When the night is dark

Chapter 3

I don't like you

Oswald didn't know how many days may have passed. When he awoke again his neck and face hurt. But he couldn't even touch himself in the face, without bending his back in a nearly impossible way. Nonetheless: This wasn't what nagged him the most. It was Nygma standing in that perfect replica of his hold kitchen, doing dishes and preparing something to eat, whistling cheerful. Years ago Oswald could have watched Ed like this all day. Now it sickened him. Edward returned to the bedside with toast on a plate, which he placed, without any further comment, on Oswalds lap who gave him a 'what the hell!?' look.

"How am I supposed to eat that?" , he finally asked, after a few attempts to get the toast into his fingers.

Nygma returned to him and placed the toast in Oswalds hand. "Do I also need to feed you, like the little baby you are?" Penguins right eye twitched on that question, but he didn't intend to start another fight – since he was goddamn hungry. So he only pressed a "thanks." through his grinding teeth and stretched for the toast in his hand. Yet he only reached the crust, desperately nibbling on what he could get to his lips. Oswald swore to himself, that he'd make Ed pay for this. He wanted to humiliate him in a similar way. Edward watched the other man with amusement in his eyes. It was too much fun watching him in such despair for a little bread.

"Are you sure I don't need to feed you?", he asked in a condescending way.
"If you'd give my arms a little more freedom I could eat all on my own without a problem."

"That's not gonna happen.", Ed answered and went to his desk, to work through some papers.

"You know – I have heard, that you're into role-play nowadays, but this? This surely takes the cake, Ed. It's a little over the top, maybe."
"This is not a role-play, Oswald. I am still me – and you are as annoyingly arrogant as always."

"Right, yeah it's about that obsession you have of me."

"I am NOT obsessed by you. Stop talking", Ed hissed.

"Right. Cause dressing up as me and making a little show, to get my attention, your eternal revenge plan - and what ever this weird scenario here is, are for sure no signs of an obsession. Yeaaah.", laugend Oswald, eyes rolling.

Nygma nearly leapt over back to the bed. His stern eyes focussing Oswald in anger.
"Stop. Talking. I am a dangerously intelligent man. You wouldn't even know what my mind is capable of. You can't understand. So that's not your fault you-"

"Sure, dangerous you are. As dangerous as any totally mental psychopath is. Maybe I should have let you rot in Arkha-"

Oswalds words froze in his throat, as he suddenly gasped for air. Eds fingers were once again pressed around his neck, pushing his throat in a dangerous way. Penguins hands waved in a desperate attempt to defend himself.

"Now you really do look like a penguin.", Ed mocked the man he was strangling. Only when Oswalds eyelids began to flicker he let go, causing him to fall back into the sheets. Silent tears made their way down Oswalds cheeks, to his ears and finally soaking into the pillow. Ed just sat there next to him, watching his every move.

"I told you I didn't want to hurt you." In a soothing way Edwards long fingers combed through the black sweaty hair. "You're making it really hard for me, to restart our friendship."

A sentence which caused the other man's lips to release a muffled, crackling laugh, Did Ed really think they'd be friends again? Like... ever? He kept him hostage here and mistreated him. And – not to forget – he shot him, tried to do it all over again and even to kill him with acid. So... in which scenario would he ever want to befriend that man again? To Penguin it didn't matter anymore how strong his feelings may have been or still were. For sure you'd never forget your first love. You will never truly and completely un-love true love. But you for sure as hell will be smart enough to never let that person that near to you. It didn't matter that those feelings would linger in his heart forever. This feelings made him weak. This feelings did hurt him and nearly destroyed his life. This feelings made him wanna kill himself. A part in Oswald would always love Edward Nygma. But that part had become very silent and small during the last year. He was smarter now. He didn't need Ed any more. He didn't need his approval, his love, his touch, his affinity. Nygma put him through hell. He rejected his love, he made his life a living hell for a while and was now once back at it again. No. Oswald had made his point. He twisted his mouth a little, to a scoffing smile.

"You can take your friendship and shove it up your ass, Edward."

Maybe that wasn't the best answer, for the punch that hit his face was similar to the force of a car, crashing a wall – a punch that nearly knocked Oswald out. The world became a little dizzy for him and his ice-blue eyes had trouble focussing anything. He really took a hit there.
"I will teach you to behave, my friend." In Eds voice lay no emotions. Once again he departed from the bed, to do some work. Oswald probably wouldn't talk for a while anyway.

The rusty taste of blood. Once again that blazing light that felt as if it would stab his eyes. That rusty taste running back into the throat caused a heavy cough. Spitting. Coughing. Struggling for air. His throat hurt. It felt heavily bruised. Salt mixed itself to the rust. It were tears relentlessly running down the cold skin, now making their way for the shaking, burst lips. The tears burned a little, but finally the feeling went numb. It took Oswald really long to recover himself from that hit, and he felt sick, once he was able to see his surroundings once again. He felt like he had to vomit. It seemed as if Ed one-punched him a concussion. 'Impressive', Os thought for a second, as he tried to sit up again, He only now noticed the toast, squished in his fist and sighed. Not as if he could take a bite now any more. But Oswald wouldn't be him, if he wouldn't just keep going, the second he was able to talk again. It took him quite a while. Too much blood had his mouth filled and kept him from speaking, for a while. The sheets before him resembled a murder scenario. Kinda fitting, he thought.

"Y'now, 'really like 'e new u...", he sluggishly started. Spat blood onto his legs, and moved on: "The brute one. 'sssurprisingly fitting." Oswald again spat blood, blinking the pain away that tried to take over his head. "'Suits you more than the smart one... less... annoying riddles." His voice became a little better again. At least for now. Probably when the swelling started he wouldn't be able to speak at all – by all means it surely felt like this. Whilst his little monologue he didn't notice Ed was sitting at his table, his fists clenched, his eyes pointed at Oswald in sheer anger. It seemed as if Penguin kept on going, maybe just one more sentence Ed would probably just pull a gun and shoot him. But he couldn't see Nygma, since his vision still was severely blurred. "But maybe we should start finding a new name for you... how 'bout something like the... Brute-ler? Or... Slapler? Maybe also the strangler? Or..." Oswald once again immediately stopped talking as he realised a shadow rising over him. Edward's been dangerously silent. He still didn't really see what was happening, but it was obvious that a belt started to choke him,

"Nghnnnooo" was the only thing that resembled a word, which left Penguins lips for the next minutes to come. Again desperately waving his hands to defend himself against his attacker. Suddenly he felt Eds knee pressing against his chest, pushing him back into the sheets – and keeping him there. Suddenly: Oswald was able to move at least one arm freely. Panicked he started to slap in Eds direction, tried to push the bigger man off him, to grab his face. Unfortunately the crime-boss wasn't a man of brutal force and hence that no man of bodily strength and additionally he was down to a level where he nearly had no power to move himself at all. He was so exhausted. His fingers finally found rest in Edwards collar, clenching themselves in there, as if he was falling off a cliff and this was his last hold, before falling into certain death. He didn't even try to grab for the belt in his panic. And now it felt as if life was leaving his body. And for sure: It was. The world seemed to be far away. Numb. Only nothingness. He felt warmth in front of himself, as if it was his last connection to the world. Edward pulled Oswalds fingers off his collar and re-chained him in a new position, both hands together, above his head. Afterwards he released the pressure against the small chest underneath his knee and eased the tension, in which he held the belt slung around Oswalds neck. As the smaller man against started to cough heavily, once again gasping for air, he brutally grabbed his black hair, pulling him to his own face.
"Careful, the loss of air might leave you brain-dead one day, If you carry on behaving like this." The Riddler noted. And it has been him. Oswald knew it. He knew the look in Eds eyes. That wasn't Edward Nygma. He seemed to be reunited with his manic self. Yet he still kept provoking him: "Fuck you. Ed~", he whispered in a broken, merely recognizable voice. He knew that calling the Riddler Edward would drive him crazy. And he was right. Enough was enough. The hand in his hair yanked his head back down into the pillows – but now he forced his face into the pillow, coercing Oswalds body to follow – which left him completely exposed, and helpless lying prone. What was happening? The smaller man wasn't even really there, let alone in any position to realise, what Nygma did – what was about to happen what he had to endure... He noticed his old friends heavy weight on him, keeping him down. Not as if he could move any way. Penguin hadn't even the strength to verbally protest. He just tried to get his senses together. To realise what was happening to him. The heat, the heavy breathing in his ear. The icy blue eyes felt shut. He felt so tired. What was Ed doing anyway? He was so silent, despite his weird moaning, despite his breathing. And suddenly – now eyes wide shut – Oswald seemed to realise what Ed was doing, He felt it. He felt something pressing against him, that he didn't want to feel. And if he was never hit by him, he screamed at Ed, in full power. "THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?"

But Ed just pushed his face down. "Don't destroy this moment. Isn't it, what you ever wanted? Me?", he laughed, as he ripped down Oswalds Pyjama – who definitely put new life into himself, starting to fight as he pretty sure never fought someone before. "GET OFF OF ME!", he screamed as he started to kick the air behind Edward.

"Throwing another tantrum? Really?", Ed sighed and paused for a second. His eyes examined every detail. With his free hand he stroke, nearly carefully the white skin underneath him. "You are beautiful, do you even know that?"

The hand left goosebumps all over Penguins body. But definitely not in enjoyment. Panic had filled his body and soul, He had to get out of this situation. He had to shake Ed off. This could not happen. This could not happen to him! He never liked to be touched. He never wanted to be seen by anyone. He was ashamed of himself. He didn't like the Idea of getting close than a fully clothed hug to anyone. He never felt attracted to anyone in a sexual way. His love for Edward's always been pure at heart. This was an dirty act, it was shameful. He didn't want it consensual. And he sure as hell didn't want this like this. Oswald felt as if he was about to throw up. The thought made feel him sicker than the concussion did. "STOP! STOP TOCUCHING ME. STOP THIS!", he screamed. His panic didn't leave him very eloquent. Tears started flooding his eyes and face.

"Relax. Jeeze. I'm merely looking at you.", Ed stated in a disparaging voice. He shook his head, with a dark laugh at his lips. "Seriously, how did you imagine you and me being in love? I am a man Oswald. Unlike you, obviously. Crying like a child. Not really that sexy."

It was as if he didn't listen to Ed at all. Penguin kept bending, kicking, fighting, crying. He didn't even notice how bad his knee must have been hurting in this moment. It felt like a fight for life or death right now. "GET OFF! YOU SICK BASTARD, LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Edward sighed, as he pushed the crying face into the pillows again, hushing the screams and closing in the belt around Oswalds neck again. "You can't even properly beg, Oswald, can you?", he whispered in his ear, pushing his hand between Penguins breast and the bed, keeping him very close in his arms and his back against his own breast. "Your body is all cold.", Ed noticed. That's when his hands realised that the heavy and fast movements from where they rested just stopped. "Oh, dear." in a fast move he pulled Cobblepot back around and immediately got rid of the belt. "Ohhhh dear.", he talked to himself. Edward Nygma had kicked in again. "What have you done to him!", he at first had to scold his dark self. Then he checked for signs of life within Oswalds body, listening for breath, for his heart, simultaneously checking his pulse – which was low, Very low. But present. Or wasn't it? Edward nearly panicked. This was Kristen all over again.

He tried to pull himself together, this wasn't over yet! And even so he felt as if he was stupid, he still knew the human body from his work in the field of forensics and immediately started to revive his former friend, releasing his hands from the chains first. Penguins hands fell lifeless onto the sheets.

"Don't die on me know.", Nygma whispered more to himself, pressing his lips against Oswalds, as he pushed air down into his lungs. "Come on now. Don't..." His voice was nearly begging.

/Look at him. What a wuss, passing out right before the best minutes of his unfulfilled life even started!/, the Riddler laughed.

"He didn't pass out, you chocked him. He's NOT BREATHING, you IDIOT!", Ed spit, as he pushed all his weight against Oswalds breast.

/You think I am the Idiot? Look at you, reviving your enemy – even so I'm already here, again. This. This is what will us let merge again, Eddie. His death will make us whole again../

"Please don't die...", Edward begged, ignoring his alter egos voice, as he once again pressed air into Oswalds lungs. Tears started to blurr his vision, as he repeated himself once again. Did he lose him? Did his dark side finally push all life out of that small body? As Ed loosened his lips from Cobbleppots tears dripped onto the pale cheeks, and suddenly he reared up, soaking air deep into his lungs. The weak body was immediately pulled against a strong, shaking chest, as he fell into a bad coughing. What did just happen?
"Thank god, you're alive, Oswald!", Ed whined in a relieved tone.

/Pathetic./

"I thought I've lost you.." Edwards voice was so soft. No sign of that rough sound he normally had. This Person sounded... just like... the ice blue eyes widened again. Was this possible? What did even happen? Everything did happen so fast, it took Oswald a while to sort his thoughts, Despite that he still fought for air. Nygmas fingers intertwined with the black hair, supporting his head from falling down, keeping Penguins face right at his breast. Where he could feel the fast, panicked heartbeat of his former chief of staff. Weak grabbed his fingers the green coat, as if he was in doubt with himself if he wanted to embrace the hug. Nygma pulled him higher, sitting himself up, which caused Oswald to kinda lie on his legs now. As if they were lovers, in a warm embrace. He could feel and see the thin fingers, softly touching his cheeks, It made Cobblepot nervous. But for now: He didn't say word. His own fingers clenched themselves in the green fabric. Now he remembered. He remembered what the Riddler just tried and his shoulders started shaking. He never felt as afraid as he did now. He knew he couldn't upset Edward, in pure fear that "he" returned to finish his "work"... But neither did he want to be held by him in this moment. Even so it came as a warm embrace, soft, kinda loving, with genuine sorrow in Eds eyes and voice. But Penguin felt ashamed. He felt sick and afraid. He didn't want to be touched – yet he couldn't move a muscle, but clench his fingers so hard into the green, shiny fabric, that he nearly ripped it. 'Please let me go...', he begged in his thoughts, not saying a word, as he felt Edwards tears fall down onto his face – now mixing with his own. What was this supposed to be? Some kind of crazy game again?

Suddenly he felt a pair of warm, shaking lips kissing his forehead.

"I am so sorry, Oswald. I will never let this happen again." Edwards voice was shaky as he dug his nose in the black hair. He couldn't let this ever happen again. This wasn't him. THIS WASN'T HIM. And this was nothing he wanted to happen to Oswald. They may have separated. He may hold his grudge. But Penguin had been his best friend. And he still meant a great deal to Edward. Despite that: Why would he even want to rape a man?

/You can pretend all you want, Edward. I know you want this to happen. You want his body bent in lust beneath yours. You are a pathetic, weak liar./

"I promise... I wont let this ever happen again. I promise..."