Chapter 10: The Riddler's Secret
Morning light seeped in through the window, Oswald instantly putting his arm over his eyes with a whine. He shifted, turning on his side only to realize the side Ed occupied was now cold. Slowly, he opened his eyes, peering out from the covers. "Ed? Eddie?" Oswald whispered as he got up. He swung his legs off the bed, wincing as his feet hit the cold hardwood floor. He looked in confusion, having no idea where Ed had went. Slowly Oswald limped into the kitchen, finding a note on the fridge. Believing it to be from Ed, he took it off and read it, eyes wide. The note read, "Oswald, There's something you need to know. I..I've been too cowardly to tell you...I love you Os..You're not going to Arkham.." Oswald bit his lip, pailing as he dropped the note. 'No..no..Ed's not going to..is he...?' his terrified mind attempted to process what was happening. Quickly, Oswald grabbed some random clothes, pulling them on, not even worrying about his hair. But before he even left, he winced, memories of his last encounter of Ed vanishing coming back.
What if this was another trick? What if when he found Ed again...he killed him?Oswald felt his heart twinge in fear, felt himself start sweating. If that was the case, Oswald didn't want to go unarmed. Not this time at least. Slowly, he took a gun from the night stand, biting his lip, hands shaking as he holstered it. 'I..I don't want to use this..I can't..' he thought to himself. It seemed even in the face of possible betrayal he still wasn't willing to harm the man he loved. Even if it costed him his life the second time. Slowly, Oswald left the apartment, trying to stay close to the shadows though it was day time. The sky of Gotham was cloudy as ever, with a forecast of heavy rain and storms that evening. Suddenly, Oswald's phone buzzed. He took it out of his pocket to read a text from an unknown number.
The text read, "I form in an instant, but last a lifetime. What am I?" Oswald bit his lip, closing his eyes. 'He told you that before...after your mother..' he heard his inner voice whisper. Oswald texted back, almost of his own accord. "Memories. And they're like daggers in my heart." He hit send, anxiously awaiting the response. Who was he texting? Was it Riddler? How did he get his phone number? Lastly, did he know anything about what happened to him? His phone buzzed once more. "Good job Mr Penguin! I believe I hold in my possession..someone you're after..I know alot about you..you will find me around water..surrounded by ships and crates..Sometimes you bring bodies..sometimes not.." Oswald nearly groaned at the next riddle. 'Wait..I think i know where he's talking about..the..the docks?' Oswald paled visibly, gulping and closing his eyes. 'The same place where it happened..' Oswald slowly tucked his phone back into his pocket, feeling shaky and worried. Why the docks? Oswald wondered as he limped toward the location, relieved that there weren't many people on the streets and that no one recognized him. Once Oswald made it to the docks, he felt a cold chill on the back of his neck. Why was he here? Where was Ed? Did Riddler have him? Or Galavan? Oswald shook the thoughts out of his head, holding his gun out nervously as he shuffled inside the warehouse. "Ed? Ed?" he called.
Meanwhile, Edward was bracing himself for the inevitable confrontation. He would soon reveal he was The Riddler to Oswald. He had to, at least before he left. He deserved that. 'You're doing the right thing Eddie...he won't resent you for it..' his darker half whispered to him. Edward took a breath, looking at himself in the mirror. He was in his trademark green suit, holding his question mark cane. Beads of sweat formed on his brow. 'What if i can't tell him? This could hurt him..I don't want to hurt him anymore than I already have..' Ed thought, fidgeting slightly. Dark Ed walked behind him, smirking.
"Don't worry..he'll be fine..promise.." Edward nodded slowly as he put the mask on, allowing his darker half to take control. The second he heard the small limping footsteps a smirk appeared on his lips. "Time for the finale.." Riddler whispered to himself. Slowly, Oswald walked inside hearing footsteps, gun held out and at the ready. Oswald nearly gasped when he saw him, walking out much like Edward had, a grin on his face. "Riddler..Where's Ed? Where's my boyfriend? Did you hurt him?" he rambled, pointing the gun at the green suited man. Riddler smirked, twirling his cane as he sauntered over.
"Relax little bird...he's fine.." he said, close enough that Oswald could smell his breath, minty fresh..like Ed's mouthwash. Oswald swallowed nervously, a blush creeping up his face. "You're...you're standing too close.." he repeated, pressing the gun weakly at his chest. If Riddler was worried he didn't show it, in fact he smirk went wider. "You won't shoot me.." he whispered, his voice low and a little gravelly. Oswald could feel his hand shake, looking up at him. "How do you know?" he whispered, glaring at him. He barely registered an arm wrapping around his waist, his cheeks heating up as he was pulled closer. "I..there's something you need to know.." Riddler said. Oswald bit his lip, glaring at him still. "What is it?" he asked, trying to keep a hold of the gun. "I..I..under this mask..." Riddler shut his eyes, wincing. Oswald looked at him curiously.
"Who are you..?" Oswald asked, his voice a whisper. Riddler exhaled, tightening his hold around Oswald's waist. "I can't tell you...but I'll show you.." With that, Riddler dipped him, Oswald yelping in surprise, gun clattering to the floor as Riddler pressed his lips against his. Oswald didn't give in at first, instincts telling him to push him off but the feeling of Riddler's hand on his leg made him gasp, allowing his tongue to slip in. Oswald felt his eyes flutter, arms going limp around Riddler's neck as he kissed him. When they pulled away, Riddler grinned at him, breathing heavily. Oswald was flushed, bright red, looking at him nervously. The feeling of his lips had been so familiar...Oswald's eyes widened slightly as he slowly reached a shaky hand to stroke his cheek softly.
"E-Ed? Is..is that you...?" Oswald asked nervously, looking deep into his brown eyes. Riddler grinned, pulling him close and rubbing his back gently. "In the flesh. Well sort of. I'm his other half." Riddler said. Oswald bit his lip, clinging to him nervously. "His...his other half?" he asked. Riddler nodded, smiling. "He must not have told you. Not that I blame him." Riddler replied, softly running a hand down Oswald's cheek, making his eyes flutter. "Uh..no he didn't..I probably would've remembered.." Oswald said, a soft warmth rising in his cheeks. Riddler smirked at him. "Question, what's black, white and red all over?" He asked.
Oswald bit his lip, shutting his eyes nervously. Riddler leaned into his ear, whispering softly, "A blushing little penguin.." Oswald gasped, eyes snapping open as he felt his warm lips on his throat, kissing and nipping softly as he clung to him. "E-Ed..." Oswald said nervously. Riddler froze, looking at him worriedly. "I..I'm sorry..a-are you okay with this?"
Riddler hated himself for stuttering but even when he was in control it seemed his normal self would sometimes come through. "I..I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable..." he continued to babble. Of course Oswald wouldn't want to be intimate with the man who so heartlessly shot him. The very thought of it made him feel sick, his hold on Oswald a bit tighter almost as though assuring himself that he was alive. Oswald looked up at him, a shy smile on his face. "It..It's okay Ed...just be slow okay?" Oswald pulled him down to kiss him gently, a surprised gasp escaping Ed's lips. When they pulled away, Riddler was smiling brightly, caressing Oswald's cheek, blushing faintly.
"I love you Oswald..you know when he first saw you...I wanted to take over..to show him that you were perfect for us..he fell for you the second he saw you..so did I.." Riddler whispered as he proceeded to kiss him heatedly, Oswald moaning as he clung to him, kissing back almost desperately. "I love you too..all of you.." he breathed, gasping as he felt Riddler kissing down his neck, ravenously. "I love you Oswald..I don't think I could ever stop." Riddler breathed, stroking his hair and nuzzling him, inhaling Oswald's unique scent. Moments later, they were both breathing heavily, clinging to each other, Oswald resting his head on Ed's bare chest as he traced circles into Oswald's shoulder.
"Wow...I..I feel exhausted.." Oswald said, eyes drooping. Edward chuckled, his brown hair all curly. "I enjoyed every minute of it. I feel complete with you." He confessed, stroking his cheek. Oswald blushed brightly, smiling shyly. "I hope this never stops..if something happened and...and I lost you again..I don't think I could take it." Oswald whispered, biting his lip. Edward smiled, cuddling as close to him as he could. "It never will. I'm never leaving you Oswald. I promise." 'You shouldn't make promises you can't keep Eddie..'
Edward winced at his darker half's voice. Oswald was unaware of Ed's inner turmoil and smiled at him, eyes sparkling with happiness. "I love you Ed." He whispered, kissing him softly. Edward whined into the kiss, holding him tightly, soon pulling away slightly, stroking his hair. "I..I love you too Oswald.." Edward whispered, almost in tears. Oswald looked at him in confusion, slowly stroking Ed's cheek. "Ed? What's wrong?" Oswald asked, wiping his tears away. Edward tried to smile a little. "It's nothing Ossie. I'm fine. I just have some hair in my eye that's all.."
Edward tried to wipe the tears away, focusing his attention on Oswald. Oswald looked at him, slowly leaning towards him and kissing him sweetly. "I promise..everything is going to be okay." Oswald whispered against his lips. Edward blushed, clinging to him. "I hope you're right." He replied. Oswald looked into his eyes, stroking his hair.
"Why didn't you tell me? About being The Riddler?" he asked. Edward gulped, he knew that question was unavoidable but it was still nerve wracking. "I...I was afraid..I was afraid you might get hurt...that this would remind you...of what he...of what I did in your timeline.." Edward hid his face in shame. "I'm sorry...I know I should've told you.." Edward whimpered, tears falling freely now. Oswald gently kissed his tears away. "Shh..Ed it's okay..you act like I'm innocent.." he whispered, tilting Ed's chin up to look at him, smiling warmly. "I've done worse things than you darling."
Oswald whispered, kissing him on the cheek. "I killed for a sandwich once. I also killed my step mother and step siblings." Of course, in this timeline they were still alive. Oswald would love to see his father again. And knowing what he knew now, perhaps he could prevent his father's death? He wondered if he would like Edward. Oswald found himself yawning after awhile, clutching Edward like a teddy bear. Edward continued to rub circles into Oswald's arms. The truth was, Edward wanted to protect him, he knew Oswald was far from innocent or weak, but he couldn't help but feel that need to protect him. To do what this future version of himself neglected to do. That's why he was about to do what he knew would hurt him. Slowly, Edward got up, getting his normal forensic clothes on and easily dressing Oswald. Slowly, he picked up his sleeping Penguin, carrying him to the back of his car, making sure he was nice and buckled up.
Edward slid into the driver's seat feeling anxious as he looked at Oswald through the mirror. He hated himself for lying to him, promising he wouldn't leave when he knew he was. "I'm sorry Oswald...I'm doing this for you..." Edward turned the key into the ignition, driving off. Once they arrived, Edward carried Oswald into the apartment, he felt Oswald clinging to him with a soft whine as he carried him inside. Edward placed him in their bed, making sure he was warm and snug. "I love you Os.." Edward whispered as he kissed him on the forehead softly. "I'll be back...I hope.." Edward said.
He turned and left, looking back at him. Oswald was sleeping peacefully, practically making a nest in the blankets, his black hair sticking up slightly. Edward couldn't help but smile, wishing he could stay longer. But he had a job to do. Edward took his gun from a nearby table, making sure it was loaded. Edward hid the gun in his coat and left the apartment, trying not to cry. 'He'll be okay, Ed..you're doing him a favor...' Dark Ed whispered. Edward nodded slowly, allowing him to take over, a smirk appearing on his face. "Let's do this.." he sneered, exiting the apartment building.
I hope this doesn't suck too much! I thought I'd make it rromantic at first! :)