Chapter 1: Just Sleep
It wasmidnight at the Van Dahl mansion. Oswald had been awake most of the night drinking wine and worrying about Edward. He had been gone since he tried to confess his love for him. Oswald knew it was because of him somehow. Besides, who in their right mind would love someone like him? He took another swig and relaxed against the couch. He had recently heard a rumour that Ed knew about Isabella and that he was going to kill him for it. That all this time he had been mentally tormenting him with his father, the memories of their friendship, and his feelings for Edward. Oswald himself couldn't believe Ed would do such a thing but it oddly enough made sense. He supposed he did deserve it after all. Oswald slowly stood up, legs shaky and head swimming from the alcohol in his system. He knew Ed was going to kill him, but he didn't want him to.
He knew it would only make things worse for him. 'I have to...there's no choice now.' He thought to himself as he stumbled up the stairs, heart aching from the depression and the realization that Ed probably never cared for him and that perhaps he had destroyed the one person he cared about. His emotions were conflicted, heartbroken and mostly remorseful. He knew this was for the best. Slowly Oswald limped into the bathroom, staring at himself in the mirror. He looked tired, sickly pale and ragged. He made a face of pure disgust at himself. 'Look at you. You're weak! And filthy! You'd be better off dead freak!' His mind screamed. Oswald swallowed his anxiety down as he limped toward the bath tub and began filling it with ice cold water.
Then Oswald reached for a bottle of sleeping pills and opened the cap. He looked at the small blue capsules swallowing and closing his eyes. He tipped his head back and started to swallow as many pills as he could. There was only one pill left in the bottle when he was done. Almost immediately Oswald felt the effects, stumbling backwards and feeling sick. He nearly fell into the bath tub as it started to over flow. He shivered from the cold water, slowly letting himself sink underneath the cold depths, spots of black invading his vision. The last thought he had was of Edward Nygma, how he would light up the room with his bright smile or tell him his annoying yet endearing riddles. He found himself smiling softly as his eyes began to close. 'Goodbye my love..' was the last coherent thought Oswald had before the darkness consumed him.
Meanwhile, Edward Nygma was barreling through the streets in a panic. He had done a little digging despite himself about his now dead girlfriend Isabella. It turned out she had been an assassin created by Hugo Strange to distract him from protecting Oswald. For what purpose Edward didn't know yet, but he would find out but right now he had to get home to Oswald. When Edward arrived at the mansion, it was eerily quiet. "Oswald? Oswald I need to talk to you!" Edward called. He felt his heart pounding in anxiety, fear making his stomach churn as he started climbing upstairs. "Oswald? Oswald are you alright?" Ed could feel guilt creeping up inside him. Whatever happened, Ed had probably been the cause. He had planned a convoluted scheme of revenge against the only person he cared about, the one person who had stuck by him through the worst of it.
And if Oswald decided to kill him for it he knew he deserved it. Edward made it to Oswald's bedroom, the sound of water over flowing reaching his ears. Before he went to investigate he found a note addressed to him on the night stand. Curious, he picked it up and read it. "Dear Edward, I'm sorry it has come to this. I understand you're probably furious right now and I don't blame you. I should have told you when I had the chance. Even though I knew you could never love me. All I ever did was hurt you and I'm sorry for that. Please understand that my death is for the best. I know you probably think killing me yourself would make you feel better but it wouldn't. So I suppose I decided to take it upon myself. What's life worth without the one you love? Forgive me Edward."
Edward dropped the note, heart sinking and eyes going wide. 'Oswald...loved him? But...oh dear..he..he's trying to oh dear!' Edward thought in terror as he ran into the bathroom, nearly tripping on the soaked tile, gasping when he saw tufts of spiky black hair poking from the over flowing bath tub. "OSWALD!" Edward screamed, running and turning off the faucet and attempting to pull Oswald's waterlogged body out of the tub. "Oswald wake up! Please please wake up!" Edward begged, holding him close to his chest, tears starting to pour down his cheeks as he stroked Oswald's pale face. Suddenly Oswald started shaking and foaming at the mouth. Edward tried desperately to hold him still, sobbing loudly.
"Oswald! Oswald no! Please no! I'm going to get you help I promise!" Edward said as he hurriedly picked the small man up in his arms before running outside and to his car. "Please stay with me Oswald...I won't fail you again!" He said as he pressed a kiss to Oswald's forehead as he buckled him into the passenger seat and quickly getting into the driver's side. He turned the key in ignition and tore down the road. He could hear Oswald making choking and gasping sounds, like he couldn't breathe.
"Hang on Oswald! I'm almost at the hospital! Please don't die on me!" Edward begged as he got closer to the hospital, hearing Oswald cough and groan, his breathing slowing. "Don't you fucking die on me Oswald Cobblepot! Don't you dare!" Edward yelled, his voice becoming high pitched as tears continued flowing down his cheeks, causing some of the street lights to blur. When he finally reached the hospital, Edward jumped out of the car and ran to Oswald's side picking him up and running inside. "Help! Someone help me please! The Mayor is dying!" Edward cried as a nurse ran and took Oswald strapping him to a gurney.
Edward fought to follow him, soon being forced into the waiting room. As the hours ticked on Edward started pacing, sobbing and pulling at his hair. 'What have I done? He loved me! And I just killed him! And for what? Some ghost? What the hell is wrong with me?' Edward yelled at himself, his body shaking with sobs. I'm sorry Oswald! I'm so sorry!' It was all his fault, if he had not even spoken to that woman, Oswald wouldn't have hurt himself like that! Edward let out a small whimper as he curled up on a couch in the waiting room.
Edward barley registered angry footsteps charging toward him, too lost in his grief. "WHAT DID YOU DO?" The angered voice of Jim Gordon yelled, grabbing Edward up by his collar and pushing him against the wall. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HIM NYGMA!" Jim spat, shaking a crying Edward. "I...I made a mistake...I'm sorry...he loved me and I..I tried to hurt him.." he whimpered, voice cracking. "You miserable son of a bitch!" Jim started, only to be held back by Bullock despite his struggles. "It's not worth it Jim! Relax! Harvey tried as Jim glared daggers at Edward who cowered against the wall.
"I'm sorry...I'm so so sorry." He uttered, looking up at them in fear and remorse. "O-Oswald nearly killed himself...there were some pills he had overdosed on.." Edward said in a small whimpering voice. Jim stared him down. "He attempted suicide. Why?" He asked in a low growl. Edward sniffled, wiping his eyes. "He..he hasn't been taking care of himself...since I left..." Edward said sadly, trying not to show how weak and hurt he really was. "Why did you leave him? Did you know he was going to hurt himself?" Jim asked, his voice dangerously low. Edward gulped, eyes watering. "N-no...I didn't.." Edward said. "I swear I didn't know.." He repeated. Jim seemed to accept that answer as he started to calm down.
"You hurt him somehow..didn't you?" Jim asked curiously. Edward slowly nodded, a look of regret on his face. "Yes...I did...he loved me..trusted me even...and I betrayed him." Edward whispered, eyes downcast. Jim sighed, crossing his arms. "I won't ask how or why, but if Oswald survives, you may want to leave Gotham. He doesn't take betrayal lightly. I was lucky." He said quietly before shaking his head. "Sorry I spooked you Nygma. Take care." Though Jim didn't really look sorry at all as he and Bullock stalked off, going to question the doctors, leaving Edward to his own thoughts. "Mr Nygma?" A doctor called, causing Edward to raise his head and hurry toward him.
"Oswald..how is he? Is he okay?" Ed asked almost desperately. The doctor sighed sadly. "Mr Cobblepot is in stable condition yes. But I'm afraid I have some terrible news." The doctor said sadly. Edward looked at him, his heart pounding in anxiety. "Oh dear...he's not..he's not going to...?" Ed bit his lip, trying not to cry. "I'm sorry but...we had to pump his stomach. He had alot of drugs and alcohol in his system. We tried to flush out as much of it as we could. But there may be some side effects." he explained. Edward gulped, tears escaping from his eyes as he tried to wrap his mind around what he was being told. "Side effects?" he asked in a hushed tone. The doctor lowered his head. "He may end up in a vegetative state for the rest of his life Mr Nygma. The other outcome is that he may not even remember you. I'm sorry." Edward felt his legs nearly give out as the implications sunk in, he swallowed sitting down and tried to breathe but he felt like he was gasping for air, he felt nauseaus. "You may see him if you wish. But be warned, he's currently on life may not look like how you remember him." The doctor explained as he lead Edward toward Oswald's hospital room.
The second Edward saw him, cables all around him, heart monitor beeping next to him. Edward hurried to Oswald's side, near tears. "I'll leave you two alone." The doctor said, closing the door behind him. Edward felt his throat tighten up as he watched the former mob boss, his breathing shallow, his skin deathly pale. He looked weak, fragile like a sick baby bird that might not make it. Edward took Oswald's pale and cold hand in his and finally the dam broke. "Oh god..Oswald I'm so sorry! This is all my fault...I..I hurt you..but I was so mad at you because of Isabella..I wasn't thinking..I was too consumed by rage to think about what I was doing..I failed you..I said I'd do anything for you..I meant it Oswald.." Edward sniffled, squeezing Oswald's limp hand as sobs wracked his tall frame. "I'm so sorry..why did you do it?! why did you have to..!?" he whimpered, sobbing and hiccuping. "You could've just said something!" Edward said shaking with sobs, he laid his head on Oswald's arm, crying softly. "I...I would've t-told you! Why didn't you say anything?!" he wailed. Oswald's eyes twitched slightly, the tube down his throat helping him breathe, his black hair plastered to his forehead. "I'm sorry Oswald..please come back to me.." Edward begged, his sobs growing softer as he wore himself out.
I'm sorry the first chapter is so sad. There's bound to be more sadness ahead but Oswald will make it! He's been through worse after all. Ed will also be exploring his feelings for Oswald too!