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thedeevirus · 6 years

Note

Can you do some more with Martin as a young adult? Legacy is one of my favorite fics in this fandom. (It doesn’t have to be an extension of that one necessarily. Just anything with an aged-up Martin.)

Hope you enjoy this little titbit with Martin as a rebellious teenager who wants to join the family business :)

For @summerofgotham Week 3: Future AU

Also added to Nygmobblepot Ficlet Collection on AO3

***

Edshook his head as he heard the door to his hideout slam and a distinctive,halting tread descending the stairs. He noted the barely audible grumbling emanatingfrom the stairwell as well as its correlation to the speed and weight of thefootsteps. Oswald was not in a good mood.

Edturned to Martin.The teenager was still sitting on the stool. He had been experimentally touching hisbandaged wrist, wincing as he tried to rotate it but his eyes had grown wide ashe also identified the interloper into Ed’s lair. He hastily jammed the popsiclehe had been enjoying into his mouth, breathing heavily to battle the brainfreeze as he chewed and swallowed frantically. Once he had overcome thediscomfort, he reached for the writing pad resting on the desk beside him and wrotea single word. He held it up for Ed to see, even though his expression told Edhe already knew the answer. It flummoxed Ed how like a child Martin could still appear with those large,innocent looking eyes and boyish curls despite the fact he had grown nearly astall as he was.

Busted?

Edtook the pen from Martin and underlined the word in answer just as Oswaldwalked in.

‘HelloOswald’, Ed said brightly, holding up his own popsicle in greeting, ‘Would youlike a pop-?’

‘Whathappened?‘ Oswald demanded, glaring at Martin’s wrist.

AsOswald advanced on them, Martin scribbled quickly and leapt in front of Ed,showing Oswald the pad.

It’s not his fault!

Oswaldreached down and with care despite his obvious fury, took hold of Martin’swrist. His pale eyes flashed savagely, reflecting the various computer screensand neon lights of Ed’s hideout.

‘What.Happened?’ Oswald asked in a dangerously neutral tone.

‘It’sjust a small sprain’, Ed said placatingly, ‘Nothing to worry about’.

Martineagerly flashed a thumbs up with his good hand but was dismayed to see he andEd’s overtly chipper pantomiming was doing little to dampen his adoptedfather’s short fuse.

‘Whodid it?’ Oswald asked.

Martin,visibly deflated, drew a symbol and showed Oswald the page. A black bat outlineon a white page. He was about to explain further but Oswald tapped his caneloudly on the floor. A signal that he wasn’t interested in more details.

‘Oswald,just breathe’, Ed said, ‘You’re a penguin, not a Mother Hen’.

‘Howcould you do this to me?’ Oswald demanded, fingers clenching on the cane’shandle as if it was some poor unfortunate’s throat, ‘You promised this wouldn’thappen again! That if he came to you looking for more ‘lessons’ you’d call meimmediately!’

How did you find me?

‘Doyou think a leaf falls in this city without me knowing about it?!’ Oswald said,obviously insulted, ‘You are officially on thin ice young man’.

‘Penguinsknow all about that right?’ Ed joked, attempting to draw Oswald’s attention.

Itworked and Ed instantly felt like a rodeo clown facing down a particularlynasty bull as Oswald’s baleful gaze was redirected at him.

‘Andas for you, Riddler’, Oswald spat Ed’s alias as if it were a curse, ‘When I tellhim ‘no’, it means ‘no’. Not ‘go ask Ed if it’s alright’! It’s the oldest,basest loophole abuse in the book!‘

‘Hewanted to learn’, Ed said shrugging, deliberately keeping his tone and bodylanguage subdued so as not to enrage Oswald further, ‘He needs to learn how this city works if you want him running it oneday’.

‘Heneeds to learn how to be a better liar!’ Oswald snapped before rounding onMartin again, ‘Did you honestly think the school wouldn’t call me to see howyou were feeling?! Truant for three days!’

‘Yousaid you were on vacation’, Ed said to Martin disapprovingly, obviously againstthe idea of Martin skipping school.

Martinrolled his eyes and groaned, annoyed at being outnumbered and held up the pad.

I’m not missing anything important!

‘Howdo you know?’ Oswald asked but Martin had already finished the answer.

Heheld up the pad with a flourish and the slightest hint of a smug smile.

Because I stole the teacher’s lesson plan and did all thisweek’s work in advance.

‘Well,in that case-‘ Ed began, softening but Oswald held up an arresting finger.

‘Don’tyou dare act like that changes anything!’ Oswald growled, irked that Ed hadreverted to an opponent instead of a potential ally.

Dad! I’m fine. It doesn’t even hurt!

‘Weare going home and you are going back to school. End of discussion’.

You just don’t think I can handle it! I’m not a kid! I’m nothelpless!

Martinwas in the middle of another furious sentence when Oswald snatched the pagefrom the pad. Martin’s lip tightened as Oswald scrunched it into a ball insidehis whitened knuckles.

‘Isaid: ‘End of discussion’’, Oswald finished.

Martinthrew down his pad and ran for the stairway. Oswald made to go after Martin butEd laid a hand on his shoulder. Oswald shook Ed off and spun on his heel, coattails whipping like a scorpion’s barb.

‘Don’tworry, he’s tripped the security system. He’s not going anywhere’, Ed said andpointed his half-eaten popsicle at Oswald, ‘And neither are you until we’ve hada chat’.

‘You’dbetter make it good Ed because right now I’m really tempted to stick that popsicleup your-‘

Ed thrusthis arm forward and jammed the popsicle into Oswald’s open mouth. Oswald,caught off guard, pulled the stick free and was forced to chew the freezingcold lime flavoured chunks as the disintegrated in his mouth. Just as Ed hadplanned.

‘Ibrought Martin along on recon for a museum job I have planned and the Bat cameby on patrol’, Ed enunciated carefully, ensuring Oswald was listening, ‘He wasten minutes earlier than expected. I saw him coming, grabbed Martin and we ran.Martin caught his wrist on a fire escape and twisted it. We came back here, Ipatched him up, unlocked the door because I knew you’d come here looking for him,popsicles. The End’.

Edtook the popsicle stick from Oswald and flicked it into a nearby wastebasket asa visual full stop just as Oswald finally managed to swallow.

Ed’ssuccinct explanation as well as the fact that the violent vigilante did notseem directly responsible for Martin’s injury seemed to have mollified Oswaldsomewhat. In that he seemed content to just scowl at Ed instead of activelytrying to retaliate against the citrus flavoured assault he had just endured.

‘You’resure he didn’t see you?’ Oswald pressed.

‘Ithink we would both be a lot worse for wear if he had, don’t you? By the way,is it true?’

‘Iswhat true?’

‘Thatyou’re working with the Bat’.

Oswaldadjusted his shoulders and sniffed dismissively: confirmation to Ed, who wasintimately familiar with Oswald’s body language, that it was indeed true.

‘I’mnot working with him’, Oswald said pointedly, ‘I’m just not getting in hisway’.

‘Martindisagrees’.

‘Seemshe’s not the only one’, Oswald said sourly, eyeing Ed.

‘Whathappens if he does come for Martin one day?’ Ed asked, allowing a trace ofdisapproval to creep into his voice, ‘Will you get in his way then?’

‘Thatwon’t happen if Martin does as I say!’ Oswald snapped, ‘Why do you keepundermining my authority?!’

‘BecauseI’m trying to keep him safe too! When I found Martin had snuck in here again, Ithought it was better for me to keep an eye on him, so, I told him he couldcome with me to check out the museum. The more you try and tell him not to dosomething, the more he’ll want to do it. You can’t keep him on a leash so whynot make sure he’s safe and knows what he’s doing? Ignorance isn’t safety!’

Ed couldsee Oswald could see his point of view. Ed could also see that Oswald hated thathe could see Ed’s point of view.

‘Iblame you for this’, Oswald groused.

‘Forwhat? The well documented hormonal tyranny and rebellion of the adolescent?’

‘You’rethe only other person that drives me this crazy!’ Oswald said, slamming a handonto the desk.

Acrinkling noise made him realise he was still holding the piece of paper he hadtorn from Martin’s pad. He opened it and read:-

Why are you trying to hide who you are

Oswaldsighed heavily and folded the paper carefully in half, ruefully smoothing outthe wrinkles.

‘Youtold me you weren’t much older than Martin when you started your ‘career’’, Edsaid.

‘Thatwas different’.

‘How?’Ed asked, baffled.

‘Becauseback then there weren’t lunatics running around in costumes!’

Ed gesturedto his vibrant green suit with an offended expression and Oswald made adisgruntled noise.

‘Youknow what I mean!’

‘Is Martinright?’ Ed asked, sitting beside Oswald, ‘Do you really think he can’t handleit?’‘He shouldn’t have to handle anything!’ Oswald said exasperated, ‘I want him tobe better than I was, Ed. To live a proper life without looking over hisshoulder all the time. Maybe even find someone special someday’.

‘Likeyou did?’ Ed asked, placing a hand over Oswald’s.

He beganto trace swirling patterns on the back of his lover’s hand: a soothing movementhe knew Oswald enjoyed.

‘Preferablywithout the bumps in the road we’ve had’, Oswald said, one raised eyebrow aclear indicator that he knew what Ed was doing, ‘But, yes’.

‘Oswald,you and I only met because you were part of Gotham’s underworld and I wanted tojoin it. Just like Martin does. Have you considered that maybe Martin couldthrive there? Like I have?’

‘Thatwas different’.

‘There’sthat phrase again’, Ed said teasingly, ‘It was different only because I was lessprepared than Martin was. Until you helped me become who I was meant to be. Youcan help him too’.

‘Iknow. I just don’t want him to get hurt’.

Oswaldremoved his hand from Ed’s touch distractedly as it strayed to his leg. Ed felta pang of sympathy: Oswald was correct in that his error in naïve over reaching,had cost him dearly.

‘Justone mistake and…and I could lose him’, Oswald continued, ‘I want him to beworried about finding a date for prom or not getting picked for the footballteam, not practicing how to escape from handcuffs or deliberately pickingfights with bigger boys to toughen himself up!’

‘Allfledglings have to learn to fly sometime’, Ed said philosophically, ‘They’rethe ones who know when it’s time to jump out of the nest’.

‘Penguinfledglings don’t fly’, Oswald deadpanned earning a laugh from Ed.

‘Maybenot Mr Pedantic’, he conceded, ‘But they do have to navigate and feel at home invery dark waters. As a smart man once said: It’s better to walk with a friendin the darkness than-‘

‘-walkalone in the light’, Oswald finished, shoulders finally slumping in defeat.

Edrubbed Oswald’s back consolingly and kissed his cheek. Oswald leant his headinto Ed’s shoulder and sighed wistfully.

‘Ijust didn’t expect him to be diving so deep so soon’, he said.

Martinglowered from his seat on one of the stairs as they both approached and bangeda palm on the glass partition irritably. On his way up the stairs, motion detectorshad kicked in and sealed him between two glass partitions that had slid fromthe walls. Even if he had been able to talk, shouting wouldn’t have helped. Theglass walls dampened sound. It was why Ed had decided to talk to Oswald whenMartin was incapable of overhearing.

‘Stumpedya this time huh?’ Ed joked, clicking a hidden panel on the wall.

The partitionsslid back into the walls and Martin, newly liberated, stood up, crossing hisarms carefully but resentfully. Oswald approached and held something out toMartin with a sincere apology.Martin saw it was an origami penguin, folded from the words Oswald had takenfrom him. He looked at his father questioningly and saw he was smilingcontritely.

‘Youdon’t go off on your own, always be back in time for dinner and absolutely nocostumes’, Oswald pronounced, ‘Agreed?’

Martinlooked at Ed with sheer disbelief who flashed him a thumbs up. Martin smiledfrom ear to ear and hugged Oswald close, the paper penguin held tightly yet cautiouslyin his hand.

#summerofgotham #Oswald Cobblepot #edward nygma #martin cobblepot #future fic #nygmobblepot fanfic

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ivy-chan-kasumi · 6 years

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Summer of Gotham: Week 6 --> Season 2

Edward Nygma's Evolution

Puzzles are my forte. Nobody beats me.

#summerofgotham #Edward Nygma #Gotham #Moodboard #Gifset #Edit #I spent 5 hours on this #But I think it's actually rlly cool #Maybe #Season 02 #The riddler #I rlly love Eddie on s1 #But damn #what a character development we had on s2 #Hope s5 brings some justice for him

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peterhumbolt · 6 years

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Quick little angsty story for summer of Gotham 💚💜

#summerofgotham #nygmobblepot #gotham #the riddler #the penguin #oswald cobblepot #edward nygma #ed nygma #angst #fan art

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birdie-does-things · 6 years

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Summer of Gotham!!

since we still have a year or I geuss one more season left of Gotham let's use that to our advantage!! Make all the art! all the memes! all of the beautiful fanart! edits! videos! anything to contribute to this wonderful fandom. communicate with other blogs and make new friends. We need to make season 5 the best fandom experience. I introduce the summer of gotham!! :D (or whatever season it is where you are ;) )

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luxlestrange · 6 years

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#riddlebird #summerofgotham #week 2: cuddles #nygmobblepot #edward nygma #oswald copplepot #hugs #gotham fox #the penguin #the riddler

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casanova-in-the-original-latin · 6 years

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Routine.

My first contribution for @summerofgotham (Week #1 Angst)...enjoy! ;)

Word count: 645

Routine.

| Jerome Valeska is a person.

Jerome has always moved like an artist, his limbs almost dancing even when he walked, and his strides long and proud as that of a showman. Born for defiance, wayward to the core, as independent as the rising sun, and a raging contrast of his twin.

Their mother venomous in her neglect, strangled all balance -- for it wasn’t just the house she neglected, she neglected her looks and mind too. Her neglect bleed into the upbringing of her sons, entangling them into her warped perception of love and into the coils of her manipulative nature.

The golden bond -- the pure love of her two little boys, was scorched and deformed. It lay dead in her hands; an unspoken war for her heart’s remains declared among the twins.

| Or Jerome Valeska was a person.

Sex. Drugs. Rock ‘n Roll. Hollywood crime dramas were his drug of choice. Growing up had made him numb - - leaving a longing for emotion seething through his core. An immaculate hunger twisting his insides.

To Jerome, once all the world had been a stage - - his soul once alight with the kind of pleasure born of mischief. He'd dreamt to see his name in lights - - a child's dream only to be later deemed frivolous by those around him. He isn't meant to dream, has never held that right nor will he ever earn it. His role as his mother's worthless son had been determined long ago as he'd always be incomparable to his twin, Jeremiah, the prodigal son and genius.

The movies are as much a drama in his mind, a calling to Jerome’s inner self, as it is a story played out on the silver screen. The theater, a gate to the only heaven he'd be sent to -- a refuge from his world. For it is in those choreographed moments, directed by the greats and acted out by legends, that is he free to be a genius of his own art. A maven of filmography as the real world drifts away as if it was the fictional world and the movies are his new reality.

Outside of the worlds birthed inside the theater, his world was ghastly grey: his “home” vivid in its yellow and magenta tones unmistakable resting atop the scar-face hill. Alluring and seductive to the outsider’s eye -- defined by dazzling sequined costumes, elaborate makeup, and intricate performances.

Jerome’s life was led behind the curtain, his own charisma and showmanship forcefully disregarded; reality defined by the ever unapologetic ‘I’m sorry’, the oh so loving laughter, and the slurs of a drunken fool. The sounds made by the woman that called herself his mother. The woman that was okay with laying her hand on the ones that she swore she loved. To Jerome, that woman was no longer his mother, only an empty shell of someone that had once been.

| Or at least he likes to think that | he had once been a person.

The emptiness is always there now. There’s isn’t any getting away from it -- no hiding from it. His nightmares seem to help fill it -- to remind him of his childhood, like the emptiness is the monster under the bed. He’s so fucking scared of it, but yet he needs it. He needs to feel something. He needs something to go to shit, something to be imperfect. Sadly, he now feels safer when something is wrong -- he’s grown accustomed to it, expects it. He needs that monster under the bed. He needs it to distract himself, from not everything else but, simply, from himself.

The only monsters he had needed to fear, were the ones waking him up each morning, not the one coming out after he was asleep. It had become a routine, every single fucking night.

A routine.

#summer of gotham #summerofgotham #jerome valeska #jeremiah valeska #angst #escapism #yowzah #haven't written in ages #poetic fic

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gottaread2 · 6 years

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More than Ruffled Feathers

Edward had never been much of a bully before. He had always been the one on the receiving end in the past. But ever since he and Oswald had made up, he couldn't help himself. All those months of antagonism didn't just disappear immediately. Besides, he was only teasing, and he enjoyed getting a rise out of Oswald. If he were being honest, Edward had to admit the man was kind of cute when he was angry.

He was careful not to push it too far, however. He knew which subjects were taboo. He never once made comment about Oswald's mother for instance. And usually Oswald would dish out as good as he got (even if he never initiated it). Edward enjoyed the game. That was how he thought of it after all. But every once in a while, Oswald would remind him (in not so gentle ways) that he should be careful in his teasing. This was one of those times.

It was a quiet afternoon and Oswald had wandered into the kitchen to make a snack. Edward sat at a nearby table working on a puzzle that likely wouldn't take him more than a few minutes to complete. The two had been living together for some months by now and, for the most part, got along famously. They enjoyed the easy companionship they found in each other's company. So when Edward saw Oswald struggling to reach something from the top shelf of the cupboard, he instictively got up to offer his assistance.

"What are you reaching for?" he asked Oswald.

"I'm trying to get the spicy mustard. Why is it on the top shelf to begin with?" Oswald replied petulantly.

It was an opportunity and Edward couldn't help himself. Seeing Oswald scowling up at the jar, Edward wanted more. He quickly devised a plan to make the bird squawk.

"Here let me get that for you." Edward said, a devious smile spread across his face. He picked up the jar and held it over his own head, even further out of the shorter man's reach.

"What exactly do think you are doing, Ed?" Oswald spat in annoyance.

"Whatever do you mean, Ozzie?" Edward questioned with mock innocence. He only ever called Oswald by the nickname when he was picking on him.

"You better hand that over now before I lose my patience." Oswald's tone was low and menacing. Not quite the reaction Edward had hoped for. He decided to push further.

"Oh. Is the mighty Penguin having trouble getting what he wants?" Ed taunted.

"I am warning you, Edward! Give it to me NOW!" Oswald screeched. That was better. It was amazing the way Oswald resembled a bird with it feathers ruffled when he got like this.

"I never expected you to be so forward, Ozzie. I'll give it to you." Edward crooned, raising his eyebrows suggestively.

"Is it hard for you?" he asked, moving forward and pressing his body up against the smaller man. Oswald's startled reaction was priceless. His cheeks had colored red with his rising temper or embassment. It was impossible for Edward to tell, but he enjoyed the result either way.

Edward chuckled down at him. That was his mistake. He should not have laughed. Suddenly, Oswald darted back away from Edward. And before he had time to react, Oswald smashed his cane into Edward's shins. The wood splintered with the force of the impact, splitting the cane in two. Edward fell to the ground howling in pain. While he was incapacitated, Oswald stooped down and grabbed the jar from him.

"Not that hard." Oswald smirked triumphantly.

"That really hurt." Edward gasped.

"You should know better than to mess with me when I'm hungry." Oswald shrugged.

He watched as Oswald sauntered away, obviously quite pleased with himself. Yes, Edward enjoyed sometimes bullying Oswald. And other times, such as now, he was reminded of who it was he was messing with. Sometimes the Penguin dished out more than he got. Edward groaned from the floor, still clutching his legs.

#Summerofgotham #nygmobblepot #roommates

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promqueenanddoucheface · 6 years

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Oswald gets a summer job at his local coffee shop. He hates the early mornings, the grumpy customers and the frankly disturbing amount of people who have sex in the toilets. But there's one saving grace, his dorky co-worker with a penchant for riddles.

For the Summer of Gotham challenge. Week 6 - Coffee Shop AU

#gotham #summer of gotham #summerofgotham #edward nygma #Oswald Cobblepot #Edward Nygma x Oswald Cobblepot #coffee shop au #fluff

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jzed74 · 6 years

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https://vimeo.com/179101108

This is my submission for @SummerOfGotham, it’s a S2-heavy fanvid focusing on James Gordon and all of his hard choices. The video is password-protected, so please use the one provided below. :)

James Gordon: Nocturnal, made by me.

Music by Disclosure, “Nocturnal”.

Password is gordon1.

I own none of these characters, nor the material, nor the storyline, nor anything. The video was made just for fun, and just for the fans, no monetary anything made. Enjoy. :)

Lyrics:

Street lights, turn on one by one My hope is, descending like the sun Try to tell myself there’s freedom in the loneliness (Oh baby) Always restless, story of my life Disconnected, body clock’s not right Try to tell myself that I'mma get some sleep tonight

Found myself where I started, this isn’t where I want to be The time that I find hardest, always comes eventually

My shadow doesn’t show in the dark The night time is inclined to my heart The emptiness I felt from the start Will follow me ‘till I fall apart

Nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal

My demons are blocking out the light And my mind is about to lose the fight Why can’t I find peace, when a caracal could sleep tonight? (Yeah) Your absence isn’t something that I choose (choose, choose choose) The truth is you were never mine to lose (lose, lose, lose) Said that I feel lifeless, tryna get away from you (Oh baby, oh)

Found myself where I started, this isn’t where I want to be The time that I find hardest, always comes eventually

My shadow doesn’t show in the dark The night time is inclined to my heart The emptiness I felt from the start Will follow me ‘till I fall apart

Nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal Nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal Nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal Nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal (Oh yeah)

My shadow doesn’t show in the dark The night time is inclined to my heart The emptiness I felt from the start Will follow me 'till I fall apart

Nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal Nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal Nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal Nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal, nocturnal

#summerofgotham #gotham s2 #james gordon

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nooowestayandgetcaught · 6 years

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season 1 prompt for @summerofgotham + fish mooney

#gotham #gothamedit #summerofgotham #fish money #dctvedit #dcedit #*#shes a Favorite can i have her back yet

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summerofgotham · 6 years

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Once again here is a list of The summer of gotham prompts:

Week 1 (June 1st-7th) : Angst, Roommates.

Week 2 (June 8th-14th) : Season 1, Cuddles.

Week 3 (June 15th-21st) : Pride/LGBT+, Future au.

Week 4 (June 22nd-28th) : Soulmate au, Nightmares.

Week 5 (June 29th - July 5th) : Alternate timeline/canon divergence, Resurrection.

Week 6 (July 6th - 12th) : Season 2, Coffee shop au.

Week 7 (July 13th-19th) : Body swap, Fear toxin.

Week 8 (July 20th-26th) : Sharing a bed, Trapped in Arkham.

Week 9 (July 27th- August 2nd) : Season 3, Parents/children/family.

Week 10 (August 3rd-9th) : Hallucinations, 1920s au.

Week 11 (August 10th-16th) : Fix it of canon, Holiday/vacation.

Week 12 (August 17th-23rd) : Hurt/comfort, Handcuffed.

Week 13 (August 24th-September 1st) : Season 4, Fake dating/marriage.

these prompts were made by our wonderful @mordredllewelynjones !

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thedeevirus · 6 years

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Can you write Oswald’s thoughts after finding Ed and Lee bleeding out in the Narrows? I imagine him just rolling his eyes and telling his henchpeople to take ‘em back to the mansion.

Thanks for the ask! It’s slightly different than you requested but I hope you enjoy it :)

My contribution for @summerofgotham Week One: Roommates

Also added to Nygmobblepot Ficlet Collection on AO3

***

‘You’re the latest addition to Gotham’s prestigious ‘Resurrection Club’,Oswald commented, ‘It seems they’ll let anyone in these days’.

Ed stirred slightly, the blankets feeling almost impossibly heavy on hissweat soaked frame. He gasped as a pain lanced up from the pit of his stomachmaking him instinctively curl in on himself. He blinked blearily, eyes wateringdespite the dim light of the room.

Despite his physical discomfort, the mattress beneath him felt soft and as he inchedupwards to see more of his surroundings, he realised he was wearing silk pyjamas.Beside his bed, Oswald was reclining in a large armchair, flicking though anewspaper. Ed squinted, trying to make out the date on the front page. Oswald,noticing Ed’s attempt, handed him his glasses as he folded the paper down.

‘Where-?’ Ed croaked.

‘My base. When? About a week ago’, Oswald recited, flicking up a fingerto count each question, ‘How? My informant found you lying in The Narrows. Why? Goodquestion considering what you pulled at that bank’.

Ed raised an eyebrow at Oswald’s annoyed tone.

‘That was nothing personal and you know it’, Ed said, swallowing hard totry and dispel the thirsty ache in his throat ‘Especially since you were goingto rob us’.

‘It was inconvenient and embarrassing’, Oswald corrected, ‘Still, nice tosee your sense of sarcasm survived intact’.

‘I suppose you want an apology?’ Ed asked, weighing up whether he shouldtry and sit up or not.

He knew why his stomach hurt: his photographic memory had meticulously recordedevery detail of he and Lee’s supposedly fatal interaction but dealing with theeffects was another matter entirely. Ed had never been good with physical discomfort.

‘I want you to admit you were wrong’, Oswald said.

‘You literally defied the laws of nature just so you could say ‘I toldyou so’?’

Oswald shrugged and Ed sighed, ‘Of course you did’.

‘And to show you how Lee would literally rather die than be with you. Iknow they talk about ‘not if you were the last guy on Earth’ but-‘

‘Where is she?’ Ed interjected.

‘Why do you ask?’ Oswald asked airily, eyes narrowing.

‘Is she alright?’ Ed asked, keeping his tone calm despite theambivalence he felt at even asking the question.

He wasn’t sure why he cared whether Lee was alright. She had tried to kill him!He had tried to kill her! He had failed so he should want her dead now. But…becauseshe had outwitted him and caught him by surprise technically she was the victorand was therefore untouchable. She beat him fair and square. No. That wasn’tright. She had cheated! Used his weaker half’s feelings for her and manipulatedhim but he had known that and let her do it and-Ed gasped as pain lanced through his head.Too many questions to deal with right now.

‘Jim Gordon will look after her I’m sure’, Oswald said unconcernedly, ‘She’snot our problem any more’.

Oswald’s use of the word ‘our’ caught Ed’s attention.

‘You saved both of us’, he said.

‘Technically Hugo Strange did’, Oswald said with a resentful grimace, ‘And not for cheap’.

‘Why both of us?’ Ed asked.

‘Delivering Lee to Blueboys’ HQ unharmed bought me seven sets of swatteam gear and an armoured van. She was literally more valuable to me alive’.

‘Blueboys?’

‘Quaint isn’t it?’ Oswald said patronisingly, ‘They’re the group formally knownas the GCPD. Do you disapprove?’

‘Of the GCPD’s new nom de guerre?’

‘No’, Oswald said pointedly, slightly irritated by Ed playing dumb, ‘Of bringing the good Doctor back?’

Ed considered for a moment. He pretended to pick at the patterned bedspreadbut was actually analysing Oswald’s expression out of the corner of his eye.

Oswald watched Ed carefully. As part of their agreement he had promised Jimhe would keep Ed away from Lee. The arrangement suited Oswald just fine. Thewoman’s relationship with Ed had been a disaster from start to finish. It had alwaysbaffled Oswald how Ed could be either a moth or a flame from one minute to thenext. He was his own worst enemy but Oswald’s best friend. So, if Ed decided togo chasing after Lee in the name of revenge, Oswald was honour bound to stophim. To save Ed from himself. Oswald just didn’t fancy saving him from aplethora of GCPD guns led by Lee’s ex-boyfriend with a grudge.

‘She got me fair and square’, Ed finally said, ‘It would be petty andchildish to hold it against her. Even if she used me, got what she wanted thenstabbed me in the stomach’.

Oswald laughed. Ed was about to retort when he began to cough, his fatigue and dehydrationfinal catching up with him.

‘Unprovoked?’ Oswald pressed, head titled, ‘Come on, I know you Ed. Leeprobably just beat you to the punch. Or nearest weapon in this case’.

He offered Ed a glass of water. Ed drank carefully but deeply, savouringthe refreshing cold liquid gliding down his throat.

‘Feeling more clear headed now?’ Oswald asked, taking the half emptyglass away when Ed had finished.

‘Actually, yes’, Ed said with some surprise.

He hadn’t felt such clarity since before Oswald had cryogenically frozen him:as a minor test he answered three riddles in his head, recited Pi to sevenplaces and named each bone in the upper half of the human body from the top ofhis skull down.

‘I took the liberty of asking Hugo Strange to ‘upgrade your hard drive’so to speak’, Oswald explained, ‘It’s my fault you’ve been making such bad choices since you were defrosted’.

‘You mean…I’m truly ‘me’ again?’ Ed asked, hardly daring to hope.

‘Cleared out the last of the cobwebs’, Oswald affirmed, ‘You’re operatingat maximum efficiency again’.

Ed’s smile soured as he remembered the previous results of Strange’s ‘upgrades’. The negatives usually far outweighed the benefits.

‘Is that the only…improvement I should expect?’ he asked, suddenlywishing for a reflective surface.

‘It’s the only one you needed’, Oswald said, patting the bed placatinglyas he picked up on Ed’s misgivings, ‘Removing that ‘lovesickness’ out of yoursystem was child’s play for him. A littleattempted murder really helps you get over a nasty breakup doesn’t it?’

‘You should know’, Ed said sardonically.

Oswald’s brow furrowed at the jab and he folded his arms.

‘Funny how you didn’t seem to have any problem moving on from the previous loveof your life when Lee came along’.

‘And you seem to be having the opposite problem’.

Oswald sputtered as he searched for a suitably witty rebuttal but haltedwhen Ed held up a hand.

‘Even after everything you still saved me’, Ed said seriously, ‘Thankyou’.

Oswald’s cheeks coloured and he waved a hand dismissively.

‘You would have done the same for me. Oh! That reminds me..’

Ed looked at Oswald quizzically as Oswald cleared his throat.

‘To be honest’, Oswald began in the same conversational tone as a stand-upcomedian, ‘I expected Lee to stab you in the back but give the woman credit, atleast she had the integrity to betray you to your face. I would say I dodged abullet in the past but you definitely didn’t dodge that kn-‘

‘This is why you woke me up isn’t it?’ Ed groaned, ‘Because I can’t fightback. How many of these do you have?’

‘Oh, I’ve been saving them up’, Oswald grinned, ‘Ever since I heardabout your little comedy act about me in the Narrows. Jerome was right about one thing: the secret truly is ‘timing’’.

Ed tried to sit up but fell back instantly with a cry of pain. He inhaleddeeply and slowly until the stabbing sensations in his stomach faded, He couldfeel a bandage around his middle rub against the soft fabric of his pyjamas.

‘You should have left the knife in’, Oswald observed, ‘Strange couldhave fixed you in half the time if he hadn’t needed to repair the internal organs’.

‘Thanks for the tip’, Ed grunted, sitting up slower this time with moresuccess.

‘I’m no forensic expert but I know a bit about stabbing people’, Oswald said, ‘Ifyou were aspiring to be Romeo and Juliet, I’m pretty sure they didn’t kill eachother’.

‘Speaking of killing each other’, Ed said, changing the subject beforeOswald could resume his routine, ‘You seem chipper for someone trapped in alawless hellhole. Judging from the architecture, we seem to be squatting inCity Hall which leads me to assume Jerome’s plan came to fruition’.

‘Correct’, Oswald said appraisingly as he looked up into the highceiling of the domed room they were in, ‘Except for one thing. I’m not trapped.It’s my natural environment’.

‘Quite the nest you’ve chosen’.

‘Cosy isn’t it? I’m already having a room prepared for you don’t worry’.

‘Where have you been sleeping if I’ve been in your bed?’

‘The couch’, Oswald said indicating a plush looking sofa in the cornerof the room with a pillow sitting neatly atop a folded blanket, ‘I figured itwas my turn’.

Ed realised Oswald was referring to when he had been staying in Ed’sapartment and felt a pang of nostalgic melancholy. Things had been simplerthen. Their friendship had evolved so easily. So naturally that Ed had oftenwondered if Penguin had been manipulating him somehow. Abusing Ed’s kindnessand willingness to help him only to bite him later like the old story of the farmerand the viper. Ed gave a humourless laugh. For a self-professed genius he seemedto be making a habit of being wrong.Had Oswald been watching over him while he recovered?

‘That was a long time ago’, Ed said, marvelling at how the tables hadturned.

‘It feels longer than it was’, Oswald said, blinking hard, ‘It’ll benice to have some intelligent conversation for a change. Just like old times’.

‘That reminds me: where’s Butch?’

‘Dead’, Oswald said dispassionately, ‘And I’ve made sure it’ll stick this time’.

Ed saw the relish in Oswald’s eyes despite his neutral expression andput two and two together.

‘And you left Tabitha alive’, Ed said, smiling reminiscently, ‘To live with it.Just like you said you would one day’.

‘You remembered’, Oswald grinned.

‘I’m sorry I missed it’, Ed said.

‘There’ll be other chances’, Oswald said gratifyingly as he rose from hischair, ‘Now, shall we get down to business? Unless of course, you havesomewhere else to be’.

Ed didn’t have to think about his answer.

‘There’s nowhere I’d rather be, Roomie’, he said.

Oswald walked around the bed and pulled on a tassel that Ed had presumedwas simply decoration.

‘Good answer’, Oswald said, as a curtain fell away and light rushed into theroom.

Ed’s bed was beside a large window. Looking through it, Ed could seeinto the entrance hall of the building. People, all bearing hoodedjackets with a penguin in profile on the back, were moving boxes around as a steadystream of them were brought in through City Hall’s large doors. Some men hadclipboards, making notes and directing other people carrying various boxes andbags. Ed could see labelled boxes of cigars, weapons crates and alcohol sittingbeside boxes of more mundane utilities like baby formula, first aid kits,toilet paper. It was as if one half of City Hall was a market for mercenariesand the other a supermarket for the members of the public.

And Oswald could charge whatever he wanted for all of it. Any of it he chose tooffer for sale that is.

Ed looked up at Oswald only to see Oswald was offering him something. Ablack bowler hat decorated with black sequins.

‘Because I’m going to need a master of ceremonies’, Oswald said, ‘For myauctions’.

Ed accepted the hat and tried it on. He sighed as it fit perfectly,feeling more and more like himself with every moment. Every moment with Oswald.

‘Sold’, Ed pronounced, tipping the hat to his partner in crime.

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