#harvey is the kind of guy who wears a coat all the time

[itsmeglycine]

[worldismyne]

The Longest Sleepover Ch 4

Summary: The first year of school did not go as planned for Harv and he’s never felt more alone. That is, until a loud kid from the saga studies course decides they’re best friends now.

(Year 1 AU, Harv deals with homophobia, Finn is oblivious.)

Series: Warrior U

Pairing: HarvFinn

Rating: T

Ao3 Link

While shopping Finn had an eye for products and products alone. It wasn't uncommon for him to barge in between couples on a midday stroll to get a closer look at window displays or trip over children who weren't underfoot to begin with. It was embarrassing to watch to say the least, especially with how oblivious Finn was to the fact that he was the one getting in people's way, not the other way around. Harv muttered and apologized as he followed close behind.

Everything from Finn's manner of dress to the way he talked all but demanded everyone look at him and allowed for Harv to hide in his shadow. In fact, Finn's obnoxious behavior afforded them an invisibility Harv had previously struggled to achieve. The louder Finn's actions, the more passersby consciously tried not to stare and escape the scene as much as possible. Store keepers caught in the act would be endlessly berated, shamed or sometimes threatened. It was clear to Harv they were not welcome in any of these stores, but rather than seeing it as ostracization, Finn considered it a mild inconvenience at best.

"Let's see," Finn counted on his fingers as they walked down the street, "we've got formal wear covered, and shoes, jewelry, coats, I feel like I'm forgetting something. Oh, of course, toiletries-" Finn walked right into a six-foot behemoth and fell back on his behind. "Hey, watch it!" Harv rolled his eyes, ready to apologize on Finn's behalf until he saw who Finn had run into. Harv held the stack of boxes in front of his face.

"Sorry about that." Trevor offered a hand to Finn who gingerly accepted. "Kind of hard to see who all is down there sometimes."

"See Harv, some people have manners." Finn said as he fixed his hair and tunic. "You don't have to jump ahead and apologize at the drop of a hat."

"Harv?" Trevor, bless his heart, sounded concerned and happy to see him. Slowly, Harv moved the boxes once he was confident he could maintain a happy face.

"Hey Trevor." Harv said, the fatigue that had built up over the week evident in every syllable.

"Harv, I haven't seen you since finals." Trevor said. "How've you been?" Finn, caught between them, kept looking back and forth. It made sense that his new bestie had friends from his warrior class, it'd be weirder if he didn't. Each time Harv fidgeted with the boxes or glanced away Finn felt a strange feeling in his stomach, ever so slightly. Probably just because this guy clearly made Harv nervous in a way Finn hadn't seen before.

"I've been..." Harv said. "I'm actually here with a friend, so..."

"That's great!" Trevor grinned. Harv immediately moved the boxes back in front of his face, soon enough to hide his disappointment from Trevor, but not from Finn. Finn quickly stepped in, recognizing a plea for help when he saw it.

"We still have a few shops to hit before running out of daylight, you know how it is, but it was lovely meeting you." He tugged on the hem of Harv's tunic, ready to cross the street to avoid any further awkwardness.

"Well, have fun guys." Trevor walked past them with a wave. While Finn was content to immediately return to their shopping spree, Harv lingered to watch until Trevor disappeared around the corner.

"Harvey?" Finn's gentle voice shook Harv from whatever trance he'd been in, but the damage was done. He trudged past Finn with a lump in his throat only willing to make eye contact with the sidewalk.

"This is the last shop, right?" Harv's voice was almost drowned out by the sound of his own footsteps.

"Uh, yeah, sure." Finn fibbed, but worst-case scenario he could order anything they forgot through a catalog. He always found shopping in person to be more fun, but Harv didn't look like he was having any fun at all anymore. "We can go home after." Harv nodded, the ghost of a smile almost breaking through. "We'll just get a whole grip of soaps and oils and worry about what suits you best later. It'll make things faster."

"Thanks."

-

Harv was exhausted from chasing Finn around the plaza with the tower of boxes and bags in tow. He took advantage of Finn's excitement at unpacking their gains to slip off to the bathroom, but not before Finn shoved a variety of soaps into his hands. The roar of the faucet drowned out any sniffles or erratic breathing as he tried to piece himself back together. The one person he wanted to talk to most, who was still willing to be friends with him, also unwittingly held Harv's broken heart close to their own chest.

Trevor thought of them as friends, close friends, and he had tried his best to dispel the rumors around town. Harv had thought it was to maintain appearances, better to be seen as friends then be unable to speak to each other at all. Which was the truth, they were friends and Harv had never told Trevor about the depths his fondness toward the other boy went. He had just hoped that, even slightly, those feelings had been reciprocated. But Harv couldn't help but overthink their conversation, how Trevor hadn't shown the slightest ounce of regret over the distance that had been forced between them. Harv let his head dip below the water, hoping the heat of the bath would help disguise any signs of distress from Finn.

-

It took Finn almost two hours to sort through everything once they got it all upstairs. Harv had come back into the room, silent as the grave, with his damp hair pulled back away from his face. He nodded his mute approval of the things Finn had picked out for them, unable to pretend to be impressed or shocked by the excess. So, Finn took matters into his own hands and dug through it all to find the velvet boxes with zeal.

"Here we go!" Finn said. He sat next to Harv on the floor and opened the clamshell case. Ready-made sets like this may be tacky to some, but Finn couldn't help being swayed by the rich blues of the sapphires. He glanced up at Harv who seemed more keen on staring at the pile of discarded bags than anything Finn brought. "Hold still." Harv startled, finally registering the silver chained pendant Finn was pulling out of the box. Finn unclasped it and reached around Harv's neck to fasten it when he sighed. "Your ears aren't pierced."

"No." Harv held his breath until Finn was at least a foot away from him again. The young bard gingerly admired how the sapphire glittered between Harv's collar bones.

"Well, it's not like the earrings will go to waste, but they'd look so good on you." Finn said sadly. He caught the questioning glance Harv threw at him as Finn hooked his thumb around a gold chain he'd tucked down his own tunic. "Now we match!" He pulled out a pendant with an amethyst of a similar cut. Harv looked back at the pendent that hung heavy around his own neck.

"Finn, I-" He couldn't accept this. People would sooner believe he stole it rather than received it as a gift, but Finn seemed so enamored with this whole matching thing. "Thank you." It wouldn't hurt to humor him a little. He could always leave it behind once he had to leave.

"Let's worry about cleaning this all up tomorrow." Finn stood up and kicked a few bags to the edge of the room. Harv went to fetch his bedroll when Finn kept it from unrolling with his foot. He tilted his head toward the bed. "I'd rather not sleep on the floor tonight."

"I already told you, I can't."

"Why not?" Finn raised a brow.

"Because..." Harv looked back at the pile of gifts Finn had thrown at him. He couldn't keep lying to him. His heart hammered in his chest as he fumbled the next few words out. "I... I like men."

"Okay." Finn waited patiently, as if there was more Harv needed to say. "So, do you have a goose down allergy or-"

"That's all?" Harv almost felt relieved, but Finn was doing a remarkable job making him feel silly while saying nothing at all.

"What else would it be?" Finn scrunched up his face. "I brought you an extra pillow." Finn struggled to come up with anything else despite having the answer handed to him.

"I mean, that's all you have to say?" Harv could hardly believe what he was seeing. All that time worrying what would happen if Finn found out felt like a monstrous waste of emotion and time.

"About what?"

"About..." Harv's face flushed. "About me being gay."

"...good for you?" Finn shrugged. "What does this have to do with you insisting you have to sleep on the floor?" Harv wasn't sure where to start, seeing how he hadn't fully understood why his family decided he couldn't share the bed with his brothers anymore. Finn wasn't family, but that made things more complicated.

"It's improper." Harv said. "Why are you so insistent we share?" Harv didn't mean to snap. Finn was offering his own twisted version of courtesy, it wasn't his fault Harv was so self-conscious.

"You're warm." Finn looked away. "...and you had a crummy day. I know how awful it feels when someone dismisses you instead of getting jealous. I don't imagine sleeping on the floor would be a fine end to it."

"Who? Trevor!?" Harv faked a laugh. "I didn't want him to be- I don't want him to be jealous..." There it was again, that tell tale shake in his voice he couldn't hide.

"Sure you don't. He should be though. He may have nice hair, but look at me." Finn posed with a laugh. Then, carefully, he turned the sapphire pendant so the stone lay flat against Harv's chest. "This should help too. Next time, I'll be able to help more, now that I know what's going on."

"Next time? Finn, why would there be a next time, there shouldn't be a next time." Harv had no intention of interacting with anyone in town more than absolutely necessary.

"He's the fox, isn't he?" Finn started to crawl into bed. "From your story?"

"You figured that out too?" Harv looked down at the floor.

"Red hair, fox, it was an easy allegory to make." Finn shrugged. "Plus you kept staring at his butt while he was walking away." Harv glared at Finn. His face felt like it was on fire again and Finn kept looking at him with a shit eating grin. Finn patted the spot on the bed next to him gently. The tension left Harv's shoulders.

"You're sure this is okay?"

"Positive." Finn said. Harv sighed and accepted defeat. He crawled into the opposite side of the bed, the comforter radiating a lavender scent. He made sure to stay as close to the edge as possible. "See, it's not so bad. Things will be better tomorrow."

-

In the wee hours of the morning, while the house was still, Harv awoke at the same time he always did. Only this time, there were no morning chores to do. Finn was still asleep, curled up in his corner of the bed like a garden slug. Rather than waking him, Harv risked wandering the halls toward the kitchen for a glass of water.

He froze in the doorway as soon as he laid eyes on the lady of the house, who shuffled bleary eyed in search of something unintelligible. Harv took a step backward and the floor creaked. He tensed as the witch whipped around, an illusion ready in her hand.

"Oh." She shook her hand and the fist full of snakes she conjured dissolved into smoke. "You're still here."

"Um, yeah." Harv said. She grabbed two cups from the cupboard, still fighting sleep with slow drawn out blinks. She fumbled, half blind, and grabbed a jar of earl grey leaves.

"Take a seat." She said. Harv nodded and quickly took a chair. He tried to sit up straight and keep his elbows off the table. "You two seem to be getting along well." Harv flinched when she put the kettle on the stove, then nodded. She looked at him over her shoulder, a flash of something bittersweet in her eyes before turning back to the kettle. "You know, back in my home country, young nobles would have a live-in servant of sorts. Someone their age to help keep them out of trouble, keep them safe. I haven't been able to find someone like that for Finn, too many untrustworthy people in the court." Harv nodded along politely. "It's an option for you if you want the position." She set a cup of the fresh brew in front of him. He looked up in shock.

"I don't know..." Harv didn't want to seem impolite, but he knew better than to accept a witch's offer at face value.

"Just a thought." Leenan shrugged. She took her own cup with her as she made her way to the door. "Oh, just one more thing. If someone comes looking for you, have I seen you?" She swirled her cup as she waited in the doorway.

[vampiregirl1797]

Love is Patient

Joey Tribbiani x Plus Size Reader

 GIF Not Mine.

Click Here For My Masterlist.

 Warnings: Some pining, a hint of angst, self-depreciation, eventual fluff

 Word Count: 6,125

 Summary: Monica’s friend from collage comes to stay with her for a few days as she attends a job interview in the city. After the meeting, at Monica’s suggestion, she decides to extend her trip and during her time there her feelings towards a certain Italian develop into more than a crush. Monica has told her all about how he is with women, and so she knows her feelings are pointless and therefore decides to keep them to herself. But what if for the first time ever Joey looks at Y/N and sees more than a candidate for a one-night stand? What if he sees the potential for his first ever romantic relationship?

 A bubble of anxiety formed in my gut as I made out the sign for Central Perk—where Monica had told me to meet her after my interview. I pushed open the door, my eyes fluttering shut for a second to appreciate the warmth that washed over me. It was currently snowing outside, so to walk into the café where it wasn’t absolutely freezing was like slipping into a hot bath after a warm day; cosy and comforting. I hung up my red puffy coat on the rack by the door and fluffed out my hair to get it away from my neck. As I was doing this I spied Monica’s short black hair standing at the counter and accepting a giant cookie on a small plate. I walked over and tapped her on the shoulder accepting the one armed hug with a wide smile and a laugh at her eagerness—she’d last seen me this after noon, it hadn’t been that long.

 ‘How did it go?’ she asked after she pulled back from the embrace, her blue eyes shining with genuine curiosity.

 ‘Good, I think. I answered all of their questions and they seemed to really like me. Now all I have to do is wait and see, which is the worst part.’ I ran a hand through my long dark hair in frustration—I’d always been impatient.

‘Well you’re an amazing nurse, I’m sure they’ll welcome you with open arms.’ She assured me, patting my arm in comfort.

 That familiar swell of anxiety resurfaced as she led me a few steps towards the giant sofa—where her friends were sitting. I’d gotten in late last night and hadn’t rose until late afternoon. At that point I’d been running around and frantically getting ready for my interview, so I hadn’t had the time to be introduced to anyone new. Which I’d been secretly grateful for—I didn’t do well when it came to making friends. Monica was one of two people who I’d managed to form a companionship with over four years in collage. If that didn’t tell you I was awkward and hard for people to connect with then I didn’t know what would. But I forced those thoughts out of my mind and tried to smile in what I hoped was a friendly way.

 ‘Guys this is Y/N!’ Monica declared brightly, her free hand moving around and pointing to different people as she relayed their names, ‘Y/N this is Phoebe,’ the blonde girl waved enthusiastically and I felt my smile become more genuine, ‘this is Rachel,’ her greeting was more subdued, but no less authentic, ‘this is my brother Ross,’ his wave was a little awkward and I felt a wave of relief that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way around new people, ‘this is Chandler’ his wave mirrored Ross’ and I felt the tension in my shoulders completely dissolve. Maybe this is the kind of group I would actually fit into.

 ‘And last but not least…’ she shifted me to the right a little so I could see the attractive dark haired, brown eyed man who was sat on a chair about a foot away from the couch. He was wearing a white sweater and I had an errant thought that the colour made his skin look that much more tanned and smooth. His right hand was cupped around the cup of coffee he had on the small circular table in front of him, and his lips were turned up into a welcoming smile, ‘this is Joey.’ Monica said and I blinked in surprise; it had felt like minutes rather than seconds since she began her introduction, but it seemed like I was the only one who felt that way.

 The attractive man was the only one to offer his hand to shake, I assumed that was because he was closest and therefore the only one in position to do so. I barely managed to bite back a gasp at the tingle that shot right up my arm when my skin met his.

 ‘It’s nice to meet you,’ his smile was less friendly and more cheerful this time; I couldn’t help but return it.

 ‘It’s nice to meet you, too,’ I reluctantly removed my hand from his, trying not to look too awkward as I suddenly had no idea what I usually did with that hand. Did I put it in my pocket? Let it hang casually by my side? It was hard to remember when all I wanted to do was allow it to bask in Joey’s warm and somehow comforting touch.

 I cleared my throat and willed myself not to blush at the turn my thoughts had taken as I turned so I could face everyone as I spoke, ‘it’s nice to meet all of you, I feel like I already know you, Monica talks about you all so much when we talk over the phone.’

 It was true, and I found myself looking from person to person, pairing the stories with their faces. That made a ball of disappointment form in my stomach as I recalled something she’d told me about the handsome Italian: Joey isn’t really a one-guy kind of girl. He doesn’t like commitment, he likes sex and he’s happy going from one woman to another.

 ‘Here sweetie, sit down do you want some coffee?’ Monica asked as I took a seat in between Chandler and Phoebe.

 ‘Please honey, can I get a blueberry muffin too? I skipped lunch and I’m starving.’ I sighed, placing my bag at my feet and fighting the urge to pick my fingernails—a nervous habit I’d never really grown out of.

 ‘So Y/N, tell us about yourself,’ Ross said leaning forward in the arm chair he inhabited, careful not to jostle where Rachel sat on the arm, ‘Mon said you were in town for an interview? What’s that for?’

 ‘Oh I’ve applied for a nursing position at Bellevue Hospital Center,’ I said, trying not to blush at the impressed expressions a few of them now wore, ‘I’ve been working at a hospital in my home town since I qualified but I’ve always wanted to live in the city and when this position opened up it seemed like fate. I just hope I get it.’

 ‘I’m sure you will,’ Chandler reassured, squeezing my shoulder comfortingly. I was surprised by the gesture but I appreciated it.

 ‘It’s so cool that you’re a nurse.’ Joey said and the expression of wonder on his face while he looked at me did make me blush.

 Thankfully Monica chose that moment to pass me the coffee and muffin she’d acquired for me, so I took the distraction and hoped no one had noticed my reaction.

 ‘Thanks, Mon,’ I sighed gratefully, placing the hot beverage onto the coffee table in front of me before taking a huge bite of the blueberry goodness.

 ‘Good?’ Monica chuckled as she squeezed in on the other side of Phoebe.

 ‘Definitely,’ I nodded, not realising a moan of appreciation had escaped my lips—it just tasted so good when I hadn’t had anything all day.

 ‘Speaking of food, where are we going for dinner?’ Joey asked, a crease forming between his brows as if the answer were very important to him, ‘I’m hungry too.’

 ‘I don’t know,’ Rachel mused, her fingers moving through Ross’ hair as she deliberated, ‘we could order in some Chinese food? I’ve been craving Kung Poi Chicken all day.’

 ‘If we’re ordering in could we get pizza too?’ I tentatively proposed—it was my favourite food and I hadn’t had any in too long.

 ‘You like pizza?’ for some reason the Italian’s incredulous tone made me want to blush again, but I managed to force the urge down.

 ‘Like pizza?’ I scoffed playfully, ‘I love it.’

 The others chuckled at the expression that came over his face; he looked a mixture of surprised and awed. I tried to ignore the way my stomach fluttered in reaction to being on the receiving end of that look, and I chuckled with the rest of the group. Eventually we decided on a mixture; Phoebe, Joey and I ordered pizzas, and everyone else settled on Chinese food. With that decision made, we migrated up to Monica’s apartment and once the orders were phoned in, I decided to take a shower and change into some sweats—I’d been in my interview outfit. And that was too formal and uncomfortable for eating a big dinner and lounging on the couch while watching TV.

 Once I was redressed, I exited the bathroom with wet hair, feeling much more relaxed. Ross was sitting in the white armchair, with Rachel on the floor in front of him. Phoebe was on the green ottoman with her back to the TV, while Joey and Chandler were sat on the sofa with Monica in between them. The food was sprawled out on the coffee table in front of them and everyone was talking with the TV on quietly in the background.

 ‘There’s no way!’ Ross disagreed around a mouthful of chicken, ‘why would he united states government cover that up?’

 ‘You don’t think it’s a bit suspicious that Lee Harvey Oswald was killed two days after Kennedy was assassinated?’ Chandler said, nearly throwing rice all over the place. He sent Monica a look that was a mixture of apologetic and afraid.

 I hid a chuckle and slid into the space between Mon and Joey, pulling my knees up to my chest as I bit into the slice of cheese pizza I’d snagged. I tried not to think about how close I was to the Italian, despite the fact I could feel the heat his body was radiating. It got worse when his hand lifted and laid behind me on the back of the couch, probably in an attempt to make the both of us more comfortable.

 ‘Why are they talking about the John F Kennedy assassination?’ I whispered to Joey, smiling when he seemed to jolt out of his thoughts, I guess he didn’t hold much interest for the conversation topic either.

 ‘Monica bought it up, apparently someone from work was telling her a few conspiracy theories the other day.’ Joey answered, his voice just as low as mine, ‘so now they’re discussing weather they’re believable or not.’

 ‘Ah I see,’ I chuckled, deciding to take the opportunity to extend the conversation with the handsome Italian, ‘so what do you do? I never really got around to asking everyone before.’

 I was being very careful not to make my interest appear focused on him. I knew he was out of my league, not to mention he wasn’t the type of guy who wanted a relationship, according to my collage friend. I was the opposite; I couldn’t stand casual sex, I’ll admit the idea seemed appealing when I found myself in the midst of a dry spell, but no matter how horny I became I just couldn’t go through with it. Maybe it was because I needed an emotional connection with a man before we took it that far, or maybe it was because I couldn’t imagine being the type of girl a guy chose to have a one night stand with. They usually went with someone prettier and a lot skinnier than me. I didn’t have an issue with it—I used to be majorly insecure about my body, but I’d come to accept myself for who I was. That just happened to be someone that men needed to get to know before they found me attractive enough to sleep with.

 ‘I’m an actor,’ Joey said, a proud smile lighting up his face.

 ‘Wow, are you doing anything at the moment?’ I wondered, reaching forward and grabbing the unopened bottle of water in front of me.

 ‘I’m actually a re-occurring character in Days of Our Lives.’ He said, naturally shifting closer to me as we spoke, ‘I play Doctor Drake Ramoray.’

 ‘That’s awesome! Do you enjoy it?’ I knew it was a pointless question as I voiced it, but I couldn’t help but ask—the happiness that was shining in his eyes as he spoke of his job made my heart flutter in my chest, and so I couldn’t help but try to prolong it.

 ‘Are you kidding? I love it! I’ve been dreaming of acting since I was a kid, there wasn’t any other option for me really.’ He grinned, his free hand moving through his hair before dropping back to his lap.

 ‘Good for you—there are plenty of people who’re too scared to follow their dreams,’ I said as he reached forward for another slice of pizza.

 He appeared to be almost bashful as he processed what I’d said and waved off my words, almost dropping his food as he did. I bit back a laugh, not wanting to make him feel more embarrassed than he already was.

 ‘What about you? Have you always wanted to be a nurse?’ he asked, seemingly eager to get the attention off him.

 ‘Since my mom dressed me up as one for Halloween when I was five,’ I said, my tone light but not insincere.

 ‘Woah.’ He blinked, looking like he was trying to do the math on how long that was before he shook his head and gave up, ‘that’s a long time.’

 ‘It is,’ I agreed with a grin.

 ‘So, Y/N, I’ve been dying to ask—do you have any embarrassing stories about Monica?’ Phoebe’s bight and bubbly voice broke Joey and I out of our separate conversation.

 I looked over to her, pursing my lips as I thought and playfully smacking away the hand Monica tried to put over my mouth, ‘did she ever tell you about spring break sophomore year?’

 ‘Y/N!’ Monica groaned, covering her face with both of her hands and twisting to burrow into Chandler.

 I chuckled, relaying the story of Monica, a bottle of tequila, a karaoke machine and a Dolly Parton impersonator. By the end, everyone was laughing and my collage friend was blushing a tomato red. The rest of the night passed with casual conversation and I felt so comfortable in the company of people that had been strangers a mere twenty four hours ago, that I found myself eagerly agreeing to extend my trip.

 I had a feeling I’d finally found a place where I belonged, a place where I truly fit in, and I was in no hurry to leave that behind.

 //

 It was a few weeks after I’d arrived and I was rushing down to the coffee house, eager to share my news with someone. I had no idea where anyone was, but I’d left the spare bedroom I’d been staying in to be met by an empty apartment, and the second regular hang out was my best guess. Some might be at work, but I was hoping that with it nearing noon they would be making their way to the coffee house for lunch.

 My smile was bright as I walked through the door, hanging my coat up without even looking on the rack as my eyes were already darting around the room, searching for familiar faces. The only one I recognised belonged to Joey who was sat on the sofa, a cup of coffee in his hand and a magazine on his lap. The Italian and I had struck up quite the friendship in the short time I’d been here, or at least that was how it appeared to the rest of the group, Joey included. My feelings went much deeper than that, but the countless women I saw him hit on was more than enough to remind me that nothing would ever happen between the two of us. So I kept those thoughts locked up tight, deep down—I was quite proud of how I’d managed to keep up our friendship despite the romantic feelings I felt for him.

 Without giving it much thought I practically ran to Joey and practically jumped on him, my legs settling either side of his and my arms winding around his waist. The suggestive position was completely lost underneath my excitement to share my news with someone, and honestly I was kind of happy it was Joey who would hear the news first.

 ‘Woah, Y/N,’ Joey exclaimed, managing to stop himself from dropping the hot beverage in his hand out of shock. Once he was confident he wasn’t in danger of scalding either one of them, he returned her embrace, happy to have her so close.

 ‘Sorry.’ I said, but my grin didn’t falter, ‘I’m just so happy—I got the job!’

 It took him a moment but a few seconds later, his expression mirrored mine, ‘get out! That’s amazing, Y/N! I’m so proud of you!’

 He hugged me to his chest again and I felt reality catch up to me when he placed a kiss on my head. I returned his embrace for a few more moments before forcing myself off his lap and onto the couch next to him.

 ‘Thanks, Joe.’ I said, refusing to let myself think about the kind of relationship I’d never have with him. His friendship was more than enough; it was better to have him in my life as a friend than not at all.

 ‘We should celebrate! Maybe we could go out to dinner later?’ Joey suggested, taking a sip of his coffee, I thought I saw his hand tremble but when I looked again to check I dismissed it as his hand appeared steady.

 ‘That would be great! We’ll have to mention it to everyone later and see where they want to go,’ I said, frowning when his expression appeared to fall, but when he saw my concern he forced a smile on his face.

 I wanted to ask what was wrong, but it was clear he didn’t want me to as he excused himself to grab another cup of coffee—when he still had half a mug left—so when he returned I didn’t bring it up. We sat for a little while, and when he picked up his magazine to continue flicking through it, I read it with him over his shoulder. It was a habit we’d formed when he’d seen me reading a comic book, ever since then if one of us was reading, the other was too. That was how we were when the rest of the group seemed to join us at the same time.

 ‘Hey guys what’s going on?’ Chandler asked after he’d grabbed himself some coffee and took a seat on the stool by the sofa.

 ‘Actually, I’ve got something to tell you guys.’ I grinned, not noticing how Joey’s expression brightened at seeing my happiness, ‘I got the job!’

 ‘Congratulations!’ Monica practically screamed, leaning down to give me a hug.

 Suddenly I was overcome by countless versions of “congratulations” and an embrace from each of the wonderful people in the group.

 ‘Does this mean you’re moving here? Permanently?’ Ross asked from the armchair. I thought I saw his eyes flicker to Joey as I asked, but I couldn’t be sure.

 ‘Yeah, I’m going to have to find an apartment,’ I realised, a ball of stress suddenly appearing in my gut—I had so much to do before I started! I needed a place to live and furniture and—.

 ‘Hey don’t panic, you can live with me.’ Monica suggested brightly, ‘if you want to I mean, I’ve been kind of lonely since Rachel and Ross moved in together. It would be nice to have a roommate again.’

 ‘Really?’ I asked, reaching over to grasp her forearm, ‘are you sure?’

 ‘Of course,’ my collage friend smiled, laughing when I hugged her tightly, whispering “thank you” over and over.

 ‘That’s great! We’re gonna have so much fun!’ Monica smiled, ‘we should have a sleepover tonight to make it official! Phoebe, Rachel you wanna come over?’

 Both eagerly agreed and they started chatting about the activities we could do that night. I settled further into the couch, nodding in agreement with the games and movies they suggested. Honestly, I didn’t mind what we did, I was just grateful to have such a wonderful group of friends that accepted me for who I was, and were both willing and eager to celebrate this success with me.

 ‘Are guys welcome at this slumber party?’ Chandler wondered after Rachel proposed we played Twister, ‘I was Twister champ of the eighth grade and I’d like to defend my title.’

 I chuckled and my sarcastic friend shot me a smile of appreciation, as the most he got out of the others was a smile of amusement.

 ‘I don’t see why not, but you’ll be going down Bing. I won every game of twister at all of my slumber parties.’ Rachel bragged, and when Monica reached over to give her a high five I grinned.

 ‘You’re on, Green!’ Chandler exclaimed, the rest of us laughing at their rivalry.

 As the others chatted amongst themselves and I settled into Joey’s side when he lifted his arm to fall over the back of the sofa. It was something I’d seen Rachel, Mon and Phoebe do plenty of times with all of the guys, so I didn’t think it could be interpreted as more than a friendly gesture. I didn’t notice Chandler and Ross share a knowing look at our closeness; I was distracted by Monica asking what kind of snacks I’d prefer. It didn’t take long for her to finalise the plans and I could practically see the wheels in her head as she thought of everything she needed to do by tonight. The group left to continue their shifts at work after promising to meet at Monica’s by eight.

 ‘How about we go and get some lunch?’ Joey suggested, his voice casual and if I’d been paying attention I would’ve noticed it was too casual.

 ‘That sounds nice. We could go to the deli and get some sandwiches?’ I proposed as I shrugged my puffy coat on—the weather was still on the cold side.

 ‘Perfect.’ Joey grinned, holding the door open and his smile seemed to grow when I linked my arm through his.

 We chatted as we walked to Joey’s favourite deli, and when we arrived he insisted on picking out my sandwich for me. I agreed with a smile—it was impossible to turn him down when he looked so adorable and enthusiastic. We both ended up with meatball subs and I was unable to contain my sounds of pleasure as I ate it—it was without a doubt the most incredible thing I’d ever eaten. I’d told him so once I was finished and he’d cleared his throat and told me he was glad I enjoyed it. I didn’t notice the way he had to readjust himself before we left, the sounds of pleasure I’d made having inspired some… suggestive thoughts. But all I could think about as we headed back to the apartment was how happy I just knew I was going to be here—I could feel it in my bones with a confidence I’d never felt. I belonged in New York.

 //

 A few months had passed since I’d officially moved in with Monica and started my new job as a nurse at Bellevue Hospital Center. And I had never been happier! Work was wonderful, hard sometimes, but the rewarding feeling I felt after helping the patients that I could outweigh any difficulties. I’d gotten closer to the group and I was at the point now where I couldn’t imagine a time that they weren’t in my life—I loved each and every one of them like family. Well… all but one.

 The crush I’d had on a certain Italian hadn’t gone away with time like I hoped it would, but it had flourished into something much more intense, and much harder to dismiss. I had fallen in love with him. And I didn’t know what to do about it—I didn’t want to mention it to any of my friends, because as much as I loved and trusted them, it wouldn’t stay a secret for very long if I revealed it to anyone. As I said—the group was like a family and it was impossible for any subject that might cause tension to remain unobserved or unresolved, and I’d rather save myself the crushing and inevitable rejection. So, I didn’t say anything, and instead I started avoiding Joey. Not in obvious ways; for example I started making a conscious effort not to sit next to him whenever we hung out, and I started making excuses to not be alone with him. Stupid and childish? Definitely. But I had to try and get over him somehow and I didn’t know how else to go about it.

 I thought I was being subtle about it, but I discovered my efforts were wasted when the girls questioned me about it on a Saturday morning over brunch at the apartment. The guys were due to come too, which was probably why I was being asked before they got here, sneaky devils.

 ‘So what’s going on with you and Joey, Y/N?’ Phoebe asked in typical Phoebe fashion: blunt and unapologetic. It was something about her I admired—she always got to the point and said exactly what she meant. But I would be lying if I wasn’t cursing her for that particular characteristic as I choked on a sip of orange juice, totally taken aback by the subject change.

 ‘What do you mean?’ I said after I’d managed to clear my airway, ‘there’s nothing going on?’

 ‘You’ve started acting really weird around him, you two are usually attached at the hip when we hang out and now you go out of your way to avoid him.’ Monica added, not willing to let me brush it off.

 I opened myself to say something, but snapped it shut again when I realised I had no idea what I could say to that.

 ‘And you don’t hang out together anymore, Joey asked you if you wanted to go and see that movie you’ve been raving about yesterday and you blew him off.’ Rachel rose her brow, ‘Joey knows that excuse was bogus and he’s been racking his brain trying to figure out what he did to upset you.’

 ‘He didn’t do anything to upset me,’ I sighed, my shoulders slumping in defeat. I hadn’t even considered that Joey might notice I was blowing him off, and I definitely hadn’t wanted to cause him any kind of pain. I was being selfish in trying to protect myself and I realised if I carried on with this behaviour I might lose Joey all together—that was something I couldn’t bear to consider.

 ‘He didn’t do anything to upset me.’ I repeated, deciding the truth needed to come out—it wasn’t worth keeping it to myself if it meant I was hurting others, ‘I’ve been avoiding Joey because I realised I’m in love with him.’

 ‘Explain something to me,’ Phoebe started, leaning forward in her chair and looking me directly in the eye, ‘wouldn’t falling in love with someone mean the opposite effect? Shouldn’t you be not avoiding him?’

 ‘I was avoiding him because I was trying to work through my feelings discretely,’ I sighed, running a hand through my hair, ‘I didn’t want to say anything to him because I knew he wouldn’t feel the same way about me. Not only is he majorly out of my league, Joey isn’t interested in commitment and I would never want casual sex.’

 The table was silent for a moment, mulling over my words I assumed. I thought they’d realised that I was right when the silence stretched on, but Monica smacking me upside the head told me they were having a very different reaction.

 ‘Ow, what was that for?’ I exclaimed, more out of surprise than pain.

 ‘You’re an idiot.’ She said, as if that were enough of an explanation.

 ‘I’m gonna need more of an explanation than that, Mon.’ I huffed, sitting back in the dining room chair I was sat on and bringing my knees up to my chest.

 ‘Joey looks at you like you hung the moon and the stars.’ Rachel said, continuing when I stared at her in disbelief, ‘it’s cliché but it’s true.’

 ‘He’s always watching you whenever we hang out, he’s happy when you are, he hates seeing you upset—do you remember last month when a patient was pronounced DOA at the hospital?’ Monica continued when I nodded, ‘Joey noticed that you were barely holding it together and he bought you your favourite ice cream and your favourite movie. He sat and watched it with you, and held you when you broke down crying. When you fell asleep, he carried you to bed—he wouldn’t do that for someone he only saw as a friend!’

 ‘Or that time when you were being hit on by that creepy guy at the coffee house? Joey was there before you could even tell him to get lost and he didn’t leave your side for the rest of the night, because he knew you were worried the guy was gonna bug you again.’ Phoebe added as she buttered her bagel and took a bite when she was done.

 ‘Don’t forget when you mentioned that you hated going to and from work those first few weeks you moved here. You said you didn’t feel safe and Joey was there, dressed and awake at 6am so that he could accompany you to and from work.’ Rachel remembered—it was true, I hadn’t felt safe venturing out into the city so early and late when I’d first started my new job.

 I hadn’t even asked Joey to come with me, he’d just shown up and said it was no big deal, that he didn’t mind walking a beautiful girl to work. I’d blushed of course, but it had been the start of a tradition—aside from some rare exceptions—he walked me to work and was always there to meet me when I finished. I’d never told him how big of an impact that had on my day. Those days where I felt like a complete failure and questioned why I’d ever become a nurse were always immediately better when I saw Joey. His handsome face and warm brown eyes always shone with happiness and so it was impossible for my own mood not to brighten in response to his company.

 Joey had done so many things for me and out of the whole group he was definitely the one I felt the closest to. But did all of those things mean love? Were those only things he would do for someone he cared about on another level other than friendship?

 Monica appeared to be reading my thoughts, ‘I’ve known Joey for a long time and he’s never been that thoughtful or protective over a friend or one night stand.’

 I bit my lip, a bubble of hope swelling in my chest. Could it be possible? Could Joey love me the way I loved him? There was only one way to know for sure, but I would have to get him alone to do it—I loved the group but I didn’t want an audience while I confessed my love for the Italian.

 //

 I took a deep breath and then released it, slowly. I raised my hand and it hovered over the green door. I dropped it. I took another breath. I raised my hand and after a sound of pure anxiety left my lips I knocked. I tried not to think as I waited for the door to open, and thankfully I wasn’t left in anticipation for very long.

 ‘Y/N.’ Joey’s voice sounded a mixture of happy and confused. When I looked up into his eyes and saw that the warm brown reflected wariness I wanted to kick myself.

 ‘Hey Joe, can I come in?’ I asked, crossing my arms over my chest as I tried to keep my voice even.

 ‘Sure,’ he stepped aside and I walked in, usually I would’ve taken a seat in “Chandler’s Barcalounger” but I remained standing and turned to face him.

 I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze but I imagined he was trying to work out what kind of mood I was in—something Joey was usually very good at, I realised. I hadn’t noticed it before, I’d just assumed he was attuned into everyone but now that I thought about it, he only ever seemed to constantly focus on me. My heartbeat quickened at the revelation but it didn’t make me feel anymore confident.

 ‘I need to talk to you.’ I said, anxiously playing with the sleeves of my shirt, ‘and I just want to say that before I start, nothing has to change between us alright? You’re important to me Joey and I don’t want to lose you because of what I’m about to say, so can you promise me that won’t happen?’

 He stepped forward, his hands gripping the tops of my arms, his hold firm but gentle. The action caused me to look up to him and the sincere look in his eyes made my breath catch.

 ‘I promise that I’ll always be there for you, Y/N. No matter what.’ His words were coated with so much assurance that it was impossible not to believe him.

 ‘I’m in love with you.’ I said, or more blurted— the words left my mouth without my permission. As if my body were tired of my reluctance and took action for me, but I wasn’t sure I was grateful for it.

 Joey blinked, his sincere expression melting into shock, his hands remained on the tops of my arms, but I wasn’t sure if he was aware of it or not. My hands were slapped over my mouth, an involuntary reaction after my word vomit, and they stayed there for a long moment until I worked up the courage to drop them so I could speak.

 ‘Joey, I know you probably don’t feel the same, and that’s okay but… please say something.’ I pleaded and my tone must have gotten through to him, because he shook his head as if to clear it and his warm brown eyes found mine.

 The happiness had returned, but it was brighter than the sun, and if I weren’t physically incapable of looking away from such beauty, I would have worried about it blinding me. But I couldn’t help thinking: I wouldn’t mind losing my eyesight if this were the last thing I saw. His smile came next and before I could prompt him or beg him to speak again, his hands slid down to my waist and pulled my body against his. A gasp left my throat at the feel of his warmth wrapped around me and when he kissed me I swear time stopped. When it started up again my hands went to the sides of his neck, sliding into his soft hair. I’d never been kissed like this before; in a way that was tender yet passionate, loving yet adoring. I don’t know how long we were kissing for, but the apartment could have burned down around us and I wouldn’t have noticed. Joey pulled back before it could progress into anything more, his forehead resting against mine as we both caught our breath.

 ‘I love you too, Y/N.’ He said, his hands moving up to caress the sides of my face and smiling softly when I leant into his touch.

 My eyes filled up with tears at the adoring way he was looking at me, beyond grateful that the man I cared about returned my feelings, as he wiped them away when they spilled over and led me to his bedroom. Soft whispers were shared well into the early morning as we eagerly shared anything and everything, cuddled together on Joey’s bed. As the night progressed, our kisses became more fervent, more passionate. Clothes were stripped off and thrown to the floor, hands eagerly roamed as we each memorised each other’s bodies with our hands. While we moved together I couldn’t help but think about how perfect the moment was, how right it felt to be entwined together so intimately, and I knew as we reached our climaxes together—Joey and I were meant to be. Because there was no way that I wasn’t supposed to be with this wonderful man, the one who looked out for me, cared for me…loved me.

 I was without a doubt the luckiest girl in the world.

[jinmukangwrites]

Whumptober Day 19

Grief | Survivors Guilt

Ao3

-o-o-o-o-

It's a cold autumn night when Tim enters the manor. There's been an early snowfall this year, one that has Tim shrugging off his winters coat and hanging it up beside the manor's front door along with his gloves. 

He looks around the foyer, thankful to immediately spot Alfred walking towards him from the familiar hallway leading towards the study. However, any kind of good mood Tim was in from being back at the manor for the first time in what was probably close to a month leaves when Alfred gets close enough for him to see the little, worrying details.

He's not wearing a suit or tie. Just dress pants and a white collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up. There's spots of red on Alfred's sleeves... and a rag is held in his wrinkled hands, stained with blotchy pink spots.

And Tim suddenly remembers why he's here.

"Hi, Alfred," Tim greets as Alfred finally finishes approaching. He looks haggard. Likes he's been up all night. He probably has been. 

"Master Tim," Alfred says, offering a small smile. "I apologise for not greeting you earlier. I trust the travel wasn't unpleasant?"

Tim shakes his head. Roads were scary slippery, but because the snow is still fresh and the time’s approaching dawn, there wasn't much traffic to make Tim's drive from the penthouse towards Bristol too horrible. "It was fine. And you don't need to apologise… I'm sure you've been busy. Where is…?"

Alfred sighs, his hands running through the rag without much purpose. Alfred's shaken. Tim heard it was bad, but he didn't think it was this bad.

"Masters Dick and Bruce are both downstairs with Doctor Thompkins. Master Dick has yet to wake, but considering we've just finished surgery, I don't expect him to be awake in the near future."

"How bad is he?"

Alfred sighs and moves so he drapes the blood stained rag over his wrists. "Major head trauma is the worst of it. Some broken ribs, a snapped wrist, mostly bruises and cuts. Doctor Thompkins is hopeful that he'll make a full recovery in time."

"And… Damian?"

Damian was there right? He was a part of this whole catastrophe? Nightwing and Robin were supposed to be on a team up. With a sinking stomach, Tim realizes Damian must have watched Two-Face repeat his ever so famous beating of Nightwing tonight. 

Tim hopes Harvey Dent and his stupid grudges stay in Arkham for a very long time this time around. If Tim sees him any time soon, Tim's not sure he'll be able to pull his punches as much as he should. 

Alfred's voice pulls Tim out from his thoughts. "Master Damian is… outside. Near the Graveyard. I was just about to check up on him, it's rather cold out..."

"Know what?" Tim says. "I'll get him. You look like you could use a nap."

Alfred's face softens. "If you're sure… then I will begin making some hot chocolate for the two of you to warm up."

"Thanks, Alf," Tim replies, a genuine smile rebelliously appearing on his lips. 

After he shoves himself back in his jacket and gloves, he's sure he’s prepared for how cold it is outside in the October air. 

Immediately, he's pelted by a harsh, gray colored wind speckled with small, glittery flakes of snow. The snow is wet, immediately melting when it touches his coat, and just managing to glaze the grass, but regardless of that it's still cold. 

What's Damian doing at the Graveyard at this time with this weather?

The trek towards the Wayne Graveyard is mostly uneventful besides a few slip ups on the stone path. He almost falls on his ass once, but by the time he sees the gate towards the family graveyard, he's relatively unharmed. 

The moment Tim walks past the gates, his eyes immediately fly towards the back of the plot where a giant angelic statue stands, her face shrouded with a hood and her hands brought up in prayer. 

Jason Todd's grave, Tim feels, has always been a part of Tim's life. Because his life never really began until Robin, didn't it. Which is… depressing to say but he can't really call the years spent practically alone with his emotionally distant parents anything close to a life. Tim decides to head that way. If Damian is sitting at any grave, it's probably near the ones dug recently, and not the old, weathered ones filled with names belonging to Wayne's no one actually really knows about. 

Ya know, no one knows about until they’re revealed to have been a part of some super secret old-timey cult or something.

He's probably at Martha and Thomas's graves, wondering what it would be like to have known them. The most experience he has with grandparents is Ra's Al Ghul, and, well, no one wants that guy as a grandfather. 

However, when Tim finally sees the form of a small teen squatting besides a grave, it's one that's no longer… valid. But one that keeps it's gravestone anyway, the dates scratched off. 

Tim feels something try to crawl into his throat to choke him. 

Of course the grave Damian's visiting is Dick's. 

Tim immediately decides to make his approach more cautious than what he was initially planning. He can't… really think of a time where he's seen Damian sit at this grave, even while they thought Dick was actually dead. Tim was… off with the Teen Titans and if he remembers correctly Damian wasn't even in the country for long after he came back to life. Bruce got amnesia and for quite a long time, it was only Alfred and Bruce in the manor, living in a carefully constructed illusion that Bruce wasn't Batman and had never taken kids into his home. 

Tim wonders when Damian found out Dick "died". How did he react? Did anyone even try to reach out to tell him gently, or did he find out on his own?

"Hey," Tim greets softly, lowering himself down to Damian's level in front of the fake grave. He sits on the balls of his feet and curls his arms over his knees before he turns to really get a good look at Damian. 

The kid huffs in response, just staring ahead of him like the gravestone was the most interesting thing in the entire world. His cheeks and nose are red, a stark contrast to his normally dark complexion. His green eyes shine vividly too beneath his sopping wet black bangs. Tim wonders if he's been crying. However, he doesn't dare ask.

"Alfred's making hot chocolate," Tim continues, really feeling out of his league now. He doesn't know what to do. He's never had to confront a clearly vulnerable Damian before. "I don't think we should keep him waiting."

Damian blinks slowly, his gaze finally leaving the gravestone to flicker towards Tim. 

And if eyes were the windows to the soul, then Damian's eyes have always been barred for as long Tim's known him. Barred and locked and shielded by blackout curtains. Now though? They're a stained glass window, shattered and hanging by twisted metal framework thanks to a rock that has been thrown through. 

Tim can't recall ever seeing Damian like this before. It makes him ponder what really happened tonight. If Dick's injuries were simply because of an unfortunate Two-Face run in. Bruce called Tim over to help go over evidence, but now Tim gets the feeling the real reason he's been requested is because Damian's hurting in his own way too, and Bruce doesn't know how to deal with it. 

Not that Tim knows how to deal with it either. The only person that really knows Damian inside and out is the very person who's just finished fighting for his life thanks to a brutal beat down via a psychopath armed with a wooden baseball bat. Again.

"Timothy…" Damian finally speaks, and Tim suddenly feels a chill enter his bones that's not from the wind. "What is Robin's purpose?"

Tim swallows, forcing surprise to stay off his face. Where has this come from? 

"What do you mean?" Tim asks slowly. 

"Tt." Damian turns back towards the gravestone, his usual sound of annoyance sounding half-hearted and incredibly tired. "Just answer."

And it must show how wrong this all feels because Tim doesn't even get the urge to roll his eyes at the demand. He lets out a breath that turns into a visible vapor the moment it leaves his mouth. 

"I guess… it's different for everyone. There's no… job requirement when it comes to Robin. What it means can change on who wears the suit. As long as you wear the colors and fight alongside Batman, then you're Robin."

Damian frowns. "I was told Robin is supposed to be Batman's partner. Robin is supposed to watch Batman's back and protect him."

"Who told you that?" Tim asks before he could stop himself. Damian gives him an unimpressed look. "Oh. Lots of people, huh? Um… I guess protecting Batman is a big part of Robin. I know… that's the reason I became Robin. To save Bruce from his own darkness."

"Then… I am truly an awful Robin."

The words are so shocking that it takes Tim a second to realize a single drop of clear liquid that wasn't snow has dropped down Damian's cheek. 

"Richard died while I was gone," Damian continues, water in his voice. "Even if his death was really a ploy to go undercover… he still got captured and tortured. I wasn't… there to protect him. And now, all I could do was stand uselessly while Dent…"

Damian brings a hand to his cheek to wipe the next tear that tries to fall. The sleeve of his jacket folds up around his wrists to reveal rope burns that definitely look like they sting.

Tim thinks he has a clearer picture now. Damian was definitely there, tied down and held back as Two-Face beat Nightwing to a bloody pulp. 

Tim is so caught up trying to imagine what Damian is feeling, that he almost misses what's said next. 

"If Robin is supposed to protect Batman, then… then it should have been me."

"No," Tim turns so he's facing Damian more head on. More tears drip down his cheeks and Damian looks done with trying to wipe them away. He's looking at the gravestone like he's the one who put it there. That the only reason it's there in the first place is because he wasn't there to stop it. "No, you're not allowed to say that. I take it back, Robin isn't meant to protect Batman-"

"You just said-"

"I was wrong, okay?" 

Damian opens his mouth, then closes it. 

Tim has to take a moment to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. "Look… Damian… you're a kid. It's never a kids job to protect the guardian. It's their job to protect you."

"That's the issue, Timothy, he was protecting me." Damian wipes his eyes furiously, his cheeks growing redder but not because of the cold. "Two-Face wanted me, but Richard tricked Two-Face into letting him take my place. Richard died because of me, and stayed away because of me, and now he's- he's hurt because of me-"

"Stop it," Tim snaps. He can feel his heart beating so quickly. His stomach feels like it's in knots. Damian snaps his jaw shut with a tiny, barely choked off whimper that almost has Tim wanting to stand up, go to Gotham, and show Two-Face what a baseball bat looks like from the other end of the beating. "Just… stop. It's… none of this is your fault. And if Dick heard you saying things like this… that it should be you… he'd tell you the same stuff. 

"You didn't do anything wrong Damian. Sometimes… Batman gets hurt. But you can't hold yourself responsible for that. Sometimes Dick gets hurt to protect you… us, and we can't blame ourselves for that. Dick did what he thought was right, and it's our job now to make sure he gets better. Okay?"

Damian's silent. Sniffs. From the cold or from tears, Tim doesn't ask. 

He wakes in the chilling silence of the Wayne Graveyard until Damian finally jerks his head in a tiny, ridged nod. "I… understand."

"Good." Tim then rises to his feet and grabs Damian's bicep, dragging his little brother up with him. Damian stiffens at first, but eventually complies. Soon, Tim has his arm wrapped around Damian's shoulders. Damian sniffs again and wipes his eyes. 

"You said… Alfred was making hot chocolate?" He asks, and Tim smiles. 

"He sure is. You think we can convince him to put in marshmallows this time?" 

Damian puts on a watered-down thoughtful face. Then nods. "I'm sure if we work together, we can also get cookies."

"Sounds like a plan, gremlin."

"Tt."

"Oh, don't give me that look. You like the nickname."

"I do not."

“Yes you do. Look! You're smiling!"

"You're seeing things, Timothy."

[chaosvanquished]

Every Time A Bell Rings

Pairing: Gobblepot

Rating: short and very tame

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine except for the terrible prose. Not beta read so there might be grammar errors galore, I’m just an English major.

Beware: this is utter Christmas crack, set during Oswald’s time as mayor or at least his campaign. Their voices and address are OOC just to make it more fun and a bit romantic, too. Also, it got a bit away from me in the second half I think ? Also, awful title.

A/N: I wrote this already in one frantic go at the start of December, wanted to re-work it, didn’t have time, ran late to post it for Christmas, got fed up with it, and decided to just throw it out there. Happy Hanukkah, merry Christmas, have a good Kwanzaa celebration, happy holidays to you all, folks !

This fills the bingo field for Lost Angel Wings. I had so many ideas for fields...

People were rushing to and fro to his left and right. So much for a peaceful season full of contemplation and slowing down for the holidays. Still, it was merely a Christmas skit for Gotham’s big Christmas fundraiser. Why he had to be here to keep an eye on proceedings, Jim had no idea. Logically he knew that he was here because he lost a game of Rock Paper Scissors against Harvey but why police presence was needed at all during a charity event eluded him. As if the criminals of Gotham were only waiting to crash a fundraiser instead of breaking and entering the vacant houses of the rich people present at the town hall. Terrorist attacks during the elementary school choir’s performance. Of course it also couldn’t be any officer in plain clothes but it had to be a detective. The police making an appearance during social events to win favours or something.

Now that he was already here he could at least look around and snatch some of the backstage snacks laid out for the actors and other participants who came from costume and makeup completely famished. They were simple but more to Jim’s taste than the ridiculous hors d’oeuvre usually served at such events. Slowly the backstage area emptied as the next group went on stage. He sneakily inched towards the snack table. Somewhere behind a partition someone was rummaging around.

“Has someone per chance seen my wings?”

“What?” Jim turned around to find an annoyed Cobblepot coming around the partition. Apparently criminals had found their way into this fundraiser event after all.

The man stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Jim standing there with a sandwich halfway to his mouth. He did not exactly look dressed for villainous success. Frankly, he looked downright ridiculous. Cobblepot was draped in what looked like a black sheet with purple ornaments held tight at the waist with some kind of cummerbund and a vest on top. Apparently he was aware of his less than sleek get up as well if the way he tried to cover as much as possible of his outfit by crossing his arms over his chest was any indication.

“Hello Detective Gordon.”

“Uh, did you say something back before?” Jim asked. He could not stop staring at the outfit disaster.

Cobblepot’s expression switched from embarrassed to judging due to Jim’s lack of a civil reply.

“There is no need to stare, Detective. I assure you this is the better option. Originally they wanted to dress me in a white gown,” he simply answered. “I was convinced that it would make a good impression on people if I took a small role in one of the plays last minute. And I need all the support I can get.”

Jim nodded: “Of course. And…especially the purple fur trimming is a nice touch.” (Cobblepot rolled his eyes) “Seems like you and me are here for the same reasons. I was sent to represent the GCPD.”

Had he said wings? God, whoever cast Cobblepot as an angel must have lost his mind. At least he was small, polite to some degree, had a charming if slightly maniac smile, and could enact some serious wrath Jim supposed.

At his words the other man looked relieved. In Cobblepot’s mind they were probably in the same boat now. They were often in the same boat to be honest, what with their little deal and regular cooperation. And if Jim wanted to be even more honest, Christmas being the time of contemplation and all, his partner in crime often tried too hard to be inviting but was ultimately engaging and pleasant company with a ready smile for him. That he was always dressed to the nines (if insanely flamboyant) and graceful did not hurt their meetups in the least either.

“Then, Jim, if you’re here on business you could look for my wings. I’m not sure that my appearance as a heavenly herald” (at this he raised his eyebrows) “without a pair of wings has the same flair. I’ll look over there and you could check here?”

Jim. The Christmas spirit must have struck Cobblepot as well it seemed. Jim just nodded and turned around to look in the area behind the food and drinks table. A lot of props were scattered around. And there, on a stool, lay a pair of wings. They were the kind you would wear like a backpack and would find in a cheap costume store with wide white rubber bands. Someone had gone to great pains to spray paint the top of the wings with silver glitter as well. While he was not the kind of guy who ever wondered or even realized whether some piece of clothing would clash with another he would need to be blind not to see that the wings will look terrible on the flashy black and purple robe. The white gown may have been an insult on Cobblepot but he wondered who had come up with the alternate design which also didn’t seem to go terribly well with, well, anything.

Jim steered his steps back to the middle of the room.

“I have found them,” he called out.

Cobblepot returned with a “Good” and took the wings from him. He then struggled rather unsuccessfully with them.

“Let me,” Jim said and took them back, holding the bands like one would hold a coat for someone to slip their arms into the sleeves.

Cobblepot hesitated for a moment before he put one arm through one loop and then the other. Jim adjusted the wings. He had been right, the whole ensemble looked awful but at least someone had bothered to fit the wing’s straps to his narrow shoulders so they wouldn’t constantly slip down. The man turned around to face him and for a moment Jim’s breath caught.

Oswald was slightly odd-looking and plenty beautiful just like his mother had been with her large startled eyes. He was aware that he was staring and busied himself by also adjusting the straps in the front. The silence became pronounced so Jim decided to just cut his losses. “Done. You’re good to go, Oswald,” was the only thing he could come up with though.

Oswald’s eyes snapped up and God, Jim still had his hands resting on his labels. At least he wasn’t awkwardly gripping his shoulders or pressing them against his chest but still. Any moment Jim will remove his hands, stick them in his pockets and take one or three steps back. Any moment. The moment just…hadn’t come yet. And now Oswald started to smile in his nervous, unsure way covered up by bravado that he seemed so often to sport in Jim’s company when they did not talk shop. He was lovely, questionable nightmare-coloured toga, cheap wings and all, and Jim had to lean in. This was ridiculous, he was ridiculous. Still, he leaned in further.

Really, it was just common sense that they would hear steps any second and draw apart. Except that no one was stumbling in to conveniently break them up or get an eyeful to report to the newspaper. All these romantic descriptions of breath mingling were a disappointment, too, as Oswald apparently had stopped breathing altogether. He just stared at him which was kind of unsettling so Jim closed his own eyes, hoping he would catch the hint. Oswald’s hands came up to settle on his shoulder blades and he took this as a sign to lean down just this bit further. When his lower lip touched Oswald’s lips lightly he stopped short, savouring the pinpoint contact in a very public backstage area of a corny Christmas fundraiser event. Captain Barnes was there, Bruce was there, Selina had probably sneaked in in a dazzling dress. Whatever. This had gotten too important too long ago. Just when he wanted to move his lips and end this anticipation in the air the long expected steps came towards the back room. Jim reared back with his lips burning from the barely there touch. Moments ago he would have been happy to have a stranger dissuade the weird atmosphere but now he was dissatisfied in the most literal sense.

It was frustrating to see how fast Oswald was able to collect himself and move in the direction of the stage. He turned his head around to address Jim.

“I’ll see you later on stage.”

“I’ll see you later for a drink,” Jim replied. Oswald’s ears burned a delightful shade when he hurried towards the crowd.

[migleefulmoments]

The Book Club: My Analysis

 I just posted a long look at the ATOM analysis but I couldn't comment on their posts because it would have been too confusing.  Here is where I will make comments to their analysis.  As always my comments in parenthesis and italicized.

In this first post, notice that Abby isn’t looking for big themes and symbols-although she did catch the big ones- instead she is picking out single words and short phrases and drawing analogies to Darren. This is the literature version of cutting up an already short video into 1-2 seconds, slowing it down for drama and making it a gif. It’s how you distort the truth. 

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December 26, 2019 by this is a submission to ajw (X)

Submission from a friend (I posted my brief thoughts at the end). Major spoilers below. Scroll past if you haven’t read and don’t want to know.

First off, just in the note to the readers, I knew this book was going to be full of some good stuff.

Obviously, all interpretations are my own, after my first read through.

“A tale of magic follows a group of young fairies as they fight for acceptance in an oppressive world where magic is outlawed and despised. This story is very close to my heart, and writing it was the most challenging and emotional process I’ve experienced as an author to date. …… I hope it encourages and comforts anyone who may be fighting their own battle for acceptance and equality.”

Fairies= anyone feeling different or told they can’t be who they are, perhaps including the LGBT community? Hmm.. Close to his heart? What closer to his heart than the reality he’s living?  (Yes, it is definitely the LGBTQ community. If you couldn’t tell from reading the story Chris says “For me, the magic in A Tale of Magic is an allegory for being gay.” and faires are the people who have magical abilities. This is a story he calls “close to my heart”  because he is a gay man who grew up in a town that is now represented by Devin “the dunce” Nunes- so super fake-religious, judgemental and intolerant. He’s been getting mail from gay kids for a decade and he wrote a story to tell his truth and Abby is turning it into a story about Darren and the reality she has created for Chris to be living)

“If we want to change the world’s opinion it must be encouraged, not forced– and nothing encourages people like a good spectacle.”

Hmm… a spectacle? Sounds familiar. You can’t force anyone to believe anything, but it can be encouraged by opening your eyes to a good spectacle, like say a wedding, and realizing that it just doesn’t make sense if you open your eyes. Nuff said. (Except in this case Mrs. Weatherberry is saying they need to encourage people to accept magic not force them to and a good spectacle is the best way to encourage change. For this to be a reference to the wedding, Chris would have to be happy about the wedding). 

One of the books that Brystal comes across is by Daisy Peppernickel. I think that speaks for itself. It’s clearly known that Daisy is a certain someone’s nickname, especially used by the part of his fans that believe in Daisy. (This is stupid. It’s a silly, British-sounding name- not a reference to Darren. I can’t imagine a Chris celebrating the fandom’s fetishization of Darren’s efferent movements by labeling it “Daisy”) 

“.. each author’s cause of death was EXECUTED FOR CONSPIRACY AGAINS THE KINGDOM. … It was a graveyard for truth and an archive of people the Justices had silenced.”

Deleted tweets, accounts vanishing into thin air. This sounds a lot like the conspiracies against (str8) fandom. It’s no secret that people have been silenced. (yes, deleted tweets, accounts vanishing in thin air (what?) are exactly conspiracy against the fandom.  Both Chris and Darren are super worried about a handful of fans in the Str8 fandom.  You guys MATTER so much Chris included you in his book. He loves you, dudes).  

“All the books in the secret room were written by people who felt and thought exactly like she did, by people who questioned information, who criticized social restrictions, who challenged the systems set in place, and who weren’t afraid to make their ideas known.”

Questioning information? Challenging the system? Not afraid to make their ideas known? Can’t think of anybody that might do that. (It’s almost like Chris was talking about all the brave people who push back against society’s unfair treatment of the disenfranchised and minority persons who are discriminated against whether that is because of their race, nationality, gender, age or income. I know for a FACT he was NOT talking about the cc fandom. who do not do these things for the better good of society but rather for their own needs. Chris was honoring people like Mrs. Weatherberry and MLK, Rosa Parks, Harvey Milk,, people who push boundaries to make positive changes for the good of all people. What you all do is petty and based not on genuine inconsistencies in the system but rather your own refusal to accept that you are wrong and have always been wrong.)  

“Personally, I think life is way to complicated for anyone’s life to be set in stone.”

Even though D seems to be in a death sentence, there’s way more to life and his fate is not set in stone. C believes in his man, and knows he can overcome this. (Um what?)

“Sometimes as  a survival method, fairies suppress their magic so deep within themselves that it becomes extremely difficult to reach it.”

This reminds me of D’s dudebro persona that he brings out. He’s suppressing himself so far that at times he’ll turn himself into a different caricature of himself. We all know Daisy is in there somewhere under the layers of D-bag. (LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. You mean when Darren is acting exactly like Darren?  People are like onions, they have layers. Dude bro is one of Darren’s layers. Not understanding that Darren is who Darren proves that you aren’t are the one who isn’t actually paying attention. It’s so obvious )  

“It’s very hard watching someone you love in so much pain.”

C watching the person he loves get knocked down over and over, he’s speaking directly from his own experience here. (How do you know this? Chris has never once suggested he finds life difficult right now or that he is in pain.  It’s almost like you made it up)  

“Horence had the misfortune of falling in love with a witch. … Naturally, such a relationship was forbidden, so for over a decade, Horence and the witch carried on a secret affair. When Horence’s soldiers discovered the relationship, the men betrayed their commander. They burned Horence at the stake and forced the witch to watch it happen.”

Using LGBT to equal ‘magical’ (As I’ve found countless references I haven’t even put in here) D fell in love with someone magical (gay), and their relationship was forbidden and secret. Once their secret was out, the team made D pay for it and C had to watch it all go down with nothing that he could do. (Except throw all his angst into his books ;) ) (Good job Abby- you got the most obvious allegory. The one that Chris acknowledged  “For me, the magic in A Tale of Magic is an allegory for being gay.” The rest of your nonsense is silly- the secret isn’t out and nobody except Abby has ever suggested anyone is making Darren or Chris pay anything).   

“We must pity the people who close to hate, Brystal. Their lives will never be as meaningful as those of the people who choose to love.”

The pathetic souls that do nothing but hate on C C and spread hate will never have as meaningful of life as those that chose to love and support our boys. (Um...I guess you don’t believe in coincidences but you believe in Karma. That doesn’t make a lot of sense. I am 100% positive that karma will get the people who don’t support cc. Both Chris and Darren have both denied a relationship and neither has ever suggested any of it is true). 

“We all know how terrible keeping a secret can feel. Secrets are like parasites, the longer you keep them inside you, the more damage they cause.”

The longer D is force to stay closeted, the more damage it does to him.

“If we had had everything we wanted then, we might never have found what we needed now.”

This to me feels like C is actually a little bit thankful for the bumps in the road. He’s trying to look on the bright side. If things had always been easy for them, they might have taken it for granted. Everything they’ve been through has only made them stronger. If they can get through all of this shit alive, they can make it through absolutely anything. (What twisted mind writes crisscolfer so that Darren’s life is a living hell with literally nobody to trust or on his side except his one true love and his mommy and daddy but also Chris is happy to have been put through the “bumps” in the road? ) 

“She dreamed the fairy was repeatedly knocked to the ground by a ferocious monster in a fur coat and snowflake crown.”

The ferocious monster in a fur coat? Makes me think of another monster that wears a fur coat. Shade. (Chris is a vindictive dick when he writes?)

“You can stop pretending, Brystal. I know you’re aware of much more than you’re letting on.”

C knows that we know. He’s not living under a rock. (yes, this is exactly the kind of sentence anyone would add to make sure your fandom knows that you are on to them.  I agree- Chris is sending you messages of support because though all of this, he’s worried about you). 

“I don’t know about you guys, but I refuse to sit back and let a frosty old witch take Madame Weatherberry away from us.”

Frosty old witch= Obviously M (wait I thought Mia was the monster in a fur coat and crown? She can’t be all the villians) 

“Do you guys know what your love languages are? Mine is quality time. It used to be physical touch, but that wasn’t working very well, so I had to change it. People are so picky about personal space and–”

C cherishes any quality time that he gets to have with D, since it’s not always available. (I can’t.... the 5 love languages are specific and about how you communicate with other people. You don’t pick a love language based on what is going on in your life.) 

“Sometimes good people do bad things for the right reasons.”

I have this bookmarked, along with some other passages about the Snow Queen / Mrs. Weatherberry. I know that there’s /some/ significance around this, but I haven’t fully figured out exactly what all it symbolizes. I have a few ideas, but nothing really seems to line up completely to me. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it at some point! (The significance is that Brystal has to made a tough decision to do something that at first glance is reprehensible but is much more complicated than that. Sometimes- like in war- people do bad things for the right reason)  

I think those are the big things that I’ve bookmarked. There’s so much more I could talk about, but I’m afraid it would start to not make any sense if I just started rambling, so I decided to go off of passages from the book and my thoughts on why I think they’re significant or tie into C C.

You can feel free to just keep this for yourself, or post it at a later date, or take pieces parts to post. Whatever you want!

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ajw adds:  know I’ve been really bad about posting on the book. I saved this submission because I thought it was brilliant and a lot of great insights.

My opinion on the Madame W/Horence/Ice Queen? C is Madame W/Ice Queen and D is Horence. I too thought frosty old queen at first referred to m. But once the twist was revealed I’m convinced it’s c and his dual personality like the twins. He is a Gemini as he likes to remind us. It’s his struggle between being happy with the love he was blessed with and his desire to destroy for the people that have so gravely hurt them.

The quote above to think about most.

Sometimes good people do bad things for the right reasons

That’s him talking about their Pr life and I’d guess directly addressing the fraud in NOLA. He’s believed in d and he wants us to believe in him too.  (No, it is just a plot point in a story about “good and bad” written for kids) 

[imaginesbymk]

Petrichor.

03 — BLONDIE.

Jerome Valeska x OC Fanfiction

Gotham x Black Mirror

Cameron Monaghan as Jerome/Jeremiah Valeska

Kaya Scodelario as Kate Linton

[Chapter Index] [Wattpad Link]

DALLAS RECORDS HAD the most worn down store out of the rest connected beside it. Jim was surprised it was still up and running despite how the place looked like it was about to tumble to ashes and dust if someone poked it. The records were old, popular decades hits and even though everyone is a sucker for Elvis or The Beatles, some come and go and never come back to purchase more. They had other ways to listen to music. So why keep Dallas Records?

The sales associate at the cashier didn't enjoy Jim's approach as he was only looking forward to desperately make another sale. "Nah, the last I've seen him was the few days ago before he died, if that's actually what happened to him."

"Did anyone with the name of Teresa Merritt come here? Possibly days before he died? You remember?"

The guy puckered his lips looking away to think. "No. Quite practically, this record store is dead. No one comes in here to buy anything. And speaking of which—"

"I don't wanna buy music, I just need some information, I'm at work."

"Well I'm not gonna be the best at giving you some."

"Why not?"

"Why would I? I never know the names of the customers, that's just fuckin' weird."

Jim had hit another dead end. "Please be one-hundred percent sure you didn't see any woman named Teresa Merritt?"

"I'm positive, Sir. I can give you the surveillance tapes of the previous days if that will do much. But if anything, that name to me sounds fake. I know some people at bars fake names like how they fake IDs. Now are you gonna buy anything? My break's in five."

Hesitantly but rather going for it anyway, Jim pulls out a record of The Supremes and puts it on the counter.

The swing of the door made the bell on top jingle. As if the world had turned upside down, a young woman stepped in, shivering a bit from the outdoors. Her pointy nose was red due to the frigid weather and it contrasted the pale skin that gave out her face and blue eyes. She lets out a huff. "I hate winter."

Jim and the associate turned their direction to the woman. Jim looked at her carefully and puts two and two together—

"WAIT A MINUTE!" Jerome sat up from the bean bag. "So it was you! Or at least a suspect! You just had blonde hair at that time and came up with a name!"

"Do I look blonde to you all of a sudden?"

"A wig. You were wearing a wig."

"Like I said, if it was me then my DNA would have been on Dallas Edman. But he died lying on his couch, no trace. Now can I continue?"

"I DON'T GO TO SIRENS," the woman said. "It's bad enough one of the owners went to Arkham."

"That's not a reasonable excuse. Anyone would go in." The interrogation room was far from comfortable. Anyone could feel the invasion and the one lit bulb on top of the desk used by so many people.

"But not me. I'm not even of age to drink yet, anyway. The bouncer wouldn't let me in. You have the wrong girl. My name's not Teresa Merritt, it's Kali Belle."

"I'm not an idiot. Let's see some ID." The woman pulled out her wallet from her trench coat and hands it to Jim. This was such a waste of time if this woman was telling the truth.

Jim read it carefully but was completely baffled. Kali Belle. "This is a fake," he said. "You are Teresa Merritt.

"No, Sir. I'm 19, I wouldn't be allowed in the club. Besides I'm sure everyone in this world has a twin living on the other side of where they're at, so clearly mine would be roaming somewhere here in Gotham."

"It's not her," the bartender stood on the one way interrogation mirror. His arms were crossed, his head was shaking ever so lightly, disappointed but surprised that the girl shared the exact same face. "I don't know how it can't be her, though."

"That's what I was saying," Harvey said next to him. "It doesn't add up. The facial description, the—"

"Age and hair colour," the bartender finishes. Jim walked out of the questioning as soon as he was done and he heads to the other side.

"Anything?" Harvey asks.

Jim shook his head. "The ID isn't a fake. At least it doesn't look like a fake."

Defeated, Harvey heads toward the door.

"And where are you going?" Jim said.

"Lunch is calling," and the door shuts.

Jim felt stuck as well. He was about to follow Harvey to grab a sandwich when the bartender spoke up. "I forgot to mention, Teresa Merritt is British. That girl we're looking at right there did not sound at all British."

"I'm convinced, but I wish it was her because this case is reaching dead ends."

"Keep her noted," the bartender replied quickly.

"I'm sorry?"

The bartender stared ahead through the one way mirror, staring so cautiously at Kali Belle. "I mean, she's still a suspect, might as well."

Jim blinked. "Noted."

Once Kali Belle was released from the precinct, she was still yet to deliver her information to the captain. As before, Jim looked at her like she had six heads.

"What?" she said, bold enough to be annoyed in her tone of voice towards someone superior.

"I don't get it. How are you not Teresa Merritt?"

"If I ever see a woman with the same face as me, I'll let you know ASAP. It's not like I wouldn't say anything, 'cause obviously you and the GCPD would still be on my ass for it just because I look like her. You guys don't even have a photo of her but will use mine?"

Jim doesn't say anything but averted his eyes towards the exit of the building where she was finally let go. Kali Belle disappeared from eyesight.

"I KNOW IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE NOW, but it will later on," Kate carelessly tosses the paintbrush into the jar, sending some excess black paint from the bristles flying away.

"What?" Jerome lifts himself halfway from the bean bag. "You just wasted my time, then."

Kate hops off the stool and checks the clock. "Recess is over." And without even waiting or glancing back for him to catch up, Kate walks out of the playroom, Jerome having no idea where she was going or what she was planning on doing at this time.

But as the kind of annoying person he was to her, he followed her down the old hallways of the asylum.

"But what happens to Kali Belle? Does Kali have a twin? Does she end up killing someone? Is that bartender the killer?"

"I'll tell you to rest of the story another time," Kate waves her hand trying to shoo him away.

"Aw, come on!" Jerome walks a bit faster as soon as Kate did.

"So you are interested in the story, huh?" Kate smirks a bit to herself, taking a right turn.

"Got me hooked up like a fish out of water," Jerome was now behind her by a footstep. "You said this story would help me open up my mind. That means answers. I always get answers, why do you think math exists? It's everywhere you go."

Kate chuckles under her breath. "Soon you'll be able to do the math. I have my ways. But you'll probably be uninterested."

"What makes you say that?" Jerome rests his hands behind his back while walking. What did she even mean by that?

Kate scrunches up her nose. "Who likes math?"

Jerome made a face. "I know a person." He averted his gaze to Kate who just kept walking. "Oh come on! You're being annoying."

"No, you're being annoying." Kate rolls her eyes. "You weren't so interested before and even said I wasted your time so I'm not gonna tell much of it now."

"But there's cliffhangers," Jerome scowls. The couple stops at the gateway leading to the cafeteria as soon as the once echoed laughter and childish, maniacal noises from almost every inmate locked inside grew louder. Jerome leaned against the fence while Kate stood before him, not giving in. "Fine, be like that. But I can be very persuasive. It works on everyone," he says menacingly.

That sent no shivers up Kate's spine as nothing of Jerome's scare tactics seemed to get a response from her anyway, if even at all. Instead, she stood on her toes and kisses him. He does it back, pulling her close to the filth of their uniforms.

"Not everyone," Kate sneered in her whisper. He lets go of her when she heads back to her table, pulling out the book 1984 she kept with her and read the bookmarked pages of Winston and Big Brother.

[statusquoergo]

Part II

Louis takes a detour from the celebratory drinking to stop by Dr. Lipschitz’s office and ask him to officiate his wedding. (Since when is he ordained?)

Though he admits that he’ll almost certainly need more therapy in the future, he feels he’s made enormous progress and is “ready to have [Lipschitz] as a friend.” (Not that we couldn’t have figured this out during the whole Paula debacle in Season 7, but for what it’s worth, Suits does not know how psychiatry works. Patients don’t graduate to “friend status” and move up to the next tier of MD for harder therapy or more drugs or whatever; the relationship starts professional and that’s generally how it’s supposed to stay.) Lipschitz puts up a little token resistance and quickly capitulates, which is good news for Louis since the very next scene is his wedding, and if Lipschitz hadn’t agreed, I’m not sure they would’ve been able to find someone to fill in on such short notice.

So the wedding! Louis is predictably decked out in a morning coat and top hat, complete with walking stick, as he freaks out over the fact that Sheila’s sister, the only member of the wedding party other than Harvey, is nowhere to be found, but freaks out more over the fact that Harvey looks better than him, even though he’s wearing “just a regular tux.” Donna pops in to inform Louis that Harvey was trying to distract him to keep him from panicking when she tells him that Sheila’s sister is stuck on the LIE, but never fear, Donna’s filling in. What a convenient opportunity for Harvey and Donna to walk down the aisle so Harvey can casually warn her not to “get any ideas about [them] doing this anytime soon.” (Aren’t they already engaged?) Lipschitz’s ceremony is all about how perfect Louis and Sheila are for one another, naturally, but Sheila has to interrupt when her water breaks; fortunately, Louis “didn’t want to leave anything to chance” and has an ambulance on standby, so they rush the vows, exchange their rings, and hustle off to the hospital ASAP.

Despite the absence of a bride and groom, all the wedding guests decide to…hang out at the venue, not really doing anything. I’m not quite sure what they’re waiting for, but Mike swings by to ask Harvey if there’s been any word from Louis (Harvey doesn’t know, as he would “rather call anybody else about anything else”) and Donna clarifies that the guests are loitering about because “[they] all just don’t know what to do.” (Leave, maybe?) To overcome the weirdness of “[having] nothing to celebrate,” Harvey turns to Donna to declare that “whether [he] knew it or not, [he’s] wanted to marry [her] from the second he met [her],” so how about they get married “right here, right now.”

Seriously what is it with this show and couples insisting they’ve been absolutely perfect for one another right from the start? For one thing, it’s some kind of bullshit retconning, and for another, I don’t know about you, but I have a lot more respect for a couple that’s gone through some stuff together and actively fallen in love over time. The weird thing is that Mike and Rachel, at least, did seem to actually do that, more or less, but then they doubled back in the wedding vows with that whole “from the first second I met you, I knew I wanted to be here with you someday” thing; are couples in Suits-land not allowed to marry unless they’ve always been meant for each other? Is everyone repenting for the original sin of Harvey’s parents’ divorce?

Well, anyway, Donna blusters that their families aren’t here (including, I assume, that mysterious emotionally manipulative older sister of hers who was brought up once and never again) and she doesn’t have a dress and they don’t have rings, and Harvey says that they can do it again for their families but he’s “wasted too much time” and “[doesn’t] want to waste another second.” The dress she’s wearing now is actually quite pretty, and Harvey already has the ring his mother mailed him (and she “can find one for [him],” somehow, which she does, with zero explanation), so she agrees, and he announces to this group of mostly strangers that “[he and Donna] are getting married.” Mike would offer to officiate “but [he’s] not licensed, and [he] just [doesn’t] think they want to open up that can of worms again” and I think this horse has been beaten to death quite enough, so if we could just move along to any other form of humor, that would be great. (Although speaking of licenses, Harvey and Donna don’t have one, so I get that this is supposed to be spontaneous and romantic and everything, but as for that whole “I now pronounce you man and wife” bit… That’s really more wishful thinking than, like. Reality.)

Louis and Sheila finally arrive at the hospital only to learn that there aren’t any rooms available at the moment, but that’s fine because totally out of nowhere and after about three seconds of hands-off observation, the doctors have determined that “there are some complications” and they need Louis’s permission to get her into surgery absolutely right now. He gives it, of course, and man, if I thought this show went out of its way to manufacture tension before, this a whole new level. This is a new building altogether, this is an entire fucking tension estate.

Over a montage of Louis in distress (in a hospital that seems weirdly vacant to “[not] have any rooms at the moment”), Harvey, standing on the dais sans any form of wedding party whatsoever even though Mike is right there, makes a truly morbid little speech about loss and death before turning to Donna and telling her “[he] kept [his] feelings inside for so long because [he] was afraid. But when [he] finally got good news, that's when [he] knew [she was his] everything.” (Ignoring the repetition of that bullshit about keeping his true feelings inside, I would hardly call Robert’s disbarment “good news”; in fact, at the time, Harvey specifically said that “losing Robert kind of takes the charm off the victory” [s08e16].) Donna responds over another hospital montage by further contemplating on mortality, and the fact that people search for love from the moment they’re born, in a speech that sounds like it was written with Louis’s situation in mind a lot more than hers and Harvey’s and that wraps up just in time for a remarkably put-together doctor to show up in the (suspiciously empty) room Louis is pacing to inform him that “both mother and daughter are doing fine.” Well, I guess those complications weren’t too complicated after all, whatever the hell they were. Donna concludes her vows by telling Harvey that he makes her happy; in fact, “without [him, she’s] empty,” and like I get that they’re gunning it with the whole “meant to be together forever” angle, but for god’s sake, this isn’t a soulmate AU, these people need to be able to function on their own and they need to be free to have lives separate from one another.

For some reason, Lipschitz uses their full names in leading the vows, which isn’t a big deal but seems weird to me and kind of reinforces the fact that Lipschitz doesn’t exactly know them and might not be the best choice for their officiant; anyway as soon as that’s taken care of, Robert announces that “to add to the good news, [he] just heard from Louis” that “he’s the proud father of a beautiful baby girl.” I’m not sure whether to be more annoyed at Robert for checking his messages literally in the middle of the wedding or confused that he’s the one Louis chose to notify, but no matter; Donna and Harvey will go see Louis later, “but right now, [Harvey wants] to dance with [his] wife,” which they do as everyone else hangs around and watches this couple they probably don’t know and it’s totally not awkward at all.

Sheila’s “still in recovery,” but a nurse brings the baby out to whatever room Louis is chilling in just in time for Harvey and Donna to show up and congratulate him. Oh and incidentally they’re moving to Seattle to work with Mike and Rachel, which is how Harvey got rid of Faye. (Alright, not Iceland, but I was close.) Louis panics that Harvey’s “never wanted to play in the B leagues,” but Harvey, in a massively delayed response to Mike’s accusation that he’s lost himself, explains that “if there’s one thing Faye did for [him], it’s remind [him] of who [he is].” Specifically that he “[likes] crossing lines” and “playing in the grey,” and I’m not totally clear on how he did this, but apparently “Mike showed [him he wants] to do it for the good guys for a change.” Louis still isn’t ready to let them go, but Donna, who seems to have somehow gotten it into her head that this entire series has secretly been about Louis’s journey of self-discovery all along, says that while “[they’d] be there for as long as [he] needed [them, he doesn’t] need [them] anymore. And no matter where [they] are, [they’ll] always be [his] family.” They wrap it all up with a group hug, because apparently that’s a thing Harvey does now.

The next day, Samantha calls Robert to inform him that her new office is Faye’s old office, which is actually Robert’s old office; he congratulates her, and intentional or not, this really doubles down on the whole Samantha-as-Harvey parallel, being that Robert’s old office is actually Mike’s old office, which is actually Harvey’s old office. Then Louis comes in to ask her to “be [his] Harvey,” and she can’t do that but “[she] can be [his] Samantha,” so maybe it’s not so much Samantha-as-Harvey as it is Samantha replacing Harvey, which feels…less fun. She does make Louis promise not to change the firm’s name for at least five years, though, so I’ve gotta give her props for that. Then Donna finds Harvey looking out over the bullpen and contemplating that this is where it all started, but yes he’s sure he wants to go through with it, which is good “‘cause [his] new boss called” and he “wants to have a word.”

Alright, here we go. Mike is waiting in Harvey’s office, looking out the window in a very Harvey-esque pose as the man himself arrives to enquire as to what Mike is still doing there. Mike replies that though Harvey “may be moving to Seattle, [he doesn’t] have a job yet,” and if Mike doesn’t interview him, “how [is he] gonna know what [he’s] getting?” Harvey flubs the first line by saying that Mike is getting “a guy who doesn’t like to hang out with people that aren’t that bright” (rather than “a guy who likes to hang out” with such people), but they carry on with a very sweet recreation of the pilot interview, right up until the point that Harvey admits that if Mike quizzed him from the Barbri handbook, “[he] wouldn’t know a thing.” Though Harvey neglected to bring “a briefcase full of weed,” he does “know a guy,” and Mike hires him on the spot; Harvey turns down his invitation to “go see [the coffee cart guy] for old times’ sake,” but he promises to “school those Harvard douches, and become the best lawyer [Mike’s] ever seen,” and Mike will take that but “[he’s] got to lose the fat tie.” Though I’m furious that we were denied a hug in favor of a fist bump, this is still super cute, especially if I don’t dwell on what it means that even after all this time, Harvey remembers their very first conversation (almost) verbatim.

Tying up the last remaining loose ends, Louis, Alex, and Samantha summon Katrina to Louis’s office to offer her a name partnership because “if it weren’t for [her], none of [them] would be [there] right now,” and also the firm’s new name is already up on the wall and Louis “agreed not to change it again for five years” and “got [her] new business cards” so her refusal “would be a really big pain in the ass,” and I mean how does a person say no to a request like that?

Donna finds Harvey in his office and asks if he’s ready to go home, but he needs a little more time to reflect before the place gets packed up tomorrow; she starts to leave, but he calls her back to tell her that he “couldn’t have done any of this without [her].” “Any of what?” she asks, which sounds to me like fishing, but he obliges by replying: “Everything.” There you have it, Donna’s been the glue holding the team together all along. Anyway she meets Louis at the elevators and they ride down together holding hands, which, intentional or not, is a nice last little Lonna shout out.

The episode ends with a series of flashbacks presented in nothing even approaching chronological order, closing out with “Life is like this. And I like this” (Marvey), Mike walking out of Danbury as Rachel gets out of the car to meet him (Machel), and Harvey and Donna hooking up at the end of Season 8 (Darvey), so that’s a fairly respectful acknowledgment of the fanbase, if you look at it through the right lens. The very last shot is Harvey walking to the elevators, smashing to a title card that reads: “Dedicated to The Suits Family” (I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely the weird cousin), and…ta da! Congratulations, we made it to the end of the series!

Hooray!

[adentincrime]

@gothamdad​ said: “I’m not going to leave you.”

“Visiting hours are over, Mr. Wayne — or is this the part where you tell me you bought the whole hospital when I wasn’t looking?”

     It took Harvey a moment to realize that, given his condition and the circumstances that led to it, Bruce might have mistaken what was typically playful sarcasm for genuine bitterness. So he smiled and let out a brief, raspy chuckle in hopes that would be enough to reassure the other man that he meant no harm, all the while doing his best to ignore the way his lips tugged against the sticky layer of gauze that covered the other half of his mouth.

     What was left of it, anyway.

     They both knew that nobody was going to question his after-hours presence, much less throw him out. Just one of the many perks of everybody knowing who you are and how much you’re worth, Harvey supposed. And it wasn’t that he was ungrateful for his friend’s vigilance ( though he’d be lying if he didn’t find it a little unsettling how Bruce always seemed to be there when Harvey came to, no matter the time of day ), it’s just that, well, he didn’t want Bruce seeing him like this. He didn’t want anyone to see him like this.

     The only reason Harvey hesitated to turn Bruce away — because there were about a billion better things he could be doing than watch a guy take a morphine-induced nap — was because he’d gotten the sense that these visits were more for Bruce than they were for him. He didn’t know how to explain it exactly, but it was in the way Bruce looked at him. Or rather, the way he didn’t; it wasn’t pity, because that would have definitely gotten his name crossed off the visitors list, but if Harvey had to call it something, he’d say it was guilt.

     Which was strange, because Bruce had nothing to feel guilty about.

“Well, since you’re still here, maybe you can do me a favor.” Harvey gave Bruce another lopsided smile — the only kind of smile he’ll be able to make from now on — as he shifted uncomfortably against the paper gown he wore and the disposable sheets he was lying on top of. “How, um — how bad is it? There — there aren’t any mirrors in here, so I don’t, uh — I don’t know. The doctors, they won’t... say.”

     That wasn’t exactly true: they had told him, and they’d even had the brilliant idea to show him — and Harvey reacted so violently that it had taken four people hold him down just so he could be sedated. At least, that’s what he'd been told the last time he asked somebody wearing a white lab coat about the state of his face.

     ‘Told,’ because Harvey didn’t remember any of it.

     Why didn’t he remember?

“... It must be pretty bad, then, huh?” Harvey said softly, his smile becoming tight.

[optimisticcritique]

Gotham 4x17 - Review

The season is getting close to the end, things are about to get crazy(er). Let’s see what crazy stuff happens this week. Tagging characters that I mainly focus on in the review. Sorry if it is kind of long.

Getting right into the action! Go get him Bruce!

How did Jerome have time to get dressed, meet back up with Scarecrow, release Tetch, and send Tetch to hypnotize the guy before Bruce got there? He wasn’t that far behind Jerome. No GPS? Was he stuck in traffic? Maybe Tetch hypnotized his way through the traffic to get there first. I mean, that’s what I would do if I could hypnotize people.

Xander…yeah, seeing spoilers, I predict this is Jerome’s twin brother, right? This is the one time I wish I hadn’t seen spoilers, no big reveal.  

Oh boy, he has a bomb. Duck and cover!

See, now Jim and Harvey aren’t that far behind Bruce. Did they take the short cut?

Bruce trying to help the guy. I love it but I don’t know if it’ll work.

Question: Why did Tetch hypnotize the guy to trigger the bomb by a clock? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have him press it on like a key phrase (like “if someone asks you about Jerome/Xander, press it”) so that Bruce couldn’t have time to jump away? Or was killing Bruce (or anyone else) not the intention?

Shooting the clock! Quick thinking. Learning tricks from being a Tetch survivor.

Aaand he has a watch. Of course he does. Well, at least you tried.

Wait, it’s the dinner already? That happened fast. How did Jerome get them all together? How did he contact Oswald and Oswald just agreed? Did it take some time or was he reluctant at first? Were they all agreeable at first? Did he threaten them? Bribe them with free food?

This is the villain dinner I always wished for…if you had told me we would have all these villains together in one place seasons ago, I would have been floored. I probably would have freaked out, running down the street while yelling “Yessss! Bring me all the villains! A few years can’t come fast enough!!!!” as all the neighborhoods stare at me.

I love villains interacting. I also love seeing characters that have been previously introduced, having scenes with one another that they have never shared scenes with before. It’s the individual character build up and mixture of personalities.  

The only thing missing from this wonderful dinner is Ed :( I guess The Riddler isn’t considered “freak” enough for them…

“Put all questions on ice until the end” Awe the ice puns. Well great, now I want to know what Victor’s question was going to be. I do love how he just raises his hand, like he’s in school and trying not to interrupt the teacher.

“Mr. Oswald” lol well, that’s an interesting choice. I would have thought he would call Oswald by his Penguin name. Really gives me Ed flashbacks to “Mr. Penguin”, which is fun.

Oh Oswald looks just…I have no words. What a fashion icon. I love his fur coat and hair. Real perfection. Fish would be so proud!  One of these days, I really want to see him doing his hair in an actual scene, instead of being off screen. I’m curious how long he spends on it.  

This is Sofia’s old place that Oswald took over XD Wait, Oswald hosted? Option A: Jerome barged into the house and just told Oswald that they are having it there or Option B: Oswald wants to seem supportive, just so he can be involved and know what is coming for his city. Me: Probably both.  

“Anything for a friend” pfft uh huh. I bet. He is probably planning a back stab or just waiting for Jerome to fail.

Got to say, I wasn’t sure about the new scarecrow actor but he’s pretty good. His facial expressions are dead on.

Yeah, Oz doesn’t seem very keen on these plans. His facial reactions say it all.

He’s probably thinking either “What I have I gotten myself into” or “I should have made more food”  

Alfred!!! Where have you been? Been partying? Taking a spa day for a couple of episodes?

Jim, no! Let Bruce do his thing! Sure, he could potentially die horribly but be reasonable here…

Yeah, Bruce will not take no for an answer. Will Jim change his mind or will Bruce take on a mask again?  

“Maybe he wants him to build him something” You can’t fool us! We all know what he is really after!

Yeah, that woman is probably regretting not calling in sick to work today.

Jerome trying to whistle… it wouldn’t surprise me if that is the only thing he hates about his new stitched up face. Who cares that his face is different…he can’t whistle anymore!!!

“Don’t bother going to security! They are all…headless” Wait, you have a gun. You could shoot them in the heads but not cut off their heads. How are they headless?  

“Drop the gun!” “Oh you are such a stick in mud” Would you have preferred a western style shoot out or for him to just be like “Oh hey Jerome. Go on ahead and do what you do with the gun. Have fun” as he casually walks past you?

Xander knowing Bruce’s father…hmm…

“What time is it?!” Tool-no-Mail-no-Extra time!!! “Riddle time!!!” …that was my next guess.

Wow, everyone is so loving this. I guess this has been going on for quite awhile.

Speaking of which, what did happen between that pier scene and now? Did Oswald and Ed become friends again? Make a deal? Just go their own ways? I feel like there is something missing here.  

Oh, you know Ed is just loving this. This reminds me of that episode back in season one (1x09?), where he is listening to a game show on the radio and answering the questions as he is working. You know that was one of his inspirations for this!

Bet you that brief case has no money even in it. The Riddler is just that cocky.

“The street demons!” Lol the way that he says that! I just love it when he does voices or accents. Pulling out all the stops to make things extra.  

The Riddler totally doesn’t even seem like he cares about what is going on in this guy’s life.

How happy he gets when he hears “Riddler”. Not many people have called him that in the show yet, have they?

“I’ve fallen on hard times but happy to be here with you Riddler” I relate to this on a spiritual level. Ed making my week better <3

Ooh this Lila has the best get up. Please tell me Ed made it himself.

Lars, you are over thinking! Don’t ever over think it!

I would half expect the crowd to give out answers but you just know they want to see people getting tortured.

“Rabid sack of rats” Awe man, I was hoping for the barracuda stapled to the forehead….you know, for curiosity purposes…

“Enough!” Nooooo! Never! Don’t ruin this Lee!

I actually saw an interview right before this episode, with Cory saying the episode will end “hot” and “romantic”. It won’t surprise me if Lee/Ed kiss by the end of this.

Wow Lee, you look stunning. Love the new hair.  Also love Ed’s too.

What’s up with the new hair styles lately though? First we mourn see Jervis and Harvey getting their longer hair cut. Now we see Ed and Lee both have hair cuts, with Oswald serving up a new hairstyle. Did we miss a national “change your hair day” in Gotham or something? Or did one person do it and the rest got jealous so they changed their hair too? Or did the actors all decide to get new hair styles at the same time?

“We put Oswald on ice” you make it sound like you both attempted to kill him or something. The vagueness.

So I guess Ed knows about Sofia. Is he impressed with her doing that or not so because she didn’t finish the job?

“Whatever the hell this is, it’s over” “I don’t think so” I’m just waiting for this to be turned into a reaction gif. Like, people upset about something to Gotham writers and Gotham writers going “I don’t think so” or vice versa.

“And my name…is The Riddler” Awe so we are on this again. So, he still isn’t whole. Funny how he is still saying this to people a season later. Also, Oswald called him Ed…but maybe it is because he called him The Riddler first? Or “because we have history” thing? …Even though he and Lee technically have history too, with working together at the GCPD.

*challenges Ed* First: Lee that is bold and I am impressed with you. Second: Noooo! I knew this was going to happen but I didn’t want it to happen so quickly. We only got to see him have one contestant, who we didn’t even see get tortured. Let Ed/Cory have more fun! Let us have our showman Riddler!

Who is this woman? Just a random character that’ll die this episode or the next?

Umm are you implying Jerome is a dog? ;) Also, isn’t that cage a little bit small to fit Jerome in? I just picture her trying to push and squeeze him into that cage, just barely closing it.

Oswald and Butch reunited again! I kind of missed their…complicated relationship to be honest. They also have a long history, probably knowing each other as long as Oswald knew Fish so I can only imagine what Oswald will think of this new Butch.

Oswald’s eyes when he sees Butch. Yeah, totally unprepared for that.

“I will be honest, I like it…” It’s like when a friend pretends to like your bad hair cut, even when they know it looks bad.

“Just came from brunch with Jerome Valeska…” Oh yeah, that’s a great way to start this. He says it so casually, like it was just an everyday civil affair with food and great conversation. Bet he thought he would never utter those words though XD  

“Seemed to involve a great deal of paint” lol that was totally not the point of that, you forgot to mention the mass crazy Ozzie.

Oswald wearing green gloves with that outfit.

“You must be all out of allies” “Don’t be modest” Yeah, he still has Ed as an ally so he isn’t COMPLETELY out of allies. He has…one….

Again, what happened with Ed and why Butch? Option A: He asked Ed, Ed refused, saying he wanted to do his own thing. Option B: He started to ask Ed, Ed talked about a Riddle factory and he immediately went “yeah, nope. Never mind” Option C: He knows Jerome will want someone who is a “freak” to add to the group. Oswald also wants someone strong (let’s face it, Ed is not) and not easily killed. Butch fits that mark, not Ed. He doesn’t want Ed to get involved with this mess either. Which I think is the most likely. Option Q: Forgetting own writing.

Oh, you just totally made him angry. You won’t like him when he’s angry! …Wait, totally wrong universe and different comics.

Okay, I know you look bad now Butch. But look at the bright side, you’re strong, you’re practically immortal, and-with a good hair dye and spray tan-you could look fairly the same. Think positively!

*pushes Oswald on the floor* Nooo! Don’t ruin the majestic hair and coat! They must be protected at all costs!

I don’t know why but, even though I already love Oswald, this episode has made me love him a million times more… *stares at his hair and coat* Not sure why…

“like a flower” well, that choice of words is threatening but also not.

Oh sure, you only want them involved when you want something. It’s a two way street, Jim. Now you have to let him risk his life and you can’t say a thing.

“I love you” In your own twisted way, I bet.

*does a heart with his hands* Jerome fans: Awe that’s what we do when we see you on screen… :’D

He’s freely letting Harvey and Jim in? No booby traps? It kind of looks like a place that would have traps like that.

Ecco! In the same episode as the riddle factory…Some say this woman would be Harley Quinn because she is devoted to this guy…I kind of doubt it. There is also an Echo who worked with the Riddler (although I think Query was the blonde, not like it matters) The name is spelled wrong so she is most likely a throw away character but…why Ecco? Why use a similar name to tease fans?! Why?!    

“Oh my god, there’s two of them!” Oh Harvey…seriously, this is a Cameron/Jerome fan’s dream right there. Not one but two? Alittle over a season ago one didn’t exist and the other was “dead”.

“Please don’t touch that! That is very sensitive equipment” Yeah, sure looks sensitive to me. Especially the couple of buttons that turns it on.

Jerome doing yoga because why not?

Him waving right when Jim sees… o_o It’s like he knew…  

How much you want to bet that someone followed Jerome? If Firefly followed to the office, you can bet he didn’t go see Ecco on his own. It’s the only way I can see him getting out of there.

“She thinks stapling a live barracuda to someone’s head isn’t damn good entertainment” The nerve! Wait…did he just say “damn good”? Has he ever said that word before? :O But your fake swearing was so pure, what has the world done to you?!

I think it is interesting that he only puts his hat on when he speaks a riddle.

I’m not going to even attempt these riddles. I suck at logic.

Scenes like this make me wonder if we will ever get a “whole” Ed or just get this Riddler from now on.

Wow. Who knew the Riddler was so upset about all this?

Lee’s face…yup, she got what she wanted. Smart cookie right there.

The Riddler totally played himself.

Haha! Called it! Knew he would be followed. Don’t underestimate him.

“If I knew this thing was a 100 acres, I would have stopped and had a sandwich before we came” Harvey, you are so relatable. I don’t blame you. My ship of Harvey + food continues to sail. The ship I can always count on <3

“The End” Wait, is the episode over? Is this where the story ends?

Wow, the acting right here is so good. I keep forgetting both Jerome and Jeremiah are both Cameron.

“His bearded sidekick” Hey! He has a name and thy name is Harvey!

“Born bad” that’s lousy reasoning.

Ooh so he lied? Well, this intrigues me. I am so skeptical of this guy. I just know there is more to him than meets the eye. I don’t believe this facade!

“You killed our mother” “She did deserve it though” Lol no care whatsoever. Again with the lousy reasoning.

“Listen to what I have to say” “Oh hell no! You are not hypnotizing me again!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!” *Jervis and Jonathan run for their dear lives as Harvey charges towards them* ….LOL Oh my god. Harvey, you are a blessing to this world. Most iconic moment. He is so done with Jervis. The way he just let out a war cry, causing the duo to flee is just…it’s beautiful. I’m dying. I will never be over this. Favorite part of the episode. Batman should take notes.

Jim being like “Welp, okay then” as he follows Harvey.

Just imagine Harvey chasing them all around the maze, with the video sped up and silly music playing. Or slowed down with suspenseful music playing. 

“Must go! Must go! They’re after me and the Scarecrow!” Oh my god I love this so much. I am going to put this on a loop forever.

I love how Jonathan doesn’t even try spraying or anything. He just follows Jervis wherever he goes. I am loving this duo.  

Jerome watching them run off like “whatever”.

*can still hear Harvey screaming* Me: *is dead*

*kisses Jeremiah’s head as he flees* Awe brother love…nothing like wanting your sibling dead and in misery one minute and kissing him in the next.

Whoa. That disappearance happened fast. Did he find a prototype invisible jet or something? Or did Jervis just have the car right outside the door, Jerome leapt in, and they drove away as fast as possible? Scratch that, they are totally hiding on the side of that building, shushing and tip toeing away.

The Riddler being all cocky and smug. Yeah, you probably won’t be feeling this way in a few minutes…

Hey, even I know this riddle! Oh, I see what you are doing there Lee.

It’s simple Ed. Just look at the audience as you say “I love you”. There you go!

Wow, he is pushing Ed back so much that he risks losing in front of an entire crowd.

Lee outsmarting him, good on Lee but sucks for the riddle factory :( I feel robbed.

A little bit late but I’d like to imagine Ed making all of these props himself. Cutting out a giant wheel, painting it, sticking two giant beakers together…

Wait, Oswald knows how to reverse it? Will it actually work though? I kind of feel like it would be a bummer to get rid of Grundy after all this…

Hugo Strange! Of course it’s Hugo. If it is monster related, it’s always Hugo lol

Yay! Oswald and Butch team up once more!

Poor Ed losing his riddle factory. A loss for us all :’(

“they didn’t come here because they love you, Ed” Wow, that’s harsh.  

“Because I know what you really want…” Validation? Wait, no… Lee:  *pulls out the glitter suit from thin air* The Riddler: :’D You found it! I thought I lost it!

Knife to the neck! Always going for the neck.

Oh, they are totally going to go on a robbing spree. Does Lee really need the money? Or is this also a way to appeal to The Riddler to get him back on her side?

….

I am reserving any specific opinion/judgement on this situation until I see more of it. But I definitely see some manipulation at play here. The question is, is it just one or both manipulating? I am actually a bit surprised Lee would play this card.

Oh, I can just imagine reactions from others. Jim, Harvey, Oswald, Butch, Barbara…they all have a decent history with both of them.

The music is the same music that played when Ed killed Kristen. Hmm…This does not bode well. It never does for Ed and anyone he is involved with.

“I don’t know. I thought it already was” Oh, you have no idea how mad this city can get Harvey…you don’t even technically have the Joker yet.

No! Not Carl! We hardly knew thee. Justice for Carl!!! 

*Jerome punches Grundy’s shoulder, shakes hand* Parallel to when Ed high fived him and did the same thing. Probably like hitting a brick wall.

Joker toxin!!!

The Jervis reaction XD Like, he knew the plan right? He looks so shocked.

Everyone’s reactions emoticon style: Jervis: 😮Jonathan: 😬  Jerome: 😆  Bridgit: 🙂 Victor: 😏 Butch: 😕Oswald: 🐧  

Oh god that looks painful. Looks like the “fun” is about to begin.

Man, if Jerome does end up dying, I won’t know how to feel. Jeremiah intrigues me and I think he will eventually grow on me but...he doesn’t have the same history that Jerome has with the characters. Why even have the twin twist? ...I guess I’ll just have to wait to see how it all plays out before deciding what I think. I will say, at least Cameron will still be playing him so it isn’t gypping him from the role.

Over all: Good episode. I felt like some of it was a bit fast paced. I was a bit surprised by how quickly the dinner began, Jerome got his info, the riddle factory ended…that being said, some good villain interaction and Harvey being amazing. The legion of horribles succeed in finding Jerome’s twin brother Jeremiah, the GCPD to put Jeremiah in protective custody, the Joker toxin has been created, Ed/Lee kiss while deciding to go rob banks, and Oswald recruits Butch in promising he could reverse his condition by finding Hugo Strange.

Previous Review: 4x16  Next: 4x18

[takingtea-and-tellingtales]

thoughts while re-watching ep. 2x12 of Gotham

*ice puns intensify*

wow harvey, interrogating jim gordon at this trial is a little two-faced of you (i will never stop)

drink for “someone tries to say ‘oswald cobblepot’ and with gravitas” 

(and then drink like nine more times for the rest of the scene)

i watched a crack-vid that played “love crime” from the finale of Hannibal over Jim and Oswald killing Galavan and now I can’t unhear it???? i also can’t find it again to leave a link here???? 

“detective, did you have anything to do with the murder of theo galavan?” “what? no. what? who’s galavan. never heard of him. is it hot in here? maybe you killed him, didja ever think of that???” BE A BETTER LIAR, JAMES

prosecutor voice: “jim gordon, is there perhaps a small shaky mobster being tortured in arkham for a crime YOU committed?” (yeah, yeah, oswald has committed upwards of 50 murders at this point i’m AWARE but he didn’t do this one)

okay, friends, let’s TALK about SOME THINGS: 

(1) I SEE YOU, JOKER-CULT SPRAY PAINT

CALLED. OUT. 

(2) This:

i should clarify. i know i’m generally very excited about pretty much everything oswald wears because he is STYLISH AF at all times. but this is different. everyone get out your shipper goggles and strap in, this is going to be a ride...

these are not oswald’s clothes. 

i know this for a few reasons

(1) oswald is a much better dresser than this

(2) oswald is a much less practical dresser than this

(3) that coat is too big for him

(i know this because @tigerinkangel and i spent way way way too long looking at the few shots of oswald in this coat in the episode and we determined that the coat is made for someone taller and with broader shoulders... gee. who was oswald just staying with who is taller and has broader shoulders? i wonder.)

these are ed’s clothes 

ed has given oswald not just a coat but THREE LAYERS OF CLOTHES so he DOESN’T GET COLD including a little checked scarf (that surely would match ed’s fab red coat from later this season) and a knitted toque (a hat for all you non-Canadians) 

this is PRECIOUS

i want you all to image how this went down:

“i have to go, ed, they’ll find me and you’ll get into trouble too”

“where will you go?”

“just lay low for a while”

“where?”

“around”

“you’re going to be cold and, frankly, recognizable in that getup” 

“i can’t exactly go back home and change now, can i?”

“well then you’ll take some of my clothes”

“your clothes?” 

“yes. i think i have some sweaters...” 

*cut of ed forcing ugly knit sweaters over oswald’s head as the grumpy little murder-bird complains the whole damn time*

*cut to ed making sure he has a walking stick because the umbrella is a dead giveaway but he needs something for his leg*

*smash-cut to me being trash. oh wait. that’s all the time.”

alright. rant kind of over for now. 

i am HERE FOR the moment in the lab where Ed has the police scanner running and he hears news of Oswald and drops the thing (tooth?) he is holding in his tweezers and stares at the radio. I AM HERE FOR IT. 

i’m slightly less here for butch’s drill-bit arm though it does give him a nice bond-villain vibe

otp: strangely enough i am kind of fond of you 

(Tabitha is me trying to flirt: “you don’t suck i guess whatever”)

come on, Mr. Fries, be cool 

chill out, Mr. Fries, no need for such a... frosty reception 

Harvey Bullock saying “you don’t deserve these lips” is now my preferred method of rejection

“froze her?” “told you it was weird” - oh my sweet summer child you don’t even KNOW how weird this is going to get

(when will there be live penguins wearing tiny rockets you cowards?????)

okay there’s a ton to unpack in this ed-explains-the-roses-and-liquid-nitrogen scene but i’m not going to unpack any of it because i spend a whole chapter doing that in my very long fanfic and i don’t want to spoil it for y’all... i promise it’s super extra, though, and very shippy. you’re welcome. 

i will, however, take a tiny moment to FREAK OUT about ed shattering the rose and saying “i don’t like being called names, detective” through gritted teeth because DAMN that’s a good moment

also harvey looking at ed in this scene is harvey staring into the void and the void staring back - i like to think he saw the riddler in that moment. i just really love it it’s super powerful okay??? 

jim: “what is your relationship with oswald cobblepot?” ed: “i believe the kids today refer to it as “endgame”? i admit the terminology is a little fuzzy...”

(i’m not sorry)

“saying the word ‘Cobblepot’ with gravitas: Ed Nygma edition” 

penguin looks so tiny being dragged through the GCPD bullpen in a coat that’s too big for him. 

also ed watching oswald get thrown in the holding cell #hearteyes

i LOVE this interrogation scene. oswald is beat up, cold, arrested, wearing borrowed clothes and he still has all the power in the scene. 

HOWEVER - why does he cover for jim, here? honest question. is he still kinda infatuated with jim? his he hoping this will pay off in the long run? what’s his game here? 

victor, your research is cold comfort in this hard time of illness (#i’llneverstop)

dear victor, being able to freeze someone without bringing them back is just murdering them more slowly. delayed-murder. 

hey it’s me, shipper trash, back again to talk about the scene where ed and oswald chat through the bars of the holding cell. 

first - the overhead shot of ed pretending to look through files and oswald sitting in the cell is awesome. just... awesome

“you doing okay? you look kind of funky” - ED STAHP he’s the head of the gotham mob - ugh he’s too cute i mean, normal things. i’m fine

sub-point: oswald’s tiny smile and laugh tell me that my above freakout is also his internal monologue

ed just wants to helpppppp they LOVE EACH OTHER (i’m FINE)

i wish we had a scene of ed leaving flowers on Gertrud’s grave that would have been nice i think

gee, i wish ed had gone to visit ed in Arkham so i didn’t have to write 100k of fanfic fixing that (jokes, i loved writing it)

Lucius Fox explaining cryogenics to Harvey is the epitome of patience. he is a better soul than any in Arkham

oh this scene in Arkham is so cringey i feel so bad for oswald (yes i know he killed lots of people just let me be sad about this)

“my name is oswald cobblepot” is gotham’s “harriet jones, prime minister”

*dalek voice* “we. know. who. you. are.”

Victor’s a cool customer in this tense lab experiment. #i’mhilarious

i’m having Fringe flashbacks watching this body melt and not in a good way

any fellow Fringe fans out there? yes? no? 

why the hell isn’t there a refill order on Nora’s medication? how did that happen? 

Alright let’s take a moment to appreciate the hell out of BD Wong as Hugo Strange because holy shit he knocks it out of the park. 

remember how i said earlier that oswald still has all the power in the scene with barnes? yeah this scene where he shakes hands with strange you can just see all the power gather around strange like - i was immediately genuinely afraid for oswald’s safety

he’s got to stand toe-to-toe with the worst of the worst in gotham and still have the upper hand and his presence on screen makes that happen from moment 1

those pink glasses are awesome and i love them 

i really like Mr. Freeze’s homemade outfit it’s adorable 

why is Freeze bothering to hide the bodies at this point? like he really should just run - he has the meds and doesn’t need the bodies

back to BD Wong because i love him

he’s so creepy i love the way he chuckles through the word “yes” 

he’s just got this low, rumbling voice - never yelling, never talking faster - that you absolutely have to listen to whenever he talks. such a great contrast to ozzie’s scream-crying 

oswald’s freckles are very cute in this scene which is a weird thing to focus on i realize but we don’t really see them much in other scenes and they are cute

the little power-play with the tea cup - i love it. oswald pouring tea for himself, hugo taking it away. so. much. intensity. and. passive. aggression. i. love. it. 

now, after all this time, nora finds the murder-basement - freaks out, then just sits there staring at the body. 

harvey and jim arguing over the name is pure though i love them they are absolute disasters. 

while conceptually i’m aware i’m supposed to be invested in victor fries as a character i’m just not - it was a good call to push him mostly to the background after this. 

jfc the guy in arkham gouging out his own eyes i forgot about that. did i mention i LOVE all the arkham plots it is my favourite setting in gotham 

ed doing a little crouch to check for the missing dead body under the table then just going “huh” is like... peak gotham. ed’s got the hang of this city 

“also seems to have had a rather unhealthy relationship with his deceased mother” - hugo strange, not afraid to tell the truth we all try not to talk about

everytime the newspapers give someone a nickname i headcanon it’s valerie vale, living her best life, naming literally every batman villain 

... alright folks i know it’s been a year since i finished one of these but i’m back at it on the regular now so, stay tuned if you enjoy this sort of nonsense. 

[sunlitroom]

Gotham, s4e01 – Pax Penguina

As I watched it, and some random observations here and there.

Previously on Gotham.

the Tetch virus was released - enabling lots of people to be ooc all at once.  We had general bedlam.  We had Ra’s.  Bruce killed Alfred. Oswald forgot all his own backstory and talked about the one time love weakened him.  Ed got iced. Bruce was an ass to Selina for no good reason except to enable her to turn to Tabitha.  We are reminded of that poor, poor Crane boy.  Bruce decides to find himself, and finds himself mostly brooding on building ledges

As always, long post will be long - monstrously long.  There are likely to be rambling digressions. Gobblepot will appear – because the Gods have chosen to bless us this week (although I welcome all shippers and non-shippers alike :)). There will be naked favouritism and naked not-favouritism.  Broader comments at the end on plotlines and parallels and general direction.

We open with more moody ledge standing from Bruce, staring down at the city.

Now – seriously: Is there some reason all these well-off couples in Gotham insist on wandering down the fucking dodgiest alleys ever seen?

Bruce spots their inevitable mugging taking place, and leaps into action - complete with an experimental gravelly voice.  Maybe it's be less recognisable if he went for an accent instead of hiding the actual tone.  Southern Batman.  French Batman. Dutch Batman.

Fighting happens. Bruce is wearing a beautifully tailored coat.  Bruce bests them.  The mugger says he had a license for misconduct, which Bruce takes from him.  Bruce strolls off in his expensive clothes, and Ra’s watches from a shadowy doorway in his expensive clothes

I have tailoring envy

The show just rickrolled us. We are at a wedding reception in full flow.  Masked men walk in

They look ill-groomed. They begin to rob everyone – until halted by a whistle. Turning – they see that a relaxed Victor is sitting watching proceedings.  He tells them crime now needs a license.  They don’t like the idea of Oswald-issued licenses, and call him ‘a little creep’.  Victor doesn’t like that.

Proving that they’re cataclysmically dumb as well as probably bad-smelling, they try to intimidate Victor, who promptly shoots the ringleader’s finger off.  He reiterates:

No license; no crime

He tells them to drop the loot and blow.  The bride tries to thanks him – but he tells her not to bother, since the gang that’s just arriving does have a license.  He slings a ‘seriously?’ at the groom for what’s presumably a shabby engagement ring – and then grins.

Best wedding ever!

Oswald in the mayor’s office.  The police commissioner is also there.  They’re telling him they appreciate what he’s done for the city.  Oswald smiles – looking just the tiniest bit manic round the edges – and asks if they really do.

(An aside – Oswald is touchy as hell about gratitude.  It’s possibly one of the reasons he responds reasonably well to Bruce later)

Apparently – Oswald promised to halve crime in the three months since the virus and has done so – bringing the underworld to heel.  

(An aside – it’s kind of frustrating that we hear of all the stuff Oswald achieves in terms of control between seasons – but then see him inevitably crumble in some way.  How many times now has managed to take control of the whole underworld despite his own setbacks?)

They try to interject, and Oswald lunges forward.  Temper, temper.  This is why he gets on so well with Jim.

He tells the mayor he doesn’t envy him, and asks him what he thinks happened to the criminals who used to be on the street.  The mayor points put that he is suggesting professional, unionised crime -which will earn him a profit.  Oswald smiles

God bless America

He tells them they can have calm prosperity, or a return to the bad old days.

The commissioner and mayor say they’ll go along with it – but deny everything to the press.  They agree that the police won’t arrest license holders.

(Doesn’t the mayor just run the city, though?  Isn’t there a difference between ‘normal’ crime and federal crime in the States? Like – isn’t some stuff automatically handled at a higher level?  Or this is what TV and film has taught me, at least)

The mayor and commissioner haggle for their cut.  Everything agreed, Oswald excuses himself and leaves – he has to prepare for the grand opening of his club.  As he leaves, he tells them to smile – it’s a new day.

 A bar being robbed. Jim walks in.  Apparently, Jim gets his morning coffee from a bar.  It’s a licensed robbery – but this is essentially catnip to Jim, who gets to arrest someone, break something that looks suspiciously like a rule, and guarantee himself a nice charged meeting with Oswald later.  And all before breakfast.

Jim brings the guy into GCPD, where the other officers eye him balefully.  In his office, Harvey is talking to a bureaucratic looking guy about how the licenses will work.  He particularly mentions that Mr Cobblepot worries about Detective Gordon – he has a history. 

(Oswald, of course, knows first-hand Jim won’t go along with this - it’s what he gambled on way back when Jim had a gun to his head on the pier.)

The man sniffs haughtily at Jim, leaving as Jim enters the office.  Harvey and Jim talk briefly.  Harvey says that Oswald did help get the city back on its feet by exerting control over the underworld.  Jim says that every day the citizens look to Oswald for protection, they slip further away from GCPD.  Harvey leaves, and Jim has a nice glower to himself.

 At Wayne Manor, Bruce wonders how to turn Oswald's scheme against him.  Alfred tells him he’s supposed to be prepping for Ra’s.  Bruce feels guilty that the city got into such a state in the first place, though – because he was instrumental in the release of the virus.  Alfred warns him against mission creep – but Bruce thinks he can work towards both goals.

Oh no.  Arkham.  I hate this place so much.  I get that it’s a stylised comic book universe, but why must they do this horrible depiction?   

The foul unkempt gang has shown up. One used to be a warden, and remembered Jonathan talking about the fear serum.  That could help them in their vendetta against Oswald.

The deeply repulsive new director, who is virtually a lizard, allows them access. Jonathan is essentially constantly haunted and terrified – which he uses to control him.  He allows them to take the cowering boy away, in queasily paternal tones. I want this guy to die too, please.

(An aside - see - this is one of the things with Gotham. Every other character will view Oswald as the big bad and work towards his downfall - but we see that this doctor, and this gang are infinitely worse and more contemptible.)

At the former Dr Crane’s home, Jonathan is pulling up boards to hand over his father’s fucked up chemistry set.  He insists he can’t be there after dark – but they don’t care.  They’ve brought a scarecrow (the figure he fears most) as a means to control him.  He screams and begs – to no avail.

(See - I'd happily let Oswald kill these guys)

 A bank – where a robbery is carried out by the contemptible bastard gang.  When GCPD arrive – staff are ranting about fiery demons.  Jim and Harvey don’t think that this was a licensed crime – but a deliberate message to defy Oswald.  Harvey says that he hopes Victor comes by to kill them.  Jim decides he’s going to catch them first. Harvey is incredulous that he’d essentially race Victor just to thumb his nose at Oswald.  Harvey is apparently suffering from severe amnesia regarding the last three years.  

Jim says he suspects the fear serum – and points out that they should look for Jonathan.

 At Arkham, Jim and Harvey are interviewing the very vile doctor.  He says that Jonathan’s condition is fragile, and is generally slippery and evasive.  As we enter his office, we see a table with straps and random surgical instruments lying on it.  I want this guy dead so much

Harvey deliberately uses Oswald’s and Zsasz's names.  He tells the doctor that Zsasz is likely to visit soon.  He asks Jim how he’d describe Zsasz – who replies that he has a body that won’t quit is a homicidal maniac and sadist

Of the highest professional standards

The doctor caves

Jim and Harvey go to find the gang but are ambushed – with Jim getting a nasty kick to the ribs. They go on about the license system and call themselves ‘outlaws’.  Jim is kicked in the ribs again and again (please stop that) – I don’t think he’d have been able to spring up quite so quickly as that.

In what turns out to have been a training session, Selina beats up 5 guys in an alley.  Tabitha comes in and takes the last one out – and they go to get pizza.

Back at their apartment, Victor arrives and reminds them about the license system.  He says they’re understandably hard to find – given their shabby apartment, and asks Tabitha if she didn’t used to be rich. Tabitha claims that Oswald took her club.  Victor points out that Tabitha murdered Oswald’s mother and tried to kill him – so she should call it even.  Yes.  Thank-you, Victor.

(An aside – are we to believe that Selina was selectively deaf here?  We know her moral code is a bit different – but I’d like to think she’d draw the line at Gertrud’s murder)

Victor says that Oswald is willing to let bygones be bygones if they come to the club and show that they’re deferential.  He also asks hopefully if that pizza is pepperoni – but Selina closes the lid. Why will no-one let Victor share their food? I’ll commit crimes and order pizza if Victor will come visit me.

Selina is willing to go to Oswald – but Tabitha refuses to ‘work for him’.

(An aside -  I’m really not getting where Tabitha’s high horse is coming from here.  Tabitha is still pretty much the lowest of the low, for me.  She got her jollies listening to Gertrud cry and beg while she was locked up, before eventually stabbing her in the back. She’s never demonstrated any remorse, or ‘well – that’s business’ attitude.  There’s not the complication of mental illness or trauma that you get with Barbara or Ed, either.  If anything, the implication with Tabitha is always that she’s a straightforward sadist. I find it incredibly hard to remotely root for her or care about her.)

Bruce visits Jim at work. A tired and presumably sore Jim is now drinking while he broods, blood on his collar.  The smell of blood is gross – go change that, Jim.  

Bruce tries to find out what’s being done about the license situation, and nudges Jim in the direction of finding the probable master-list of crime and criminals. Jim says that the license system has the official OK – and going after the list would set off too many alarms.  Oswald will catch the gang, and it will reinforce the idea that GCPD is not needed.  Jim’s not happy about the situation - but his hands are effectively tied.  

Bruce suggests using Oswald to lead Jim to the gang.  Jim looks thoughtful.

Before he leaves – Bruce tells Jim to come to dinner sometime.  Jim actually seems vaguely happy at this idea – which is nice to see. He suggests getting something now – but as he turns, Bruce has slipped away.

 Os is promoting his club to the press.

Exclusive but welcoming, urbane but edgy

He’s super confident. He’s asked if he got the club from Barbara and where she might be – but bats the question away.  Ivy watches, smiling and seemingly amiable – which is worth noting, because I think her actions later seemed very out of the blue.

Oswald is asked about the license system.  He waxes lyrical about the Pax Romana.  When criminals start drawing Roman Empire parallels, they’re sort of asking for a hubris smackdown. it’s some kind of dramatic law of the universe. 

He changes the subject back to the club – and has Ivy dramatically light up the Edcicle.  He’s concocted a story about Ed having an incurable brain disease, asking to be cryogenically frozen, and then let him be out among the people.  It was the least Oswald could do to comply with his wishes.

Did he know he was being frozen?

Jim strolls in. Oswald snaps that he has affadavits from Ed’s doctor – if Jim wants to see them.  He walks quickly to Jim – and turns sharply to stop the press following him, because Jim and Oswald like a little privacy when they’re about to invade each other’s personal space.

He tells Jim he’s a little busy – what exactly does he want?  Jim’s here to deliberately provoke a response from him, of course – to get to the gang – and goes about it with some relish.

I’m here to tell you you're a fraud

He tells Oswald the gang have the fear toxin.  They’re not afraid of him, and soon others won’t be either.  

You’ve had a nice run, Oswald, but it’s over.

Oswald grabs Jim and hauls him close.  There’s an initial snarl – and then he switches to his sort of ardent tone for these encounters.

Oh Jim.

For his part, Jim looks like he’s just realised being the grabee is as much fun as being the grabber. This opens a whole new world of possibilities.  Now they can role play Big Bad Gangster and Innocent Detective as well as the usual Stern Cop and Flirtatious Gangster.

Oswald tells Jim it’s so hard to admit irrelevance – but he will find the gang and crush them, because he keeps Gotham safe now.  

Jim smiles at him before walking out.  Oswald calls after him that it’s always good to see his old friend, with an oddly shiny-eyed smile.

That was the most elaborate foreplay ever.

 Meanwhile, at a horrid flat, the gang listen to a statement Oswald made for TV, furious at the insults levelled at them.  Jonathan’s made the serum – but they refuse to get rid of the scarecrow, despite his begging) and shut him in the cupboard with it.

Oswald is monologuing at the Edcicle.  He’s going on about Ed’s accusation of being a slave to emotions (Ed, of course, being a paragon of self-control who strangled his girlfriend).  Oswald says he’s banished those feelings now…..

(Hey, Oswald - remember the last scene?  And then the ones before it?  And pretty much the whole episode?  You’ve banished precisely nothing.  In fact, you’ve seemed extra emotional)

ivy approaches as he continues to monologue.

….but at what cost?  Which of us is truly frozen?

That’s a godawful clunky and pompous line that even the most self-indulgent fanficcer would have hastily edited out – which means Ivy’s interruption works particularly well.

Him - like totally frozen

Oswald is not happy at his overly-dramatic posing being interrupted and tells her to go somewhere else. She does – but she’s pissed about it. It looks a lot like a big brother, little sister dynamic.

GCPD, where Jim is planning their strike at the club.  The other cops seem reluctant, and Harvey has to chivvy them.  Harvey clearly thinks Jim’s plan is reckless – deliberately provoking Oswald (who, let us not forget, is the master of his emotions now), who in turn provoked the gang.   He doesn’t blame the cops for being pissed.  Jim pulls a face and leaves to get the gas masks

(An aside – we seem to have looped back to something resembling season one Jim.  His fellow officers dislike him, and Harvey is going along with his plans under protest.  GCPD is happy with its relationship with the underworld, but Jim refuses to tolerate it.

Again reminiscent of s1 – there’s ambiguity around this refusal.  Jim talks about wanting the law to be in charge – but we know from promos that he’s going to go get help from Falcone, so the talk of law and order and public trust is kind of – you know…. bullshit, if your actual actions involve going to mafia dons for favours.  The whiff of moral hypocrisy here is familiar.  Also – lone wolf behaviour, and bucking against authority – that’s just essentially s1 Jim.)

Poor, poor Jonathan is still cowering in that fucking cupboard.  Why will no-one hug this child and make him tea?

The scarecrow starts talking to him – or at least Jonathan hallucinates this – and things get much worse.

 In the GCPD locker room, four cops corner Jim.  They like the current system – why does he have to rock the boat?  Jim can tell there’s no getting out of this.

Alright then - who wants it first?

He tries to throw some punches – but two of them hold his arms while the others beat him.  It’s quick but still horrible – I hate scenes like that.

 At the Iceberg Club – Oswald greets Bruce, who puts on an avuncular performance.  Alfred prods about whether Ed is still alive in there. Oswald says they’ll never know – but then scrambles to correct himself when Bruce reminds him that a cure might be developed for his ‘brain disease’.  Ha!

Bruce wants to personally thank Oswald for everything he’s done for the city.  It seems sincere – and Oswald seems genuinely grateful.  It’s worth remembering that Bruce – from what we’ve seen – at least tries to be compassionate and understanding with everyone he encounters, even the criminals.  Part of Oswald does genuinely believe that he has acted in the city’s best interests. Bruce is insightful and empathetic enough to recognise and acknowledge that – while still retaining his determination to put an end to his scheme.

He asks about the license. Oswald seems disbelieving that he’d be open to licensed crime – but Bruce points out that if his scheme had existed three years ago , then his parents would still be alive.

Oswald nods – wide-eyed -

Exactly so!

We’re reminded of a parallel between these characters - Oswald and Bruce both lost their parents within the last three years, and in traumatic circumstances. Those losses shaped them both.   Again – it’s an effective moment.  Bruce doesn’t believe in the licenses – his comment about his parents is just a statement of fact – but there’s an openness to the comment: he doesn’t draw the ‘us and them’ line that Jim does.

Oswald tells Bruce he comes up with guidelines, but the nervous bureaucrat – Mr Pen – handles everything else – before leaving to mingle.  Alfred congratulates Bruce on finding out who is likely to have the list.

 Selina is also at the club. Victor approaches with Ivy in tow – and asks where Tabitha is, aren’t they a package deal?  Selina says Oswald has her – and that should be enough, but Tabitha arrives.

We're both in

Victor eyes her.

I should pat you down for weapons

Tabitha tells him he’d lose a hand.  What’s with this show and cutting off hands?

Ivy tries to say hi, but Tabitha rather meanly gets rid of her.  Selina is happy that Tabitha was worried about her.  Glancing round, though, she sees Bruce and Alfred, scowls, and walks away.

 At GCPD, Jim stares at his bloody nose in the mirror.  Jim’s still very upright for what looked to be a horrendous beating – what the hell? Harvey enters.  Jim tells him sullenly that they have no back up. Harvey suggests it was healthy for the cops to let off steam this way – which doesn’t go down well with Jim.

 At the club, the gang is hiding in kitchen, deciding to hit Oswald and Victor first.  Oswald strolls in with Victor, and asks them whether they think gas or a bullet would be faster?

Oswald knew they would be there, and is seemingly amused by Jim's ham-fisted attempt at manipulation. He’ll need to practice his role-play skills.  Possibly with a uniform and handcuffs - Oswald hasn’t decided yet.

Oswald has a special plan for these guys – and smilingly tells them so.

(Jesus - just let him do it: they're vile.)

Bruce has followed Selina to the roof.  She asks what he wants.  He says she knew he’d follow her.  She loses her smile and tells him he doesn’t know anything about her – a call-back to the hospital – for which Bruce promptly apologises.  She forgives him quickly, and tells him to get on the ledge if he wants to talk, which he does – to her pleased surprise.

He apologises again, and she tells him he was a jerk.  Bruce comments on her relationship with Tabitha, and says she’s not a good mentor. Selina says his opinion means absolutely nothing to her.  She’s a bit wobbly in her heels.  Turning – she dangles one foot off the edge, and asks if he wants to say something. He tells her that’s a lovely dress, and she smiles.

Alfred appears, and asks why they can’t just go to the cinema like normal teenagers.  He also tells Bruce they have a situation, and he runs off.  Alfred leaves Selina with a Miss Kyle – and she smiles.

Oswald is making a speech in front of the bound gang – about how he is ensuring peace for the future, and how - without him – this fear and chaos is what you get, the old days.

(An aside – you know – aside from Oswald’s sincerity that what he is doing is actually beneficial, that crime is inevitable, so why not control it – his behaviour is psychologically understandable.  No wonder Oswald is obsessive about control, after his experiences in Arkham, with his ‘family’, during his time as mayor.  He’s also going to have a professional horror of free agents like Ed and Barbara – who brought about complete chaos in the underworld, and who – as he pointed out – wouldn’t have even got to sit at the same table as Fish and Maroni and Falcone.)

Ivy watches, looking disgruntled.  I'm not getting why Ivy is suddenly dubious here, to be honest.

Oswald concludes by saying he keeps the city safe - not GCPD –adding a sarcastic, you're welcome!

Bruce tells Alfred his stuff is in the car. Alfred shakes his head.  Bruce tells Alfred that Oswald will kill those men.  Alfred says there’s a time for As-Yet-Unnamed-Mask-Man, and there’s a time for Bruce.

Bruce steps forward and loudly asks Oswald what will happen.  Oswald says he need not concern himself.  Bruce asks if they will be handed over to the police.

Oswald walks closer.  He says Bruce thanked him earlier – but how did he think this all happened?  He’s willing to do the dirty work required.

Again, Bruce’s response is important

I understand

There’s sincerity there.  He does understand Oswald’s reasoning.  He just can’t go along with it.  He tries again.

I'm asking you not to kill those men

Oswald’s mouth trembles (master of his emotions, everyone), and he looks him straight in the eye

You're young.  You have a good heart

Bruce and Alfred looks taken aback by this response.

Oswald is resolved, though.

No.

 Ivy wanders into the kitchen and switches off the power. This makes not a blind bit of sense – sorry. I can buy that Oswald’s snappishness has been progressively pissing her off. I can buy that they’re in a squabbly sibling dynamic.  But it just seemed to go from 0 to wtf way too quickly.  She’s been around Oswald for just over three months now.  She knew of him earlier than that – in fact, saw very similar attention-grabby behaviour at the opening of Sirens.  I get that she’s childish – and doesn’t really think things through before acting – but the idea that she’s suddenly not OK with that to this extent just feels too convenient.

As the club is plunged into darkness, Jim and Harvey come barrelling in, the gang break free, and Oswald is sprayed with fear serum.  He drops to the floor, screaming, and sees a monstrous, demonic Ed which – given Ed mentally tortured him by digging up his father’s corpse, makes sense.  It’s also interesting that Ed is looming over Oswald – slightly reminiscent of their first prolonged encounter – in which Ed drugged him to keep him docile and captive.

Zsasz and Alfred nearly shoot each other in the confusion, but give each other impressed little smiles.  Someone somewhere just started a side-blog.  Think of all the snacks Alfred could make him.

When the lights go back on, Jim punches the ringleader, who was laughing and gloating over a still yelling Oswald, and arrests him.

Oswald is still terrified and begging for help – but zeroes on Jim’s voice, grabbing on to him to clamber up from the floor, and then clutches at him, hiding his face against him and begging for help.

Jim has his disgruntled ‘I’m not a hugging person’ face on – but doesn’t push him off, and manages to shift his grip to move his hand from grabbing Oswald’s shoulder to press against the back of his head instead.

(An aside – yes, it’s played for some comic relief.  However, the fact remains that after everything, and despite all the bluster on both sides - Oswald still seeks Jim out for safety, and Jim doesn’t shove him away, but holds on instead. In a crappy dark universe, I’ll take what sweetness I can get.)

Harvey drops a newspaper on Jim’s desk – which is running what is surely now many Gobblepotters’ desktop image as their front-page picture.  Harvey shakes his head.

Penguin won't be too happy about that

Well – not publicly, Harvey – but I’m willing to bet that it’s made it into a secret scrapbook.

Jim shrugs

Screw him

(The fanficcers are on it Jim, thanks for helping)

 Mr Pen’s office.  Bruce is waiting at the door.  He manages to easily swipe the list, while Mr Pen ineffectually protests.

(Honestly?  This seems dumb.  Yes – Oswald would avoid seeing the list himself, but he’d have third party muscle guarding it.)

Bruce is on a rooftop, watching a licensed burglary through a glass sectioned ceiling.  Leaning on the glass, he falls through, lands awkwardly, removes his mask in apparent panic – and is only saved by the arrival of GCPD.  Ooops. Maybe he’ll get one of those cool mugshots, though?  David Bowie’s is the best.

One of the loathsome gang returns to the apartment for a more serum.  He opens the cupboard to find Jonathan wearing the scarecrow suit.

Jonathan Crane isn't here anymore.  Just the scarecrow

He sprays him with the serum and – again – fuck these guys, so good.

 General observations

Hard to find an overarching theme here – we’re more checking in to see where everyone is.

 The licensed crime thing doesn’t really work, logic-wise – but Gotham’s not really big on that. What you can take from it that’s interesting is Oswald’s view of crime versus, say…Jerome’s.  

Crime, for Oswald, is business.  It’s what he does.  He’s a gangster and belongs, in that sense, to the world inhabited by Fish, Maroni and Falcone – even given his ‘freakishness’.  From what we see of Gotham – it’s pretty entrenched in terms of rich, poor, etc.  For Oswald – second generation immigrant, wrong side of the tracks, with a mother who needed support herself, and with something to prove – organised crime probably seemed a pretty obvious option.

It does fulfil certain psychological needs for him: power, respect, and the venting of rage when he kills – but they’re sort of by-products of what he does.  Barring when he completely loses his temper, he will tend to kill/assault for business reasons.  An enemy had to be disposed of.  An informant had to be taught a lesson.  Even revenge serves a business purpose as well as acting as an outlet for anger: this is what you will get if you wrong me.

That’s a world with a rulebook and its own logic.  But it doesn’t really work for those who want to break the rules for the sake of breaking the rules.  Oswald’s rule would pretty much be the same to them as the rule of law.  Jerome’s furious at every authority figure he sees – it doesn’t matter who it is.  He needs to lash out at them, exert power.  Equally – it doesn’t really work for people whose murders are driven by psychological compulsion and/or a need to prove that they’re ‘better’ than the law.

Jim and Oswald.  Oh my.  Oswald’s still feeling a little stung – it seems, given his pointed comment to Jim about keeping people safe, but presumably the bulk of the blame has been assigned to the Tetch virus, since Jim is still hale and hearty.  They’re back to business as usual: inappropriate body space, inappropriate baiting, inappropriate grabbing, inappropriate staring, inappropriate clutching – general inappropriateness.

Oswald and Bruce’s interaction is interesting.  We know, from Oswald’s backstory, and his interlude after Arkham, that Oswald does have the capacity to be a good person.  It’s just been knocked out of him so often that he’s learned that it doesn’t get him anywhere.  But he still recognises and values goodness in other people.  It’s one of the major factors in his relationship with Jim (morally ambiguous though Jim may be).  And - like the reasoning behind his crime licenses – this acknowledgement of goodness is something that differentiates him from many of the other ‘villains’.  There’s arguably much more of a sense of ‘might-have-been’ about him, which is what makes him so relatable and sympathetic.

Jim – as mentioned earlier – has looped back to a version of s1 Jim.  I’m curious to see what makes him desperate enough to seek out Falcone.  It’ll need to be something significant, otherwise he’s just going to start to bring back elements of Unappealing Season 2 Jim, who was a massive hypocrite.

Sundries

Victor is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.

Jim being the object of derision in GCPD is oddly familiar and comforting.

Poor Jonathan.  

[erizee]

@roguepythia you asked for it ;)

PREPARE FOR THE LONGEST COMMENT I HAVE EVER WRITTEN FOR A SHOW

How is gotham the only show I have ever seen that acknowledges mothers can be abusive too lol UHHHHM WTF what the fuck is going on with Pyg's face Seriously, every single villain on this show is trying to out-extra each other. Some wear glittery suits, others get hair so high it doesn't fit into the frame anymore, and some dramatically murder some random dude to the tune of ave maria. And you know what?? It doesn't even shock me anymore. I love this show. Harper is alive!! :DD And her name sounds so much like Harvey's holy shit MY WIFE IS WEARING HER RED COAT AGAIN Ajsjdkcksjah I love how she's acting around everyone she's manipulating??? Pretending to be in love with Jim (I will continue to see it like that no matter what happens) to prevent him from parting from her is such a badass move I love her so much LEEEEEEE!!!! She's running the Narrows like a boss and Grundy and Ed are her sidekicks!!! I sorta expected her to be Ed's but it works so much better this way?? Uhmmmm Ed made a smart suggestion!! That boy isn't dumb and we all know it. Oh also, letting her kill the guy is exactly what Oswald would probably have done which means!!.... I'm not sure what it means exactly but it's definitely good for my ship Lee is so caring and nice and badass and I want to cry ;-; first she settles a dispute that would have ended in death without her and a second later she asks about a kids health. I just love her so much, being away from Jim is helping her so much Aand can we please talk about how Ed and Oswald literally changed hairstyles?? Ed does it over his forehead for some reason and Oswald slicks it back/up. Bitch wtf that is some soulmate level shit right there Supportive Ed giving Lee really smart advice about ruling is giving me feels about the Lee/Ed brotp and early season 3 as well. Fuck me up Look at Lee being a better person than Jimmyboy ever was! Contrary to him, she's not a hypocrite ❤️ Oswald looks so sad :( He knows Sofia has been tricking him and even has proof, but he still seems to hope the one friend he still has isn't betraying him (I'm not counting Martin because he's clearly his son guys) Yoooooo this "perfect explanation against suspicion" is exactly what happened with Maroni and Oswald in season 1. With the difference that Oswald actually cares about Sofia while Maroni only liked Oswald for the profits he brought him Sofia is beautiful and adorable and I wish I had a girlfriend like her, pretty and adorable instead of no girlfriend at all She keeps lying and Oswald looks so damn heartbroken :( This is what happens when you take every single person someone cares about away, they become terrified of betrayal He cared about her so much, let her in on his business etc and it was all fake. His heart is probably actually breaking right now (in a platonic way) And in the middle of this actually heartbreaking scene that has me on the verge of tears (partially because I'm super gay for Sofia, partially because I feel so bad for Oswald), Zsasz makes me laugh by reciting a fucking meme. This fucking show. It hurts so much to see Oswald trying to hold back his tears and smile gleefully while it's obvious his whole world just shattered. AND YET it gets even more painful once Sofia admits she lied. He doesn't even have the energy anymore to pretend to be happy Oh my fucking god Zsasz's face at "foot rub" Sofia is so done and I love her Yo what the shit the Dentist is the creepiest fucking character on the show so far If there is one thing Gotham truly adapted from the comics, it's the idea of villains constantly making puns about their theme I just love how the three characters Jim calls first class villains are Jerome, Fish and Oswald. Mention Fish more often please!!!! What do all the villains of the show have in common? Correct! They all want to be remembered in one way or another That was the funniest southern accent I've ever heard. It's so southern, even me, a german teenager who has never been to america, realises it's southern Lee and Ed, the two Badass Bros, on their way to fuck her rival up. Hell Yeah. I had to play that scene three times because I never understood what the guy said until I finally turned on subtitles and I could have sworn he said husband instead of has-been. Ed would make a great husband for a certain flightless bird I can promise you that Ed is being super smart?? Oh godddd if I wasn't gay for Sofia before, when she acted all sweet and adorable, I am definitely HELLA gay for this badass, openly manipulative, top of the game Sofia. Holy FUCK SHE FUCKING MEMORISED EVERY SINGLE DETAIL ABOUT OSWALD AND HIS EMPLOYEES SHE'S SMART AS FUCK Sofia making fun of the guy who's about to torture her, laughing into his face and threatening his family while somehow still remaining adorable and sweet as hell is my sexuality You know what really gets me about this scene?? The way she coldly threatens a whole family, isn't even a bit scared of a horror-dentist but can't watch some random dude getting his brain drilled. She's so badass and incredible and yet she still has compassion YESSSSSSS THE CRIME GIRLS ALL TEAMED UP well they're enemies but they share a scene!! Selina is wearing leather gloves just like Michelle Pfeiffer did oh my fucking godddd this is amazing I'm so fucking gay for mastermind!Sofia MARTIN IS SITTING ON OSWALD'S THRONE AND OSWALD WANTS HIM TO INHERIT HIS CLUB WHICH MEANS OSWALD IS ALREADY PLANNING TO RAISE HIM AS HIS OWN SON AND BE A DAD WHICH HE ALREADY IS AAAAAAAAAAAH Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck I mean we all realised there was something fishy about the scene where Sofia catches Martin spying and suddenly the scene cuts off but I kinda hoped it was just weirdly shot BUT HEY at least it wasn't his decision!!! I feel so terrible for Martin :( He looks terrified to tell Oswald the truth, probably felt guilty as hell lying to him in the first place but ignored it to prove himself to Oswald, and he knows how angry Oswald can get. And he STILL tells him!! That's some father-son trust right there guys I love how Oswald collects himself before answering the phone. Martin really is helping him with his temper huh I don't know if I ever said it before, but I really love the new Barbara?? Probably my favourite version of the character yet. Calm, calculating, but still emotional and crazy. Love her Martin looks so fucking scared :(( Protect him please MORE SCENES FOR FOXY PLEASE Selina is literally the youngest in the room but she's the only one that notices they're about to die. Really makes you think And Sofia keeps playing Jim and Oswald against each other! She knows she'll probably die if she doesn't do something fast, so she pushes her plan along and asks Jim to finally take Oswald down. Even though this is about her victory, she makes it look like it's what Jim wants too (which it kind of is?) I'm almost amazed at how Jim is finally thinking with his brain instead of his dick or ego. Almost because that should be the logical thing to do I can't watch Martin cry :( He feels so terrible for Sofia using him, which isn't even his fault, and he apologises and cries and I just want to protect him forever :( I get why Oswald is pissed but you can't just threaten a kid with basically kicking him out of the family But still, I love that even when Oswald is pissed at Martin he is patient enough to let him finish writing his answer without interrupting. that's better parenting than most parents do when they're pissed at their kids AND even though Oswald calls Martin a "little spy" he still cares enough to keep him away from the actual violence. Oswald?? More like Dadwald. Sassy Oswald is still the best. Lol as if he needed to be there to have someone killed The way Jim's and Sofia's scene was cut off it seemed like he considers her plan and will probably follow it but??? I'm pleasantly surprised?? I love how done Oswald is with Jim when Zsasz leaves I mean same This!!! Is the only kind of Gobblepot I am happy to accept. They're still enemies and they threaten each other etc but they have a common enemy and they work together to defeat them. This is some good shit right there This is also the first time this season I actually like Jim. He should threaten people like that more often. Ed and Lee fucking turn to each other in the exact same second this is the best friendship on this show Ed is sassy and witty and Lee is just like "!! this is my best friend and we're sassing this dude together" I love their friendship so much Remember how I said how gay I am for Sofia?? Add Lee too please she's so amazing and have you seen how she looks in this episode?? This whole season?? fuck i'm so gay No matter how genuine Sofia looks just before she kisses Jim, I will keep in mind that she looked just as genuine in her friendship with Oswald and no matter what happens, I will keep holding on to my hope that she does not love him. She's too good for him anyways More female-female scenes!! Oh god I hope this doesn't mean Harper will die I don't want that OH FUCK MARTIN BETTER BE OKAY The scene with the sirens and Martin in the car perfectly show their most important character traits this season?? Selina is the one that observers and notices, Tabitha is the brute that doesn't really bothers with people unless she likes them and Barbara, even though she's calmer now, is still the emotional one. Did I meantion how much I love their team-up?? For one terrible second I thought Zsasz had been working for Sofia the whole time and came to rescue her. I'm SO glad I was wrong Oh Jimmy you should have known Sofia won't let herself be "put on a train" just like that. I'm so damn happy Zsasz didn't kill Harper I cannot believe Oswald was willing to let Sofia live even though she betrayed him etc but as soon as Martin is in danger, he flips and is prepared for a full on war against her Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck Oswald is so worried for Martin :( I am dying and I hope Martin isn't OH FUCK SAVAGE that was the sickest burn holy shit Aaaand I also just remembered how sweet Gertrud and Elijah were and I miss them so much OSWALD GIVES UP HIS POWER FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW FOR SOMEONE HE LOVES AAAAAH Dadwald ;-; he loves Martin so much and Martin knows it and I just want to cry Let himself say these things to Ed next please The melody is the same one that played when Ed threw away the pills in 3x15. Oswald better not do what I fear he'll do BITCH WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK MARTIN BETTER NOT BE DEAD OR I'LL LITERALLY SUE Eddie, honey, sweetie pie, you have always been at your best mental heights when you were a sidekick. Sorry to tell you buddy but you are literally the best at being a sidekick, even though you are an amazing villain when you're alone as well Ed's brain damage is psychological!!! It's psychosomatic!!!! It's just him not being able to cope with losing against Oswald!!!!!!! Boiiii this implies some amazing things for the future I KNEW Ed's suggestions were smart!!! And Lee knows it too!!! The fact that it's more important to Ed that Lee lied than the fact that he's still brilliant is so telling tbh. It perfectly mirrors the way he reacted when Isabella got killed: He didn't really care about her death in and of itself, but the fact that Oswald lied to him for weeks. Here it's the exact same thing, just with less death and suffering. Even Lee's response mirrors Oswald's motivation! She was afraid of him becoming the Riddler again, aka leaving her, and Oswald was afraid of Ed choosing Isabella, aka leaving him!! It probably won't happen, but I really hope this will lead to Ed reflecting on what really broke him and Oswald apart. This may be the first time in all four seasons someone tells Ed they like him the way he is now. Kristen wanted him to be more “manly” first and less murdery later. Oswald wanted him to be who he was with the added factor of being in love with him (which he was, come on) and maybe more murdery. Lee is the first person that likes Ed the way he is without wanting to change him in any way and even says so. This is what true friendship looks like guys. SHE CALLS HIM HER FRIEND AND HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S ABOUT TO CRY How long has it been since Ed had any friends?? A whole season for sure, right? Before Oswald, there was no one at all who was an actual friend for him. And now Lee comes along, supports him and lets him do what he does best and their friendship is so pure I want to cry. The "you didn't get told no a lot as a kid" thing from Barbara kinda fucks me up a bit tbh. Firstly, because Sofia probably got told no too much, since approval is literally the reason she does all this. Secondly, because I remember how terrible Barbara's parents were and how they called her a pig and all that. The both got told no way too often which is why theyre doing what theyre doing now This is the first time I could sorta analyse Barbara nice MARTIN IS ALIVE!!!! I'm so fucking glad holy shit HOLY FUCK WAIT A SECOND does this mean The Penguin's reputation as a gross soulless bastard comes from everyone thinking he murdered his own adopted kid??? BOIIII that means the thing everyone knows him for is actually fake and what really went down is Oswald saving the kid's life and giving up his dream of raising him just to protect him!! LOVE IS ABOUT SACRIFICE SUCKERS OSWALD CALLS MARTIN "MY BOY" OH MY GODDDDDDDD HE MIGHT AS WELL SIGN THE ADOPTION PAPERS NOW Oswald is about to cry and Martin is already crying and neither of them wants to be parted but Oswald cares too much about Martin to risk his death like he did with his mother by keeping him at his side. This shit is beautiful and I'm sobbing what the fuck FINALLY OSWALD GETS THE HUG HE DESERVES THEY BOTH LOOK LIKE THEY'RE LOSING WHAT THEY LOVE MOST IN THE WORLD So let me get this ‘straight’: Oswald is willing to give up the life he dreams of to make sure Martin is safe? He's willing to let someone he loves go to protect them?? BOY Oswald has grown so much over the course of this whole show HOWS THAT FOR "and you won't change" ED???? All the pieces for a renewed friendship between them are there! Ed is less obsessive, has found friends who can keep him from doing something rash like, I don't know, murdering his best and only friend and understood why Lee lied the same way Oswald did. Oswald learned to love even more selflessly than he did in 3x14 when he was already willing to sacrifice his life for Ed's by sending Martin away, thus proving Ed's theory about Oswald never being able to love that way wrong once and for all. NOW GET THEM TOGETHER INTO THE SAME SPOT PLEASE AND MAKE THEM TALK THEIR SHIT OUT My favourite plottwist is "we're raising the ratings with straightbaiting so we won't get cancelled and say someone will come into Oswald's life and change his view on love just before introducing Sofia, but actually Oswald will just adopt an adorable mute kid" Okay but where are my 20k word fanfics about Martin coming back to Gotham as an adult/teen to be a family again Zsasz is sceptical of sending Martin away but as soon as Oswald calls him is top man he agrees lol There was a guy called Laszlo/Lazlo at the beginning of the first season btw I'd literally die if Pyg was him You idiot, have you never seen Megamind???? If you don't see someone when you look into a cell, you don't open it and check wtf that's literally the easiest way to escape guys OH FUCK OH FUCK OH FUCK ED'S HALLUCINATIONS OF HIS DARK SELF ARE BACK!!! I wonder if Lee accidentally triggered them by saying Ed is who he was before he went crazy fuck You know you spend too much time in school when you're too distracted by the missing comma in Pyg's blood message to find it scary

TL;DR: Sofia is hot as fuck Lee is hot as fuck and the best friend ever Lee and Ed are brotp forever and I'm so damn glad he finally found friends after all the shit he went through Oswald is heartbroken over losing Sofia's friendship and then over losing his son and so am I This season's women are sooo damn badass please let me marry them all Martin HAS TO come back!!!

[comic-movieheroesranked]

Cinematic Comic Characters Ranked! (Year 2008) Final Part

Wow, I just want to say that 2008 really stepped it up when it came to comic movies released. Granted, a couple weren’t the best but overall this year was one of the best out of the bunch. The Dark Knight and Hellboy II: The Golden Army are the only sequels this year, while The Punisher: War Zone and The Incredible Hulk serve as reboots. Star Wars: The Clone Wars serves as a prequel and we also see the debut of Iron Man, Speed Racer, The Spirit and Wanted! Lets start off our largest list yet! Here’s the Top 20 of 2008!

*SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE MOVIES HIGHLIGHTED ABOVE*

20. Emil Blanksy/Abomination (The Incredible Hulk)

"Give me a REAL fight!"

Like I said in 2007's list in regards to The Stranger in 30 Days of Night, if you want a character to be disliked by me, have them kill a dog. Emil does this right in the beginning as he and his team hunt Bruce down in Brazil so, naturally, my body was filled with glee when the Hulk trashed them all. This is apparently a turn-on for Emil because he gets obsessed with having the power Bruce has. It doesn't take much for him to convince Ross and then, later, Samuel Sterns to eventually help him become Abomination, a freak of immense power. Him and the Hulk enter an epic fight on the battlefield that is New York City that ends up with him getting his ass beat.

19. The Octopus (The Spirit)

"I don't like egg on my face."

The Octopus was such an outrageous character man! And unlike Jigsaw and his wack brother, The Octopus made it work for him! With help with the overall setting of the film, The Octopus showed that even though he's not all there, he's still a major threat to Central City. His thirst for immortality and world domination put him at odds with The Spirit, who also holds a grudge against him for killing him. He pulls all kinds of evil doings, including dissolving an innocent cat, which was the last straw for The Spirit. After he loses the vase of Heracles's blood, The Octoplus then blows up from a grenade shoved in his body.

18. Rachel Dawes (The Dark Knight)

"If you lose your faith in me, please keep your faith in people."

Rachel is still fighting crime in the courtroom but this time with her new boyfriend, Harvey Dent. I expected an obvious love triangle with Bruce to happen, but I don't think that's what we got. I don't think Rachel cared for Bruce like she did in the first film, but because of the promise she made she felt guilty and kept denying her feelings for Harvey to grow. Her fight for justice shows up several times as she takes down crime lords in the court and even face to face with the Joker when he goes after Harvey, but her relationship with Harvey and Bruce is what brings her demise. Her death was shocking but it would be the final tool for Harvey Dent's transformation into Two Face.

17. Ahsoka Tano (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

"No, I'm the one with enthusiasm."

Ahsoka is a young Jedi in training that's been assigned to work under Anakin Skywalker's teachings. She falls quickly into the little sister role but she shows just as much determination as Anakin when he was a young Jedi, which is why I think he grows to like her. She proves her skill again and again and she even saves Anakin a few times when he's in a tight spot, though he won't admit it. She ends up taking care of Jabba's newborn and returns him safely so the tension between the Hutt's and the Republic can end.

16. Princess Nuala (Hellboy II: The Golden Army)

"I'm afraid it's the other way around."

Princess Nuala definitely has a strong sense on what is right and what is wrong. Even if she dislikes the way her people are living, she knows that attacking the humans with the Golden Army is wrong, and therefore hides the last piece of the crown from her brother after he kills their father. She seeks help from Abe and the two bond over the fact that they both have similar learning powers through their hands. Now. Once we found out that she feels everything Nuada feels, I knew she was going to die. I did not see her taking out herself though. I should've, because she was cool with her dad sentencing them to death but it still really shocked me when she went ahead and knifed herself, taking her destructive brother down with her.

15. James Gordon (The Dark Knight)

"He's a silent guardian. A Dark Knight."

With the Joker wrecking havoc on Gotham City, James Gordon had to step his game up big time. He honestly did the best he could, coming up with a great plan involving him faking his own death so he could capture the Joker that ended up promoting him to Commissioner, but the clown prince of crime was just always three steps ahead. He managed to beat Gordon at his own game several times and ended up giving him a deadly enemy, Two Face. Gordon and Harvey Dent's animosity towards each other come to end when Two Face tries to take out Gordon's family. When Batman saves them, they both agree that Batman must take the fall for Dent's death.

14. Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

"The desert is merciless. It will take everything from you."

Wow I actually liked Anakin in this movie. I think it was because he wasn't shown as this moody teenager who was just constantly filled with angst the whole damn time and instead showed him as a leader and now teacher of Ahsoka. They didn't focus too much on his relationship with Padme, which also wasn't his strongest point because again, he was just moody as hell even if he was in love. He really grew as an individual and was able to bond with Ahsoka through their travels despite him not liking her in the beginning. We got to see his angst a little bit when they returned to his home planet but I understand, even if I think it's silly, that you can't have a Skywalker on the screen and not have them go through angst.

13. Wesley Gibson (Wanted)

"What the fuck have you done lately?"

So part of me liked Wesley and the  part of me didn't. I liked how he decided he wasn't going to be treated like shit anymore and stood up to all the toxic people in his life. I do like how polite he was and his determination to really be something he could be proud of. And I liked his friendship with the Executioner and his relationship with Fox. I didn't like how he all of a sudden got this superiority complex as soon as he learned a little knife trick. Like he was constantly throwing mad shade at us, the viewers, and it was a little off-putting because no one should be able to talk as much shit as he did when they allow their best friend to bang their girl for years before finally doing something. Also, why did he hate Cross so much? I get he thought Cross killed his father but damn he was hunting him down as if he had known his father his entire life! But I was glad he was able to discover the truth and then use everything he learned to bring down Sloan and the Fraternity once and for all.

12. Harvey Dent/Two Face (The Dark Knight)

"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

Harvey Dent is Gotham's White Knight. He's a lawyer that can't be bought and is determined to bring down every corrupt person in the city, which earns him a lot of enemies. When the opportunity to bring down all the crime lords shows up, he forces his way into Batman and Gordon's plans, causing tensions with the latter. But he ends up biting more than he can chew once the Joker shows up. Not only does he end up burning off half his face, but he loses Rachel as well. Her death is the final straw and Harvey Dent becomes Two Face after having a little chat with the Joker. He seeks out the cops that betrayed him, the crime lords that set it up, and even Gordon, who he blames for Rachel's death. His thirst for revenge gets him in a confrontation with Batman, ending with his death. Instead of revealing what actually happened, Gordon and Batman agree to keep Dent's White Knight reputation.

11. Abe Sapien (Hellboy II: The Golden Army)

"Despite the appearances, I bet Red will make an excellent father figure."

Abe is the most supportive friend a hellspawn can ask for. I mean, he works well with everyone. He helps support Liz after discovering she's pregnant and he even gets along well with Tom Manning. He ends up developing the biggest teenage-boy crush on Princess Nuala and starts wearing contacts, listening to love songs, and even gets drunk with Hellboy as they bond over their women. It was slightly annoying when he gave the last piece to Prince Nuada for Nuala's safety, but he was right when he pointed out Hellboy would do the same for Liz. Nuala's death definitely took a toll on him which is one of the reasons why I think he ended up quitting with the team.

10. Sand Saref (The Spirit)

"Do I look like a good girl?"

A femme fatale, Sand used to be Denny's young love as they grew up in Central City. She dreamed of diamonds, cars, and loved reading stories of Jason's Golden Fleece. When her uncle dies, she decides to break up with cop-loving Denny, and finally go after everything she wants in life. Now known for marrying rich and then killing her husbands, keeping all the money for herself. With everything she's asked for, she goes after the Golden Fleece, which brings her back to Central City. When her Fleece get's switched with Octopus's vase of blood, she becomes a major player in the war between him and the Spirit, who she learns is Denny back from the dead. Their feelings come back when he learns she still had the necklace he gave her but they aren't acted on until the final fight. With her hands on the Golden Fleece, Sand uses it's impenetrable coat to protect The Spirit and then the tow proceed to make out in front of everyone, including his current girlfriend. They break ways though, Sand choosing her diamonds and The Spirit choosing the city's protection.

9. Prince Nuada Silverlance (Hellboy II: The Golden Army)

"Let this remind you why you once feared the dark."

So I don't feel like Prince Nuada was a bad guy, he really thought he was bringing justice to his people by defeating the humans who raged war on them for years. He has a respect for nature and cares deeply about his kingdom, which is why he couldn't deal with how they were living under his father's rule while the humans destroyed all the green from their planet. So he did what he had to do to gain control of the crown pieces but then became at odds with Hellboy and his team. They end up fighting a lot, Nuada is crazy talented with the spear, but Nuada always got away because Hellboy couldn't hurt him without hurting Princess Nuala, Abe's crush. It isn't until Nuada has complete control of the Golden Army that he's defeated by Hellboy, but even then he won't stop his mission until Nuala kills herself, killing him as well.

8. Pepper Potts (Iron Man)

"I do anything and everything Mr. Stark requires. Including occasionally taking out the trash."

If there's one person who can put Tony Stark in his place, it's Pepper. In fact, I'm pretty sure Pepper can put anyone in their place, proof being when she handles the disrespectful reporter, Christine. She's Stark's personal assistant and handles literally everything in his life, since the millionaire genius is pretty much incapable of doing anything besides creating amazing technology (he really should know his social security number). It's Pepper who discovers that Obadiah was the one trying to kill him and it's Pepper who helps Iron Man take him down. There isn't a resolution to the chemistry between Pepper and Tony, but since she's still his assistant, there's still hope.

7. Denny Colt/The Spirit (The Spirit)

"She is my lover, and I am her Spirit."

I get why literally every girl in this movie fell for the Spirit, he's extremely charismatic. How he learned to do that after rising from the dead, I don't know, but it's a skill he mastered and it's got him out of several tough spots as he tries to protect the city (granted it's gotten him in tougher spots too). He has a hilarious rivalry with The Octopus which puts him in even more hilarious situations like fighting in the mud with toilets, jumping off buildings with his pants off, and fighting goons holding gun with nothing but snowballs. Despite all of this, he manages to save his city, kiss the girl (ends up with another girl), and finally takes The Octopus down with a grenade.

6. Hellboy (Hellboy II: The Golden Army)

"I'm not gonna kill him, Abe. But I am gonna kick his ass!"

Our favorite petty hellspawn is back! Nothing much has changed since we lost saw Hellboy. He's still in love with Liz and his kittens, still desperately wants to fit in with society, and still has a nasty temper. Despite all their arguing, Hellboy and Liz still find a way to make it work, especially now that Liz is pregnant with his babies. His relationship with Abe also expands, Hellboy taking on a big brother role as he helps Abe deal with his feelings with Princess Nuala, and by 'deal' I mean they get drunk and listen to sad love songs. Despite the annoyance of Krauss being added to the team, Hellboy manages to lead everyone against Prince Nuada and his powerful Golden Army. When he takes them all done, him and Liz quit the department and walk off to start their new family.

5. Bruce Banner/Hulk (The Incredible Hulk)

"HULK SMASH!"

The Hulk is the first superhero that's gotten a reboot in my list's history. Even though the film is technically a sequel, lots of things were rebooted and, in my opinion, for the better. Not only do we get to see the Hulk in his destructive glory but I feel like we were finally able to connect to Bruce as a human. He's someone with a problem that has the potential to cause serious harm for anyone near him so he isolates himself from everyone he cares about and tries to find a way to get rid of away. Of course he can't stay hidden too long and ends up reuniting with Betty, but with the army trying to selfishly use his contaminated blood as a weapon of their own, the journey just gets harder and harder for Bruce. In the end, when he's fighting Abomination on the streets of New York, Bruce nearly kills him as the Hulk but with the help off Betty he's able to manage his rage, if only briefly, and runs off to British Colombia. There we see him last, his glowing eyes hinting at his newfound control over the Hulk.

4. Fox (Wanted)

"We kill one and maybe save a thousand."

If anyone believes in the code and in the Fraternity of Assassins, it's Fox. This is someone who was actually a victim of what happens when an assassin doesn't kill their target. It's probably why she joins, herself, and quickly becomes one of the best they have. She's badass in every way, shape, and form. From curving bullets, driving in crazy speed chases, and climbing the side of a train as it gets ready to fall over a rocky cliff, she's someone who's capable of anything. When she finds out her name, along with everyone in the Fraternity's names, show up she disobeys Sloan and honors the code it the most epic way. With one final curve of her bullet, she manages to take down everyone in the room, including herself.

3. Bruce Wayne/Batman (The Dark Knight)

"Because sometimes the truth isn't good enough. Sometimes, people deserve more."

The Dark Knight is back and the streets of Gotham couldn't be any more safe, but it's not just him that c an take the credit. Gotham has a hero with a face taking down these crime lords and his name is Harvey Dent. This man gives Bruce hope that maybe he can step away from the suit and live a normal life with Rachel after all, but all that comes crashing down once the Joker steps to the plate. Bruce made a mistake in underestimating Joker, thinking of him as a common criminal, which ends up costing him the lives of several people including Rachel. Bruce has to really think outside the box when it comes to stopping him and when he finally does, he ends up with another threat in the form of Two Face. When Harvey Dent regrettably dies, Bruce understands that the general public will go into chaos if they find out about his corruption and so he decides to take the blame entirely, saving Harvey's reputation along with Gotham City's safety.

2. Tony Stark/Iron Man (Iron Man)

"The truth is...I am Iron Man."

The genius owner of a millionaire dollar business. Tony Stark is one of the most brilliant men the world has to offer, and he puts his brains into making weapons for the military to help keep the peace. It isn't until after he's kidnapped by terrorist with his own weapon technology that he realizes his mistakes. He turns a new leaf and decides to create a hero of sorts to help protect people from those who wish to harm them: Iron Man! Tony Stark's charisma and humor throughout the film was so fun to watch and his journey to becoming a hero was even better to see happen. At the end he does what no hero has done before, he reveals he's indeed Iron Man, not wanting to hide away from his responsibilities.

1. The Joker (The Dark Knight)

"Why so serious?"

Is anyone surprised? 2008 had the most bad ass characters by far with returning champions Batman, Hellboy, and Angelina Jolie (even though she won as Tomb Raider instead of Fox) and the debut of Iron Man. There's only one person who could steal the throne from them at that was Heath Ledger's Joker. The Joker ruled every scene he was in and was, in every sense of the word, a madman. From his multiple backstories on how he got his scars to his nurse outfits, Joker installed fear and uncertainty in everyone that crossed his path. An agent of chaos, Joker quickly flipped Gotham upside down and had the entire city scrambling to figure him out and put a stop to him. And even though he does eventually get stopped because Batman does have more strength in the end, no one figures him out. He's a puzzle piece that remains unsolved because every time you try he finds a way to create the biggest, most chaotic storm in your life. It's his wild plans that aids in the creation of Two Face, after all. The Joker is one of the greatest enemies Batman has ever faced and his reign as one of the greatest villains of all time in film is still evident almost ten years later.

[ncfan-1]

Gotham 04X05, ‘The Blade’s Path’

We have the possible beginning of a possible romantic subplot between Sofia Falcone and Oswald Cobblepot, aka a man who has not once shown so much as an iota of romantic and/or sexual attraction to a woman in all the time we’ve known him. We also have undead Butch. ………Well, at least Bruce’s subplot should be mildly interesting. This is Gotham.

- We open with dead Butch—excuse me, comatose Butch—being transported “upstate.” Upstate meaning Slaughter Swamp. This should end well. (Why was it necessary to make his real name Cyrus Gold? They changed Ivy’s name from Pamela Isley to Ivy Pepper—I don’t see why this was needed.)

- Jim and Harvey clash over Gordon being, well, refusing to even try to understand Harvey’s position. Harper calls Gordon out over news on Ra’s.

- At least Bruce understands that he is at least partly culpable for Alex’s death. Apparently he hasn’t been sleeping, though. He suggests that Ra’s thinks that the dagger could kill him. Somehow, I suspect he is incredibly off-base with this.

- I can’t believe Alfred actually thought it was a good idea for Bruce to go to the wake. …And we are seeing no confrontation from Alex’s parents, while Gordon pulls Alfred aside. Apparently, Ra’s has diplomatic immunity. Gordon wants the news kept away from Bruce, but Bruce inevitably overhears. Gordon and Alfred are both peak self-righteous in their exchange.

- Bruce heads back to the Manor to gear up.

- Visiting hours at Blackgate, and Barbara’s going to see Ra’s. Barbara actually offers to break him out. Ra’s seems to genuinely appreciate it, but he says he’s just called her here to say goodbye. Apparently he promised Barbara “a gift beyond her imagining”; they each press their hands on the glass, something glowing happens, and we’ve got a “You’ll see” when Barbara, alarmed, asks what happened. Somehow, I feel like she would have been better off if she hadn’t done that. Just so long as it wasn’t some mystical hand sex and she really is supposed to be Talia’s mother. I think my head might explode.

- I think his relationship with Barbara might be Ra’s’s sole humanizing trait so far.

- And we’ve got Butch waking up and walking out of Slaughter Swamp, only to happen on some vagrants chanting a very familiar rhyme…

- The vagrants are actually kind of friendly, but Butch… Grundy, I suppose I should call them Grundy now, responds by killing one of the guys. Because of course.

- This would probably be more affecting if I actually gave a damn about Butch Gilzean. But I don’t, so it’s not.

- Penn’s still alive!

- Only 86% of crime is accounted for under Pax Penguina. Oswald doesn’t like that, though, and he wants Firefly scorching the 14%. That’s when Sofia shows up.

- She invites him out for lunch. Apparently we’re not playing the ingénue anymore.

- I love his face when she touches him Like “What the hell?” I don’t think he likes casual touch too much—not from women, that is. (And having seen the rest of the episode, I think her messing with his coat collar was meant to be maternal, rather than flirtatious.)

- I like her clothes, even if I wouldn’t wear them myself. I wonder if we’re ever going to see Sofia in clothes that reflect her at her most inmost self—I’m pretty sure all the clothes we’ve seen her wear so far have been part of her trying to play a role for her audience’s benefit.

- I love Penn’s vaguely horrified expression at Number 4 on the to-do list, considering who’s standing about six feet away. I do wonder whether Oswald would seriously let on to someone he considers dangerous enough to kill that he was planning to kill them, if he wasn’t going to actually kill them about five seconds later.

- Ed’s trying to find some pills to help him. Pharmacist, presumably terrified that he’ll get shot otherwise, suggests a trial drug. He pins Ed’s hand to the desk with an ice pick and calls him out for his fake gun.

- Ed runs into Grundy, doesn’t seem to understand that Grundy’s not quite himself. Grundy just hauls him over one shoulder and carries him off.

- Alfred goes to Gordon, afraid that Bruce is going to break into Blackgate. They come to something of a détente, though, even if it is coming from Gordon, I would like to see Alfred get read the riot act over his parenting. Just a little bit. Because, yeah, this shit ain’t okay. It’s necessary, because Bruce Wayne is Batman, but it’s still not okay.

- We cut to Bruce in Blackgate, going to confront Ra’s. Since I haven’t ever seen Silence of the Lambs, I can’t say for sure, but is the glass cell a reference to Silence of the Lambs?

- He tries to kill Ra’s with the knife while he’s sleeping, only to hesitate and try to walk away. Ra’s berates him” “You weak, foolish boy.” Knocks him over, throttles him. “You’re still not ready. Throws him across the room, and find sthat several of the security guards are in Ra’s’s pocket. Ra’s tells them to take him to “the room.”

- Gordon and Alfred in Blackgate. Alfred starts off by insulting the staff by saying Bruce could have paid someone off—though given that Ra’s appears to have paid several someones off, the guards don’t have much room for complaint.

- Extended disarming scene! One of my favorite tropes! Jesus, he had a short sword!

- Ed wakes up in the back of a pickup truck. Grundy freaks him out. Ed notices that Butch has his dismembered hand back. He establishes that Grundy doesn’t remember being Butch. Ed tries to slip away, but Grundy isn’t having any of that. His grabbing Ed’s wounded hand made me snicker a little, because I’m a horrible person.

- Ed says he can’t help Grundy because he doesn’t even know who he is.

- Grundy reveals that he made off with a hot dog cart, and gives Ed a hot dog. …It’s surprisingly cute.

- Sofia heads over to a restaurant to meet up with an old associate. She wants to know how associate is faring under Oswald. He says they’re doing well—and that they’re not stupid enough to make a move on him. Sofia says good, ‘cause she’s invited him here for lunch tomorrow, and she wants it to be a lunch he’ll never forget. Should be interesting.

- Bruce wakes up under Blackgate. Ra’s has the knife. Bruce realizes he’s been played. Ra’s explains why he wanted the dagger. HE says that when he was in the Pit, he saw a vision of Bruce. Ra’s says that Bruce is meant to kill Ra’s—though I wonder if this is true.

- Ed tries to run off again, and Grundy grabs his leg this time. The hobos Grundy attacked earlier show up, and Grundy fights them off. His hand is set on fire, and Ed goes to get water for it. This makes Ed smart in Grundy’s estimation, and Ed is put into one bone-crusher of a hug.

- Lunch time! Holy shit, Sofia, what is that hair?

- Apparently Oswald employs a food taster now. Prudent, though they’re trying to play it as paranoid.

- Oswald tries to run out five seconds later, but Sofia persuades him to stay and try the goulash. Apparently Gertrud made goulash for him, and the restaurant’s… tastes just like hers. Well, I’m guessing he liked it, since he seemed rather overcome and rushed out. Well played, Sofia—though to be fair, that ploy could easily backfire if he sees through it (And given what happened the last time someone around Oswald emulated his parents’ behavior, she really ought to tread carefully). It’s probably no secret around Gotham that he was devoted to his mother.

- An allusion to the time Gordon got locked up. And apparently one of Ra’s’s hired goons took the name of another guard. Which signals Gordon and Alfred that these guys are fakers.

- Mexican standoff!

- Alfred shoots the guy dead—he has always had a bit of an edge to him, and it’s showing sharper now. He and Gordon head for the sub-basement.

- Oswald’s seen straight through the ploy. Sofia plays to his sympathy by telling him that her father never did anything for anyone unless it benefited him.

- She tries to tend to his wounded foot. She tells him a story about a time she broke her ankle. They “bond” through their mothers. This is all a put-on, of course, but I do wonder how much of it Sofia’s capable of genuinely.

- I hope to God Oswald’s not really falling for this again.

- Ra’s tries to convince Bruce that his immortality is a curse, but Bruce says he doesn’t believe him. Thy see his true form in his reflection in the water, a desiccated corpse. Bruce says he deserves to suffer; we are apparently wandering into cruel mercy territory here. Ra’s tells Bruce that if he doesn’t kill him, he’ll disappear until the day when Bruce no longer thinks of him, and he’ll come back and kill everyone he loves. A tear in his eye, this prompts Bruce to stab Ra’s. Ra’s desiccates into a severely decayed corpse right before Bruce, Alfred and Gordon’s eyes.

(Not really the best use of your Ra’s al Ghul, Gotham. Definitely not the best use of Alexander Siddig.)

- Bruce asks if Gordon’s going to arrest him? Gordon admits that he doesn’t even know what the hell he saw.

- Bruce and Gordon have a heart-to-heart, where Gordon tries to persuade him that he can still be a good person. The talk isn’t really valuable, except that it possibly provides some insight into how Gordon can still live with himself after all the shit he’s done. None of the horrible things you’ve done in the past matter, so long as you’re still convinced you can do good in the future!

- Bruce tries to burn his vigilante gear, but Alfred tries to persuade him not to. Bruce feels that he’s not the hero Gotham needs, because he killed Ra’s. Alfred admits that it’s going to take a long time for him to come back from that, but that when he feels worthy of being proto-Batman again, his gear will be waiting for him. So I guess from baby Batman antics for a while. And honestly? I’m perfectly okay with that. I want to see more of Bruce trying to navigate the world as Bruce.

(Though there is something else. Right now, Bruce Wayne and Jonathan Crane are each other’s strongest narrative parallels in Gotham. I really want to see them interact. To be honest, the idea of them meeting as Bruce and not-quite-Scarecrow, not-quite-Jonathan, in this particular show, kind of intrigues me more than them meeting as proto-Batman and proto-Scarecrow, so maybe it’s for the best.)

- Ed lies and says he and Grundy were the best of friends and manipulates him into helping Ed figure out how to make him smart again. I predict this ending horribly. And cue fight club! And cue Doctor Thompkins. Well, this should at least be an interesting turn for her character. (Even if they’re not making proper use of their Ra’s al Ghul, they might just make better use of their Leslie Thompkins this season.)

- I’m honestly dreading finding out what that glowing thing did to Barbara. Nothing good, I bet.

[hysterialevi]

In the Smoke pt. 7 (Cobblebats) Also thank you guys for 30 followers!!

From Oswald’s POV

I grabbed Falcone by the neck, squeezing hard enough just to make him struggle as he wiggled helplessly in the air, a dangerous, groaning creak emitting from the beam he was hanging from. 

“I don’t got all day,” I snarled at him, “and neither do you. This tower ain’t holding your weight forever, mate, and the GCPD will be here soon. So just tell me what I need to know before I lose my patience, and I might let you go.”

Falcone scoffed. “You expect me to believe that? You just blew my club to hell, and look at my men!” He gestured to the bodies lying around us. “They’re all dead! What’s stopping you from doing the same to me?”

I stepped closer to him and pointed my gun under his jaw, glaring. “Nothing.”

He still refused to comply, and kept his mouth zipped tight. I pressed the gun even harder into his skin, leaving a dent.

“You have the technology to hack into Arkham’s records,” I explained. “And you’re gonna tell me how to do it.”

“And what if I don’t?”

I chuckled. “Then you’ll be of no more use to me, and I’ll kill you. And once I’m done with you, I’ll go after the Waynes, and repeat the exact same process. You think you’re being a hero by defying me? All you’re doing is makin’ it worse for my other enemies...your friends.”

Falcone tried to turn away from my gun. “Why the hell are you even interested in that loony-bin? What could you gain from it?”

My eyes narrowed in anger. “Gain? I didn’t gain shit from that hellhole, but you clearly benefited from it.”

He still looked confused, so I decided to spell it out for him.

“...about twenty years ago, there may have been a woman who was part of a rich family. She had a loving husband, a piece of land that you stole...and a little boy. A son...who was left all alone because of what you did.”

Falcone took a better look at me, his mouth dropping open. “...no. You can’t be--” He blinked rapidly a few times, completely dumbfounded. “...O-Oswald?”

I grinned behind my mask. This was too fun. 

“I told you I’d come back one day, didn’t I?” I taunted. “That I’d destroy everything and everyone you cared about, and send your fortune spiraling down in flames.” I moved my pistol from his jaw to his forehead. “You’ve lived in peace for long enough, Falcone. Time’s up.”

Before I could pull the trigger though, a sharp pain suddenly stung my hand when something hit it, flicking the weapon out of my grasp as it was sent sliding across the floor. I whirled around to see who else was here, and prepared for another attack, only to spot an iconic Batarang sticking out of a nearby wall with its blade barely lodged into the sturdy surface. 

“Let him go.” A low voice said. 

Not too far away from me, lurking in the shadows, was a pair of glowing, white eyes. I smirked, spreading my arms out to my side.

“Batman!” I exclaimed, approaching him. “It’s. About. Time. You set a bomb off, you’d expect a visit from Gotham’s number one vigilante.”

He took a step forward in an intimidating manner, clenching his fists. “I said let him go.”

I glanced over at my bodyguard, Roland, who was standing somewhere off to side. “You hear that, Roland? That sounded like an order.” The blue giant came out of hiding and began prowling towards Batman, cracking his knuckles.

“I’ll crush him.”

“Now, now,” I stopped him, “have a little respect for the Bat. Think he underestimates you.” 

As expected, Batman said nothing in return and simply stared at me, observing the situation like a hawk.

“Listen,” I told him, getting his attention. “I doubt you came here for small talk. You’re obviously here to save Falcone’s arse, which we’ll get to in a moment, but my only question is...why? This man,” I threw a firm punch directly into the crime-boss’ gut, causing him to reel, “don’t deserve being rescued. He’s a bloody gangster--if you can call him that--and he’s been running away from justice for ages. I thought ‘Batman’ was all about justice.”

The vigilante grimly examined the scattered corpses. “This isn’t justice.”

“Pfft, what, and a courtroom is? You can take Falcone to jail as many times as you want, Batman--but he’s always gonna get out. And he’s only gonna go after more victims.”

Interrupting our conversation, the sound of police sirens started to near the club, and I could hear the speedy footsteps of police offers as they tried to break in. I retrieved my gun from the floor and let out a dramatic sigh, Roland blocking off the vigilante from me.

“So sorry this didn’t work out, mate. I’d stay to watch--I really would, but I’ve got a Wayne problem to deal with. Perhaps we can continue this at a later date.” For some reason, that seemed to strike worry in Batman.

I turned to Falcone. “As for him...”

Casually waving goodbye, I shot the rope tying Falcone’s hands to the beam, causing him to plummet immediately through the air with a frightened shriek. Batman instantly bulldozed his way past me and Roland, ignoring the original reason why he came here, and took out that grapple-gun of his, diving off the edge after Falcone. He really was crazy, wasn’t he?

Before either of them could make it back up here however, I decided to take this chance to escape and sprinted out of the club with Roland trailing behind me, evading the GCPD along the way. So, I may not have gained any information from Falcone as I planned, but at least I had a new weapon in my arsenal--and that weapon was waiting to meet me at this very moment.

From Bruce’s POV

I sat patiently in Oz’s office, waiting for my friend to return as I watched the news. So far, there was a recorded count of eleven deaths, and over twenty were injured and in critical condition. Whoever this Penguin was, he certainly caused a good amount of damage, and by attacking the Skyline Club so blatantly, it was obvious that he was trying to send a message. As for Uncle Carmine, he had been saved by the famed Batman, and was now being treated in Gotham’s precinct. As far as I could tell, he wasn’t as badly harmed as the other victims, but he was still in dire need for medical attention. Despite hating what he did for a living, I couldn’t help but worry a little for my uncle. He was still family, after all.

Shutting off the TV, I started to think about what Harvey said back at the café. As obvious as it was, I was still surprised that he actually admitted to being infatuated with me. I didn’t get a chance to respond to his confession, and to be honest, I was kind of grateful for that. Even if that bomb hadn’t gone off, I wouldn’t have known what to say anyways. I mean, Harvey was a friendly and compassionate guy--there was no doubt about that--but I just didn’t share his attraction. My mind was already occupied with fantasizing about someone else.

After a while of waiting, the office’s door finally swung open, revealing Oz in the entryway. He was only wearing his white v-neck right now, and his black coat had been slung over his shoulder. There was a deep, red gash on the back of his hand, and he looked like he had just gotten out of a fight. What happened?

A smile came to my face. “Oz, you’re back. Are you all right? You look like hell.”

Oz looked at me as if he were thinking about something. “Oh, this?” He lifted his hand. “It’s nothin’. Just had a run-in with Batman.”

I froze. “Wait, what?”

He didn’t elaborate much on the subject and simply carried on as always, until his brow raised with realization and he began wrapping a bandage around the wound. “Oh, that’s right...you don’t know about Penguin, do you?”

Was he implying what I thought he was? 

“Oz,” I said suspiciously, “...are you the Penguin?”

He grinned. “The one and only.” Cutting the bandage, he walked towards me. “I would’ve told you sooner, Bruce, but I was worried it’d scare you off.”

“I get that, but if we’re gonna be working together, we need to be honest with each other. All right?”

Oz nodded. “I can work with that. Anyways, we’ve got a lot of work to do. That debate is just ‘round the corner, and it’s the perfect opportunity to expose Falcone, Hilll, and your father.”

“How do you mean?”

“Think ‘bout it. All of Gotham is gonna be watching that night. The entire city’s attention will be on the debate. If we show the evidence there, there won’t be a man, woman, or child who don’t know about the mayor’s crimes.”

I was still a little lost. “But what evidence do we have?”

Oz raised a finger. “That, mate...is where you come in. Apparently, your father’s got access to the records and databases of...pretty much everywhere in Gotham. City Hall, the GCPD, you name it.”

He grabbed a chair and sat on it backwards, scooting closer to me. “I need you to find a way to pull up the records of Arkham Asylum, and send them to me. They’ve got an endless supply of security footage and patient files that could help us tremendously, and we can play ‘em at the debate. What d’you think? Can you handle that?”

I had no idea that my father had such resources, and I didn’t know how he was able to access so much information, but if growing up around criminals helped me do anything--it was being sneaky. I would have to keep a close eye on my father, and watch his every move, but also avoid suspicion at the same time. With enough patience, it was definitely possible.

“I got it covered.” I said.

He winked at me. I melted inside. “Thanks, Bruce. Well, I should get to work on preparations. In the meantime, you just focus on getting that evidence, all right? I’ll take care of the rest. Oh, also--” Oz shrugged, “--sorry for ruining your date with Dent.”

I chuckled. “It wasn’t a date, Oz. I mean, he likes me, but...”

He caught on pretty easily. “You don’t like him back, do you?”

I shook my head in guilt. “No.”

“Who do you like, then?”

My words got stuck in my throat at that question, and I felt myself blushing, but my silence alone was able to say more than enough. Oz grinned flirtatiously.

“Oh, I see. Well...can’t really blame you.”

“I should mention that arrogance is a huge turn-off for me.” I joked.

“Oh, but blowing up a tower on live TV isn’t?”

“You have a thing for theatrics. I respect that.”

He laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind. Anyways,” Oz stood up from his chair and headed for the door, “I’ll start getting everything ready. You just do whatever it takes to find those records, okay?”

“You got it.”

And with that, Oz was out and off to work once again, leaving me alone with one of the biggest tasks of my life. I assumed that my father would have some complex security system to keep out people like me, and I didn’t even know where to begin when it came to hacking. Though, he was away from home right now. This was a good chance to snoop around. I just had to avoid Alfred.

Exiting the office, I shut the lights off behind me and made my way out of HQ, wondering just exactly what the hell I was getting myself into. I loved my father, and the last thing I wanted to do was fight against him, but if he was going to keep harming Gotham like this, I didn’t see any other option. He had to be stopped. 

Even if it meant he had to die.