His Irish Angel

Summary:

AU fic. Seven years on from the Gotham City war, Penguin is once again king of the underworld, but after losing an eye in the war, the years since have taken their toll on his looks and his fragile confidence and he has given up on ever finding love. Then powerful Irish gangster Kane MacQueen arrives in Gotham with his daughter Molly, to do a business deal with him.

Lonely Oswald is drawn to passionate and fearless Molly,who may be his happy ever after if he can summon courage to make a move on her – but as they begin a passionate romance, disaster strikes. Jeremiah Velaska is planning to kill Oswald and take his place as king of Gotham. When Oswald is abducted, is Molly MacQueen really tough enough to stand up to sadistic Velaska and save the man she loves?

Warnings: Rated M, contains scenes of a sexual nature, also there is a lot of violence in this plot.

Chapter 1

As Oswald Cobblepot sat in the office above his recently refurbished Iceberg lounge, he took a moment to look out at the view of the city as he let his thoughts wander:

It had been seven years since the city had burned. He had fought in the battle to save Gotham, and now the city was recovered well and he was once again king of the underworld. But everything came at a price, and the silence in the room only confirmed his loneliness. Ed was still a good friend. But he was happy with Lee Thompkins and had been for the past five years. Any hope that he would get back with Ed had been extinguished long ago. Then there had been Sofia. That name still etched a scar in his heart. Life had always been about loss as far as love was concerned, and he had long ago written off any chance of finding it with someone who would truly care for him. Money and power meant a lot, it had always been his goal, to rule the underworld. But as for the rest? There was nothing, a void, just like the hole he imagined in his heart when the lonely quiet hours became too great to bear.

Oswald got up from his desk, felt a sharp ache run through his damaged leg, then he reached for his cane and limped over to the mirror:

He hated what he saw reflected back at him. His right eye was gone, shot out seven years before in the battle for the city. There was a scar below his eyelid, and the socket was filled with a glass eye that looked convincing when he wore his monocle. Small lines were etched deeper into his once youthful face. He had gained a little weight since the old days, too. He wasn't old yet, but pain and loss had taken its toll as much as the lonely days and nights he spent reflecting on the past.

Oswald smoothed a crease from the expensive fabric of his purple jacket, then he adjusted his tie, and looked again into his own eyes, one sighted, one glass, reflected in the mirror.

"No one could love this, no one ever did," he said quietly, reminding himself of what he believed to be a cold, harsh fact. Then he limped over to the window, and a troubled look came to his face as he reflected on the news that had reached him that morning:

The destructive lunatic Jeremiah Velaska had been busted out of Arkham. There had been an explosion, scores of guards shot dead by his people. Velaska was out there now, free somewhere in the city and he knew he was planning to strike. He would strike out at the most powerful figure in Gotham's underworld, his sights set on being the new king of Gotham, because he thought big, he always had. Big and destructive. And it was lousy timing... Oswald gave a heavy sigh as he felt tension rising and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply and blowing out a cloud of smoke as he thought about his meeting tomorrow with powerful Irish gang boss Kane MacQueen, who was currently on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic. Tomorrow they would be sealing a deal with the MacQueen International Shipping Company, which would give a big boost to the often difficult task of bringing in weapons to Gotham. If MacQueen heard a rumour that Valeska was about to start a turf war, a very lucrative partnership would be lost. His people were on alert, but as yet, no one knew when or where Jeremiah would strike.

The skies were darkening, more rain was on the way. It reflected in Oswald's pale gaze as he looked to the city and thought about the lurking danger. Storm clouds were certainly drawing near...

Far out at sea, the skies were clear. There was a chill in the air as Molly MacQueen threw on a leather jacket and left her cabin, then hurried up the open deck to meet with her father. Kane MacQueen was leaning on the barrier, looking out the open water. The wind blew back his dark hair peppered with grey streaks, and as he saw his daughter, he turned his head and smiled as fondness lit his green eyes.

"This time tomorrow we will be in Gotham City," he told her, "I think this break will do you good, Molly."

She said nothing as she fished a pack of cigarettes from her pocket, then took one from the box and lit it, taking a drag on it before she spoke.

"A few weeks in Gotham will certainly be different to life back home but it won't change me, Dad."

As she said those words, she turned her head as raven black hair that fell to her shoulders blew back on the sea breeze. Sadness shaded her blue eyes. Kane had always thought she had eyes like her mother, but her mother Julia was always smiling – these days, Molly was always quiet, a sad look in her gaze, a look that had never left her since Liam, her fiancée, had been gunned down in a gangland shooting two years before. Liam had been one of his best men, and a good man who had loved his daughter. Now Molly was almost thirty years old and had a look about her like a grieving widow. That kind of pain could last a lifetime, and the thought frightened him more than he cared to admit. She was his only child, born into a life of luxury and security and showered with love. He had always thought his lucrative underworld dealings had helped to make her future brighter – but nothing could turn that light back on in her eyes, not when she thought about who she had lost.

But this trip across the Atlantic had given him hope. Back home at their mansion out in the rolling countryside of County Mayo, where the acres of land were also home to his wife's horse breeding stables, he had told Molly about his trip, and then asked her to go with him. She had made an excuse to stay home, until he had told her about the city of Gotham and the man he was going to meet there. He had showed her some pictures of Penguin, the former mayor and millionaire businessman who ran the underworld, and she had been intrigued. She had even smiled, and then she had said she would come along, because Gotham sounded like an interesting place...

The water was calm as the ship moved through it and Molly was still looking out to sea as she smoked her cigarette.

"I know you miss Liam," Kane said, "But you have to move on, Molly. I just want you to get on with life again."

Molly looked at him again.

"Actually I was thinking about Gotham. It does look like an interesting place, I've been googling it."

"When we get there I'm sure you'll get a chance to see the sights. And we've plenty of time, a few weeks before we leave."

Molly finished her cigarette and flicked the butt over the barrier, watching as it headed for the water far below, then she took her phone from her pocket.

"This Penguin fella... he sounds fascinating. He's certainly done a lot with his life to get this far... mayor, wealthy businessman, king of the city underworld... What did you say his last name was Cobble-what?"

"Cobblepot," her father replied, and she tapped the screen and searched.

As she saw an image come up of Oswald standing outside a grand looking building and shaking hands with a city official, she took a closer look at the picture, taking in his immaculate suit and his top hat and his monocle. He was a rather attractive man and younger than she expected, perhaps in his forties...

"Why do they call him Penguin?" she asked.

"I don't know. His nose?"

Molly was still looking at the picture.

"I wonder why he walks with a cane?"

"I don't know that either. I do know he lost an eye in the city's troubles a few years back. I shall have to be careful what I say, you know me, I can be a little clumsy with my words sometimes, especially when it comes to important meetings and people with noticeable differences... I try to be so tactful – too tactful - and end up saying the wrong things!"

Molly laughed. It was good to hear her laugh again, and then as she reminded him of something, his face turned scarlet at the memory.

"Oh my god! I just remembered that time you met with that gang boss back home – the guy who lost his hand in a car accident! You went to shake his hand, went for the one that wasn't there and said sorry. Then later on you and him were talking about a rival gang who had been causing trouble and you said you'd get your people together with his to sort it out, and then you finally shook hands with him and got the right hand... and then, I think this is classic Dad... you said to him, It's a pleasure to help out. I'm always happy to lend you a hand!" she laughed again, "I heard all about it from Liam, he thought it was hilarious!"

Kane was laughing too, and inwardly cringing at his own verbal clumsiness, then he saw her smile fade. Liam again. He wished she would just forget the past...

"I remember that day. I didn't know if the guy was going to kill me or laugh. Thankfully he saw the funny side!" then he checked his watch, "I'd better give Ryan a call, see if him and boys have landed at the airport yet. I'm glad I brought a few of my men along, we need to make a show of strength, it's impressive. I might even offer a few of them out on loan to him if he needs any jobs doing while we're here."

"You said this deal is worth millions," she replied.

"It's worth a fortune to both of us," Kane replied, "And I want someone strong like Cobblepot on my side. It all helps to expand business."

"I want to meet this interesting Mr Penguin," Molly said, and she smiled as she flipped her hair off her face, defying the strengthening breeze.

"And you will," Kane assured her, "Not long to go now," he looked out to sea, "In a few hours, Gotham will be on the horizon."

"I'm actually looking forward to this trip now," Molly admitted, and it made her father happy to see a smile on her face that reflected in her eyes. Maybe bringing her along on this trip would be a turning point for her. He hoped so with all of his heart, all he wanted was for Molly to be happy again.

Next day after rising early and taking his time to get ready, Oswald went down the grand staircase of the Van Dahl mansion and had breakfast alone in the dining room. The weather was growing chilly as October approached, and he had asked the maid to light the fires and make the place welcoming for his business meeting. Then, with the house made ready for his talks with Mr MacQueen, he had no company but the sound of the clock ticking as he watched the time crawl by.

Oswald went into the front room, then took a reluctant look into the large mirror on the wall. He hated what he saw, but he decided at least his dark suit looked immaculate. Today he had even styled his hair into sweeping spikes, that look Barbara Kean used to call disco vampire. There wasn't anything he could do about his eye, or his need for that damned cane, but he was sure he would make a good impression. He checked the time again. It was just gone nine thirty. By now Mr MacQueen would be in Gotham, at his hotel, and soon, his oldest and most reliable hired gun, Victor Zsasz, would be taking a drive over to the hotel to collect him. If this meeting went well, the first shipments could be in Gotham within days... Unless Valeska chose to stir up trouble. The thought of it set him on edge, and he had just had a smoke and it was too early to drink. Oswald breathed out slowly, feeling his guts twist as he wondered how long it would take Valeska to gather his men and make his plans... The ticking of the clock seemed louder. Oswald was on edge and had never been so aware of being alone as he was at this moment. Some days he could live with it easily, but at times like this, the pain was almost unbearable. So much was at stake...

Oswald wasn't the only one who was feeling the pressure. By ten am, Molly and her father were outside the hotel, as Molly lit a cigarette, it was snatched from her.

"Gimme that, I'm a nervous friggin' wreck!"

"I thought you packed it up, Dad!"

"I need a smoke! This is a big deal today, a fucking huge deal -"

"You're always like this when you meet someone important for the first time!" Molly exclaimed, "Why? You're Kane MacQueen, you've got nothing to prove to anyone!"

"And he's Penguin!" Kane puffed on the cigarette and then dropped it and ground it hard with the heel of his shoe, "I never get used to it, Molly, I never really accept I've got as far as I have, every time I meet someone important I think, how did I get here?"

"By being a hard bastard," Molly reminded him with a smile.

Then a sleek black car pulled up and the tinted window slid down.

"Mr MacQueen?" asked Victor Zsasz, having already recognised him from seeing his picture.

"Yes, I'm Kane MacQueen and this is my daughter Molly."

"I'm Victor, I work for Penguin, he sent me to collect you," Victor replied. He was about to get out of the car and open the door for MacQueen, but the door was already open and Molly had climbed in first. Her father joined her in the back and then closed the door. As Victor drove away, Molly spoke up.

"What's Mr Penguin like?"

He kept his eyes on the road as they hit heavy traffic.

"He's... just Penguin," he replied, "I've worked for him for many years. A nice guy if you're on his side, if you see what I mean."

"Of course," Kane agreed, "There are plenty who say that about me back home."

The traffic was moving more readily now. They headed through the city and took the highway that led towards their destination.

"Where is home?" Victor asked, "You're Irish, right?"

"Yes, we are. I'm from County Mayo," Kane replied.

"I've always wanted to visit Ireland," Victor said, "It looks beautiful."

"Some parts are astounding," Kane agreed.

They drove on and soon the Van Dahl estate was in sight.

"What a beautiful home!" said Molly as they drove through the gates, "Is Mr Penguin married?"

"No," said Victor.

"Any kids?"

"No," he said again.

"He lives in this big house on his own?"

"He's a busy man, always working," Victor replied, hoping that remark covered all questions. He knew Oswald was lonely as hell, just like the rest of Gotham knew it. He lived alone in the family mansion and had done for several years. The only time he had social company was when he turned up at the Iceberg Lounge, and then he would talk to anyone who would listen, just to have some conversation. Mostly the ones who lingered around him were paid staff and hired guns. Everyone saw him as Penguin the monster, the psycho gangster, the odd little guy with a limp and a glass eye who had clawed his way to the top of the underworld with blood on his hands...

The car stopped outside the mansion and Victor got out and opened up the passenger door. Kane got out followed by his daughter, and Victor led them up to the door of the mansion and then knocked. Molly stood there waiting, and as she looked to a curtain she saw it twitch, then the door opened.

"Hello!" Oswald said with a warm smile, "I'm Penguin. Call me Oswald. Welcome to my home!"

As Oswald shook hands with the man in the suit and the long dark coat, he glanced to the woman standing beside him. She looked around thirty, she was wearing jeans and boots and a leather jacket and her black hair cascaded to her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes sparkled and as she smiled, Oswald briefly smiled back, a polite gesture as he extended his hand and the thought hit him that she was very beautiful. Far too beautiful for the likes of me, he silently concluded and at that moment had never been more aware of his crippled leg and his scar and his glass eye.

"You must be Mrs MacQueen," he said as he shook her hand.

Molly laughed.

"No! He's my Dad!"

"I am so sorry, my mistake!" Oswald exclaimed, and as he laughed too, his face flushed.

Molly's gaze had lingered on him as he spoke again to her father, she took in the sight of his immaculate suit, his spiked up hair, the way the lines around his eyes deepened as he smiled. His voice was like silk. He had striking eyes, too – a shade between palest blue and a hint of green. She could tell the real one from the glass one because he was wearing a monocle and that eye seemed magnified and lifeless. But the other one shone with warmth. It was the first time she had really noticed anyone new since losing Liam... He invited them in, and they followed him inside and he closed the door behind them.

"Please, follow me!" he said warmly after they had taken off their coats and hung them up in the hallway, and then he leaned hard on his cane and hobbled off towards the front room as Kane and Molly followed.

Molly took a seat on a comfortable sofa as Oswald rang for the maid to bring tea. Then she watched as her Dad stood by the fire with Penguin and conversation began.

"How was your journey?" Oswald asked.

"It was lovely," Kane replied, "We sailed here. It was much more relaxing than taking a flight. I sent a few of my men over by plane, I like to have security close at hand should I need it – and I thought if you need any help, maybe they can join up with your people for a few weeks."

"That's a very generous gesture," Oswald replied, then the maid came in placed the tea on the table and left the room again.

"I'm very keen to make this deal with you," Kane added, "I'm connected closely to a guy who owns an arms factory and it's been very lucrative for both of us for many years. Combine that with the shipping industry and the profits just get bigger. I'm sure we can work out a very agreeable deal here."

"Of course," Oswald agreed warmly, "As you can see, money is not a problem for me."

Kane laughed.

"I'd have to be blind not to notice that!" he exclaimed, then he froze for a second, focusing on Oswald's glass eye as Oswald looked slightly confused and Molly looked away as she smiled and shook her head, thinking, Oh Dad, you've done it again...

But the conversation kept flowing well as the two men sat down and had tea, then after more than an hour, Oswald suggested they go to his study to draw up some documents and seal the deal. Kane readily agreed and rose from his seat, then Molly watched as Oswald got up stiffly, looking around the room.

"Cane... where did I..." he muttered.

"Yes?" said Kane, "Where did you what, Oswald?"

"No, not you... my cane... oh there it is!" he limped over to the fireplace and snatched it up, thankful to be leaning on it once again, "This cane," Oswald added, "I always walk with a cane."

And Molly knew what was coming next. Oh Dad, she thought, not again...

"Do you?" said Kane as he feigned surprise, "I never noticed!"

Oswald looked at him in surprise.

"Really? That's usually the first thing people notice about me, I walk with a cane and I have a limp."

"You have a limp?"

"You didn't notice that either?"

"No, not at all," Kane said as his eyes widened and his face flushed, "I wouldn't have spotted it, Oswald."

"Dad's not very observant," Molly added, sitting back comfortably on the sofa as she resisted the urge to laugh at her father's over zealous attempt at being polite.

Oswald took off his monocle.

"I also have a glass eye, in case you were wondering what was wrong with me."

"Really?" said Kane, and that was the moment Molly knew she had to speak up again.

"I heard you lost your eye in the city war," she said.

Oswald looked at her, and as their eyes met, he inwardly flinched, She was looking at him, at his bullet wound, at his eyes, at the fake one... he felt ugly.

"Yes, I did," he replied, "I apologise for bringing up the subject and I realise it's not very attractive - no - I mean, it's unsightly."

She saw his face flush and had noticed how he had glossed over that matter of attractiveness.

"You were brave to put your life at risk like that to save your city."

He looked back at her, floundering for a moment as his blush deepened.

"Oh no, Molly," he said, shaking his head, "I was not brave. Courage had nothing to do with it. I didn't think about it, I just did what I had to do at the time."

"That's what brave men do," Molly replied, meeting his gaze with honesty.

Her words had taken him by surprise. He was still blushing. Then he gave her the briefest twitch of a smile and led her father out of the room to formalise their deal in a contract.

While they were gone, Molly sat alone in the front room. The maid collected the tea tray and left again. Then Molly got up and crossed the room and looked at an array of pictures in silver frames arranged on a shelf:

Oswald, a few years younger. He stood in a bar called Oswald's wearing a smart suit, he was several pound slighter there and had no cane and his eyes were intact. He stood beside a much older woman who smiled proudly... his mother? She studied the picture of Oswald and made a comparison to then and now. He hadn't changed that much. Clearly, his body had taken some damage over the years, but he was still the same man, still handsome...

That thought caught her by surprise. But she had thought it now and couldn't unthink it. Yes, Oswald was, despite his fearsome reputation, and less than perfect appearance, an attractive man. He was also very sweet and charming and she instinctively knew he was lonely. Perhaps it was her own loneliness that was tuning into it, but she felt sure she was right. Maybe his mother had passed away. Perhaps this was the kind of sadness only those who grieved could fully understand.

Molly looked at the other pictures. They were mostly taken in the bar, him and friends from several years ago. But there was nothing new. It was pretty clear he had shut himself away from life after the city war, thrown himself into work, kept his head down and not looked up at life again...

As she heard her father's voice then Oswald's as they approached the open door, she sat back down again. Her Dad came in with a smile on his face. The deal had been done. It would take a few days to sort out the finer details and get the first shipment over, but today had been a success.

They had lunch together in the dining room. Oswald invited them to stay for drinks. They talked for hours, and the conversation was light – in between her Dad and Oswald laughing as they compared their rise to power and some of the nastier killings they'd had to carry out over the years. Molly stayed silent for most of the time, watching as Oswald and her father began to strike up a friendship. Then Molly glanced at Oswald and asked a question.

"I couldn't help but notice that lovely picture in your front room – you and the older lady. Is that your mother?"

Oswald set his glass down and smiled fondly, then his smile faded as sadness shaded his gaze.

"Yes, that was my Mother. She died a few years back. It was an underworld related murder. I miss her every day."

"My Liam died in a shooting two years back," Molly replied, "I still miss him everyday. We were engaged, he worked for my Dad. It's hard to go on without someone you love, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," Oswald agreed, "And I'm sorry for your loss."

"And I'm sorry for yours too," she replied.

Their eyes met across the table, and in that moment they both felt a mutual bond of understanding. They both felt the true depth of the kind of grief that would forever linger. Then Kane checked his watch.

"Well Oswald, it's been a great afternoon, but we should be leaving now. I'll see you tomorrow and we can start making arrangements to put the plan into action."

As they left the table, Oswald shook his hand, then he turned to Molly and as she shook his hand, their eyes met again. He felt his face start to flush. Yes, she was beautiful. And he was sure that was a pointless thought. She wasn't smiling at him so warmly because she found him attractive – it was probably pity. He saw no reason why it would be down to anything else.

He led them back to the door where Victor was waiting outside in the car to take them back to the hotel.

"It's really been a productive afternoon," Kane added as he turned back to him, "Thank you, Oswald. I'm looking forward to meeting with you again tomorrow."

They had both turned away to leave. Oswald made a quick decision and spoke up.

"Wait, Mr MacQueen?"

As he and his daughter turned back, Oswald looked form Kane to Molly and smiled warmly.

"I understand you're planning to stay a few weeks in Gotham. After that deal we just made it wouldn't be fair of me to force you to stay in a hotel. I would prefer it if you both stayed here as my guests."

"That's very generous, Oswald, but -"

"I insist!"

Molly smiled.

"Thanks Oswald," she said, as her father shot her a surprised glance, "We'll take you up on that offer. We'll be back tomorrow morning, about ten am?"

"That would be perfect!"

"We will see you then," Molly added.

Oswald stood in the open doorway and watched as they got into the car. As it drove away, he turned back and closed the door of the mansion and he was still smiling as joy radiated from his undamaged eye. Finally, he would have some good company here in this lonely house! MacQueen was a man he got along with well, and Molly... he was sure he could admire her silently from afar and it would do him no harm at all. This house had been empty for too long. He felt as if life was about to flow back into it. Then his phone rang and he took it from his pocket.

"Ed!" he said in surprise. It had been a long while, too long since he had heard his voice.

"Oswald, I just wanted to call to ask if everything was okay. I heard about Velaska's escape and I'm worried he might make a move on someone's turf. I figured it might be yours... Do you need me? Can I help out?"

"I already have my men out there trying to find information," he replied, "It may be a while before we learn anything solid."

"If I hear anything, I'll call you back," Ed promised, and Oswald felt an old ache in his heart for what might have been. Once him and Ed had been so close, so strong, but it had crumbled to dust like all his other hopes and dreams regarding love.

"Thank you, Ed," Oswald replied, then he spoke again, "How is Lee?"

"She's just fine. Listen, I have to go. If I can turn up anything on Velaska I'll let you know. Take care, Oswald."

"Ed -"

The call had ended. Oswald put his phone back in his pocket and leaned on his cane as he walked back up the hallway of his quiet mansion, then he returned to dining room, where he sat alone and poured another drink. For now, the house was too silent. But tomorrow that would change, and that thought warmed his lonely heart.

"Why did you say yes to him? And since when did my daughter have a say in my business affairs?" as he asked the question, Kane's angry voice echoed about the hotel corridor as he and Molly headed back to their rooms.

"Don't get worked up, Dad! I'd never mess with your business deals! He offered us a place to stay, he obviously doesn't have much company, he's lonely!"

"He's a millionaire several times over, he could buy company if he wanted to!"

"Money doesn't buy happiness, Dad," she reminded him, and he glanced at her, catching the look in her eyes and his anger simmered down. Every word she had just said was true. Money couldn't bring Liam back, it couldn't undo all the grief she had been through.

"You're right," he agreed, as the look in his eyes softened, "And maybe this is for the best. I like Oswald, and I think maybe you do too."

She smiled again. He thought he saw a hint of a flush to her cheeks.

"You could do a lot worse than choose a millionaire underworld boss with a limp and a glass eye!" he remarked, and then he chuckled.

Annoyance flashed in her gaze

"Don't start trying to put me and him together, Dad! I just think he's a nice fella. That's all."

"You said that about Liam once," he reminded her with a knowing smile, then he opened up the door to his room, retreated inside and closed it before she had the chance to react with more annoyance.

Molly shook her head, walking away and heading up to her own room, but as she reached it, she smiled. Maybe her Dad was right – she did like Oswald, at least, that was her impression on meeting him for the first time. She was sure she would get to know him better soon. He was unlike anyone she had ever met before. As soon as she returned to her room she started to pack, ready to leave the next day, and as she carefully put her clothing back in her case, she was still smiling: She really couldn't wait to return to the Van Dahl mansion and meet the very interesting Oswald Cobblepot again...

As night fell, Oswald felt in good spirits despite the lingering concern regarding the threat of Velaska's escape. His men had turned up no information, and maybe no news was good news, perhaps it would take that clown faced psycho months to regroup and form a plan. When he did, he knew the shit would hit the fan but for now, perhaps that threat was far off...

As he stood in the shower under the warm water and closed his eyes to avoid water running into his empty right eye socket, he drew in a deep breath as he relaxed and deeply private thoughts began to dance through his mind:

He thought of Molly, of how pretty she was, then how her gaze had lingered on him. He imagined her there with him, naked under the running water, then their skin sliding warm together as they embraced and shared a kiss. What had she called him... brave? She had meant that. It had been so long since anyone had pain him a genuine compliment he couldn't recall the last one. And now he was starting to feel stirrings of arousal. Go away, he thought, guessing there was little point allowing this indulgence. It had been years since he had been intimate with anyone and to try now would probably be a disaster. Not that she would look at him in that way anyway, he was sure a girl like Molly would never be interested in a guy like him...

But he was getting harder now, and he gave a sigh as he leaned facing the tiled wall as the water ran down his back, he allowed himself the fleeting fantasy of Molly embracing him, running her fingers through his hair, telling him again that she thought he was a brave man, seeing admiration in her eyes, feeling her touch as her hand slid down his body... He was solidly hard now and he gave several firm jerks and breathed out hard as he came, his hardness throbbed in his hand then as the wave of pleasure faded out, he opened his good eye to see his cum washing away down the shower drain. He turned off the water, got out and got dried off and then went through to the bedroom, he briefly glanced into the mirror, seeing his scarred eye and the darkened pit where a bullet had taken his real eye years before. He didn't bother to look at the rest of his reflection, seeing scars all over his pale, slightly overweight body. One glance was enough to confirm no one would want him now...

But sometimes, fantasy was worthwhile because it was better than nothing. Molly had certainly lit a fire in him, but that flame would just have to burn alone in the dark. He closed the lid of the case where he kept his glass eye, placed his monocle on top of it and then got into bed, sliding into clean sheets that caressed his naked body. He was still feeling the after effects of that orgasm, and sleeping nude was not something he often did, but tonight, he wanted to fall asleep imagining more of that fantasy, her beside him, and him waking to see a gaze that saw past his imperfections.

He turned on his side and slid his hand to the space beside him. It was always empty and cold. He guessed it always would be. As he fell asleep, his last thought was of tomorrow – he was looking forward to some company here at the house, it would make him feel alive again, especially to be around Molly, who had made him blush with her pure honesty. Oswald slept well that night, dreaming of a woman with long black hair and sky blue eyes.