I don't endorse stalking. But Oswald and Ed are not normal people and neither are they in a normal setting. And of course this is fiction. I don't know about you but I got major stalker vibes from Ed with with both Kristin & Oswald. And though his intent may have been mostly harmless, he was still a lil' creeper.
Oswald watched Ed toss his torn jacket on a chair. It seemed they had lost the bat a ways back. And it was more than likely that he had his hands full with system of bombs that the Riddler had planted around the city.
The monocled man peered around curiously. Though the Riddler had sought his assistance with matters regarding the bat previously, Oswald had never been to this particular safe house. It seemed like the Queen's hive, the master location that held all of the greatest blueprints to Ed's most illustrious heists. There was a double monitored computer with a rats nest of tangling wires, all sorts of electronic gadgets and a murder board of different locations. Oswald could help but run his finger along the line of an intricate map.
"Don't touch anything!" Ed hissed.
Oswald retreated his hand slowly, still gazing around. He had absolutely no intention of following that instruction.
Despite the hodgepodge of if items, they seemed to be organized in a sort of rhythm that would be easy to disassemble and stashed into a nearby travelers trunk. Very necessary for a cut and run situation. It would be such a shame to lose such intricate work to the hands of the GCPD. Those idiots would not even be able to appreciate it.
"Your lucky that I am so generous. Mingling in this nonsense is not wise for a man of my professional status. But, I suppose, I owe you a small favor for hacking into the bank mainframe for me," Oswald uttered nonchalantly. "Still, my list of favors doesn't seem to equate those you owe to me."
The two of them had maintained a public profile as frenemies. Though there had been whispers that they were something else. Neither of them would admit to any of that fictitious nonsense. Even though, Ed seemed to frequent the Iceberg lounge quite often nowadays.
Ed cackled "Professional? Like your underground redistribution of stolen IDs and credit cards? Very classy Oswald."
"Rumors," Oswald huffed, not bothering to mask a coy smirk. None of those operations were legally tied to his name.
"And I recall that the basis of this alliance was our willingness to aid each other in certain-"
"Yes, yes." Oswald drawled exasperatedly. "I wasn't aware you brought me here to converse. Next time I'll bring tea and crackers." Oswald snickered beneath his breath.
Edward could bring up that Oswald was the one who started the conversation but that would be at the expense of looking like a petty child.
Ed growled in annoyance. "Stay here while I sanitize this." Ed pointed to a nasty little gash on his face. "And. don't. touch. anything."
"Yes, mother," he rolled his eyes. The fact that Ed seemed a bit nervous only fueled his curiosity. Even six years later, Oswald was still familiar with Ed's little nervous ticks. They had lived together, after all. It was a bit unnerving to think that perhaps Ed remembered his as well.
As soon as Edward disappeared into the bathroom Oswald rushed to pick through the mess of objects like a child reaching for a cookie when his mother was out of view. It was mostly obscure nick-knacks, riddles scribbled on pieces of papers, wires and disassembled electronics. There were a few dismantle doll limbs among other...odd things.
Oswald looked through the blueprints. While they were all clever and definitely signature of The Riddler's unnecessarily dramatic style, none of them seemed that extraordinary. Not compared to some of the stunts The Riddler had pulled in the past.
A closed door caught his eye. Oswald jiggled the handle. It was locked. There had to be a key somewhere. His curiosity was burning. He could care less if Ed caught him in the act. He searched high and low until he found a textured little box tucked in a fake bottom of an "antique" vase. The box seemed to open with a number code.
There was little to no chance that he was going to figure out this algorithm. Especially, since Ed was a master of puzzles. That did not stop him from trying. If there was one striking quality that defined Oswald Cobblepot, it was determination. He tried the dates of some of Ed's most recognized heists, his Arkham release date, his second Arkham release date, followed by a string of numbers that became less and less relevant to the man he was snooping on.
Oswald sighed in frustration. He was about to throw the box. In an act of desperation his entered Ed's birthday. No. He wasn't sure what compelled him to enter his own birthday but he found himself turning the dials in that order. Click. Bingo.
How peculiar…
That could not have been a coincidence. It was definitely something he would have to look into later. Perhaps as a sort of leverage over the riddle-loving pest.
Oswald opened the door eagerly. What he found inside was far from exciting. More blueprints, an external hard drive, a trunk of obnoxious green clothing, a few of Batman's stolen gadgets and…
Was that…?
A collection of photos and news clipping of him.
Oh, it was more than just that.
There were police sketches, buttons from his past suits, something that looked like a shoelace and a baggie with clippings of Oswald's hair.
Oswald ran his hand through his perfectly styled locks unconsciously as he examined the little bag.
My God, was this a turn off a events. This little collection was not put together recently, Oswald thought to himself as his eyes roamed over a character sketch that was most likely from the time that he had been presumed dead. That was far before he and Ed had ever met.
This was more than leverage over your enemy or a blackmail box for a partner that one does not completely trust. This was a fucking shrine. A shrine to HIM, the man that Edward Nygma claimed not to love.
Oswald continued to shift through the collection. His nose scrunched in disgust as he pondered just how old that tube of toothpaste was. And that...that was definitely a pair of his underwear from several years ago.
This was rich. Oh, how much fun he was going to have interrogating Edward.
In fact, while Oswald should have been disgusted or downright terrified by this display, he was rather flattered. The thought that Ed had painstakingly gathered all of these items without him noticing, collecting quietly and most likely watching him from afar, created an odd warm sensation in his chest. He should not have felt this way but he couldn't help it. There was both an emotional satisfaction and a sense of victory that arose from the discovery that Ed was hopelessly obsessed with him.
"Oswald!" Came a distant voice feigning irritation to mask a sense of panic.
"Oswald! Where are you?" Edward growled, "What did I tell you! How did you even get in-" The door creeked open.
"What are you doing?!" Came a screech at least two octaves higher than the previous sentence.
Oswald cast a casual glance upward from where he was sitting, the collage of items laid before him on the floor. He noted the neat sutures Ed had applied to his face. No wonder he had taken so long.
"Why, look how young I look here. How the years have passed." He pointed to a photo from a charity gala the two of them had attended when he was the mayor of Gotham, all of those years ago. "I really did like those frames on you. He traced Ed's glasses in the photo.
Ed looked like a deer in headlights. The flush rising in his face had made it to his ears. "How did you…? I…l..."
"How did I find your secret stalker stash of the last 10 years of my life?" He smirked up at the stuttering man before him. "By the way, I'm flattered that you used my birthday to safeguard your secrets. It's good that Batman has no idea that you are completely and utterly obsessed with me. That would be very inconvenient for me.
"I'm-!" Ed was now burning from both anger and embarrassment. "I am not obsessed with you! Those items are simply for the purpose of research-" He paused, thinking quickly, as he seemed to be digging himself into a deeper hole.
"Research on my choice of undergarments?" Oswald waved the pair of briefs tauntingly. "Because I have far more elegant pairs than this, Edward. You could have asked." He winked at the taller man, in attempt to egg him on.
Ed was not having it. He grinded his teeth together. "Research for the purpose of potential blackmail, should you ever betray me again."
This little game had taken a dangerous turn. Oswald staggered to his feet. His fists balled and his eyes burned holes into Edward's irises. He would not stand for that accusation.
"You're not the only one who was betrayed by someone you loved. You tore me apart! You desecrated the memory of my father! "
"But I didn't love you Oswald." Ed ripped open the wound just to throw salt in it.
"Ha! Your little collection begs to differ. There is stuff in there that dates back to before I even knew your name."
"You knew my name!"
"You may have told it to me but I. didn't. care."
Edward stepped closer, determined to keep the upper hand, especially after being so greatly humiliated. "You're so hopelessly ignorant. I was merely seeking your advice during my change of perspective. I also happened to save to life. Did you forget that?"
"That was for your own benefit! You drugged me! That was probably kidnapping for all I know. And after all the trust I put in you, you shot me." Oswald hissed. He stayed firm, burying his emotions deep inside him despite the sickening twist of his stomach.
"You killed the woman I loved. Shooting you was an act of kindness compared to what I could have done," Edward snarled. Unconsciously moving closer, staring down Oswald with intensity. "I didn't need you to become who I am, Oswald."
The smaller man did not budge. "I did it because I loved you." Oswald screeched. "But it's not like you know anything about that! It was a selfish love at first, I know. There are things I still regret. I may have lied but I found error in my ways. I came clean. I would have done anything for you!" Oswald's green eyes were wild with rage. He moved closer to the taller man, standing tall like a cat arching its back at a rivalling predator. "Remind me, what did you tell Miss Kringle after you killed her boyfriend?"
Edward's eyes widened in horror.
"Lies. You lied to her! But you did it because you loved her. You fucking hypocrite!"
Oswald felt his back slam against the wall, a large hand wrapping around his throat. The pressure was firm enough to hold him in place but not hard enough to severely cut his airflow yet. Edward's brown eyes born into his soul like daggers. His teeth were bared, clench so tightly that the muscles in his jaw visibly tightened.
"I was ready to sacrifice myself for you." Oswald rasped despite the grip on his throat.
Oswald's chin was lifted roughly as Ed's lips met his viciously. Their teeth clacked as their mouths meshed together in the hot mess of the kiss. Oswald's tongue fought for dominance before being captured between Ed's teeth. He's head was pressed firmly against the wall as Ed kissed him with fervor, lips roughly meeting his again and again. The two broke for air momentarily, both panting like they'd run a marathon.
"You're a fucking psycho," Oswald mumbled while grasping Edward's hair roughly and pulling him down for another searing kiss. Ed growled, clearly loving the tingle of pain in his scalp. Oswald ran his rounded nails along the sides of Ed's face, grazing his jaw.
He felt a moan vibrate from the taller man's lips through his as he sunk his teeth into his lower lip. He gasped against Ed's lips as he felt himself lifted off of the ground. His legs wrapped around Ed's hips instinctively. His wrists were snatched up and held firmly above his head. Oswald protested, pulling at his wrists and growling against Ed's lips.
That only seemed to egg Ed on as the grip tightened and he pulled away to sink his teeth into Oswald's neck, earning a loud moan from the smaller man.
Oswald was surprised to find himself so aroused in this position, rough handled and restrained by this insufferable man that he was still very much in love with. Oswald may have been stubborn and quick to mask his feeling but at least he could admit them to himself when they were staring him the face.
Edward was another story. But Oswald was trying not to think too much into this at this moment. He was enjoying himself way too much to be plagued by confusion. And he wasn't ready to face the fact that this moment may not last.
He tipped his head back allowing Ed to trail wet, rough kisses down his neck. Their eyes met again for a split second as Ed dipped his head to claim Oswald's lips again, this time slowly and with gentle passion. Oswald traced the lip if his tongue along the length of Edward's tongue. He felt the taller man shiver in delight. There lips moved in sync, tongues caressing. When they broke for air, Ed rested his forehead atop Oswald's and loosed his grip on the smaller man's wrists before releasing them gently. He carefully tucked his hand beneath the thigh of Oswald's bad leg to support it as he continued to carry him. Ed pressed his body a little closer. His breaths were becoming more steady again.
Oswald gently slipped his arms around Ed's neck and looked into his eyes. He wondered if his own lips were as swollen. "I've been waiting for this for a long time", he whispered tentatively. He was still high off of endorphins from their heated kiss. His senses were coming back and he noticed how reckless his words were.
Before he had time to fret he heard Ed, whisper back, "So have I."
Ed chewed his lip anxiously. He parted his lips to speak but no sound followed. He swallowed dryly. "You were right to assume that I had...an interest in you. I have wanted you for a long time. Even before I full understood it"
Oswald nodded slowly. He was so taken aback by this confession he wasn't even sure what to say.
"But, I think I'm right to assume that my interest in you turns you on." Edward rose a brow and searched Oswald's face for evidence. He received it in the form of a blossoming blush.
"That… would not be incorrect. I do find it flattering." He smiled at the absurdity of it all. "I guess you're not the only psychopath."
He brushed a piece of Edward's hair from his face. "When you say interest, do you mean desire…? ...lust? ...feelings?" He said the last word I bit hopefully.
Ed pursed his lips and then sighed. He was having hard time voicing his answer. "Yes, all of those things. I was grappling with them all those years ago. I wasn't sure. I'd never really… I was trying to figure myself out before…"
"Before I ruined everything." Oswald said sadly.
"You weren't the only one at fault." He smiled sadly. "I will be honest, I don't regret everything I did. But I regret most of it. I regret hurting you the way I did. You deserved my anger but you didn't deserve that."
"You didn't deserve the pain I caused you either. It may not mean anything now, but I've thought about it often. It hurts me, still. I really am sorry."
A small smiled curled at the corner of Ed's lips. "You still love me after all this time. How?"
Oswald felt his insides twist. There was still a lingering fear of facing these emotions, spurred from years of pain between him and Edward. But he wanted to believe this moment. He wanted this to be real. "You once said the heart keeps it own time." While Ed had claimed to fall in love in a couple of days, Oswald was unable to fall out of love after all these years.
Ed let his eyes fluttered closed. He exhaled calmly, his forehead still pressed to Oswald's. "I think of you often." He lifted his lids again, gaze falling to the floor in uncertainty. "I hate to see enjoying lengthy encounters with other people."
"Go on." Oswald said wheel bearing a coyly little smile.
Ed furrowed his brow at the teasing reply to his confession. He snapped his jaws at Oswald playfully.
"Okay, I'll be good." Oswald smiled softly. He wasn't sure if he was dreaming or if this was real.
Ed sighed. His eyes finally met Oswald's again. "I'm not sure if it's love." It was. Oh, it was. But unlike Oswald, Ed wasn't so accustomed to admitting his own feelings, to himself. "And after all this time, I think I'm ready to find out. Because it's definitely something significant."
He waited for Oswald's response. His eyelids lowered a bit when he felt dainty little fingers play with the hair at the base of his neck.
"I'll take you up on that offer." Oswald hummed contently. "It will definitely make your visits a little more exhilarating." Neither of them could doubt that there had been a lot of sexual tension lingering between them despite their constant banter. "One condition."
Ed raised a brow.
"You show me all of your Oswald collection. And from now on, if you take pictures of me, please get my approval first. Some of those are from hideous angles. The least you can do is get my good side."
Ed broke into laughter. He slowly lowered Oswald and placed him carefully on his feet.
"If you so desperately want to look through all of it, you are welcome to stay. But I only have one bed and I know this place isn't up to your standards."
"There is no question. We are going through it all in detail."
Ed squirmed a little but did not deny the request.
"As for my standards. You'll make it up to me. Especially since I am more than certain that wasn't your phone in your pocket that was nudging my thigh the whole time." Oswald winked. He smiled to himself as he watched a soft blush dust Ed's cheeks for the second time today. It was a good look on him.
This was fun to write. Let me know what you guys think.
And if you want me to continue this story. I am considering it. Of course, the moment of tenderness at the end is fleeting. Ed & Oswald will definitely need to come to terms with a few more things in order to fall back into (their version of ) a somewhat amorous relationship.