So, the couples are in Gotham and they met a familiar face from the flashback. But this story is suppose to be their romance and I am not letting Batman or Joker in this. Not ever DC comic fanfic needs to shoehorn these two in everything just because they are the stars! Let others grow and expand as well!
The drive was exhausting even after both of the couples rejuvenate themselves at the hotel. Kayla knows that the search for the boyfriend's father is important. She also wants to know why he left his own wife after the birth of his son. Kayla imagined that if his mother was alive and had not died from the birth, she would've loved him for him.
No one deserves to be alone, even if you love the solitude.
They arrived at Gotham City at 8.00 p.m. Kayla was feeling hungry after the long journey and still has to find a cheap motel to stay in with her boyfriend until the mission is done. Waylon himself felt guilty for making Kayla stayed up all the way to drive the both of them to their destination. He's got to make up to her somehow but right now he hasn't got a clue.
"Are you familiar with the city itself?" Kayla asks, gently taking his large hand with her tiny ones. The crocodile man sighs, not even getting a scent that is somewhat familiar to him. Hell, he never knew what his father looked or smelled like!
"Nothing," he shakes his head. "But I remember Flowers said that he walked out on my Ma the minute she realised she's carrying me. Kept reminding me that I was the caused of her death and that bastard had every damn right to walk out on me."
He hadn't realised that he was a minute away into snapping someone in half with his rage. Kayla patiently waits for him to let out his frustration he has kept inside for so long. She knows what kind of life he's gone through so she will help him. They walked across the streets, side by side without glancing at those who stared at them.
So what?
"Are you okay, Waylon?"
"Yeah," he gives her a small smile. "A lot of crime in Gotham and seeing us is a shocker? Heh, maybe it's true when the rumours say freaks do get their recognition in this city."
"Waylon," Kayla giggled. "You're not a freak to me. Hell, normal average people like me are more of freaks with our daily schedules, always focusing on making things greater or bigger when the world is just the same but just smaller than before."
Silence became their only music.
"Sorry," Kayla clears her throat and looks up at him. "Got a little carried away with a ramble."
The crocodile man gently kisses her on the head. Kayla just sighs and leans into him as they stroll along the park, still no sign or clue to trace Waylon's missing father. Even with the city, they both admit that the atmosphere from the park is peaceful compared to the rest of the scenes they have come across. Kayla suddenly felt hungry.
"I wonder if there is a sandwich shop or a diner for us to eat at?"
Before he could recall a diner, a posh voice called him. "Hey! You there! Yes, Croc, is that you?"
He whips his head around to find a short, obsessed gentleman with a monocole waddling up to him. He's waving his umbrella to get his attention. He couldn't help but chuckle at the way he walks but Kayla shushes him, also trying to hide her laugh too.
"Jones, isn't it?" the gentleman inquires, adjusting his monocle. "Is that really you? God, you have gone through a growth spurt. Do you remember me?"
He stares down and scrutinise the figure of the man until he recognised the beak-like nose. No, it can't be.
"Cobblepot?"
"Ah, you do remember!" he claps the crocodile man's back. "And it's Penguin now. Yes, I know what you are thinking: Why hail yourself as the flightless bird or the name your tormentors call you? Well, I made it work, my boy! Now my name is now feared and respect in Gotham."
"Congratulations, sir," Kayla nods to him politely with a smile. Now he looks at her. He gently took her hand to which Waylon was about to protect her if he makes any unwanted advances. "Ah, I have never seen you before. Who might you be, Dearie?"
"Kayla Harper," Waylon answered for her. Cobble pot blinks and then slowly look from him to the young woman right beside him. "Christ, you really have found her….Here I thought you actually settled in a swamp with a gator lass."
Waylon laughed, his teeth are glistening in the dark. "Well, I got you by surprise. So how are things?"
"What are we standing here in the cold?!" Cobblepot exclaims. "Come, come we will go to the Iceberg Lounge. Both of you are my VIP guests and tell ol' Oswald about your journey."
"That's very nice of you, Mr Cobblepot," Kayla thanks him. "But we are looking for someone."
"You can tell me that at the Lounge, my dear."
…
The Iceberg Lounge felt like a country club according to Kayla. Most of the guests and costumers are well dressed compared to her and Waylon. She wants to bury her head behind her boyfriend's frame but he looks calm in the situation. He loved the smell of the fresh cool ice of the lounge and he thought he caught a scent of something fishy, the tasty kind.
They were ushered to what he would think is the best seats in the house with the live band performing, waiters bringing them glasses of champaign and the table ladened with lots of seafood, steaks, any rich person could afford. He was never treated like a first class or even as a person in his entire life. His stomach rumbles from the hunger he's feeling.
"What are you staring at?" Cobblepot asks. "Come and dine with me! There's plenty to eat and you can tell me what is it you're both looking for."
"We are looking for a Mr Jones," Kayla told him. She gently traces the surface of the seafood gratin. Her boyfriend strikes down on the king crab legs, devouring them without a care he might have swallowed a shell from the crustacean. The penguin of a man is swallowing what looks like a plate full of cooked salmon and trout.
"But he's here," Cobblepot points at Waylon. The crocodile man looks at him, stopping himself from eating more to explain.
"No, I meant my dad," he explains. His size can easily break the table if he keeps pressing it with both of his hands. "I wanna know where he is so that I can give him a piece of my mind for leaving my Ma and made me the way I am!"
"Hmm," Cobblepot muses while fixing his monocle. "I may not have seen a Jones or someone as monstrous as you. But I have a few influences with the people here. Forgive me but I don't know anyone that remotely looks like you."
"Obviously," he scoffs.
"But those people you know," Kayla inquires. "Can they at least know where he's whereabouts are? Waylon, did you aunt ever mention anything else?"
"Nah," he shakes his head. "The bitch was already dying when I wanted to ask her more. How relieved I was when the snap of her neck was heard in my hands."
Kayla rubs her temples, trying to take in what he just said.
"Right," Cobblepot nodded. "I might ask Butch to round up a few men in the business and see if any can give the info that you have wanted. For now, you two can wait here in the Lounge until the men arrive."
With that, the penguin of a man stood up and waddles away, leaving the couples on their own. Kayla sighs and holds her boyfriend's hand.
"Let's hope your dad isn't a psychopath," she whispers.
I guessed this was never made before. Finding who was the one that procreated with Croc's mom to make the guy we know today. I am curious about him so I decided to make my own version. Hope you guys like it!
I also wrote a Copperead (Sameer Park) fanfic in my profile for you to checkout.
Reptiles need love, people!