#gotham oswald fanfiction

[sunflowerrosewood]

Innocent Yet Intelligent ~ Oswald Cobblepot

Author's Note: Since my other account @cheekyredwillow got deleted. I am adding some of my favorite fanfictions to this account and revamping this one with new ones. I hope to make an actual list of fandoms I am still a fan of! NO requests for the time being.

Warnings: none

~~~

You were the new elementary teacher for 2nd graders in Gotham city. You are Jim Gordon’s sister named Y/n and you recently moved back. You were finishing up some school work and grades before Jim messaged you that he was going to pick you up from work to take you back to your shared apartment. Luckily the police department was only a few minutes away. So you completed some grading as Jim messaged you he was here.

“What took you so long?” Jim asked as you pulled your messenger bag into the car.

“I was completing some grading while you were on your way. I finished the last assignment when you told me you were here.” You said as he smiled at you.

“You always are so kind to those kids.” Jim said as you laughed.

“Just because I’m a teacher in Gotham doesn’t mean I have to be bad.” You laughed as Jim’s phone went off. You barely heard the conversation except Jim saying to meet at the police department and he would talk there. 

“Sorry we have to make a pit stop by the police department.” Jim apologized as you buckled your seat belt.

“I’m not surprised. But I’m not in a rush to get home.” You said as Jim nodded his head and drove back to the police department.

Once you got there, Jim wanted to have you come inside because he was afraid this meeting would last long. You told him that you would bring in some lesson plans and grading to keep you busy.

So the two of you walked into Gotham PD and you saw a man in a tuxedo, black straight hair, and a limp in one of his legs. You couldn’t help but feel your heart skip a beat as he met your eyes. 

“Thank you for meeting me Jim and who might this beautiful lady be?” The man asked as Jim rolled his eyes. 

“The lady you are commenting on is my sister Y/n. She’s going to be working on some lessons while we meet. I wasn’t going to leave her in the car.” Jim introduced as you playfully roll your eyes.

“I could introduce myself you know?” You said as Jim shrugged his shoulders. “Who might this be?”

“My name is Oswald Cobblepot.” Oswald introduced as he kissed your hand. 

"Oh I didn't know you meant the Mayor?" You said towards Jim while blushing. 

"Can we get this meeting started or do you two still need to flirt some more?" Jim snapped as you shrugged your shoulders.

"I'm fine here. I don't mind it Jim." You said as Jim walked towards the meeting room. "My apologies Oswald, he is overprotective."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to see you after?" Oswald offered.

Before you could answer, Jim pulled Oswald into the office. Your smile fell as you were itching to tell Oswald you'd love to. As you sat down to work on work, you missed the conversation that went on before the "real" conversation.

"Look Oswald, stay away from my sister. She is innocent and I don't need you corrupting her." Jim snapped while holding Oswald's collar.

“Jim, Jim, Jim. I know you are protective of her but she likes me like how I like her.” Oswald said as Jim continued to hold his collar.

“Either stay away or don’t plan on corrupting her. She’s the only family I have left.” Jim growled as Oswald held his hands up.

“I wasn’t planning on harming her. Look, I think she looks nice and I’d like to ask her out. I’m not planning on making her some evil ruler of Gotham. I don’t want her to change.” Oswald said as Jim sat him down.

As the meeting Jim and Oswald had begun to slow down, you had finished up what you were going to teach tomorrow. Jim and Oswald came out still chatting as you started to put things away.

Your notebook dropped off the desk and onto the floor and spilled some of your papers. You muttered under your breath and began to pick up the papers.

“Here, I’ll help.” Oswald said as he picked up some papers and handed them to you. “So about that date?”

“I’d love to see you again. The paper you just picked up is my number, take it.” You said softly as Oswald tuck it into his tuxedo’s pants. 

“Then I will be calling you soon.” Oswald said as he gave you the notebook and kissed your hand. “See you soon Y/n.” 

You noticed Jim seemed to be understanding and ushered you to the car. Oswald walked out with the two of you and opened the door to get into Jim’s car. It seemed they both had a silent understanding before Oswald was picked up in his limo and Jim drove back to his apartment. Jim told you later that he was okay with the two of you dating and wanted you to go with Oswald.

So when the text message came in if you would go on a date that Saturday, you immediately said yes and were excited for the weekend. You wondered what date you would end up going on.

[paarassha]

"Come home

I've lost the will to go on alone

Come home

I don't know what you want, but I know that you need to be loved"

IAMX - Come Home

Chapter 4: Aves - is available on Ao3!

ver without title 🌼🌼🌼

[nahla-art]

Redrew one of my favorite scenes from The Edcubus by @strewnlimbs-blog !

[smilefortae]

Is the Gotham fandom still alive?…I need more (Jerome) fanfics. Pls I am begging y’all😿🙏

[plush4bunny]

had a breakdown, started making “The Sex Face Meme” inspired by @chrism02’s version of Alfred Molina fancasted as Oswald Cobblepot, bon appétit 🥴

(but not all of the prompts would be filled in so you’ll get a charming BTAS!Oswald in its place and an apology 🙈)

after making “First impression of seeing XXX,” next would be “Intimate” 👀 which is heavily inspired by some scenes from @chrism02’s fanfics for the beloved rogue. these would be: ‘Under Your Wing,’ ‘Spur of the moment,’ ‘Overshoot the mark,’ 'Botch Up,’ and 'Glimmer of Hope.’

[cowchickenbeefpork]

"“Just spit it out Edward, it can’t be weirder than anything you’ve said before.” He rolled his eyes at Edward, who quickly began to smile in glee again as he raised their intertwined hands next to both of their shoulders. The elbows of their suits brushed one another slightly from the action.

Oswald felt his expression…soften after Edward had done that. Any ounce of spite in his confusion toward Edward that came from this conversation was replaced with something else, something like hope. A hope that it could lead there, despite what Edward had said about it before."

hey uhm,mmmmm😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁 drew a scene I wrote in the fanfic I made….. you should totally click on the link to it below here….. please please please pleas( you don’t have to the desperation in this is a joke, I would really appreciate it tho)

[fanfic-the-wish-your-heart-makes]

Gotham Characters' Reactions to the Reader Being Stressed Because They Have a Lot to Do Part 1

Reader: gender-neutral (without any pronouns) Warnings: mentions of illegal ways to get a good grade

Edward Nygma:

He's very intelligent, so if the subject is nothing too niche he will learn about it himself. You might think that he wouldn't find the time, but this man once rearranged an entire room of folders in his free time (much to Kristen's dismay), and he's ready to put in more effort for you. If you had to learn something, he'd love to quiz you by making small little riddles. .... "Almost. Do you need another hint? It ends with an e."...."Nope, silent e."

If all your time was taken up by your task, he'd make you meals or give you some dessert you like. Prepare yourself for a note on it, he'll write a related riddle on it.

If things get too far - that is, if you're too stressed, even if you mutter "I'm fine." - never leave your utensils lying around, because you will come back to find them gone, with him waiting for you, not giving them back before you answer the riddle, "You desperately need it to escape it becoming the verb that will happen to you if you don't take it, what is it?" You're too tired for this, "Please just tell me, Eddie." He puts his hands on your shoulders in a comforting way, and looks into your eyes, saying, "A break. You desperately need a break. You've been working for too long." Let's just say that he's good at hiding stuff.

Jim Gordon:

He's almost too good at giving you time and space. If you throw yourself into work, he'll do the same, and might end up having more work to do than you. However if your work overload was caused by someone, he'll have a word with them if possible. He'll give pretty much anyone hell, from the normal office worker to some rich guy from higher up. The only scenario in which he wouldn't call them out is if your boss was one of the big players...not that he wouldn't yell in Oswald's face.

Oswald Cobblepot:

Speaking of Oswald's pretty face, it would look very displeased if you of all people were being bothered with too much work. He didn't work his way up just to see that the people he cares about are unhappy, or in your case overworked.

He offers to let someone else do your work or bribe someone to change your results, that's just what he thinks of as a solution: the person he loves wouldn't be stressed out, which is the only thing that matters. Regardless of your decision, you'll be showered in supportive hugs and/or gestures, as usual. Your smaller tasks will be taken care of, and if the root of your work problem is someone, they will be intimidated.

[philosopherking1887]

Rating: M

Ships: Oswald Cobblepot/Edward Nygma (endgame); Oswald Cobblepot/Jim Gordon (temporary but substantial)

Status: Complete!! At 138,076 words, good Lord.

Fic summary: Jim and Oswald agree that the relationship between Edward Nygma and Lee Thompkins is a disaster waiting to happen, so they come up with a desperate plan: plant evidence that they're having a secret affair to spark jealousy in Ed and Lee and draw them away from each other. Their plan is both complicated and helped along by simultaneous crises involving the brothers Valeska…

Chapter 24: Once Is Never (POV: Jim). Jim has a brief private conversation with Oswald before they finalize their agreement to a conditional alliance.

I kind of hoped to post the final chapter on or before September 15, which would have been exactly a year after I posted the first chapter, but that did not happen. Instead, I'm posting it a year and 7 days after the first chapter... and also, it turns out, exactly 10 years after the pilot episode of Gotham first aired! (Thanks to @hexevampyr for bringing that to my attention.)

Thus ends the longest, plotty-est thing I have ever written! Thanks to everyone who's come along with me for the ride -- especially @hellostuffedtiger, who helped me figure out plot stuff, and/or virtually held my hand while I agonized over it, when I was first setting out, and has continued to follow the fic even though she's not even in this fandom and hasn't watched most of the extremely convoluted, confusing show (which has surely made this a sometimes mystifying read).

[sunflowerrosewood]

He Has a Nightmare HC~ Gotham Boys

Author's Note: Since my other account @cheekyredwillow got deleted. I am adding some of my favorite fanfictions to this account and revamping this one with new ones. I hope to make an actual list of fandoms I am still a fan of! NO requests for the time being.

Warnings: cursing, mentions of killing, nothing too graphic.

~~~

Jim Gordon 

~Jim has dealt with so much shit

~Between going after villains to dealing with the PD

~So when you two fell asleep one night

~He had a nightmare you were killed by multiple Gotham villains

~You don't notice he has a nightmare until you feel cold

~When Jim is sitting in the kitchen nursing something to drink

~But not facing the bedroom

~You have to come up from behind

~And hug him tight

~He will probably jump 

~But he melts in your embrace 

~He wont tell you want happened

~But he will allow to be vulnerable 

~And allow you to just mumble in a sleepy voice all the reasons you love him

Edward Nygma

~Edward didn't have nightmares often

~But seemed to have them after being in Arkham

~Then escaping to home

~You would only know when you heard him arguing with himself

~That he shouldn't wake you up

~That this makes him useless

~As you could hear him mutter these things

~Pull him down to the bed

~So you can cuddle into him

~And promise that you'll always be there

~Both sides will melt

~And he'll tell you about the nightmare 

~So you'll understand his pain

Oswald Cobblepot 

~Oswald had nightmares often

~And you usually knew

~The reason is that he talked in his sleep and would hold onto you tight

~You would feel his hands tighten

~And whimpers fall out of his lips

~You’ll probably have to wake him up

~Just to let him know that he is not alone

~He will be sweaty and his heart racing

~But as long as you kiss his lips

~And squeeze his hand

~Oswald will calm down

~Go get a washcloth to help him cool off

~And intertwine your hands before you fall back asleep

Jonathan Crane

~Nightmares plague his head all the time

~And it isn’t because it is his fault

~It usually has to do with his father

~And another person that you will know when he wakes up

~Because he gets as far away from you

~He is shaking in fear 

~It’s usually when he does not consume himself in fear

~But appears in his nightmare

~Allow him to slowly calm down on his own

~He’ll immediately climb back into bed 

~Because he needs to feel you by his side

~Usually he falls asleep slowly after

Jervis Tech

~Jervis usually has nightmares that his Alice runs away

~You ran away because he harms you

~Jervis is one of the ones who will wake you up

~Just to make sure you are real

~And still loves him

~Before you get tired again, you’ll notice the fear in his eyes

~Whisper to him how much you love him

~And kiss his cheek 

~Before cuddling into his chest which calms him down

Victor Zsasz

~Victor wont show he has nightmares 

~You usually know when you wake up

~And he’s sitting in the shared bathroom just staring

~No emotions are shown

~But you know what is going on

~So you’ll have to go in

~And kneel where you look up at him

~He won't say anything

~He’ll just pull you into his lap

~And holds you tight 

~Just the silent of the night is going to be heard

~Victor will pick you up and bring you back to bed

~Usually it takes just that before the two of you fall asleep

~Victor will probably mention his nightmare later on in the week

~When he is ready

Jeremiah Valeska

~Even after the spray, Jeremiah still gets nightmares

~It happens to be about him almost killing you

~And he’ll wake up to you being sound asleep

~He’ll touch your arm

~And sigh 

~Usually you know something happened because he’ll be in the lab

~Bent over

~And probably throwing things in anger

~When you ask him what’s wrong

~You’ll see the anger turn to worry

~An emotion you do not see often

~And Jeremiah will walk over to you to hold you tight

~Demanding you wont leave him

~Even though you never thought that way

~It’s feeling you near him that causes him to want to go back to bed with you

Jerome Valeska

~Jerome did not have nightmares too often

~He was awake in the middle of the night usually

~But when he did fall asleep and had nightmares

~He was similar to Oswald by holding you tighter against him

~But you would still be asleep 

~Until you feel him kissing your face and neck while rubbing your hip

~When you slowly wake up, Jerome will kiss you lips and grin

~Usually you wouldn’t ask much

~Until you watch his grin falter

~That’s when you touch his face

~And kiss him softly till Jerome makes you fall back into his chest

~Once the two of you hit the bed, he’ll still be rubbing your arms or hips

~But you’ll hear him yawn

~He falls asleep pretty quick

[paarassha]

illustration for my fanfiction that i am currently writing🌼🌼🌼

3/? chapters

currently available only in russian language (but it seems kinda readable with automatic google translation)

[cookeybg]

Gotham Possesses

A cryptid Batfamily AU in which Gotham is the main character and follows its journey to consciousness as it follows its Bat and Birds. Chapters are short and a bit gloomy.

Main Characters: Gotham, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne

Honorable Mentions: Joker, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Riddler, Cobblepot (Penguin), Two Face (Harvey Dent), Superman (Clark Kent), Superboy (Jon Kent)

No romantic relationships

Stuff to know: Cryptid Batfamily, grim, Melancholic mood, Angst, this chapter has mentions of drug use, murder and unsolicited touching

Word Count: 933

[Here's my table of contents]

Chapter 10 - Gotham Watches

Death. That’s what happened when their warmth seeped into me, emptying, leaving behind a husk, a body no longer needed. Death. I had been born because of it, awakened. Death. It hung over me, clung to my Bat and our Birds. It tittered in the jester’s presence, in his arrival, in his exit. In the wake of a bullet fired. In the hands of anger and in the perception of love. In the tumbling of a dear butler, a father, when his neck snaps as he lands crooked. A kiss to the lips and he’s back, dazed, in pain, bound to me and the manor he holds so dear. Tethered to my shadows, forever serving in our love for our Bat. He moves on, dusts himself, there is dinner to be served. It is the thing that the living must always meet, the thing I greet and make my own. Their souls and warmth fuel me, a near endless supply. It is a curious thing, to watch them. I float around a young girl, she sits in the dark, I’m her only company. She is not afraid, not happy, used to it. She was told to never turn on the light, never answer the door, the phone. When she was alone she was to stay hidden and wait. A door opens quietly, she stiffens, then relief as her mother calls for her in a tired voice. I move on. I linger in a building where the jester laughs maniacally in his glass cage. He suddenly stops and stares, his gaze following me, his smile widening, unnerving. I stay away. Slither past the female jester, the blue cold man, the green woman who sprouts life on my soil, the man who mumbles riddles, the female cat whose too familiar with my Bat. All uninteresting, captured. Much more fun when they are free. I slip through old brick loosening the mortar. I caress a young woman, passed out on the cold floor. Her skin nearly as cold as the stone. She smiles as her final, shuttering breath escapes, a needle tumbling to the ground. My senses alert me to look up. I see a red cape fly by, avoiding me. As he should. His presence casts a heavy shadow, my Bat does not see me when he’s near. Leaves with him for periods at a time, far from my gaze. More often than not my Bat tells the red cape, whose skin is far too warm and whose smile reflects the sun, to stay away. It’s satisfying. I dance in the clubs, enjoying the manic thrum, the unbridled joy of its patrons. Some if not most, using something to increase their vivacity. Not all will make it through to morning. A hooked nosed man in a black hat smiles from the second floor window. Plotting, monocle gleaming.

A boy steals a half drunk bottle that his father was hugging in his sleep. The boy tosses it out the window, the sound of shattering glass echoes down in the street, not uncommon. He huddles under his blankets a bag of frozen peas pressed to his let eye. His mother won’t be back for another few hours. I hear the mumbling of a man, arguing with himself. A silver coin gleams under the dim light of an abandoned building. He shoots his gun when the coin lands, a body falls to the ground, warmth seeps into my earth, salty. Another body to be sunk into my harbor. Laughter distracts me away. I sweep in on a lovers cuddling, enjoying the images playing on a screen. His arm loosely dangling over her shoulders. Her gaze is reminiscent to how I stare at my Bat. The man will be gone by morning, he was never planning to stay, he will not let her know. Life glows within her belly. New potential. I sink down into my depths. There’s a meeting, men and women in white masks. Myths, creatures that should not exist. Watching, just as I do. Abominations that must be purged, a new mystery for my Bat. I waft upward through the grates. I watch a man, shivering, digging through the trash amongst the rats. Searching for something, maybe food, maybe something to numb. Unsuccessful, he moves to another dumpster. I wrap around the clock tower, a red headed woman sits typing furiously on a computer. She also watches and observes as much as I do. I help her steer the cameras in the right direction. A female bat stands beside her, stitched mouth, silent. My first bird sleeps contorted, on the manor’s couch. Tired from a long grueling night. My second hugs his knees to his chest, woken from his sleep. I encourage him to calm and close his eyes. My third hasn’t gone to bed, wide eyed and wired, placing theories on a board. My fourth has escaped, our bond shows me that he is in another city, asleep next to a body far to warm to be human, far too bright. My Bat, with labored breathing, is forced to dream. Forced in bed by the older man. I shape my shadows into hands, they aren’t perfect, sharp ends. I slide them down his overheated chest. My shadows press into his skin, ecstatic with the proximity. I lick his wounds to try and heal them quicker. He tastes sweet. He is not bound to me, not yet. I wait in anticipation for when we can be one, and settle on his side content. I will continue to watch, I doubt I will ever tire of it.

The end!

I hope you have enjoyed Gotham Possesses. I will be posting it on Ao3, maybe tomorrow. I'm a bit sad about it ending but also proud of myself. This is the second thing I wrote that I posted and was super nervous to do so. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with reading this and endured my lack of editing.

I will be planning a series of POVs from the birds. I hope you look forward to them :)

Please feel free to comment, I get rly happy when I see your reactions.

[sucky-username]

Martín and the Other World

Art for Chapter 2 - Family Portrait

Click the link to read the fic!

[sigmalaussene]

How this scene actually ended, they just cut it too early

(S5)

art • commissions

[plush4bunny]

had a breakdown, started making "The Sex Face Meme" inspired by @chrism02's version of Alfred Molina fancasted as Oswald Cobblepot, bon appétit 🥴

(but not all of the prompts would be filled in so you'll get a charming BTAS!Oswald in its place and an apology 🙈)

we'll be starting off with "Desire" 👀 which is heavily inspired by some scenes from @chrism02's fanfics for the beloved rogue. these would be: 'Under Your Wing,' 'Spur of the moment,' 'Overshoot the mark,' 'Botch Up,' and 'Glimmer of Hope.'

[raphinaloveschaos]

The City Is Poisoned. (Season 1)

A Gotham!Victor Zsasz X Fem!Cobblepot!Reader fanfic from s1 to s5.

Summary: After the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, the city is about to never be the same again. Everybody knows that. Even being the loved younger sister of Oswald Cobblepot, you don't always know what your brother is up to, and your curiosity might get you to the most dirty and obscure parts of the city. A new kind of crazy people seems to be rising in Gotham, and you might get dragged into the whole mess without even noticing.

TW.: everything you see in the tv show but a little more explicit and detailed sometimes. +18.

CHAPTERS :

[ 1 ] [ 2 ] (COMING THIS WEEK!)

Author: I'M SO EXCITED!! love y'all!

[fanfic-the-wish-your-heart-makes]

Chapter 5 of Revenge Can Hurt More Than the Person It's Aimed at (Nygmobblepot x Reader)

<-previous chapter

Chapter 5: The Talk About Oswald and Ed, and Continued Bathroom Thoughts Word count: 4366 Author's note: This is the chapter I've been looking forward to for the longest time since getting the idea for this fic 🥰🥺 (well, I split it up because otherwise it would take longer for you to get an update)

No additional warnings:)

Look at this picture I edited 😊 You readers look good on it 😉😂 _________________

When Ed finally heard your voice, serious and distraught, you didn't even greet him but come right to the point, "Ed, you have to tell me what happened between you and Oswald." He gasped. "Whatever it is..." What could he? Telling you of his plans would be unwise: unlike Oswald and him, you were against murder and torture in most cases, so both criminals had tried to shield you from this side of their jobs as best as they could.

One time you'd overheard a call from Victor Zsasz with chilling background noises that even Oswald would've wished weren't so loud through the phone and afterwards Ed had assured you that the person being tortured deserved it, only for you to get even more concerned because you asked yourself what they could've possibly done to deserve this. Eventually it had been Oswald who managed to console you by telling you how many people could die if this person didn't share crucial information.

Yes, telling you more than you needed to know would only do unnecessary harm. Ed couldn't talk about the whole Isabella thing on the phone. What else could he tell you?

"Ed?" You sounded anxious. "Yes?" Not far away from him, you made sure that no one could overhear this personal talk, "The thing that made Oswald so sad?" "Oh. Right. Uhm..." He didn't continue, so you explained, "The interview was a disaster, a-and I can tell you that it didn't have to do with anyone present, at least that wasn't the main reason, I mean, Margaret Hearst was sort of rude but..."

So you had been there. Ed wondered what that might mean for his plans: you'd no doubt supported Oswald but at least the interview had still exposed the mayor's true feeelings. Ed was too distracted by your tone to concentrate on that. He could hear how desperately you needed to know the truth. Were you crying? He wished he could see your face.

You started pacing. "It's not as if his mother's death day was around this time, right? Also, b—" "Yes, that would be in-apologies, I interrupted you." "Don't worry." You admired his good memory but right now you wanted to find out how you could help Oswald, preferably with your voice still intact or well, at least intact enough for Ed to hear you clearly.

You stepped away from City Hall's big entrance and paced back and forth near the bottom of the stairs, the light sandy wall shielding your from anyone walking out this way. "A-anyways, business seemed to be okay, at least as mayor he was cheered on just a few days ago..." Your voice was uneven but still far better than Oswald's today. Ed took notice of it, thinking it more likely that it was due to your concern and not for example a cold.

Could he tell you about the fake love confession? Probably not, after all, he needed to make Oswald miserable for this plan to work and he couldn't have you working your magic on the other man. He tapped on his phone and clenched and unclenched his other hand. If both were free, he'd be shaking them nervously. "Ed? Please." You were definitely sad, maybe crying, Ed decided. "Yes! Uhm, well...I think you already listed a lot of reasons."

He started walking; perhaps movement would help him come up with an appropriate theory or lie to tell you. He looked at the sunlit trees and the building Oswald must still be in and went a little closer but still far away enough from the entrance so you wouldn't see him should you be there.

Meanwhile you were tired of being stuck in the same place as before the call. Ed had to know something! "Please, Edward, be honest with me. Oswald is..." Your sight blurred from tearing up. "He's not just in a bad mood because of the interview. I-in case you haven't heard of it — of course you didn't, you were busy — uhm, he...told everyone that he doesn't care about the citizens of Gotham and in an, uh, aggressive tone no less. But that's not my main concern. He's miserable! Has been miserable ever since you left. I think." Explaining was getting harder and harder for you.

Your sniff could be heard through the phone. Ed automatically took a few steps towards the building you were presumably in. "I told you I need to be alone to grieve." "Yes, of course." You felt a little guilty about momentarily forgetting Isabella's death, yet still had the feeling that Ed wasn't telling you everything. "But he doesn't just miss you. You two haven't even talked, now have you? He recently asked how you were doing..." Oswald had phrased it in a way that could make you assume he merely hadn't had the time, yet you left that out, certain that it had been his way of hiding his lack of communication with Ed.

Ed's pace grew faster. Oswald had asked you about him? Even when he knew that he had no chance with him? He instincively stepped closer to the road in front of the large stairs.

You only heard faint footsteps through the phone. Was Ed outside too? It didn't matter unless he was here to make things right. Why didn't Ed say anything?! Maybe he's in a dangerous neighborhood. You immediately felt sorry. He better take care of himself. Oswald being down is bad enough. You decided to give him a break and take a moment to think.

Oswald had claimed Ed had left due to criminal business. At first you believed him, then doubts started to fill your brain when it became clear that they weren't talking anymore. Still, you'd let them be, after all, who knew, maybe Ed had to pretend that he'd broken ties with the King of Gotham so he could gain their enemies' trust.

Fittingly enough, Ed had been busy pretty frequently. Busy and strange... When he talked with you over the phone, his voice carried more melancholy than when he'd been grieving at the mansion, and there was something else in it, a sort of anger that you sometimes felt was directed at the place you often slept in...or its inhabitants...or more precisely: Oswald.

Nevertheless, you'd given Ed the benefit of the doubt because after all, what could possibly destroy this friendship? What could make Oswald as devastated as today? Ed heard you crying. Think, think think think. Your friend needs your support too, not just the other way round! Your uneven breathing coming through the phone distracted him while you recollected today's events.

Oswald had had blood on his white shirt and not even denied it! Whether it was his or not, he'd said things: that he needed to go and...what had he whispered repeatedly? You hadn't fully taken in the words then. That someone should wait for him. "..., wait!" Farther, father... "Father, wait!" "I have to go." Oh no. "Ed?" "Yes!" You didn't want to make presumptions about Oswald but you'd share them with Edward if it meant getting information to help Oswald.

"Tell me." "Uh, maybe you could ask him first?" he attempted. You leaned your back against the stone wall. "Ed, I'm ser-" your voice broke, "serious." Ed felt his nails dig into his palms, he forced himself to walk to battle the stress. If listening to your worries was painful, then how were you feeling? "If he hasn't told you, then perhaps he can't talk about it yet. So I'd say it's best if we just-" "-I think he wants to die." "What?! H—" You burst into tears and Ed fell silent, only hearing your sobbing.

You let the tears spill and leaned more heavily on the wall to the right of the stairs, breathing irregularly and not caring about the blurred world around you anymore. Your assumption wasn't even an exaggeration! You began sinking down and could only stop your clothes from touching the pavement at the last second. At that you let out a tired snivel and didn't bother trying to stop crying.

Ed could hear it, hear your despair, quite loudly, actually. He eyed the area in front of him. There were a few parked cars, no one seemed to be walking out of the building, but in front of the stairs was a crouched figure, leaning against the wall. Despite your position, he recognized you immediately with an additional wave of pain to his chest and gut. "Where are you?" he said with a sudden tone of urgency. You sniffed. "Out...side City Hall. Near the stairs." A choked noise escaped your throat. "Why?"

"I...I'm nearby right now. Just wait where you are." "Ka-okay", you spluttered and he could see you clutching at your phone. He should probably wait a few minutes so he could better explain why he'd said he wouldn't be available. Ed balled his hand into a fist, then tried to relax it immediately. "I'll be there shortly." Crying. "Everything's gonna be alright." It had to. Breathing heavily, you didn't stop shedding tears. Instead, it was possibly becoming worse. "I-I think I can see you now." You whimpered, too much of a wreck to look up and his promise too unrealistic. "Yes, I see you. I'm gonna hang up now. I'll run." He started running, hitting the sidewalk loudly with his polished shoes. "Y/n!" You looked up. "Y/n." Ed's here? You craned your neck and there he was, a strand of his brown hair fallen out of its gelled-backed place, and eyeing you with concern. The strain from looking up at him from your position become too much, so you let your head hang down again. You wanted to say something, explain your theory, but the hopelessness kept you from doing so.

Ed too wanted to say something, tell you that you needn't worry, that Oswald deserved what was happening to him. He crouched down to look into your eyes and stared at them, took in how filled to the brink they were, overflowing with tears this whole mess had caused you. "I can exp-" a sob shook you. He cleared his voice to speak again but your crying was too loud, it would be inappropriate if he spoke louder: you made the impression that you'd only become more devasted if he did so.

"Hey", he spoke softly, when you didn't hear him again, just a little bit louder, "Hey. It's gonna be okay." He stroked your side. "Look at me." You did, noticing the shock passing his face upon seeing your lovely face drowned in tears. "I promise I will tell you..." Could he promise to tell you everything? What he'd done to Oswald had gone differently than planned. He hadn't meant to... Ed took a steadying breath. At the moment you were all he wanted to focus on. "I promise to tell you what's up with Oswald." He gulped. "But let's get you to a better place first."

He held out his hand and breathed out when you distanced yourself from the wall and wrapped your arms around him. It was the first time you'd seen one another in weeks. You began to take deeper breaths, using Ed's tall body as a focuspoint. You loved him and Oswald so much, why couldn't they all just be happy?! Ed detected the movement of your upper body instantly. While your arms trembled, his hands stroked over your back with sure movements. Between your body against his, your shaky breaths and your scent he now took in with a nostalgic feeling of fondness, it took him some time to remember what he'd even been doing here. Laughing with Miss Kean seemed hours away.

He let his hands fall down and took a step away. "Is-where is Oswald, right now?" You cleared your throat. "He... said he'd go to the ba—bathroom, that he was near-" your voice wavered, "near a panic attack." You looked at him expectantly, searching for sympathy or guilt. He definitely showed concern but for who you couldn't tell. "Why?" "So you're waiting for him?" "Yes?" "Be-because it would be best if...Let's move away from the entrance, so that we can talk in private." Your voice was raw from the crying, "But not too far away." You got out your phone. "I'll text Oswald to wait in the car." "You're sleeping at the mansion tonight?" There was definitely angry undertone to his question. Was Ed jealous of Oswald? "Maybe." You had slept at the mansion most of the time since Oswald's election as mayor. It had become your home, as you had thought it had Ed's.

"What's wrong?" You didn't have the nerves for his question evading right now. "Nothing. Just... Perhaps he could use some distance." "Why-" you were still crying and Ed still wasn't answering your very pressing question, "why's that? He made a gesture you didn't understand. "It..it, uhm," he cleared his throat, "certainly helped me after Kr-Isabella's death." You felt bad because of your assumption. Of course he wasn't upset about you being at the place you'd all lived in. "Oh, right. Sorry. I'll text him. Then we can move a few feet." _________________

Oswald was looking down, away from his mirror image. How late was it? He opened his telephone to make sure. The interview had been scheduled to end—no, he couldn't rely on it, he'd taken this small chance away from himself. One (1) message from y/n ly/n. He'd once thought about adding some cute nickname on your profile as well as Ed's, then thought the better of it and quietly scolded himself for potentially endangering you like this. Hey, Ozzie, I'm going outside for a moment. Call or text me when you're ready, you can wait in the car, no need to put pressure on your leg :)

Was he saved as Ozzie in your phone? In any case, it managed to lift his spirits a little to know that you still used the term of affection for him after hearing him make a statement so uncharacteristic of someone deserving of a term of endearment. Well, it was a nickname but still: he'd had enough bad ones yelled at him — as had Edward — to treasure it when someone meant no harm with them.

Did you call the other man nicknames ither than Ed sometimes? Ed had never visited you or seen you in a different place, at least as far as Oswald knew. You wouldn't meet at his father's house in secret, would you? Surely having to make sure Oswald didn't walk in would take too much effort and be too stressful.

And yet I've kept the biggest secrets from y/n for even longer, Oswald realized. Killed Isabella. Confessed my love for Edward. But not without showing how utterly doleful I am. You had been cheerless more than too much, he admitted. Perhaps you were hiding something. Or maybe Edward really hadn't seen you for weeks.

Anger sparked in him. Maybe Ed forgot you in all his mourning over a woman he'd known for days. You didn't deserve this, to lose your friend because Oswald had messed up. Why couldn't Ed see how much his friends loved him? He'd been shocked that Oswald wanted him to be his boyfriend but he knew how much they all cared about each other, that you treasured him as a friend! If Ed didn't even want contact with you because of what Oswald had said, then he should prepare himself for Oswald's anger. You mustn't suffer from unrequited feelings, romantic or not. He huffed and felt a bit of strength return to him through the protective anger stirring inside of him. Ed better not break your heart too! Oswald relaxed his grip so he wouldn't crush his phone. He turned it in his hands and sudenly remembered your unanswered text message, "Why didn't I think of this earlier?" he mumbled, and quickly replied to it, saying that he was starting to feel less panicky but that you could take your time enjoying the fresh air, he'd meet you in the car in about 20 minutes. _________________

After you sent the text, Ed gently led you to a place where you could sit in peace. Still shaking, you leaned against him and tried to look into his eyes. For a moment you did, staring at the sympathy and surprise evident in his brown eyes. Then the thought crossed your mind that the secret problem had to be something very dangerous or complicated if Ed hadn't offered you an explanation yet. As soon as you started sobbing again, he wrapped his arms around you and stroked your back, feeling the tremors and hearing you whine.

Contrary to what Barbara had said, Ed now started to realize that he may have gone too far. He'd been doing to you what he had only wanted to do to Oswald. I only meant for him to get hurt, he wanted to tell you but knew that he hadn't managed to achieve that. Revenge can hurt more than the person it's aimed at.

He spread his hands over your back and moved them upwards to the back of your head. Weeping, you buried it in his chest. "It looked as if he'd h-hurt himelf." "Oh." "And after the," you snivelled, "the..." A helpless whine caught in your throat. "It'll...it will be all right." You felt Ed's heart beating faster. " I'll tell you when you're ready. Alright?" Too unsettled to speak, you nodded against his chest.

Oswald wants to die? Ed shivered and started cradling your body, trying to calm himself with your closeness. Your plan was to break him, what did your expect? Now he wants to die. He wants to die. Ed was hit with a wave of guilt. He'd only wanted Oswald hurt, sad, but not like this! He didn't even tell himself that he felt only bad about it because of you. I'll correct it somehow. The potential was still there to comfort Oswald a bit before he learned the truth about Ed's plan of revenge.

Ed felt your hands on his back and moved his over yours, this time aiming to soothe himself as well. Yes, he'd still have the chance to bring a little bit of joy back into Oswald's life. After all, it would be the second to last time he'd see the man. With shock Ed realized that he'd never see Oswald happy again if he didn't see to it that he was. Of course the mayor would be glad to "save" Ed's life but it wouldn't be the cheerful spark Ed had often admired in his sea green eyes. You moved your head against Ed and pressed it into him as he inched closer. Ed was determined now: He'd hug Oswald one last time, hold the smaller man close and soak up the false love he pretended to offer. Oswald would hug him, right? At the very least when he'd come to Ed's "rescue". He'd need to prevent Os from distancing himself from him.

You were still crying and Ed was stroking you absentmindedly, closer to you than you'd dared to dream of in the last weeks. His fingers were almost fidgeting against you except that they were more controlled, trying to soothe you while his arms steadied you. Letting the feeling calm you as best as it could, you moved your fingers over the fine fabric of his suit. Fittingly enough, he took deep breaths to let your scent calm him just as you you wondered whether it helped him as much as smelling his familiar scent helped you. Ed's voice was rough when he murmured, "This is so much better than texting."

Why did I say that? he asked himself, puzzled: it felt as if he had just bared a big secret part of himself. The raspy agreement you made brought his attention back to you. Yes, that's right, I should treasure the time we have, he thought as he took another breath of your familiar scent and felt energy flow back to him at your touch.

With his presence and gentle touches, Ed was giving you the much-needed sign that he still cared about you. Soon you'd be ready to speak, and he felt it too in the way your breathing changed.

While you collected your thoughts, Ed thought about how he could make you happy again. You cared so much about Oswald that he had a sudden urge to let the man live. He tried to make it fit together, find a reason to believe that he'd get fully over Isabella: Oswald had managed to become strong again after his mother's death, and he had been wary of Ed in the beginning whereas Ed had started his journey of grief already having a friend in you, who'd been there for him from the moment he'd gotten the call from the GCPD to ask him to come as quickly as possible. How much grief did he even feel? Today all he felt was anger followed by concern.

For a moment, he let himself imagine a life in which he let Oswald live: Ed wouldn't meet another partner, wouldn't even want one, because you'd have each other. He pictured it: he'd get to enjoy Oswald's presence again, see him devour sandwiches with spicy mustard — adorably innocent compared to when he'd command respect in a meeting room or when the two of them had fun with traitors — and hear Oswald's voice —  talking, humming, laughing, singing — when he came home late and was welcomed by both him and you and have a relaxing evening on the couch. Ed let the idea soothe him: you'd hug, sometimes all three of you together, and everything would be alright, he wouldn't even want a second chance with Miss Kringle, just being with the two of you would be perfect.

There was still a flicker of anger in him but Ed was focused enough on the positive that as he felt you stir, now collected enough to talk and listen, he swore to himself that whatever may come, he'd hug Oswald at least once more, and make sure that you felt loved. _________________

Oswald had started scrubbing at the blood stain on his white shirt and felt guilt pricking at his insides because he had hurt both you and Ed.

Still, he wondered why Ed would try to get him to confess. The more he thought about it, the more he believed in the theory that Ed loved you both (hence why Ed hadn't told you about Oswald's confession) but that he'd gotten cold feet and rejected Oswald before he could be rejected by you so soon after loosing Isabella.

Ugh, how could Ed fall in love with her but not Oswald and you? Or at least with you. Oswald sniffed. He didn't deserve Ed, had hurt him too much. But you, why couldn't Ed see you the same way Oswald did? You cared so much for them, knew how to soothe them and prevent triggering unhappy memories, had loveable characteristics that made Isabella seem even more boring in comparison, and you were so good — at least in Gotham standards — that Oswald wanted to give you the world nearly every time he looked at you. Didn't Ed see all that?

Of course he didn't. He hadn't even asked about the Founders' Dinner where Oswald could've died, instead smiling with Isabella as if he hadn't admired you with a similar look on his handsome face mere days ago!

If things weren't so complicated, Oswald would think himself a better option than the sometimes stupid genius but alas he couldn't and he knew why. Oswald had the perstistent fear that if you knew what he'd done, you would never want to be with him, hell, maybe never even see him again! He rubbed harder over the shirt's fabric.

He'd become a better person, he promised himself, be a bit more patient, become forgiving when it was needed, not murder his crush's partner so quickl-no: not at all. He sighed, shoulders heavy with the knowledge that you would be angry with him for thinking this way, or worse, afraid. He shook his head, as if trying to prove his motivation to become a better person, someone you and Ed deserved. Until you were ready, he'd have to keep his feelings to himself, allow no thoughts of what your names would look like together on an invation or what gifts he could give you when you were finally together.

Oswald's head sunk down from the weight of it all, directing his gaze to his shirt cuffs. The blood was wiped away. What would he even do, he needed to give you a good excuse, then successfully bottle his emotions up, cross those thoughts of affection and happiness out and— That was it! He let out a hysterical cry of joy and grabbed his phone to tell you that he'd be downstairs in around fifteen minutes, then quickly left the bathroom to go to his office.

There he scrabbled about, threw one or two pens in the wrong color away, and finally found one he'd usually never use. It was light red and perfect for what he had in mind.

Oswald flexed and relaxed his fingers to ensure a secure grip on the pen, then bent over and wrote your name. +Ed. +Oswald. He half considered drawing a heart around the three names but thought the better of it, instead taking the image in for a few seconds and making a promise to earn both of you, be it as friends or as partners.

After a few moments, he gripped the pen again and crossed everything out. Then he stowed it away where you wouldn't come across it by chance and went back to the bathroom. He needed to wash parts of it away — as well as the new tears that had run down his cheeks.

_________________ Author's note: Title dropped! 😂🤗 I hope you liked this chapter and that the length made up for the break time ❤

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(@gabriella-aesthetic I'm not sure whether you wanted to be tagged in the next chapters as well, let me know if that's not the case & I'll remove it :))