walked with a bounce in their step, as if nothing in the world was wrong. Sighing, he leaned his head back and groaned. They were awfully nice for someone who lived in Gotham.

Edward sat in his bed, hunched over the band-aid that y/n had given him. He groaned, tugging at his hair and rocking back and forth slightly. His mind was conflicted and he had no idea what to do. No, he didn't have to text them. Did he want to? Yes. And he hated to admit that. The kindness he had experienced from them, even though it wasn't an astronomical act of kindness, was foreign to him. Empathy and friendliness were things he had never received in his life, and a stranger on the subway had given both of those things to him within a span of 10 minutes. It threw him in a loop and made him feel dizzy, stars crossing his eyes as he looked at the numbers scribbled on the paper wrapping. He knew they were setting him up for a cruel joke. Friends were probably leaning over there shoulders, waiting for him to text them. They would all laugh, pointing at his text, going on and on about how much of a stupid loser he was.

"Fuck." He mumbled.

He picked up his phone, typing in the number into his contacts. Entering the name 'y/n' as the contact name. Shakily, he typed a simple text. Edward was not sure what to say, and he wasn't even sure that he should even text them. He felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety -as he hit send, preparing for the humiliation.

'Hi, this is Edward from the subway.'

He stared at the screen, dreading yet awaiting a reply. Glancing over at his winter mask, he adjusted his glasses. The plans he had for the city were already made, but he had not begun anything yet. The most he had done was buy the mask. So, why was he texting this person? Why would he even try to form a friendship if he was going to wash everyone away in the end? It was pointless. Yet, he so desperately wanted to hold onto hope. Hoping for someone to save him from what he was becoming. Hoping for someone to show him that there was still hope for the people of Gotham. But, he felt like he was hoping for things that wouldn't happen. A chime from his phone caused him to look down, reading the text on the screen.

'Omg! Hi! I was worried you'd never text me! :D'

He stared at the text, relaxing after tensing up. There was no humiliation. No shame. No mocking. So, what was there? Kindness, perhaps? Genuine kindness? He let out a shaky breath, shivering in his cold apartment due to an open window in his bedroom. Once he sent the text, he closed it, getting too cold for his own liking.

'Were you waiting for me to text you?'

They responded quickly.

'Yeah! Is that so hard to believe? ;p'

Edward smiled softly, feeling his body warm up as he slipped under the covers of his bed. The comfort of his blankets and the conversation happening at his fingertips provided him a nice feeling. Happiness, almost. If not happiness, then at the very least it was peaceful.

'A little.'

'Well, I can't really prove it, so you'll just have to trust me. I got my laptop, btw!'

'That's good. Did you have to wait for another train?'

'Yeah, but it was ok. I used the time to read. Did you make it home ok?'

'Yes.'

'Good! So, any big plans for the weekend? Any crazy parties?'

'Do I look like I go to parties?'

'Not exactly, but I don't go to parties either. Well, at least not crazy ones. Maybe like, a birthday party for a cousin or something. I'm the life of the party at those things. They always have the best snacks and drinks.'

Edward laughed, somethings that he had not genuinely done in a while. Clearing his throat, he turned on his side, phone held in his hands. The light reflected off his glasses, shining in his dark room.

'I don't have any family. A party like that sounds fun.'

'You don't have any family?'

'No, I was raised in an orphanage.'

'Oh, I'm sorry about that.'

'It's ok.'

'Let's change the subject, ok? :) Circling back to my question, any plans this weekend?'

He appreciated the change in conversation, even though he was the one that brought the subject up. Mentally, he scolded himself for bringing up such a personal thing so early into the conversation. But, they seemed to handle it well. They didn't make fun of him for being an orphan, so that was better than everyone else.

'No plans.'

'Me neither. Wow, we're pretty boring, aren't we?'

'That was a joke btw, I don't think you're boring :)'

'I figured.'

'Well, since you don't have plans and I don't have plans...would you like to get a coffee with me or something? I know that's very cliche, but I genuinely don't know what else to do.'

His face turned beet red, shocked at what he just read. Edward still felt like this was all some elaborate prank. If he said yes, he could be walking right into a trap. But, what if it wasn't a prank? What if they were being genuine? What if they actually wanted to spend time with them? They seemed like a friendly person, but Edward knew all too well about hiding parts of yourself. Pretending to be someone you're not.

'Ok, when?'

'Yay! I was nervous you'd say no. How about tomorrow at 10? You know that one diner on 19th?'

'Yes, I actually live right across from it.'

'Woah, wait...in the apartment building near the Iceberg Lounge?'

'Yes?'

'I think we live in the same building.'

Edward shot his head up, a shocked expression on his face. Looking back down, he saw that they had texted again.

'I'm in number 22C, what about you?'

'25C.'

'No fucking way, you're shitting me?!'

'Um, no...?'

'I just moved in recently, maybe that's why we haven't noticed each other.'

'I'm not really a social person with the other people in the building. I don't keep up with newcomers.'

'That makes sense, I still can't believe it though. I'm coming out.'

Edward lifted his head up, placing his phone on the bed. He felt his heart racing and he wasn't quite sure as to why. It was just a strange chance encounter. The odds of them running into each other at the subway were slim. The odds of them talking were slim. The odds of getting each other's contact information were slim. But the odds of them living right next door from each other, that was incredibly slim. His head shot to the living room that showed through his open bedroom door as a knock echoed in the apartment. Edward got out of his bed, adjusting his glasses. He usually wore just a pair of boxers to sleep, but tonight he wore sweats and a shirt. Thank god for that. Walking through his kitchen, he looked through the peephole. When he saw y/n, his heart nearly leapt out of his chest. He opened the door, looking slightly down at them. Y/n looked up, mouth slightly agape. They laughed, clapping their hands in amusement.

"Holy shit...This is freaky!" Y/n said, a smile on their face.

"Yeah, quite strange." He mumbled.

"Um, sorry I'll go back in my apartment. I just wanted to see if you really lived across from me."

Edward glanced at the clock that hung on his kitchen wall. It was only 7 o'clock. He bit his bottom lip, conflicted about what to do. He couldn't explain it if he tried, but he didn't want them to go. Every day, he would spend his nights in bed. He would think about how depressing his life was, how boring it was, and how he wished something would happen to change it. He wasn't a big believer in fate, but maybe this was it? Maybe, just maybe, it was fate that y/n and him ran into each other.

'What has no hands yet can knock on your door, and you better open up if it does?'

'An opportunity.'

"W-Wait."

Y/n turned around, looking at Edward with a soft gaze. He felt himself get sheepish underneath it. Swallowing a lump in his throat, he opened his door up wider.

"Why don't we have coffee right now?"

They smiled, tilting their head at his suggestion. Pulling out their phone, they checked the time. A small chuckle left their throat.

"It's 7 o'clock. Plus, like you said earlier, you could be a serial killer."

'I very much could have been. But, now you're here...'

"I don't think I could kill you in this apartment. The walls are thick, but they're thin enough to let loud noises get through. So, I'd get caught immediately."

"What a weird way to convince me to come in. What's even weirder, is that coffee sounds very nice right about now."

He smiled, dimples showing and eyes squinting slightly. Stepping aside, he allowed y/n to walk inside his apartment. He closed the door behind them and walked with them in the living room. It was a very neat apartment, aside from the living room that had books scattered all over a desk. Y/n hummed, peeking at the covers. Some were about forensics, some about history, and some were classic books.

"Avid reader? I guess I should have assumed so, since you read The Handmaid's Tale."

"Uh, yes, yes I am. I read a lot of books while I was in the orphanage. It was a hobby that stuck with me."

Y/n nodded, looking for a place to sit. Edward motioned towards a table that resided next to the archway to the kitchen. They sat down at the table, their baggy, lacey, white camisole bunching slightly around their waist. They had the same idea as Edward and wore sweatpants tonight, causing him to smile.

"You have a lot of books, Edward. I like that."

He blushed slightly, clearing his throat.

"Um, how do you like your coffee?"

"Do you have any creamer? I like sugar and cream." They answered, playing with their hair.

"Yes, I do."

He went into the kitchen, making two cups of coffee. As he did so, he tugged at his hair. Thoughts raced through his mind, going 100 mph. His head felt dizzy and he felt a sharp pain forming at the base of his skull.

'Kill them, let them serve as an example.'

'They can be your first victim.'

'They just want to humiliate you.'

'You don't deserve friendship or love.'

'Who could ever love you?'

He took a deep breath, looking in his reflection on a plate. Edward shook his head, dismissing the terrible thoughts. He didn't want to do any of that. The thoughts were just his own mind trying to play tricks on him. He would not do any of those things. Y/n, although having only met them today, was his only shred of hope that he had for happiness. They were the only thing he had to hold on to. And, what made it even better, is that they seemed to enjoy his company as well. It felt like the stars had aligned and blessed Edward with a guardian angel, sent specifically to save him from himself. And for that, he was eternally grateful. Never again would he think violent thoughts, never again would he contemplate ending it all. He had something, someone, to keep him grounded. A friend. That's all he had ever wanted in his life.

That night, the two of them stayed up for hours. They talked about their jobs, Edward finally explaining to y/n what a forensic accountant did. Eventually, they delved into more personal things. Edward talked about his experience in the orphanage, how traumatic it was, how much it changed him as a person, and how it ruined his childhood. Y/n talked about their challenges growing up as a non-binary AFAB person and how their family never approved of them. The both of them listened closely to their stories while sipping away at cups of hot coffee. Neither of them had planned for any of what happened that night to happen. But, they were glad it did. Because, after that night, things took off. They hung out more, visiting each other's apartments, having breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner together. After a month of friendship, Edward had worked up the courage to ask y/n to be his partner. It was awkward, just like he was, but that's what y/n loved about him.

"Edward, I've already read this book literally last week. I don't really want to read it again so soon."

Y/n had asked Edward for book recommendations a day ago. He said he needed time to look through the books he had, so he could pick a good one for them. But, he had just given them a book they read recently: Wuthering Heights. Y/n pushed the book back towards him across his kitchen table.

"Trust me, you should read it again. You might realize you missed something." He said.

"What? What does that even mean?" They asked, laughing slightly.

He shrugged, taking a sip of his lemonade. Y/n shook their head, rolling their eyes as they opened the book to appease him.

"You're so ominous for no reason, Edward. Look, I'm reading the book for the 2nd time this month, wow!" They fake gasped.

"Oh come on, read it to me. What's the first paragraph say?"

Y/n sighed, looking down at the page. Their eyebrows furrowed when they saw a sticky note on the page instead. Glancing up at Edward, they noticed he had a small smile on his face. Humming, they looked back down at the sticky note.

"Y/n..." They trailed, reading the rest of the note silently to themself.

'...this past month with you has made me a happier man. I've enjoyed our talks over coffee, our movie nights, and our complaining about our jobs. But, I don't want to do that anymore as your friend. I feel strongly about you, in a way that is more than friends. I look at you every day and think about how lucky I was to meet you, even if you did almost break my nose. It was worth the pain. You've thawed out my icy heart and made me feel loved for the first time in my life.'

Y/n looked up from the note, eyes wide. Edward smiled and leaned forward. His hands rested over y/n's, holding them in his.

"Um, y/n...will you be my partner? If that's ok with you, of course. You don't have to if you don't want to. I understand you might feel pressured to say yes, bu-"

"Edward! Yes, I will!"

His eyes widened.

"Y-You will?"

"Of course!"

Edward let out a shaky breath, smiling wide as he got up from his chair. Walking around the table in one big stride, he squatted down and cupped y/n's face in his hands. He leaned in softly, planting a gentle kiss on their lips. Y/n kissed him back, dropping the book and embracing him in a warm hug.

"But, Edward, I have one question."

"Yes, anything."

"Why did you use the Wuthering Heights book...it's kind of a tragic story..."

"Y/n, that's the most romantic book you had. Would you rather me have used Romeo & Juliet?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You make a good point. I have a penchant for tragic love stories, don't I? Oh my, do you think that's how we'll end up?" They asked, worry in their tone.

"What? No, of course not! That's ridiculous."

"Yeah, you're right. After all, Romeo and Juliet killed themselves because they couldn't be together, right? And, we're dating."

"That's a rather morbid look on it, but yes, you're right. I think we'll be just fine." He smiled.

Their relationship was a great one, fantastic even. No other couple in Gotham were quite in love like they were, and that was just a fact. It was as if they were made for each other, like soulmates. Two puzzle pieces that fit into each other perfectly. Creating a beautiful love. Edward loved y/n so much and they loved him. At the school y/n worked at, they became the favorite couple.

Edward sat behind the library counter with y/n, reading a book that he had brought with him. On his days off, he would go to y/n's job and keep them company. It was nice of the school to allow it, mainly because Edward helped encourage the kids to read more. He had sort of become like the library's mascot. It was cute and he didn't really mind it. A student walked up to the counter and placed a book on it.

"Good morning Y/n!" The student said.

Y/n, being non-binary, didn't really prefer to be called any titles. Because of this, they just had students and peers call them by their first name. It was their own personal choice and no one really minded it. It just made them even cooler to the students. Y/n's library was like a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people, having a pride flag hanging above their office. The school, luckily, was also a supportive school, allowing them to hang it up. Though, if they even tried to tell them to take it down, they would have put up a hell of a fight. Edward admired that about them, finding their kindness for others to be so inspiring. He also loved how they advocated for themself, not afraid to show who they really were.

"Good morning Jeremy, let's see what book we have this time."

Y/n scanned the book and looked at the cover. Their mouth formed an 'o' and they nodded their head in approval. It was a rather juvenile for someone in high school, but it was a good book nonetheless. Sometimes, you just had to read a book because you wanted to read it, not because you wanted to be smart. And y/n was a firm believer in that. Hell, they would still read Dr. Suess books sometimes, they were still as good as they were when they first read them.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox. Oh, I loved this book as a kid. Have you seen the movie?" They asked, handing the book to them.

"Yeah, that's why I wanna read the book." They smiled.

"What are we talking about?" Edward asked, peeking over his book.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox. Did you ever read the book, Edward?" Y/n asked, smiling at the kid as they walked away.

"Yes, but I never watched the movie."

"Oh, well I know what we're doing for movie night then."

"I suppose so." He smiled.

A couple laughs behind them caught their attention, and y/n turned back around the counter. Before them were a group of kids, two boys and three girls it looked like. Y/n rolled their eyes, motioning for Edward to come over. Humming, he stood up from his seat and placed his book down on the counter.

"Honey, the children want a riddle." Y/n said, already knowing what they were going to ask.

"They do? Hm..." He thought, pushing up his glasses.

The high schoolers laughed softly, looking expectantly at him. Y/n focused back to the computer, looking through a few emails as he thought of a riddle. The sound of his fingers rapping on the counter drew their attention back to him. Y/n watched in adoration as he told the group of kids a riddle.

"Ok, I was asked this riddle back in high school. It's probably one of the most intense, serious, and difficult riddle you will ever be asked. Are you ready?" He asked, ominously.

"Edward, don't scare the shit out of them!"

"Language, y/n. There are children present."

"Oh, they say worse than me."

One of the kids spoke up.

"What's the riddle!"

"Ok, if all Wibbles are Criggles, all Borkins are Kwumblins, no Hoggles are Borkins, and all Criggles are Borkins, is it true that all Borkins are Criggles?"

The kids all stared at Edward like he had three heads. Y/n burst out laughing, holding their side. He crossed his arms over his chest, acting like this was the most serious thing he had ever asked anyone.

"What the hell? Ed, did you just have a stroke?" Y/n asked.

"No, this is a serious question."

One of the girls spoke up.

"Ok, so...all Borkins are Kwumblins...I'm sorry this is too funny." She started giggling.

"All Borkins are Kwumblins, but no Hoggles are Borkins. So, all Wibbles are Criggles..." A boy mumbled.

A girl bounced up and down slightly.

"Oh, wait! I know! The question is, are all Borkins Criggles? The answer is no! Because, all Borkins are Kwumbins and all Criggles are Borkins. It's only asking about the Borkins, not the Criggles. So, no. Not all Borkins are Criggles!" She spat out, holding her tongue with her finger dramatically as if it stopped working.

Edward nodded.

"Very good! That's exactly the answer! I'm impressed, it's quite a confusing riddle." He smiled.

"Thank you Mr. Nashton! So, we have a riddle for you two!" The same girl asked.

"Oh? Well, I hope we can answer it." Y/n said, standing up next to Edward.

"Their solidarity is new, their commitment is deep, You’ll find me essential before the leap. What am I?"

Edward's face instantly went red, already knowing the answer. However, y/n took a little more time. The kids were giggling, elbowing each other to keep quiet. Y/n blushed as well, realizing the answer.

"A marriage license." They said.

"Uh huh, so...when are you guys getting married?" A boy asked.

Y/n clapped their hands.

"Oh boy, look at that! Time for my lunch break! Looks like we'll have to get back to you on that." They said, rushing them out of the library.

"Aw come on!"

"Aren't you 5 supposed to be in your classes anyways?" They asked, hands on their hips.

"Ugh, fine. But, we better get the wedding invitations!" A boy said.

"Yeah sure, go on you heathens."

"Why, so you guys can make-out?" A girl giggled.

"Inappropriate! Go on!" Y/n shoved them out of the door, closing it behind them

From behind the door, they could hear giggling and whispers, slowly fading away with footsteps. Sighing, she turned back around to see Edward propping himself up on the counter with his hand. He had his book in the other hand, hanging down by his side. Y/n shook their head in amusement as they walked back over to him.

"Call me crazy, but I think they want us to get married." He stated.

"Woah, really? That's impressive, can you read minds?" Y/n laughed.

Edward smirked, sitting back down in the chair he was in before. His leg hiked up over his other leg, hanging lazily. Flipping the page, he held it in place with his thumb. After a few moments of silence, he looked back up.

"Do you want to make-out, though?"

"Edward, there are cameras. I would love to, but I'd rather not get caught and get fired."

"What, not a fan of exhibitionism?" He teased.

"Edward Nashton, you are such a weirdo. I love that about you."

He smiled and shook his head, chuckling. The two of them fell back into a comfortable silence. When they got back home, they watched The Fantastic Mr. Fox together. Unsurprisingly to y/n, Edward absolutely loved it. His favorite character was Ash, because he too felt different. That was y/n's favorite character as well.

Their relationship continued to grow, 6 months turning into a year. A year turned into 2 years. 2 years turned into 3. And finally, 4 years had come around. On their 4th anniversary, Edward decided to take it to the next level.

Edward and y/n had finished up their anniversary dinner, now heading back to their shared apartment. After they had dated for a year, they decided they should move in together. Sure, they had already lived directly across from each other, but they wanted to be even closer. They wanted to see each other every morning and every night. Their shoes lightly clicked against the cement stairs that led down to the subway station. Y/n stopped, tugging at Edward's sleeve.

"Hey, this is the subway station we first met at!"

Edward subtly smirked to himself.

"Oh would you look at that, it is!"

They continued to walk down the stairs, finally reaching the platform. It was completely empty, due to how late it was, apart from a security guard. Y/n looked towards the bench the two of them sat at for the first time, eyes widening. Edward smiled, wrapping an arm around their waist as they walked over to it. Candles were placed on the tiled floor around it, lit and flickering in the cold air.

"Edward, did you do this?" They asked.

Glancing behind his back, he gave the security guard a smile. Yes, Edward had planned this whole thing, but it was the security guard who lit the candles just before they arrived. When he had come up to her and asked for her help, she agreed instantly. Edward, who once believed that no one in Gotham could be nice to anyone but themself, had been proven wrong. And now, he trusted other people to help him. He definitely owed the security guard.

"Y/n..."

They turned around, looking down to the ground as they saw Edward on his knee. Gasping, they cupped their hands over their mouth. Tears welled up in their eyes as they felt a shiver go down their spine. Edward took a shaky breath, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a black velvet box, holding it in his hand.

"I never told you how I felt when I first met you, and I'd like to do that now."

He looked down at the subway tiles, sniffling and then looking back up at y/n.

"I was in a dark place at that time of my life, y/n. Any hope I had of love, friendship, and happiness was dwindling away. Every day was strenuous and draining. Troubling thoughts crossed my mind, thoughts that I never wanted to act on, but felt like they were the only solution to my pain. That day we ran into each other, that was going to be the day I acted on those thoughts. But, in the span of a few minutes, you showed me more kindness than I had ever been given in my entire life. A complete stranger. It baffled me, I didn't know what to think of it. I was certain you were setting me up for an elaborate prank. But, I'm so glad I decided to text you. The kindness that you showed me, well, it saved me, y/n. You pulled me out of the darkness and showed me a sliver of light, the hope that I so desperately wanted to hang on to."

"Eddie..." They sniffled.

He brought his hand up to his face, wiping away a tear that trickled down his cheek. Clearing his throat, he went back to his speech.

"I remember when I made you that cup of coffee. I thought to myself, 'They must be my guardian angel, sent down from heaven.' I thought this because no one that perfect, breathtaking, gentle, and kind could possible be from this world. Even as you stand before me here, I find you just as ethereal as you were the day I first met you. Here. In this exact place."

Edward shivered, hands trembling as he opened up the box. A silver ring with a humble diamond rested in the soft material. It was nothing extravagant, not at all. But, it was beautiful to y/n nonetheless. In fact, it was the most lovely ring they could ever imagine, because it came from him. It was perfect.

"And, it is here, where you first came into my life, that I ask you to stay in my life. These past 4 years I've spent with you have been amazing, truly they have. But, I don't want to be your boyfriend anymore, y/n. I want to be your husband. I want married life. I want to wake up to you, knowing you're my spouse. I want to have a family with you, y/n. I want to be a dad, I want to grow old together with you. I want the stupid little arguments, I want the moody teenager, I want the house. But, I can't have any of that if I don't have you. Without you, life has no meaning, color has no hue, music has no tune, and my heart will not beat. They say eyes are the windows to the soul, and when I looked into yours, I knew it was true. I looked into them and I saw good. I saw gentleness, kindness, love, and compassion. Your eyes, they are always foggy and shining, I've become addicted to looking into them. Like...like an opium haze. Addictive and mysterious. I was enthralled and I still am. I knew I wanted to be apart of your life, but I was so scared. I'm scared right now too, I'm shaking. But, I know in my heart that my love for you is true and I would be a fool to let you slip out of my life. So, y/n..."

He held up the box slightly, the object slightly shaking in his hand.

"Will you marry me, please?"

Y/n choked back a sob, hands still covering their mouth. They nodded frantically, letting the tears roll down their cheeks. Edward's eyes widened behind his glasses, glazed with tears. He straightened his posture, mouth forming a small smile.

"Yes, Edward. Yes, I will marry you! Yes!"

Edward's mouth hung slightly agape, surprised at the answer. He knew y/n would say yes, but it still caught him off guard. The tears that he had been trying to hold back were now flowing down his face. He stood up quickly, closing the box and embracing y/n in a tight hug. Their arms wrapped around each other, Edward's hand tangling in y/n's hair as he planted a chaste kiss on the top of their head. The two of them pulled away, hair stuck to their faces from the tears. He opened up the box, taking out the ring and sliding it on their ring finger. Y/n looked at it and smiled, laughing slightly. Edward laughed as well, kissing their hand and rubbing his thumb over their knuckles.

"Y/n Nashton. That has a nice ring to it." They hummed.

"My heart is still racing..." He chuckled.

"Mine too...let's go home, fiancé. We can watch Forensic Files in celebration."

"God, I'm so glad we're getting married."

"I love you so much, Edward."

"I love you too, y/n. More than you will ever know."

#fanfic writer #writers #fanfic #writers of tumblr #the riddler #paul dano #dc universe #danonation #danonator #danocel #dano riddler #edward nashton #paul dano riddler #batman 2022

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rae-raewrites · 10 months

Note

I got a thing for ya! :D also welcome!! It’s nice to meet you!!

How about.. the riddler and scarecrow jealous hc’s? I’m a sucker for those, they’re always so juicy with alittle angst and showing their vulnerability just a taaaaad bit :3

Ah! Thank you! Also ya angsty boys are best boys. Also I did see you wanted it for the Arkham boys. Ah yes the most vicious of them all.

Riddler and scarecrow jealous hc’s

Oh boy.

Edward is a very jealous man in every sense of the word.

Now mind you it’s not just someone being nice to you or something small like that,it’s routinely behavior he picks up on.

He doesn’t realize at first what he’s experiencing but he knows his ego is being threatened and that simply won’t do!

Hey you know that thing you REALLY wanted but couldn’t get and it was to expensive and he told you it would be a waste of his lawsuit money? Oh my look what arrived in the mail!

It’s even worse when it one of the other rouges.

Harvey eying you? Cobblepot making a flirty remark making you blush a little? He starts intentionally screwing with their operations under the guise of another masterminded plot he’s been cooking up.

Of course while it’s in front of said person making him jealous he’s a lot more touchy.

And a hell of a lot more PDA.

I genuinely don’t think he could actually take it out on you. You’re not the problem everyone else is to him.

Eventually you ask why he’s been so much more lovey than normal and he finally cracks.

“B-because! I’m Gotham’s premier genius! And I’m here competing for your attention like some puppy dog!

Of course you quell his little jealous spert immediately when you give him a peck on the cheek. Poor boy goes red in the face.

Just make sure you’re frequently reassuring him he’s the best. Kisses help a lot too

Scarecrow

I think it would be foolish to assume that Jonathan’s origins from the south would stop any sort jealousy from bubbling up and then acting out on it.

Unlike most of the rouges he has the ability to recognize he’s jealous but the master of fear is not immune from human emotion though he’ll try to tell you otherwise

However his younger years taught him to keep what he has close. That includes you.

Who he gets jealous at is a completely different story.

The other rouges are of course on the table of course but if we’re talking one if his assistants Well…..

I mean he needs new test subjects anyways? What’s the harm in putting some fear in those who seek to be a nuisance?

If it’s among the lines of Harley or cobblepot? The psychological approach works well. Scaring them with small little words all while keeping you nice and close.

Of course when you realize the problem you better be practically smothering him in affection.

All the kisses for him.

“My Dear i am practically forced to admit it but I’m extremely fond of you. However I do not appreciate others trying to steal you away.”

If you really wanna ram your way back into his heart may i suggest some Edgar Allen poe? Or perhaps for the romantic mood phantom of the opera?

#arkham riddler #arkham scarecrow #batman #x reader #headcanon #batman rouges #arkhamverse #arkham knight #the riddler #scarecrow

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short-skirt-longjackett · 7 months

Text

Renewal Isn't A Lie Anymore pt. 9

(i'm back from the dead- and I think it's appreciated and appropriate if I started off with my most popular series lol)

-Edward Nashton x gn! reader

-warnings: canonical violence, some talk of nsfw, something a little hurtful ;)

While Bruce ran around Gotham looking for clues that would bring him closer to The Riddler, he was also looking for you. He knew he fucked up with you, but maybe he can salvage this relationship...Or would you just end up as brainwashed as The Riddler?

While Batman chased his own tail, Edward kept with carrying his plan. Though you two were now unlikely lovers and not exactly in a relationship, he didn't share any of his plans with you. He didn't want you involved. But you very much were since you were now his fuck buddy.

You laid in an empty bed. You just woke up from an exciting night with The Riddler. You sat up and looked out the window, viewing the gloomy and depressing city below. You looked around the messy room, clearly Edward left for work.

Getting up out of his bed, you shuffle around the cold apartment. Making your way to the kitchen, you noticed a small note.

'Gone to work, have a good day love'

You smiled, placing the sticky note on his fridge. From the top of your brain, you had nothing to do today expect go to pay your respects to now deceased Don Mitchell Jr. Though you never liked him, you felt for his family. He left behind a wife and a son, you only could imagine how hard it is for them. You obviously know Edward caused this...Though you liked Edward...You could only imagine what he could do to you if you ever went back to Bruce...or even talked back to him once. Edward was more than capable to kill you and make an example out of you, and you knew he would if he didn't like what you were doing or saying.

As you dressed, you think about the previous night. How he touched you, how he fucked you...You blush as you dressed in your all-black attire. You check yourself in the bathroom before you exit his apartment and make your way to the church.

When you got the church, immediately the press took photos of you. How you showed up with Bruce, how you kept your head down as you walked pass...You knew they would make this funeral an article on how you're no longer going out or being seen with Bruce. As you walked through the door, all eyes were on you. But you only kept your eyes forward, seeing the large flower arrangements on both sides of the casket.

As you made your way, you saw Bruce being spoke to by the new Mayor, who won by default. Though he stayed silent, you could tell by his body language he did not want to be there or spoken to.

'He looks skinner...He isn't eating' you thought. He turned and noticed you, freezing at your presence. You also didn't know how to feel seeing him. He awkwardly pushes through people to get to you, making your mouth go dry with anxiousness.

"Hi..."

"Hello Bruce.."

Was that all you could muster up? After all this time that's all you could say? You nervously look up him. He looked depressed, he always looked that way but this time it was different. "Y/n...Could we talk after this...? I don't want you to run off..." he said quietly, just above a whisper.

"Fine, we can..." you said, struggling to make eye contact. "I got a video of you last night...A certain video of you with..." God he couldn't even finish that sentence. Your eyes grew in shock. Oh god, he sent that to him? Maybe because you were in a horny daze you couldn't process anything he was saying, you didn't know that he was going to send it to him.

"I don't know...how he got with you or got to you...But I need to make sure you're okay," he said, soon looking up to make eye contact with a young boy that was the mayor's son. As you spoke, he then turned to look up at the floor above him. Though he wanted to listen to you, something felt off. He saw a silhouette of a man..but who?

You notice him not paying attention, "Bruce, did you just hear anything I said,,?" you said quietly, but clearly annoyed. You noticed where his eyes were, so you follow...But see nothing. "Bruce, what's wrong?" You whispered again.

As the gospel music played, a crash was soon heard. A car managed to crash into the building. Everyone screamed and moved out the way. As you saw Bruce run to protect the child. You felt a presence snatch you from the back, place something large, cold, heavy, and metal around your neck. What the hell? As you tried to look down, your hands roaming what was just put on you, your eyes widen. There was a bomb now attached to you by the said metal device. Start to freak out, people that were around you now ran away from you as quickly as they can. As you scramble to look who was the culprit and who could help, your mind only went to one person...Edward. Only someone of his genius could make something like this.

You started to tear up, trying to get the device off of you. "Is this a fucking saw trap?!" You yelled, tears now flowing from your face. Was this how you were going to die? Was this your resting place?

Was everything with Edward a ploy for this exact moment?

As you cried, Bruce looked over at your now crying figure. He internally freaked out as he saw you crying. As everyone ran out, some staying to see what was in the car. A man soon stepped out with the same device around his neck, only he looked more beat up. he had a card stepped to his chest and a phone taped to his hand, an unknown number calling the phone. The man looked just as panicked as you did. Soon police escorted everyone out, leaving you and this man alone with a casket in an empty church.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You and the man sat there in silence for what seemed to be hours. You tried to hold back your tears, you felt so many emotions that you couldn't even let out. The police sent in a small device to keep an eye on both of you as police stood at the entrance, guns and shield held up.

The man who sat across from you stay silent, tape over his mouth that simply read "No more lies". To the police chiefs and investigators, they were confused on why you were brought into the situations. You never took up bribes, you never lied on your promises. Hell, you made everything better. Was he just using you as an example on no matter good or bad, the rich must be taken out? Or were you hiding something? Soon, the phone rang again...and again.

Out of the shadows, Batman came out and approached you both. You both felt relief, more of him than you. Bruce looked down at you, looking at your face stained with tears. Even with your tears, you still look at beautiful as the day he met you. Bruce wanted to caress your face, tell you it would be okay and bring you home. But he knew he couldn't.

He took the tape off the mans face, soon answering the phone. You heard the Riddler talking to Batman, heard him talking about chances and how he was never given one. But now Batman has a chance to make everything right. As he spoke to your husband, he then spoke to Colson about riddles and how they were his retreat.

"Now...place the phone to my sweet angel...Y/n.." he demanded, the man showing the screen to reveal your disheveled look. You could barely look up at the screen to face him...

He betrayed you, used you as a pawn to make a statement...

"My darling, loving, caring angel...You are always so kind. You never lie...yet here you are in this predicament. Now, my sweet...I want you to answer three riddles. Three riddles and I'll set you free. You have two minutes...Are you ready?" he asked, trying to come off as a sweet and caring guy.

You simply nodded, taking in a sharp breath as you hear the beeping of the bomb go off. You had to make this count, even though you knew Edward loved you...he wouldn't hold back.

"What can you break of mine even if you never pick it up or touch it?"

"Your heart..."

"Good job! Now...What can fill a room...but takes up no space?" he asked, almost seeming he was giving you easy ones on purposes. You knew deep down he didn't want you to die.

"..Love.." you answered, seeming more agitated at the fact of why you are here. He wanted to use you to make a statement. As you answered, Bruce felt his jaw clench. He knew the Riddler fucked you, even had feelings for you. But at this point he was openly flirting and professing his love to you right Infront of him. Bruce knows he messed up with you. But maybe this could bring you together once he saves you both.

"You're so good at this Y/n! And they say public schools doesn't teach people anything..." he joked, but you weren't having it. You were beyond pissed.

"Now, 1 minute and 1 more riddle...I can be offered. A very important part of a relationship, I survive when it is true. What am I?" he asked, this one crawling underneath your skin.

"Loyalty.." you said, clearly pissed off. You were loyal to Bruce, then he slept with his crime partner, Selina, behind your back...Then you gave it to Edward, who was now sitting here, asking you riddles while your life depends on it.

You knew nothing of true loyalty.

As he congratulated you, the contraption fell off. It was freeing. You shot up, your hands feeling your neck area. It was so light now...As you felt tears of happiness and fear come up, your instincts lead you to hug Bruce. As you cried, spewing nonsense of 'thank god' and 'holy shit', you held tightly onto Batman.

Bruce instantly held you back, rubbing your back as you cried into his chest. He didn't want to let you go, and you clearly weren't going to let go anytime soon. He viewed you neck, it was read and bloody from the metal rubbing against your neck all he could give you right now was a small "it's okay".

You heard Bruce help the man answer his tougher riddles. You saw as he tried denying taking brides. Bruce set you aside as he stepped closer to him. Your breath was short as you listened to the bomb tick more and more. Before you knew it, Bruce used his body as a human shield to block you from the explosion. Bruce took the brunt of the explosion for you, protecting your body. Was this way to say sorry?

As you groaned in pain, Bruce whispering in your ear

"It's okay baby, I'm here..."

"You're safe, I'll bring you home.."

All you could do was just listen, you felt so weak. Your eyes closed as police ran in, only hearing yelling for a few faint seconds but nothing.

#danonation #paul dano #edward nashton x gn reader #edward nashton x gn!reader #edward nashton x reader #edward nashton #the riddler x reader #the riddler #batman 2022

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danosrosegarden · 10 months

Text

Angel (Part One) - Edward Nashton x GN!Reader

Contains: mentions/descriptions of sex work (reader is a sex worker), toxic relationships, and smoking. Also, reader's gender is never mentioned, but they are bisexual (it is a very minor detail).

Note: this is my big series I've had planned out for a long time, and I'm so excited to finally release chapter one! A disclaimer: I do not intend to disrespect sex work with the reader's situation here. They are unhappy with their work and have had negative experiences in the past. This is not the experience of all sex workers, simply just one fictional story. I also want to make it clear: Angel Eddie is based off Paul Dano's 2022 interpretation of The Riddler, but will have minor differences.

It was the sort of bleak, frosty rain that splashed through your skin and absorbed into your bones, the bitterly icy water leaking drop by drop into your marrow. Your skin was prickled with goosebumps as you shivered through the cloud-soaked night.

He was just another client. God, how you tried to convince yourself Marshall was just another client. It broiled in your brain and screamed in your blood...he was just another client. But what other client had you lived with for five months? What other client held you ever so gently when the dark void of night fell and you felt the festering handprints of the past gripping your hips? There would never be another one like him.

You forgot how long you had been wandering the streets after Marshall kicked you out. There were times before when he would come home drunk and angry, yelling at you to get the fuck out of his sight. He would remember how used you were and want you gone. But there was a feeling burning inside of your gut, the flames licking the flesh of your stomach. The burning feeling this was the final time. He wouldn't have you back. You weren't sure what you expected, exactly...tears? A screaming match? Shattered glass? Tearing through his apartment and your shared memories, eyes scorching red with searing hot acrimony? You weren't sure. What ended up being was the rain-slicked streets of Gotham and the air around you soaked with a thick sheet of silence.

You searched the roads for an awning...any swath of dryness would do. You just wanted a cigarette, that's all. You adjusted your bag's strap on your shoulder and thought about the contents as the frigid rain continued to slice into your skin. Three packs of menthol cigarettes, your ID and debit card, and a couple hundred dollars in twenties. You couldn't remember if the money was yours or Marshall's. You couldn't be asked to give a fuck. You had grabbed it off the kitchen counter as Marshall screamed and tore the place apart. So what, you had seen a different client while staying with him? You didn't know things were so official that he would get so upset. You needed the money. You had to pay half the bills somehow, after all. Who cared now? You were out and on your own. That's all that mattered.

You spotted the car from across the street in the empty parking lot of Josephine's. God, you hadn't been to Josephine's in years. You wondered if she still had a special original pastry of the month. You wondered how disappointed she would be if she saw how far you had fallen away from yourself.

You felt as if you were morphing back into yourself when you had first started as you made your way across the street. Back when you would approach men in cars, girls at clubs, people anywhere, any time. You were hungry for experience, determined to scratch an abundance of notches on your bedpost. Maybe through taking on more and more clients, you could find something resembling self-worth if you held it in a certain light. It never did work, but that wouldn't stop you from trying again.

You knocked on the car window and waited.

It didn't roll down. You tried again.

The man sitting inside was startled by the noise, jumping in his seat and staring at you with wide, bloodshot eyes. His hair reached past his ears and was frazzled at the ends. He stared at you for a few more seconds before a gravelly bark came from him.

"What."

"Roll your window down."

Reluctantly, the man rolled down his window, continuing to peer deep into your eyes as you bent down to his window's height.

"Can I get in?" you tried. You knew you were being stupid, but you were past the point of caring about much of anything anymore.

"I'm not letting you in," the man said curtly.

For God's sake, could you catch any kind of break tonight?

"Please. It's raining hard, and I was just kicked out of my apartment. I have nowhere to go," you begged.

The man rolled his window up, and you felt the stitches of your heart tear apart. You felt as though you had run out of chances. A street cat who had run out of lives. With your heart split into two, your blood running rimy, and your bones shaking in your skin, you knelt down next to the strangers car and cried. You had never felt more lost in the wind than now, with even the sounds of your broken snivels drowned out by the pouring rain.

The sound of the car door opening and slamming shut made you jump. The man from inside the car popped the trunk and rifled through it for a moment before pulling out a clear umbrella. He shut the trunk and walked over to you, opening the umbrella and kneeling beside you.

"Here."

It was small enough to where only one person would fit under it. With a trembling hand, you took it from him. An instantaneous burst of laughter exploded from your chest as you felt the relief from the rain. The man jumped again at the sound of your laugh.

"What?"

You shook your head, coughing and strangling your laughter. "I'm very happy to not get rained on anymore, I guess. I've been out here for awhile."

The man nodded and ran a hand through his hair. You sat in silence for a moment before a wave of newfound warmth and confidence crashed over you.

"My name is Y/N."

The man looked down at his shoes.

"You don't have to tell me your name. But I wanted to say thank you for the umbrella. And for sitting here with me, I guess. Tonight has been...rough. It's nice to have a little bit of company."

"My name is Edward."

You peered at his features: the strong bump of his nose, the freckles dotting his cheeks, the violet bags tugging at the skin underneath his eyes, the pout of his thin lips. He was interesting to view.

"Hi, Edward."

He said nothing.

In the middle of this downcast, hopeless evening, something inside you was whispering that you had found peace. And maybe it was just for tonight. Maybe it was just for as long as Edward would stay with you beside his car in Josephine's parking lot. But it felt warmer than Marshall's touch. It felt safer than having to sit through his drunken outbursts. It was quiet, which you weren't used to in your life, but it was warm. Safe. Good.

You rested your chin on your knees and closed your eyes, letting the last drops of rain fall from your soaked clothes as Edward sat up and opened the car door for you.

"You can get in, if you'd like."

#Eli's writing #Danonation #Paul Dano #Edward Nashton #The Riddler #The Batman #Edward Nashton x reader #The Riddler x reader #Edward Nashton x you #The Riddler x you #Edward Nashton x Y/N #The Riddler x Y/N

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rowan-e-ravenwood · 3 months

Note

gotham characters as scented candles 👀👀👀?

OOGUHUGHG YOU HAVE MADE ME HAPPY TODAY, prepare yourself for category 5 autism event

eeeeeee OKAY. this will just be some of my general favourite characters, and we'll go in no particular order. and i think all of these would work as perfumes as well, bc when i start selling candles, i want to do perfume oils too, for all the scents i can get skin-safe ingredients for, so my design sensibilities are getting more wearable by the day. I LOVE FRAGRANCES

read-more provided because this is going to get long

Oswald; i think my already-planned combination will definitely work for him - blackberry, tobacco, caramel, wine, and a hint of rose, with some leather for extra depth. and i think for the Gotham version in particular, i'd add a bit of sandalwood, to make it a bit more like fancy perfume without compromising the sweetness.

Victor Zsasz needs something kind of dark and mysterious, but also strikes me as the type to use a very basic manly-smelling soap. so we'll compromise with - juniper, cedar, lemon, and black pepper. simple and sharp.

Ivy is another one where my existing scent blend for her will work with just a couple small adjustments - garden soil, oakmoss and ginseng, with a bit of tomato leaf and some white floral notes, maybe jasmine? and for this version, add in a little bit of clove and geranium.

Edward will have a scent VERY different from the one i made based on my own version... he strikes me as the type to wear a nice, sensible, light cologne. for this, let's say - amber, sage, tonka, a bit of musk, and just a hint of lavender.

Kristen is such a lovely character, I think she needs to be on this list too. she gets a mild blend - vanilla, old paper, bergamot, and lily. a sweet scent for a sweetheart. maybe some sort of bakery note as well, she strikes me as the type to enjoy scones or sugar cookies.

Harvey, Harvey. what else could a scent based on a weathered, moody detective be other than - whisky, smoke, leather, black pepper, and tobacco. a classic combination.

Lee, my beloved, my beloved!!! i honestly don't see her as the type to wear a lot of perfume, so this one is almost entirely conceptual, as opposed to most of the others which are a blend of vibes and what they might actually smell like... i'll go with - vanilla, orange blossom, hinoki wood, and lavender. a very soft, comforting blend.

Barbara is definitely a perfumey party scent - champagne, peach, lily, musk, rose, pomegranate, and amber, with a twist of bitter almond. fun, bubbly, and girly! her warning shots are aimed at the chest.

Scarecrow, finally, has to be smoke, old wood, ginseng, hay, soil, and cardamom.

OKAY these are just some of my faves, so if you think there's someone i should have added to this, SEND THEM IN AND I WILL DESIGN THEM TOO!!!!! and any other characters too, i am foaming at the mouth

#gotham 2014

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r1ddly · 1 year

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pleasepleasePLEASE tell me about your riddler?? the religion stuff has piqued my interest and i gotta know-

Hell yeah I'll tell you about my riddler!! I'd love to talk about him!!!

Tw: religious themes, suicide, abuse, gore, sexual themes, and some others that again I'm blanking on so read with caution! And again I'm posting this on mobile so I don't know how to put the keep reading thing on LMAO

SO, before forming Quandarism and becoming the riddler and things like that Ed grew up in a very abusive household, most of the abuse coming from his father, physical and mental abuse as well as neglect. His dad was well known in the small town he lived in and was apart of the small church that was formed there too, though his father was also a raging alcoholic and again raged on Edward and his mother. Ed's mother on the other hand was a sickly woman, a stay at home wife who loved her son to an unhealthy degree. She'd depend on him for love and attention that her husband would give her, venting her frustrations on him, trauma dumping, ect, but she genuinely loved Edward with all her being as conflicting as it was, she'd often take the abuse for him. Edward on the other hand worshiped his mother, he loved her so so much- he's never loved a person as much as her.

In school he was of course the smartest kid there, graduating earlier then others, but surprisingly he wasn't bullied for being so smart! He was actually pretty respected by his peers because of his fathers status but around high school he slowly lost some respect as he started questioning his belief in God and he was also starting to act out because of the abuse and trauma he's gained. After failing an important test though things started falling downhill, his father was caught cheating with multiple women and after hearing this his mother was in hysterics. Eventually one night when his father was gone she tried to convince Ed to come with her so they could both kill themselves, ed being half asleep brushed her off and in the next morning he found her dead.

After that things were never the same, once he graduated from high school he was given a bunch of offers from many colleges, most he was disinterested in but one he liked was Gotham university, he didn't grow up in the east coast so he was perfectly happy with this, but his father grew angry at this decision as he wanted ed to follow his family traditions and wanted him to work with him and in the heat of their argument ed broke one of the wooden chairs and beat his father to death with the leg of the chair. At this point most if not all the town has lost respect for their family so he knew no one would care if his father died, he took his time cleaning and getting rid if the body as he waited for university to roll around.

Once in university he was doing pretty good actually, he started getting therapy and was doing extremely well in school. At that time he was going through a existential crisis about himself as a person and things like that. He them formed a club that would be the beta version of Quandarism. Ed was studying a lot of things in university, psychology being one of them- he learned how easy it could be to manipulate people and things like that and after graduating he started the group of Quandarism.

Ed has EXTREME bipolar and horrible anger issues, he's easily angered and often doesn't know how to handle it so often times he uses violence as that's the only way that can calm him down other then sex. Speaking of which he gets a lot of it (LMAO) he formed a small group of women that act as a harem for himself, most having little traights that remind him of his mother (hair color, personality, height, ect) but he doesn't really hold any romantic feelings for them (unknown to them), again only really having them for sex- he also does have sex with other women but they're different from his harem. I usually draw him in a green polo shirt and dark brown pants but he has a lot of expensive clothing, his priest cloths are the most extravagant shit you'll ever see lmao.

Here's a list of little tidbits about him that I wasn't sure how to put into this

He's always taking things in the extreme and thus reacts extremely, when he cries He's straight up yelling, red wet face, snot and droll coming out, he's pathetic really

He's EXTREMELY stubborn and has a hard time taking no as an answer

He's pretty selfish, like EXTREMELY selfish.

He could be a father of millions but once he finds out that someone is pregnant he immediately forces them to get an at home abortion, most lead to death and others they end up not being able to children anymore.

His sermons are extremely weird, he always has the rooms temperature at a specific heat, no windows, bright light, and other little things. It can make people delirious

Because him and scarecrow are semi partners he also uses fear toxin on the cult members or even new recruits

Speaking on scarecrow, he's tried asking for the ingredients to make his own version but it never works

This man HATES my penguin, he hates him SO much. Not as much as his father of course

Theres more to him but that's like the jist! He's straight up an asshole and I love him teehee

#my art #my post #dc #batman #eddieverse #eddieverse riddler #edward nygma #edward nashton #riddler #the riddler #dc riddler

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finniestoncrane · 11 months

Text

Your One True Nemesis

Chapter 26: also on AO3 Masterlist Here Arkham!Riddler x Female!Reader, word count: 1.3k oh gosh is it possible that an idiot genius can... change? even ever so slightly? and be... not nice... but... human? :o 💚 request info • prompt list • send me a request • kofi • masterlist minors DNI!! 🔞 cw: don't get too excited he's still a walking disaster, pining sort of, lil bit of tension

“Taking a break?”

The sudden sound of Edward’s voice, intrusive in the moment of peace you were experiencing in the work room, made you jump slightly. Looking up from what you were working on, you offered him a smile.

“I was just thinking… it’s nice to see that not much has changed down here.”

“Of course not. The goal is still the same.”

“To beat the bat.”

“Exactly, it’s only natural. Creatures known to prey on bats include hawks, owls, some spiders, falcons and, of course, me.”

Smiling at his ridiculous statement, you ran your fingers along the work bench, scattered with what you were sure were the same scraps of metal and wires as has been there when you left.

“You act as though you’ve been gone for years.”

“It kind of feels like it. Time flows differently when you can see the sun rise and set. Down here it’s all sort of… continuous.”

Turning, you found Eddie standing close to you, staring intently as you spoke.

“Well, that’s how I like it. Don’t be tempted to make any grand changes.”

Eddie made his way over to the workstation he had graciously, but not without constant complaining, set up for you the day after you had returned to the sewers. He’d been insistent that you start working right away to earn your keep, or he’d turf you out again, and this time he wouldn’t be there to save you like the heroic and generous overseer that he was.

“How much have you managed to…”

His eyes fell to the table where you had pieced together several of the small remotes he had instructed you to complete. You smiled, feeling smug at the genuine surprise on his face.

“Well… don’t get too proud of yourself. You’ve barely even begun to complete this work. If I’m to keep that idiotic detective occupied long enough, Gotham needs to be riddled with my puzzles.”

Giggling at the pun, you realised quickly it was unintentional when a small smile crept up at the corners of Eddie’s mouth. He clearly didn’t want to admit that he was pleased with himself, but you could tell he was noting it down mentally to use at another point, with an audience he deemed more deserving that you were. As he took stock of the work you’d done, he noticed his notebook, left open at a page where he had been scribbling riddles. Beside it, a sheet of scrap paper where you had been writing the answers. He placed his fingers on it, shifting it to the side and tilting his head to read the words you had scrawled on the page, trying to stifle a smile that was still very obvious. It made your heartbeat irregular, seeing him respond positively to something you had done.

“I was… I was just trying them out… to see if I could get any of them right. They were a nice break from the work.”

Maintaining his expression, but letting the smile come out slightly, Eddie lifted the sheet from the table and looked back and forth from it and his notebook.

“I suppose a ‘well done’ is in order. When I tested that riddle on one of my childhood bullies, he simply could not solve it.”

Your smile beamed out, a tingling sensation passing over your body as he locked his eyes onto yours.

“Not even on pain of death could he grasp the answer. But you’ve managed it on a break. I suppose you’re perhaps ever so slightly smarter than I gave you credit for. But you’re still just as bad at your job as you used to be.”

Picking up one of the remotes you had made, he inspected it closely, prying the back off and tugging at the wires which came loose immediately.

“I mean… it would have been ok if you hadn’t yanked them out.”

“Nonsense. Shoddy workmanship. You need to be more careful, you need to be better.”

“Well, you need to be kinder.”

With a grimace, Eddie closed his eyes, mentally counting to three before opening them again.

“I refuse. You came back knowing what it was like down here.”

“That doesn’t mean it can’t be better though?”

With an exasperated but soft sigh, Eddie turned from you, still speaking as he fiddled with the tools that lay scattered on the wall shelves.

“I don’t see how it could be better. It was fine the way it was. Perfect, even.”

“Oh yeah? The back and forth bickering and unresolved sexual tension made this the perfect living arrangement.”

The words had come out of your mouth before you could stop them. But it was the truth. And you were glad to finally mention it.

“There was no… there is no unresolved anything. We are colleagues. Nothing more, nothing less. Surely, that is the best way to go forward.”

You hated to admit it, but it probably was. He really was right about everything. And even though he wasn’t willing to admit to the slightly deeper meanings, or hidden feelings, behind everything that had happened between you before, at least he was willing to try and move past them. Not the result you wanted, but anything to make things more tolerable. It was better than nothing. It might even be positive. A new positive start.

You were so hopeful things could be different that you were willing to forego what you really wanted. To be with Eddie in a pleasant capacity, even if it meant there were no sexual elements, was good enough for you. It had shocked you how much you had missed him while you were working for Oswald. You didn’t want to run the risk of losing it again. So you nodded, agreeing with him.

“Good. Now. You solved those ones, but those were easy. Those were the preliminaries, I hope you understand that. Had I known you were going to attempt to solve those, had I so wished to force you into mental exhaustion, you would have failed before you had even begun to comprehend the first riddle on that page. If you’re keen to expand your mind, I can show you the full extent of my brilliance. I can write some more puzzles for you, to keep you entertained while you work on the menial, yet seemingly challenging, tasks I have laid out for you. Does that sound… appealing?”

With a soft smile, you nodded. Grateful that he was trying to extend something to you, even if you weren’t sure what it was. A gift? A challenge? To express that he cared or to show you he believed in you?

“Wonderful. By the end of the week you’ll be in awe at my superiority. I won’t be going easy on you, not now that I know you are…”

He hesitated, unsure if he wanted to continue, but he knew he had to.

“… capable.”

It wasn’t the greatest compliment in the world. But you would take it.

Eddie shifted awkwardly as you smiled warmly at him, made uncomfortable by even that small display of kindness. He turned on his heel and left the room. You were colleagues. Colleagues. He couldn’t let himself fall back into old habits. This was as far as it would go. He could challenge you mentally, offer you a pat on the back. But he couldn’t find himself falling into the trap of caring.

It was too late though. He was already considering what level of subliminal messaging he could incorporate into the riddles. Something that hinted towards a suggestion of intimacy, or to his agreement to a physical relationship, but that could be denied if it backfired or he came to his senses.

If he left it wide open, he could deny everything. To you and to himself.

#finnie writes #arkham riddler #arkham edward nigma #riddler x reader #arkhamverse riddler #the riddler #arkhamverse #riddler #the riddler imagine #riddler smut #the riddler fanfic #riddler fanfic #riddler x you #edward nigma x reader #edward nigma #arkham!riddler #the riddler fanfiction #arkham!verse #finnie yotn

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lfthinkerwrites · 16 days

Note

fireworks - author's choice ❣️

(Went for a different use of the term lol. Hope you enjoy!)

Dr. Arkham sighed. “Harvey, we’ve talked about the language. Before we continue the session, please apologize to Edward for what you said about his mother.”

From his place in the so-called ‘friendship circle’ between Jonathan and Waylon, Edward shrugged, “That’s not necessary, Dr. It’s been nearly thirty years since I’ve seen the woman. For all I know, she could be a syphilitic whore.”

Joker cackled and Pamela made a disgusted noise. Dr. Arkham shook his head. “Edward, please. This group therapy session is meant to foster a positive relationship in Arkham. We don’t want a repeat of what happened in the cafeteria yesterday.”

“We don’t?” Joker asked. “Aren’t we all glad that Jervis stabbed Laszlo with a sharpened spork?”

“You still want us to think Jervis did that?” Jonathan drawled.

“Well he did have the spork in his pocket.” Joker let out an exaggerated gasp. “Wait! Are you trying to imply that he was framed, Spooky? By who?”

“No one’s implying anything Joker.” Personally, Arkham agreed that Jervis didn’t do it, but he didn’t care enough to get the little bastard out of solitary. “Let’s move on. I’d like everyone here to say something positive about someone. Joker, we’ll start with you. Say something positive and keep it appropriate please.”

Joker grinned. “I know something positive! I found out that if you hit Robin in the spleen with a crowbar, he squeaks like a dog’s chew toy!”

Arkham wiped a hand down his face and willed himself not to cry. “I said to keep it appropriate, Joker.” A loud laugh was his only response. Arkham squeezed his eyes shut, internally counted to ten, then turned his gaze to Waylon. “Would you like to say something positive, Waylon?”

Waylon rubbed his chin with a scaly hand. “It can’t be about eating people?”

Arkham resisted the urge to throw his writing pad at Waylon’s face. He had a shock collar on and there were armed guards just outside, but why risk it? “No Waylon, it can’t be about eating people.”

Waylon nodded. “Ok. I have something positive to say about Jervis.”

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yeah. I’m happy that he’s in solitary and I don’t have to listen to him whine about Alice!”

Joker cackled again, as did Edward, Pamela, and even Arnold. Arkham took a deep breath. “Fine, Waylon. That’s nice. That’s very nice. Now, does anyone else have anything positive they want to say?” Edward’s hand shot up. “For the love of God, anyone other than Edward?”

Joker clicked his tongue. “Uh, uh, uh, Dr. Arkham. Remember, positivity!”

Arkham was positively sure he was about to storm out of the room, call Belle Reve and have every single one of these degenerates join Harley down south. “Fine. Ok. What do you have to say, Edward?”

Edward lowered his hand and smiled. “I’d just like to say that I really do appreciate my time in Arkham. Whenever I’m here and interact with you all, I’m reassured that I am indeed, the most brilliant criminal mind in all of Gotham.”

Harvey jumped up and threw his chair at Edward, who yelped and jumped into Jonathan’s lap to avoid it. Waylon caught the chair and threw it back, sending it flying over Harvey’s head. It hit the wall with a crash. Joker threw his head back and laughed.

“Get off me!” Jonathan shouted, shoving Edward to the floor.

“Asshole!” Edward shouted back.

“Narcissistic megalomaniac!”

“Inbred hick!”

“High school dropout!”

Edward gasped. “Jon! You promised never to tell anyone about that!”

Pamela laughed. “All that talk about being a genius, and you couldn’t even finish high school? Pathetic.”

Arkham agreed, but he needed to at least attempt to get things under control, or else the guards would come in and…actually, wait. Fuck these people. The guards could brutalize them as much as they wanted. Edward was up on his feet now and screaming in Jonathan’s face, and Jonathan was screaming right back. Waylon, Harvey, Pamela, and Joker seemed content to watch the show, Joker chiming in with his own commentary. Arnold just kept nervously watching the door.

Dr. Arkham really, really hated his job.

#fic prompts #fun with group therapy #the gotham rogues

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fetish4juggalos · 1 year

Text

Gotham villans with their s/o pt.2

Ive decided that since im tryna post more frequently that Id do a part 2 to my 'Gotham villans' post since after alot of procrastination i finally finished the show around 2 months ago

Id also like to apologize for the quality since my last post was on oct 3rd so this is a little rushed

I apologize in advance for both grammatical errors and spelling errors:)

Jervis Tetch

Hes absolutely obsessed with you no doubt about it

Because of the loss of his sister he automatically is gonna have a near ridiculous attachment to you

Constantly keeping tabs on you, KEEPING YOU FAR AWAY FROM JIM GORDON, and following you around from time to time

Constant reassurance is necessary to make sure he knows you love him

Your past relationships are trivial to him because you're his now and there's no changing that but if an ex comes into a picture he's pissed

Goes from rhymes and dilly dallying to an absolute psycho in a matter of seconds

Kissing is something he uses to calm himself or take control of a situation especially when hes overwhelmed. Its also something you can do to him to reassure him and keep him calm

If you're up to the challenge he might even let you cut his hair seeing as his hair and facial hair change lengths throughout the show:)

Gifts from him are always extravagant and meaningful. Things like teaparties, watches, antiques, jewlery, and various items that he's selected just for you

I feel as if he'd be a great cook since he has such well put together teaparties with cakes, sandwiches, sweets, ect.

Has crazy personality switchs. One second he's overly excited the next hes seething and on the break of insanity

I feel like he too just like jerome commits crimes as a declaration of love. Things like making your ex jump off of the clock tower or hurting people to show how far he'll go for you ect.

Edward Nygma

Pre-riddler

Ed would be an absolute sweetheart

A little strange and a bit creepy but with good intentions

He'd be a little overprotective/territorial but that would only be the case if people around the GCPD started making moves on you/flirted with you

He wouldn't have any inherent issues with you dating others previously since you're your own person and he respects your past but if an ex came around we might have another officer dorty situation

Gifts normally consist of wordplay or riddles. Like cards with riddles in them or gifts that go along with a riddle. All the things he gives you always have an Ed touch to them

He also like oswald follows you around but in less of a needy way and more of a wanting to get to know everything about you way. Like learning your interests, telling you riddles, listen to you go on and on about different topics, ect.

Post-riddler

Edward is alot more confident and alot more unhinged than Ed

Very foward and very jealous

Unlike Ed the idea that you've been with others irks him. And as much as you reassure him that your exs are out of sight and out of mind he'll always have this itching feeling that they're still in love with you

His gifts I imagine consist of about the same things. Riddles and wordplay. The only difference is instead of them being more nerdy sweet gifts they're more complex, intricate, possibly stolen gifts (Bigger budget when you're a criminal I guess)

Hes not as clingy as pre-riddler Ed if anything he'd be a bit more reserved, only realizing the true impact that his feeling for you have on him later on

Would he be super affectionate? I cant imagine him being incredibly affectionate but he enjoys it as much as pre-riddler Ed just not as open about it

Jeremiah Valeska

If you want utter honesty I cant image him being very clingy or incredibly lovey-dovey

I just cant imagine him following you around or keeping a incredibly close eye on you

The thing about Jeremiah that makes him so different from Jerome is how cold he is. Very well composed, takes control of any situation, doesn't go with the flow, always has a plan. If he wants to have tabs on you he'll just ask echo to follow you around

That being said it doesn't mean he isnt territorial of you. It doesn't have to be said for everyone to know that you're Jeremiah's

In the case that an ex was to come into the picture they would be dealt with privately and by someone other than Jeremiah but if he sees fit I doubt he'd be opposed to allowing you to watch as your ex is tourtured

Physical affection is something that can also be used to calm him when stressed out about a plan going wrong or just in the case that he feels like showing you off

He doesn't have a very wide range of emotion

He's either cold and composed or pissed and stressed out on the break of a mental breakdown

Gifts from him are almost always luxury items like jewelry, timepieces, clothing, and shoes.

Even though he is very public about his relationship with you he keeps you out of his crimes for the purpose of the bigger picture. Turning you from a possible accomplice to the poor girl who suffered from Stockholm syndrome all comes together in his big plan and also gives you a out of he ever is taken in

I cant imagine the two of you would go on dates very often. He spent most of his life as a recluse in a maze so I doubt he got out much. Most of the time hes hunched over a desk or blackboard planning his next attack on gotham but if you were to ask to go out me may have something private arranged for the two of you

#jervis tetch #jervis tetch x reader #jeremiah valeska x reader #jeremiah valeska #edward nygma #edward nygma x reader #the riddler #gotham

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froms8nsashes · 4 months

Text

Crime Down 10

Read it and weep suckers!

I'm joking. I'm currently watching Gotham and have a fixation on Batman, his family, and his rogues, and all media pertaining it. I highly disliked the most current Batman movie but that's irrelevant. So my friend said, hopefully jokingly, that if I were in Gotham crime would be down 10% so I decided why not write about it yk.

Reader giving my favorite rogues (from gotham) the care and affection they so desperately needed to lead them away from the life of crime, or hopefully lead them away. I don't truly believe that love and affection will ever change a criminal but this is strictly fanfiction and yeah.

Edward Nygma

You were new to the GCPD.

They needed a medical examiner because the previous was suspended. You would have figured they would pick anyone other than a forensics student, but you were surprised.

There wasn't anything of yours to bring into the office so you figured you would get acquainted with everything. Some officers stopped by but due to the awkwardness of a barely passable conversation they'd written you off as weird and strange. Normally, newbies in the joint were all talk and left very little to the imagination but you didn't exactly like talking to them. Didn't look them in the eye, and whenever someone would stop by you started tapping your fingers either on your arm or the counter, missing your ring finger.

"What do you answer even though it never asks questions?" Ed didn't knock or say hello, he just started with a riddle. A nice, neat looking man. He was holding files. A big smile on his face.

"Huh?" You stopped tapping your fingers. Your brain switched back on from dissociation as you tried to fish for the words that were sadly muffled in your ears.

"Do you give up?"

"I didn't hear you."

"Oh." His eyes seemed to light up, the smile got brighter. "What do you answer even though it never asks questions?" He asked again.

You muttered it again to yourself.

"Is it a phone?"

"You sound unsure."

"Okay, then it is a phone."

"Final answer?"

"Yeah, a phone."

"Correct!"

That's how the conversations have started since. All because you enjoyed answering his riddles he's become a friend. You noticed that on top of the gcpd officer's treating you like a nuisance they also treated Ed like a nuisance. It wasn't really a problem until you realized that no one really stopped by the medical examiner's office other than Ed, and at first you just figured most people were busy.

You didn't hate spending time with Ed. He was kind, and mostly as passionate as you were about the things that interested him. He especially had a passion for dead things and riddles, two of your favorite things, although dead things topped the cake.

Nor did you expect to find yourself falling for him.

It actually hit you like a brick. Something that was least expected.

Once you figured it out your gaze filled with love and admiration once you'd finally realized for yourself that you really did like him very much.

So you decided to give him a riddle of his own.

"It's mine, but you can only keep it. What is it?"

He was working in the lab when you entered, it was a habit to refrain from knocking. So, when others knocked on his door he knew to put on that mask of his when talking with others that aren't you. His face lit up once he realized it was a riddle.

"Oh, this one is too easy. It's... It's..." That cute smile dropped from his face, he started to scratch as he wracked his brain.

"I'll let you think over it a bit."

"Well, it can't be a physical object because one cannot own it if it's manufactured in a factory..."

"Do you want a hint?"

"No, no, I can figure this out."

"I know you can, Ed."

Then there was a knock at the door causing both of you to look up. It was Kristin Kringle, holding some files. You knew the way Ed looked at her, but couldn't help wishing that it was different.

His posture had already changed, that mask slipped back on unnoticeably, but those puppy dog eyes were hard to hide.

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?"

"No- "

"Yes! I was just asking Ed, here a riddle. You haven't quite answered yet."

"Right, right. Your riddle." Ed clicked his tongue.

"That's okay, I just came to drop these off for detective Alvarez." She chuckled awkwardly, adjusted her glasses, and then left rather quickly.

"I give up... I'm not quite sure as to what it is. I'm sorry."

"My heart."

"Uhm... Excuse me?"

"That's what the answer is."

"You uh... Are- What does this mean?"

"Ed, I like you. I figured I would tell you in a way that you would enjoy, mostly because you almost always are telling me riddles every day. I'm sorry. Should I have been straight forward?"

"I don't..."

"I'm not sure what to say."

"You don't have to say anything."

"This isn't rejection, but, erm... Can we discuss this after work?"

"Of course!"

Oswald "Ozzie" Chesterfield Cobblepot

He worked in that night club across the street. Always out in the Gotham rain with an umbrella. The bigger guys would hurt him, kick him while he was down. He had this little waddle to him.

He was bloodied and bruised in the alleyway beside the bakery. You loved how quite and quaint the bakery was. The last thing you wanted to see was someone bleeding out in the rain, blood mixing with the water and running down the sidewalk.

Now, it was bad enough already that he was out here, but getting your apron bloody and dirty because you wanted to pick him up and move him inside was another story entirely. Another bad thing.

When he opened his eyes and saw a ceiling that wasn't at all like the sky of Gotham he got a little panicked and started to freak out.

When you carried in a tea tray with breakfast he stopped struggling with the blanket and fell off the bed.

"Woah, woah, woah, hold on. I'm not the best at dressing wounds so I don't think you should get up!" You set the tray down and quickly helped him back into bed.

"Who... Who are you? Why'd you do this? What did you do?"

"Relax, I found you on the sleep and helped you."

"You... You helped me?"

"Yeah,"

"Oh, my friend! How I hoped someone as kind as you could find me!" He tried to leap from the bed but he was immediately holding his side and wincing.

"Hey, hey. You shouldn't just get up yet! I have to... to stitch the wound closed."

"Oh-" His smile sank.

Then Oswald wouldn't leave your side.

He was stuck to you like glue from then on. Like, he would not let you go somewhere on your own. All because you helped him when he was hurt. It was odd, but you didn't mind.

Thanks to Fish Mooney's place, not many customers came by the bakery leaving you alone to make new pastry ideas and such. So it was nice to have some company.

Of course, you taught him how to decorate pastries since you were afraid that if he tried to make them with the machine he would almost kill himself. He started off easy with simple cookie and cupcake designs.

He was always in your line of sight while you worked on your little project. It was a bird themed line of pastries, currently you were working on penguins, all kind of penguins though. There were so many types and you wanted to make each on unique. Emperor penguins were on cupcakes, Gentoo penguins were on cookies, Chinstrap were on truffles, and Adelie on brownies.

You noticed he was blankly staring at the penguins on your work bench when you looked up from the cookie you were desperately trying to get right. You'd printed out a picture and stuck it to the wall next to you. At first you thought he was just being creepy and staring at you but, no, he was staring at the penguin made out of icing.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Don't like penguins?" He tensed up at that. Looking back down at the cupcakes he was decorating, the frosting was a nice purple color in a large swirl.

"I can do them in another room if-"

"No, no! It's okay!" You were starting to get used to his little outbursts but it still shocked you how loud his voice could be. "You- You can keep working! I don't care!" He was shaking.

Then he avoided you after that. It was a small place so it wasn't like he had anywhere to go, especially because he didn't want to go back to Fish.

So you approached him later that night, he was sitting on the couch holding his umbrella. When the floor board creaked he had gotten up and brandished it like a weapon.

"It's just me!" You held your hands up like he was pointing a gun at you.

"Oh, you." He sounded so deflated, unenthusiastic. His demeanor changed so quickly.

"You think I'm a penguin just like the rest of them. Don't you?" You didn't say anything so he took the opportunity to speak. His voice was level and he wasn't shouting, at least no yet.

"Huh? You think I'm your flappy, flippered, defenseless friend?!"

He raised his voice but didn't move. You didn't either.

"No... I just think you're Ozzie..." You hesitated.

"You're the only one who does, well, except for my mother." It was apparent he seemed to calm down, setting his umbrella to lean against the couch.

"Do you want some tea? Maybe we could talk-"

"I really like you. So it hurt when I thought you were like the others."

"Oh, you're talking about Fish and those guys that beat you up."

"I don't want you to leave. You're so nice, and so kind unlike all the other rotten souls in Gotham. Please, I'll do anything for you to stay!"

"I'm not going anywhere, just in the kitchen to put the kettle on." He'd hugged you around your middle as he pleaded with you. You didn't think he actually was crying until now.

"I don't want to go back. I don't want to see her again. Let me stay! I can be useful!"

"Ozzie, I like you too, which is why I'm not kicking you out. I'd rather you stay here then see you get kicked and punched out there." You didn't try to move because he had a grip like a snake on your mid-section. You stood there and petted his hair softly as he sobbed into your clothes.

It wasn't a lie, you actually did really like him and didn't want to see him go back to getting hurt. You knew nothing about the crime of Gotham, mainly because your dad dealt with it all to keep you innocent and naive. He was gone now, so this was the situation you're in.

"Can- Can you make some tea?" He was sniffling and pulling away awkwardly.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll make some tea and then we can talk."

"Talk about what?"

"What's going to be happening from here on out."

#the riddler #the penguin #gotham rogues #dc comics #gotham #ed nygma #edward nygma #oswald cobblepot #oswald copplepot #x reader #gotham rogues x reader #penguin x reader #riddler x reader #ed nygma x reader #oswald cobblepot x reader

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