#I’ll write Gotham Mahou lore eventually I promise

[mahougotham]

A Dear Friend

Jonathan sat at the small table in the middle of the dark and damp warehouse Jervis and Alice called home. Jervis was serving him tea as Alice insisted he take more cakes and sandwiches, all of this hospitality wasn’t as overwhelming as the first time they did this but it was still quite the experience.

“Now, Hare,” Jervis clapped his hands together, “What brings you here? It’s not like you to come without Alice fetching you.”

“Anyone giving you trouble,” Alice suggested, “Jervis and I heard that there’s fighting within Al Ghul’s champions. I know Jervis was sleepless thinking about you being in that mess.”

“No… no I’m fine,” Jonathan said behind his teacup, “I got asked to join an alliance a couple times but I’m fine. I just wanted to ask a question.”

Alice and Jervis leaned in, in turn Jonathan leaned back.

“Mr. Nygma says you’re like the twins,” the young man said, “you remember everything. Right?”

“I remember enough,” Jervis answered before gesturing at his sister, “Alice has been helping me piece everything together so far but it comes to me in flashes. I remember enough to know that Edward and the Penguin are lovers despite the… everything going on between them.”

Jonathan nodded, thinking about it, the Riddler did go through bouts of depression when the Penguin disappeared or fought people other than him. It was especially annoying when he was forced to help Edward with something specifically organized to fuck with the Penguin. Alice gave Jonathan another small cake which he quickly accepted.

“What were we?”

Jervis stopped pouring Alice a cup and Alice looked over at Jervis with worry.

The issue of Jervis and Jonathan’s relationship was always hard to navigate for the Mad Hatter. They were lovers, Jervis was the innocent maiko spirited away by the god of fear, Jonathan was his reason for being a champion. Of course, the current cycle presented a problem, Jonathan was far too young and Jervis wasn’t going to do that to him, he wanted to destroy the city but he wasn’t a monster! Jervis had made the decision upon reuniting with the Scarecrow that they cannot be together like before, but he can mentor Jonathan and make sure he’s happy in this life and he liked to think he and Alice succeeded in that.

“Well,” Jonathan asked.

“Jonathan Crane, you were someone I respected,”Jervis answered carefully, “You were someone I would rely on and you in turn trusted me. We were partners but most importantly you were a dear friend of mine. And I would like to continue to be friends in this life as well.”

Jonathan took a long sip of tea and nodded.

As the tea party progressed, Jervis was reminded of a tall and haggard man in a ripped up kimono helping himself to sweets much like how Jonathan was right now.