#p.i. nygma

[sunaddicted]

Gotham Blues (Nygmobblepot)

To say that Edward didn't remember the last time he had left Gotham would have been a lie; he didn't think there was anything in the whole universe that could make him forget watching the city disappear from sight, further and further away, swallowed by thick clouds as his plane climbed up in the sky, taking him all the way across the Atlantic where he alone would be privy to his ghosts and memories.

Edward hadn't wanted to leave.

No matter that Oswald thought he knew better about his life choices - that he knew better about what Edward needed and wanted. Most of the times, Edward had been more than glad to let the other man to the emotional labor for the both of them, also because most of the times Oswald had been simply right: he'd always had a gift for reading the people around him - friend or foe, it didn't seem to matter. It had also made it infinitely harder to make Oswald accept when things didn't go the way he thought they would.

When that happened, Oswald wasn't great to be around.

Edward shrugged the memories away, forcing the feeling to roll off of his shoulders together with the tension that had been steadily gathering in his muscles.

Maybe he shouldn't have come back.

Having a city airport meant that there simply was no way to brace himself for impact: Edward walked out with his trolley lagging behind him and he stepped back into Gotham's evening.

"Years in Europe and you still have no fashion sense whatsoever"

The last time he'd seen Oswald, the man had been behind bars - in hindsight, Edward could admit that it hadn't been the best moment to leave. Still, he didn't think he would have done anything differently, not even to avoid having the memories of the other man alternatively screaming abuse and love at him; hands reaching from between the bars to grab at any part of him, fingers strong and desperate enough to tear away the cufflink from his sleeve.

There was nothing left of that man.

"I'll have you know, my outfits were all the rage in Paris"

"People were probably too polite to tell you the truth"

"The French aren't exactly known for that" Edward took over holding the umbrella as he stepped under it "I've missed you too"

(continues on ao3)

[just-an-enby-lemon]

I will always defend that if CW knew anything about the comics they are adapting we would have a bad P.I Nygma show. It's the milion dollars project because they can have their Batman show without Batman, justify the low budged and use the fact Eddie is an ex villain to justify the edge and whole "dark protagonist" thing they have going.

It would suck because CW is not able to write neither good misteries nor good characther arcs/analysis but it fits the brand so well I almost want to sell the idea to them.

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

this is how it ends

by deadringerforlove Bruce Wayne’s sons are dead. The rest of his family isn’t speaking to him. Now, he’s seeing things that aren’t there. A new killer is stalking Gotham’s rogues gallery. Batman reluctantly teams up with a “reformed” Riddler (Edward Nygma P.I.) and struggles to manage the unpredictable Harvey Dent. As the investigation deepens, Batman grapples with hallucinations and the weight of his past failures. Will the Dark Knight face his demons? Or are there things a person just can’t come back from? Words: 3809, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics), DCU (Comics) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Categories: F/M, M/M, Multi Characters: Bruce Wayne, Edward Nygma, Jim Gordon (DCU), Original Female Character(s), Selina Kyle, Harvey Dent Relationships: Edward Nygma & Bruce Wayne, Harvey Dent/Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle/Bruce Wayne, Minor or Background Relationship(s), Oswald Cobblepot/Original Female Character(s), Oswald Cobblepot/Edward Nygma, Jonathan Crane/Edward Nygma, Eiko Hasigawa/Selina Kyle Additional Tags: Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Abusive Bruce Wayne, Broken Families, Grief/Mourning, Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Canon-Typical Violence, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Bad Parent Bruce Wayne, Violent Bruce Wayne, Extremely Dubious Consent, Unhealthy Relationships, Choking, Murder Mystery, Shipping Bruce with everyone I guess via https://ift.tt/5lR1zfj

[riddle-me-ri]

Thank you for always proposing a lot of riddler versions in your writings. The Gotham city sirens (or any detective/reformed Eddie in general) is so underused.

Aww of course! I love a good vast majority of Riddlers lmao with like a couple of exceptions! I'm glad I'm able to cater to others who also love them!

And right? P.I. Riddler is one of my faves, especially him in Sirens cause I mean c'mon...

How..how can you not??? 🥰😍😗 he deserves more love and I'm bound and determined to serve!

[plushievash]

know in your heart he has not learned a DAMN thing <3

[ithinkthingsaboutstuff]

Gotham Rogues Aesthetic- Riddler P.I.  

[demon-scarecrow]

A List of Ideas DC Can Have So I Can Read them. pt2

Here’s some more random concepts that DC can have for free just as long as I get to read them.

Team-up between Azrael, Ragman, and Zauriel. Just watching Rory and Zauriel trying to keep either Jean-Paul or Michael reigned in would be super fun. Also potential for interesting discussions about faith and all that good shit.

Eddie Nygma trying to go straight as a P.I. again. Problem is he’s having trouble getting work because no one wants to hire an ex-supervillain, so he partners up with Bobo T Chimpanzee who has trouble from a legal standpoint sometimes because he isn’t human. They bill themselves as the ACTUAL World’s Greatest Detectives and it’s a running joke that Batman has better PR. Ralph Dibney joins the firm at some point and they all have delightful detective shenanigans together.

New team book made up entirely of adult children of supervillains. Potential roster is:

Chris Kent (Lor-Zod, Nightwing) son of Dru-Zod

Jennifer-Lynn Haydon (Jade) and Todd Rice (Obsidian) children of Thorn

Stephanie Brown (Batgirl or Spoiler) daughter of Cluemaster

Jackson Hyde (Aqualad) son of Black Manta

Sebastian Faust (Faust) son of Felix Faust

Rose Wilson (Ravager) daughter of Deathstroke

Rachel Roth (Raven) daughter of Trigon

Could also include Damian or Cass instead of Steph, but I just think the concept could be cool. Most of their main villains could be their parents or any evil siblings. If the book needed a mentor or something to anchor the team I’d go with Martian Manhunter, who would know that they’re all more than their families’ transgressions and see them for the impressive worthwhile people they can be. I’d love to see strong found family vibes since most of them didn’t really have stable, loving homes as kids. Also, please bring back Fauna Faust, she could be so much fun.

Legacy of Fate. There have been a lot of Doctor Fates. Just bunches. In one of the comics it showed them all kinda stuck in the Helmet and giving Nabu shit (as they should because Nabu is kind of terrible). Doing something a bit bigger with this concept would be great. Just all of the echoes of Fates past suppressing Nabu while still allowing access to the powers that are needed and instead offering their aid and advice. Sort of like Avatar with Aang being able to get advice from his past lives, or Firestorm where there’s extra voices in their head. Sometimes they’d probably argue about the best course of action, leaving it up to the current Fate (Khalid) to make the call. Concept needs some work, but it’d be so cool to see some of the ex Fates again.

Jason Todd and Tommy Monaghan teamup. Just stupid amounts of fun violence and snarky attitudes.

Anyhow, these ideas are up for grabs. Make it happen, DC.

[corhore]

I like/love things like the DCEU and MCU, as well as their comic book counterparts. Doesn’t mean I won’t tear everything apart and make it the way I want it to (Like Tom Holland’s Spider-Man becoming essentially Josuke Higashkita, so he’s a good boy but an absolute savage if pushed; And a alternate Birds Of Prey where Harley is rooming with Edward Nygma, who’s a P.I. now, and Barbara Gordon is there).

I can't say I'm a fan of either the DCEU or the MCU at this point. Both will put out good stuff every now and then, but I find the creative decisions for both to be questionable at best to horrible bad at worst.

[gothamsworst]

Can I ask for HCs with Riddler, Poison Ivy, and Music Meister with an s/o that is--for the most part--lawfully good? Like, the s/o fell in love with the rogue as a person but isn't too keen on the crime and vilainy shtick?

The Riddler (Edward Nygma):

But where’s the fun in that? The “villainy schtick” is pretty much what his entire reputation relies on. You came into this relationship knowing that. You can’t just expect him to change now!

Still, he hates seeing you upset, and you both know that. Fighting with you bothers him. But at the same time, how else is he supposed to prove that he’s better than The Batman?

Enter: P.I. Edward Nygma! He thinks it’s a joke at first, but the more he thinks it over, the more attractive an idea it becomes. Yeah...yeah! What better way to beat “The World’s Best Detective” than to become an Even Better Detective?

Poison Ivy (Pamela Isley):

She understands where you’re coming from, but you’ve got to try and see things from her perspective as well. In her eyes, what she’s doing isn’t villainy, it’s resetting the natural order of things.

Still, she knows how much it upsets you when she takes things “too far,” so she tries to tone down on the more Extreme aspects of her work. Moreso focusing on the Ivy part of her nature than the Poison part.

She also makes sure to have more antidotes on hand. There are innocent people who tend to get caught in her plans. And, contrary to popular belief, she’s not entirely heartless towards humanity.

Music Meister (Dennis Prowell):

Come on, taking over the world has been his whole thing! He can’t just give that up because you bat your lashes at him!

...

Fine.

[roguish-gallery]

Rogues + Internet/Social Media HCs!

Hello!!! this was requested by @geniusbee I struggled a bit with the initial prompt, so I kinda broadened the question, I hope you don’t mind! Once I got the ball rolling with this one, it was super fun to work on! Thank you again for your request!

If anyone wants to, feel free to send me send me more requests! I’d love to do more of these!

Everything is under the Read More bc this got LONG AS FUCK. (Slight TW for sexual references!)

Bane:

Doesn’t use social media. point blank

He’ll surf the web mostly for research or for communication purposes, but that’s mostly it... That being said sometimes he DOES look up stuff for fun because he’s a naturally curious guy who had limited access to education for the first 20-ish years of his life. It sends him down a rabbit hole of researching weird shit and sometimes you’ll catch him up at 4:00 am looking up how bread was made in Ancient Rome or what Cock and Ball Torture is bc he heard Joker say it once and he’s never EVER fucking heard of those words strung together like that before

Also… his fingers are simply too beefy for most keyboards. Dude tryna sit down and send Scandal Savage some fun cookie recipes she could try with her GF like

 Catwoman:

Not a lot to say here but tbh she probably has the most normal internet habits of everyone. Helps to promote cat shelter’s web pages, and will use some light hacking to find the locations of fur factories and animal abusers but that’s mostly it?

If she isn’t already an influencer, she has definitely considered it. Will sometimes post selfies of her wearing stolen jewelry just to flex. Has a legion of simps.

Clayface

Unknowingly gets into kin drama without trying to

He has... so many theather blogs, musical blogs, and obscure film blogs... someone help him... somehow he regularly adds shit to ALL OF THEM. 

He’s that one bitch who hoards all the canon URLs and there’s nothing you can fucking do to stop him.

Harley Quinn:

Her computer is slow and buggy as shit because she’s got so many viruses from trying to download flash games. Edward refuses to fix her computers at this point because he knows it’s a lost cause.

She vlogs sometimes, actually! And she’ll drag her hyenas or any of the rogues/batfam/GCPD she’s hanging out with atm into it.

She likes to go onto anxiety or depression forums and anonymously leave nice, helpful advice :)

Joker:

Mostly on the dark web, doing… things that you do on the dark web...

If he’s ever on the clean web I promise it’s only to start kin drama or to dm fucked up shit to random people he finds.

Has been known to catfish when the mood strikes him

Also? He jumps onto RP forums and either plays the SHITTIEST Batman, or an eerily accurate Batman.

Killer Croc:

He likes looking up funny videos online!!! Also! Art tutorials!!

He likes to post his artwork online under a pseudonym. He doesn’t expect anyone to really pay attention to his work, but it’s always a very pleasant surprise when someone likes or leaves a nice comment on his art.

 He genuinely cherishes all of his followers and the kind interactions he shares with them.

Mad Hatter:

It’s just hat porn and hentai. I’m sorry.

Mr. Freeze:

Normal internet habits tbh. Doesn’t really go on the internet that often because he doesn’t particularly care about keeping up to date with what’s happening.

He used to have a Facebook where he’d post pictures of himself and Nora, but he can’t really do that anymore due to obvious reasons.

Penguin:

Lightly dabbles in dark web shit (for business purposes) but otherwise he’s like an old man on the internet. Checks the stock market and shit. Responds to his emails in a timely manner. He keeps track of everyone’s internet presence but that’s mostly because he enjoys drama and he doesn’t want to be out of the loop in case Eddie starts something again and he needs to know WHY Jervis and Pamela can’t be in the Iceberg at the same time without trying to kill each other.

He REFUSES to make a social media account for the Iceberg Lounge!!!! It is too classy for that!!!

Other than that, though… don’t tell anyone… but he keeps some tabs open on some 🥺🥺🥺 some bird forums and uh 🥺🥺🥺 m🥺🥺🥺 maybe some blogs he has that are all about Jane Austen and Star Trek: The Next Generation 🥺🥺🥺🥺 n-not like he LIKES Star Trek, though!!

Also in Batman #448 it shows that him and Batman canonically play chess with each other online and you know what? That’s cute as hell so I’m gonna say that they still do that.

Poison Ivy:

Surprising no one… she mostly blogs about botany

Will ONLY go onto other parts of the internet to like and share Harley, Selina, or Waylon’s posts and THAT'S IT!!!!

She is not above getting petty in the comment section!! If she finds a video of some clown over-watering their ferns she will absolutely let them know and she will not be polite about it.

Riddler:

Canonically has the best hookup and 100% is the most active online. Like yeah he does a lot of hacking shit but he uses the internet for legit stuff too.

PURPOSEFULLY looks himself up and will argue with anyone who talks smack about him on literally any of the search results. He WILL remember your username and he WILL publicly mock you for it when he freezes your laptop or when he takes over the broadcasting waves in Gotham again.

You KNOW he has a social media account for everything. He WILL talk about how smart and sexy he is and he WILL get around any attempts made to get him blocked, suspended, or banned. 

“You fool… I have 70  A L T E R N A T I V E  A C C O U N T S”

He is the self-proclaimed tech-guru of the Rogues. He WILL harass you if you are using the wrong web browser or if you have TOO MANY FUCKING TABS OPEN FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU.

He calms down somewhat once he becomes a P.I. He’ll take selfies at crime scenes and livestream himself when he’s finding clues or chasing someone down! He’s absolutely obsessed with it and he gets super popular. He knows that he shouldn’t broadcast himself solving crimes... but... the clicks... the views... his stans...

Enjoys gaming and modding whenever he has free time.

Scarecrow:

He hasn’t been in a classroom in years but if you looked at his internet habits you would think he’s still teaching psychology at Gotham U. Responds to emails responsibly (but NOT on weekends or after 10 pm!!)

Probably wouldn’t blog these days, but when he was younger he had a page where he would discuss his psychology work.

He mostly uses the internet for research or to order chemicals but he’ll often get swept up in some inane message chain with Harley and Eddie and he HATES IT.

He has like two dozen tabs open on his computer because he forgets about them and even though some of the tabs have been there for so long that he GENUINELY can’t remember why they were there, he keeps them because it makes Edward break into hives every time he tries to watch what he’s doing online. Giving Edward Nygma anxiety sweats is easy and free and should be done often.

Two-Face:

He uses incognito mode… whenever he needs to google embarrassing questions…

He likes to peruse the dark web but sometimes he enjoys hopping onto r/legaladvice and r/relationships and reads that shit like it's the Sunday paper.

If he’s bored or is having a bad mental day, he likes to look up all the Google doodle games that Google keeps archived. they’re all really cute and are a lot of fun to goof around with whenever he’s wanting to play something light and quick!

[just-an-enby-lemon]

While I want people to ask me how I would write a P.I Riddler mystery show there is better answers (and two amazing long fanfics with whole as seasons) out there. On the other hand I would love to people to ask me how would I do a CW version of a P.I Riddler mystery show.

I have a superpower to write bad cw adaptations. I can turn anything into one. I swear.

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

this is how it ends

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/5lR1zfj by deadringerforlove Bruce Wayne’s sons are dead. The rest of his family isn’t speaking to him. Now, he’s seeing things that aren’t there. A new killer is stalking Gotham’s rogues gallery. Batman reluctantly teams up with a “reformed” Riddler (Edward Nygma P.I.) and struggles to manage the unpredictable Harvey Dent. As the investigation deepens, Batman grapples with hallucinations and the weight of his past failures. Will the Dark Knight face his demons? Or are there things a person just can’t come back from? Words: 3809, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics), DCU (Comics) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Categories: F/M, M/M, Multi Characters: Bruce Wayne, Edward Nygma, Jim Gordon (DCU), Original Female Character(s), Selina Kyle, Harvey Dent Relationships: Edward Nygma & Bruce Wayne, Harvey Dent/Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle/Bruce Wayne, Minor or Background Relationship(s), Oswald Cobblepot/Original Female Character(s), Oswald Cobblepot/Edward Nygma, Jonathan Crane/Edward Nygma, Eiko Hasigawa/Selina Kyle Additional Tags: Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Abusive Bruce Wayne, Broken Families, Grief/Mourning, Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Canon-Typical Violence, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Bad Parent Bruce Wayne, Violent Bruce Wayne, Extremely Dubious Consent, Unhealthy Relationships, Choking, Murder Mystery, Shipping Bruce with everyone I guess read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/5lR1zfj

[bespectacled-skelly]

Eliza and P.I. Edward Nygma

As their relationship grows, they start going on little outings outside of the occasional case he takes her on. Like to a museum or a walk in the park. Edward usually makes snide comments on the people and Eliza asks Edward about Gotham (seeing as she’s not from there). Eliza is sure he would never admit it, but she thinks Edward enjoys her company. And while he can be a pain, she enjoys his too.

[shesquiinnsane-a2]

— ☆   P.I. EDDIE NYGMA   //   @theednygma​   ♢

NOT ADDING UP.   She knew what the scene looked like ,   she knew what the clues said but the GCPD were barking up the wrong tree in her opinion.   Really they should have been listening to the woman who spent most of her time analysing Gotham's criminals but if it looked like a question mark it was a question mark and that pointed straight at Riddler.   Or at least the man who once was Riddler.   She had gone back over as many cases as she could find but it didn't fit.   There was evidence missing ,   things specifically withheld from the news were not there.   Things that the typical Riddler would never have missed.   She had profiled him as meticulous and a definitive planner.   Maybe there were psychological issues behind those ideas but either way ,   Dr. Harley Quinn did not believe this latest letter had been delivered by the Riddler himself.   There was ,   however ,   only one way she could see to prove it to everyone.

Three taps on the door of the private investigators office and Harley waited for a response.   She had the files in her hand and wanted to get his take on things.   He had to know there was at least one person on his side as P.I. Edward Nygma had previously been the Riddler.   Harley knew it wasn't him ,   and presumed the male already knew he was being copied.   It helped when someone believed him but it was still a race against time before the police started knocking at his door.

❝ We've had another hit !!   Thought ya may wanna look over the details so you didn’t have to take them for yourself !! ❞

[boosterbuddy]

comic books i want to write right now:

- booster gold and barbara gordon team up to save us from new52/rebirth

- wonder woman employs p.i. eddie nygma to help her solve a mistery because she is an actual good person and believes people can change unlike someone i can name

[walters-tampon-string]

There’s Hope for You Yet...

Fandom: Batman

Rating: K

Warnings: Past Relationships, a bit sad but has an uplifting ending.

Characters: Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow, Edward Nygma/Riddler.

Relationships: Scriddler (Past Relationship but Hopeful Possible Reconciliation at the end) (No smooching or anything in this story though, sorry). 

Description: Edward was a part of Jonathan’s past he wanted to forget. Too bad Edward won’t let him.

Extra Notes: P.I. Riddler!!!

“What a surprise. Jonathan Crane still holing himself up in abandoned warehouses instead of investing in an actual warehouse like every other rogue. Really Crane, if you’re going to be a villain at least stop and rob the Gotham Bank like everyone else has at least once so you can afford a place with working electricity…”

Jonathan Crane flinched violently at the sudden voice, nearly dropping the test tube full of chemicals he had in his hand. That certainly wouldn’t have been good. Once he composed himself, he gritted his teeth to control his temper as he gently placed the tube back in the test tube rack. He had been hidden away in this warehouse for about a month now, tirelessly trying to concoct a new chemical formula for his fear toxin to make it extra potent and easier to manipulate. After all, there were still grudges that he needed to settle, and he might as well make it so his lab rats suffered all the more.

He thought he was the only one who knew of his dealings here. He had been careful to make it like that after all. He hadn’t hired any henchmen (he would hire some when he was actually ready to hit the streets of Gotham with his chemicals and when he could actually afford to splurge some cash on them), got all chemicals and ingredients from providers miles away from Gotham, and had interacted with no other rogue since his escape from Arkham. When he went out, he used a fake ID and wore sunglasses and other such things to hide his face. He had done everything in his power to make sure that he wasn’t a blip on the map.

There were only two people in his life who seemed to constantly know where he was no matter what he did… and he had to say, when he found himself actually wishing it was Batman he was dealing with instead, then that was a bad sign. At least Batman wasn’t chatty… and at least he and Batman didn’t have a certain kind of history that Jonathan would very like to erase from the fabric of his mind.

Oh how he wish he had a syringe right now…

Keeping his voice cold and tight, he turned around to face the green-clad man in front of him and said, “Hello Edward, still loud and as obnoxious as ever I see… care to tell me how you found this place?”

Edward’s face was annoyed at the insult but Jonathan watched as it eventually morphed into a proud and smug expression. No doubt the man was eager to explain how he brilliantly managed to figure out where Jonathan was hidden, just like Jonathan knew he would be. For a man who prided himself on being an enigma, he was awfully predictable once you got to know him a little better. Jonathan still couldn’t believe he used to find this man so intriguing.

He was really mad at himself on the fact that he still kind of did.

“It was merely simple deduction, Crane. I knew you never went to the effort of making a proper lair before, so I quickly pinpointed all of the abandoned warehouses and farms and such in Gotham. Then, once I did that, I thought to myself, ‘Hm, now which of these buildings is located somewhere around the outskirts of the city and in a seedy or reclusive area where no one would question someone going in and out of a warehouse?’ Badaboom, and voila! I found this place!”

Edward’s chest was actually puffed out with pride, as if he was expecting praise of some kind. Unfortunately for him, Jonathan wasn’t willing to give it.

“My my, very impressive, Edward. Now are you going to get on your knees and lick the law’s feet by arresting me or are you just going to hang around and waste my time as per usual?”

He saw a flash of anger shoot through Edward’s face for a brief moment, and Jonathan prepared himself to hear Edward yell or perhaps have the man call the police and cameramen over so they could film his arrest, but he was surprised to see Edward quickly managed to collect himself by closing his eyes and letting out a breath. Jonathan had to admit, he was somewhat intrigued. Edward would’ve never done that before. That coma really must have changed the man somewhat.

Once Edward seemed to deem it safe to open his eyes, he proceeded to flash Jonathan an infuriatingly cocky grin. He took his last statement back. That coma hadn’t changed him enough. At this point, Jonathan was tempted to finish the job that the person who placed Edward in a coma failed to do, but he controlled himself once more. Temper, temper. He knew physical confrontation wasn’t his strong suit and quite frankly he found such methods immature. Once his toxin became more refined however…

“Charming as ever I see, Crane. However, my reason for coming here is neither of those things.”

Jonathan couldn’t help the annoyance that seeped through his voice like a poison, “Then tell me, Nygma, why ARE you here?”

He suddenly saw Edward’s green eyes dart away from his gaze. The man bit his lip and began playing with his hands… almost as if he was… unsure of something. It was a rare expression to see on Edward and despite a large part of Jonathan wanting to say ‘fuck it’ and slosh the chemical he made into Edward’s face and record what happened when the incomplete formula was administered through the eyes, he couldn’t help but feel curious on what had gotten the usually over-confident man so antsy. A very, very small, shriveled up part of him hidden deep within the confines of his flesh actually felt a flicker of hope. A hope that maybe Edward would hushedly whisper to him that this whole private investigator thing was merely an act and that this was all part of some elaborate ruse that he wanted Jonathan to partake in.

Jonathan couldn’t help but inwardly roll his eyes at his own optimism. Yeah, and pigs would suddenly develop the ability to fly and Edward would get on his knees and beg him to forgive him and let them rekindle whatever it was they once had way back in the day. He knew from personal experience that good things like that didn’t conveniently and neatly plop on his lap like that. They never had and they probably never would. Even if Edward did such an out-of-character thing, what would he even do? Would he reject Edward and walk away with the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten the last laugh… or would he agree to go back with him?

He can’t believe he had gotten himself in a situation where he would even have thoughts like that. It made him even more mad that he didn’t have a solid answer to that question. Thankfully, Nygma spared him from thinking too hard about it as he interrupted Jonathan’s thought process by saying, “I came here to see if I could perhaps convince you to perhaps consider joining Quinzel and I in perhaps reforming.”

Jonathan’s jaw clenched. So that was what this was about. He should’ve known that it would be something stupid. So why was this obnoxious feeling of bitter disappointment in his chest?

Keeping his voice even, he let out a cold chuckle and shook his head. Turning back around to the table full of lab equipment, he said, “I knew you would only come here to waste my time. Sorry to say, Nygma, but I am afraid I will have to refuse your offer of suddenly becoming buddy-buddy with the law.”

He heard Nygma take a step forward as he exclaimed, “Jonathan, wait! You know it can’t be this way forever right? I mean look at you! Your lurking around in abandoned, dusty warehouses like some sort of street rat… obsessively pouring over your chemicals day after day, thinking that this time you have done it. You came up with the perfect plan to foil the Bat and all of those who stand in your way. And maybe at the beginning, your plan will work at first…”

God, did he ever shut up? Jonathan considered telling him to do so, but it wasn’t like Edward ever listened. So Jonathan continued to pretend like he wasn’t listening and that he wasn’t getting angrier and angrier by the second and that the grip on the flask wasn’t getting tighter than necessary…

“But we all know how it ends Jon. The Bat or someone else will beat you up or foil your plan and you’ll be sent back to Arkham Asylum and have to deal with all of that until you finally get your opening to escape once more. Rinse and repeat. And you're so convinced… that this is it. This is the plan. You’ve ironed out all the flaws. You’ve grown wiser. But you know what… so has the Bat and all of his Robins.

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!

That was the mantra going on his head right now. He was beginning to see red almost… and he could feel the early inclinations of the Scarecrow starting to show through already… wanting so badly to make Edward scream until his heart gave out if it just meant he would stop talking.

If it meant that he would just stop confirming all the thoughts that Jonathan had thought before but had tried so hard to deny.

If it meant that Edward Nygma would stop being right.

No… no. He wasn’t right. That was a quitter's attitude. Jonathan’s research was so close… his revenge list almost done… he had come so far. He couldn’t give up now. Not at the pinnacle. So what if he died? At least it would be doing it to spread the message of fear all over the place. What did Nygma know, huh?

“I know this because I was just like you right before the coma,” Edward said in a tone so sad that Jonathan couldn’t help but deflate a little bit at it. All of the anger seemed to vanish from his lanky frame and all of a sudden he was just left feeling… tired.

When Jonathan finally gathered up his bearings, he turned around to give Edward a withering look as he asked, “Why are you telling me this, Nygma?”

Edward took another step forward, face encouraging as he said, “Because it doesn’t have to be like this Crane. You can do better for yourself, I know you can. You’re one of the smartest rogues in Gotham. Got a lick more sense than everyone else… and hey, if I can get a successful job, who says you can’t? Perhaps you can even go back to teaching…”

“Nygma,” Crane cut off, closing his eyes… trying to stop all of this false optimism, all this fake positivity from deluding him. But of course, Nygma didn’t listen.

“No Crane, really. I talked to the staff of the asylum and they actually think they are making progress with you. Of course you still have some issues to work through… I think we all do. But I genuinely believe you can do this. If you just go back to the Asylum and get your sanity card out of there… perhaps you can move on and do something with the rest of us. The rogue life… it has no conclusion. It’s a never ending cycle and you got to break out of it.”

Jonathan remained in contemplative silence for a moment. Part of him eyed Edward, wondering if this was a trap. This was all just a ploy of Edward’s to emotionally manipulate him to going back to the asylum so he could reap the glory of capturing the infamous Scarecrow and sending him back to Arkham to his fans. He was about to say as much when Nygma interrupted once more.

“I don’t want us to be enemies anymore, Jon.”

Fuck. Why did he have to say that? Jonathan stood there in silence, trying to formulate what to say to all of this without sounding too emotional. The memories of Edward coming to him that one last time and explaining how their lives were too different now… how they couldn’t keep whatever it was they had going… seeing him leave him behind. He used to be so mad at Edward for all of it. Used to hate him. Now he wasn’t sure what he felt anymore and he wasn’t sure how to react to that.

Thankfully, it seemed Jonathan didn’t have to say anything because Edward simply diplomatically tipped his head and said, “Of course, I am not going to force the decision on you… I just want you to know my side of the argument. And who knows. Maybe if you head back there I can give a word in for you or something… and if you get out, maybe we can work together… that is, if you would allow. Well… that was all I had to say… goodbye, Crane.”

As he turned around to walk away though, Jonathan couldn’t help but feel dissatisfied that that was how they were leaving things off. So… before his mind could stop him by thinking about it too hard, he said, “I’ll… consider your proposition, Nygma. No promises.”

He turned around before he could gauge Edward’s reaction, but he swore he could hear the smile on Edward’s face as he said, “Well then… maybe there is hope for you yet, Jonathan.”