Sharing (OswaldxNataliexEd Fluff)
As Natalie lies in bed, she turns to either side of her. On one side, Ed sleeps soundly, cuddling a teddy bear in his arms, his green nightcap drooping slightly off of his head and his glasses resting on his nightstand. To the other side lies Oswald, very likely only pretending to be asleep, a watchful penguin plush toy keeping an eye on him from his nightstand.
With Natalie in the middle, she's unable to exit the bed without waking one of them. Oswald's probably awake anyway, he's probably her best bet.
"Hey...Ozzy? Are you awake yet?" she whispers, nudging him.
He grumbles, before turning over to her. He nods, and runs his hand through her hair, "Good morning Trixie."
"It's Natalie. I thought we discussed this," Ed grumbles from the other end of the bed.
Oswald chuckles, and gets up to address him, "Quiet you."
The two men smile, before sitting up and leaning over her so that they can kiss. Natalie can't help but smile, they're so cute together.
Ed jumps out of bed, his green satin pajamas bouncing along with his tall frame, "I believe it's time we start our day, wouldn't you agree...Natalie?"
Oswald wraps his arm around her, as she throws the blanket covers off of them, "Yeah, we probably should get up. Whose turn is it to make breakfast?"
Ed raises his hand, "That would be me. It's partially why I'm so excited. I've been calculating this morning's breakfast for a few days now. It will be a success, I promise you that."
He scampers out of the bedroom, leaving Natalie and Oswald in the bedroom. They linger in the bedroom, Oswald curling both arms around her.
"How about five minutes, just you and me?" he suggests, kissing her on the forehead.
She kisses him on the lips, and they fall back onto the bed, Natalie running her hands along his waist.
"Mmm...Ozzy, we already had a lot of fun last night. Don't you need a break?" she protests, even as she continues to kiss him.
He shakes his head, "Nonsense. After all, Edward always hogs you during our nights."
"Oh? Ed hogs me? While I'll take the compliment, I would argue he hogs you more than anyone."
Oswald blushes, and Natalie chuckles, before kissing him on the cheek, leaning down so that her chest grinds against his.
Just as Natalie hooks her legs around Oswald, Ed walks in.
"For this morning's meal, I'm preparing a varied fruit platter as a starter-...oh my," Ed stops himself, unable to hold in his grin.
Oswald and Natalie look up, and Natalie gestures to Ed, "Wanna join us?"
Without saying another word, Ed leaps onto the bed, pushing himself between them. He goes for Natalie first, entangling her hips in his arms and plunging his mouth into hers, their heads turning with sloppy kisses.
Oswald, unattended to, grabs one of the pillows from the bed and starts slapping Ed's back with it. After several hits with the harmless pillow, Ed turns around and dives into Oswald, wrapping his arms around his shoulders as they kiss. Ed throws Oswald onto the bed and starts to undo the buttons on Oswald's purple pajama top. Leaning down, Ed starts kissing his chest, and Oswald opens his mouth to moan.
Not to be beat, Natalie grabs a pillow of her own and starts hitting Ed's back with it, imitating Oswald's previous method. Ed gets up, turning away from Oswald to focus on Natalie. But before he can even begin, Oswald grabs his pillow once more to garner Ed's attention. Natalie comes in right away, slapping Oswald with her pillow. A playful smile grows on Oswald's lips, as the two of them go into a pillow fight, hitting each other until feathers start flying out of the pillows.
"Oh my…" Ed laughs, holding out his hands to catch some of the falling feathers.
Once their pillows have been emptied, Oswald throws the empty cover to the ground and tackles Natalie, pinning her to the bed. With a hungry groan, he lunges down to lick her neck. Natalie wraps her arms around his chest and back, pulling him down further.
Ed chuckles, "Well, I guess it'll be a while before we get to breakfast."
Hugo Strange's Side Project (Arkham Interview Tapes)
*start tape*
Dr. Strange: State your name, age, and occupation for the record.
Natalie: Natalie Kawacatoose. Age twenty-seven. Occupation: police officer at the GCPD.
Dr. Strange: Yes, now tell me Ms. Kawac-
Natalie: I prefer Ms. K.
Dr. Strange: Fine. ...Ms. K, do you know why you're here?
Natalie: This is...part of a routine psychiatric check for all GCPD officers.
Dr. Strange: Yes...yes. So tell me, Ms. K, what was your childhood like?
Natalie: My...my childhood? Well, uhm...I was raised in the old Gotham Reservation. What's now Indian Hill.
Dr. Strange: And you lived there until it burned down, correct?
Natalie: Yes.
Dr. Strange: And tell me, Ms. K, how did you live after that?
Natalie: Well...I guess I sort of just...moved around. I spent a lot of time at the Flea, or in abandoned houses in Park Row-
Dr. Strange: That was...until you met Mr. Nygma.
Natalie: How...how did you know-
Dr. Strange: You two are very close, aren't you?
Natalie: I-I guess we are-
Dr. Strange: And because he took you in, gave you food, water, a roof over your head, companionship...you ignored all of his faults, his odd habits, peculiar...tendencies.
Natalie: I don't know what you're talking about-
Dr. Strange: Come now, Ms. K. You're a woman of compromise, bargaining...the only reason you're friends with Mr. Nygma now is because of what he had to offer you in the past.
Natalie: That's not true! Where are you going with this?
Dr. Strange: Ha...well, he's your savior after all. As a person in gratitude, I'm sure you feel at least some attraction toward him.
Natalie: …
Dr. Strange: Ms. K, did you really think I wouldn't touch upon the subject? I haven't even seen you two interact and I can already tell by your expression. ...you do hold feelings for him, don't you? Ah, but he doesn't return those feelings, that's it, isn't it-
Natalie: This is ridiculous, I don't need to answer your questions. What kind of psychiatrist are you?
*end tape*
*start tape*
Dr. Strange: State your name, age, and occupation.
Oswald: Who the hell are you? Why did you bring me here? Untie me at once!
Dr. Strange: Come now Mr. Cobblepot, if you want to be freed, all you have to do is cooperate. It's a simple task.
Oswald: ...my name is Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot. Age thirty-six. I work as the manager at Bamonte's-
Dr. Strange: Now Mr. Cobblepot, not even a minute into the interview and you're already lying through your teeth. But...that's not very uncommon for you, is it?
Oswald: What do you want?
Dr. Strange: You're a borderline sociopath, Mr. Cobblepot. A hatred of others stemming from your childhood years. ...tell me about your father, Mr. Cobblepot.
Oswald: Hmph...what's to tell?
Dr. Strange: I understand he left you and your mother at a very early age.
Oswald: How do you know all this? And why do you care?
Dr. Strange: I simply see potential in...certain individuals. I seek them out in order to perform a sort of...evaluatory interview. After doing some background checks first, of course.
Oswald: Ha...and I thought I was strange.
Dr. Strange: How do you feel about Ms. K? The police officer you often...consort with.
Oswald: Trixie? She might be my girl, but she's lower than a henchmen to me.
Dr. Strange: Consistent liar, but this one is special. You can't even tell whether or not you're lying to yourself.
Oswald: That's...that's untrue. I know where I stand. Trixie's disposable.
Dr. Strange: And how would you feel if I told her that?
Oswald: Wait! ...alright, fine. So maybe she's a little bit more. But she's still a whore...my whore…
Dr. Strange: Feelings of possession. You feel you own her?
Oswald: Well...yes. I earned her through patience and courtship.
Dr. Strange: Oh, you 'earned' her? Interesting...well, I think that's quite enough for now, Mr. Cobblepot. But grant my words, we will meet again.
Oswald: I'm really looking forward to it, doc.
*end tape*
*start tape*
Dr. Strange: State you na-
Edward: Edward Nygma. Forensic scientist for the GCPD. Age twenty-seven.
Dr. Strange: So you already know the procedure? Good…
Edward: Yes. I believe this is the part where you start showing me Rorschach inks.
Dr. Strange: No...let's talk about-
Edward: My childhood? Fair enough. I was raised in Gotham City, my mother passed away when I was young, so I was mainly raised by my father, whom I detested-
Dr. Strange: A strained relationship with your father? Well, I assume you had friends-
Edward: Just one. Natalie, she's a police officer here. Yes, she and I are best friends, I don't know how I would get along without her.
Dr. Strange: A female friend? How...unusual.
Edward: If you're going to inquire whether Natalie and I have a romantic relationship, the answer is no doctor.
Dr. Strange: Hmm...well, if that's the case, how do you feel when she's around men who are affection of her? Boyfriends perhaps?
Edward: Oh, I feel very happy, no question about it. It's so rare that any man finds Natalie desirable, especially in our teenaged years, whenever I find one of the sort, I'm fascinated.
Dr. Strange: Fascinated? You mean you don't feel threatened?
Edward: Not in the slightest.
*end tape*
*start tape*
Dr. K: Hugo, what is it you've called me in for? You know my patient list has been through the roof since Batman's raid on Park Row-
Dr. Strange: It's not too much Natalie. Just some follow up on your work here at the asylum. I have the recorder in the room on. Please state your name, age, and occupation for the record.
Dr. K: Of course...Natalie Kawacatoose. Age forty-seven. Occupation: psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum.
Dr. Strange: But that's not all, is it? You're also known as the Trickstress, a long-time vigilante, some even call you a "superhero"-
Dr. K: I have no idea where you get these accusations from Hugo-
Dr. Strange: Don't try that with me. I know who you are. Better yet, I know who you love-
Dr. K: I'm going to have a word with the director of Arkham. You have no right to pose these accusations or delve into my private life-
Dr. Strange: Sit Natalie! ...you may try to speak with the director, but I assure you, he will take my side, as he always does the good man. Now...where were we? Ah yes, we were discussing your double life as a vigilante-
Dr. K: How dare you suggest such a thing-
Dr. Strange: Oh, you haven't changed, have you?
Dr. K: What are you talking-...wait...a long time ago, I remember...a man coming in to interview the police officers at the GCPD…
Dr. Strange: Including yourself at the time.
Dr. K: It was you. But...why reveal this now?
Dr. Strange: It's the twenty-year anniversary of that first interview. It's the conclusion of a twenty-year research endeavor on some promising individuals like yourself, during that special time in Gotham City when key figures were being molded...like clay. I am however, disappointed in you Natalie.
Dr. K: Why? Because I didn't become a psycho like…
Dr. Strange: Like Mr. Nygma?
Dr. K: I had nothing to do with what happened to him! No one could have known, no one saw it coming!
Dr. Strange: But you did know, didn't you? You saw the signs Natalie, and chose to ignore them, because you had hope, hope that he would stay the same, the same good little boy, even after all that...trauma.
Dr. K: He had good intentions, I know that. But he also had particular...issues. Doctors and medicine wouldn't have been able to help him at the time...and I question if they even could now.
Dr. Strange: Hmm...I see. But now, with his memory loss, you can finally fulfill your wish.
Dr. K: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Dr. Strange: Due to his amnesia induced by the Batman...he's forgotten about you entirely. Before he was unreceptive of your romantic advances, now you have a second chance.
Dr. K: However I decide to handle the situation is none of your business Hugo. You've already labelled me a "disappointment", I see no further reason to continue this conversation.
*end tape*
*start tape*
Penguin: Alright Strange, I'm here. So where's my money?
Dr. Strange: Hmph, here's your twenty-thousand, paid in full, in cash.
Penguin: Well, give it here-
Dr. Strange: Not just yet. We have much to discuss Mr. Cobblepot.
Penguin: What's to discuss? We're here because you offered twenty Gs for me to do a little interview. That's all there is.
Dr. Strange: I want to discuss your rise to power. How did you do it, Mr. Cobblepot?
Penguin: The old-fashioned way. Hard work and dedication. And a dead body here and there if things get complicated.
Dr. Strange: Fair enough, but I'm more interested in what your motivation was. What would compel someone to go so far for so much power-
Penguin: Well, isn't it obvious, doc? Money and power...which when you think about it, are basically the same thing. Power proves that you're someone in this world, and I proved to all of those sleazy gutter worms that I am someone.
Dr. Strange: So you want to be noticed?
Penguin: Not just noticed, known. Feared. I could care less if I'm loved or despised, as long as there's a shiver at the mention of my name.
Dr. Strange: You could care less? What about Ms. Natalie K.? Your long-time lover?
Penguin: She's Trixie to me. "Natalie" will never love me, but Trixie always will.
Dr. Strange: So you see them as two different people? Two different personalities within the same person?
Penguin: Sure. Trixie...she understands me, the peach. She once walked in on me being...attended to by seven prostitutes at once, but...she still cares.
Dr. Strange: And you see that as a bragging right? That she still stayed even after she caught you cheating?
Penguin: Oh, I didn't say she stayed. She ran off for a bit. But she always comes back-
Dr. Strange: Only after you kidnap her.
Penguin: Hey, I didn't say she came back on her own free will. Besides, if she really wanted me to stay away, she'd do a better job at covering her tracks. She wants to be with me, I know it.
Dr. Strange: I see...I see now Mr. Cobblepot, that age and heartbreak has turned you into a sentimental, delusional old man. That is all. Good day, Mr. Cobblepot.
*end tape*
*start tape*
Riddler: Ah, good morning Hugo, although I doubt you were even aware it's morning from that fact that you sulk in that office of yours all dark. How depressing.
Dr. Strange: What do you want, Mr. Nygma?
Riddler: Why, information, of course. I've heard that you've been having some...interesting conversations with particular characters.
Dr. Strange: Spit it out, already! What do you want?
Riddler: You greet me with such hostility! That's no way to treat a fellow intellectual, good doctor.
Dr. Strange: You are no intellectual, Nygma. You're a fraud, a fake, a showman at best and a con artist at worst. All you do is create silly puzzles, not study the mind!
Riddler: Oh, contrary Strange, I know more about the human psyche than you will ever comprehend. Now, onto more pressing matters. You had a conversation some time ago with a Ms. Natalie K., is that correct?
Dr. Strange: ...you want to know more about Ms. K? Now why is that, Mr. Nygma?
Riddler: You've spoken to her, Strange. If you've any ounce of a brain you'd see that she's deranged. She came to me, claiming she knew me in some past life I have no recollection of.
Dr. Strange: Ah, so that's it. And how do you feel about Ms. K?
Riddler: How do I feel? Well, despite the fact that she gives in to such bestial urges with that...ugh, that man, and her delusions of having known me longer than we have I...I don't dislike her.
Dr. Strange: If you'd allow me, Mr. Nygma, there's something you need to listen to.
Riddler: Cassette tapes Strange? I pity your lack of modern technology.
Dr. Strange: It was all we had at the time. You'll see Mr. Nygma.
Dr. Strange: State you na-
Edward: Edward Nygma. Forensic scientist for the GCPD. Age twenty-seven.
Dr. Strange: So you already know the procedure? Good…
Riddler: Wha-what is this? What is the meaning of this Strange?!
Dr. Strange: Don't you recognize your own voice, Mr. Nygma?
Edward: My childhood? Fair enough. I was raised in Gotham City, my mother passed away when I was young, so I was mainly raised by my father, whom I detested-
Riddler: That's not me! You forged this tape, Strange, I know it-
Dr. Strange: Shh! ...listen Edward…
Dr. Strange: A strained relationship with your father? Well, I assume you had friends-
Edward: Just one. Natalie, she's a police officer here.
Riddler: No...there's no way I could have known her...how?! I remember working at the GCPD, but I don't remember-
Edward: Yes, she and I are best friends, I don't know how I would get along without her.
Dr. Strange: She isn't the delusional one, Mr. Nygma...you are.
Riddler: No!
*end tape*
Author's Note: One year ago, I first started posting BOAF. Words do not describe what an amazing journey it's been, and I can't thank my readers enough for all of your support. The threesome fluff and Arkham tapes tied, so I just decided to write both.
Going back and reading my earliest chapters, I realize how far I've come as a writer, and how far the story has come. I remember how much I looked forward to the reviews, and how even today I'm still thrilled that someone's been keeping up on the story and shows their appreciation with a review.
There were moments where I have been fatigued, or have wanted to quit. I am preparing to take a break soon, mainly to recoup my backlog of chapters, and deal with the winter show season as well as college applications, not to mention the passing of my uncle.
The thing is, I'm afraid to take breaks. I'm scared that if I stop posting, then when I come back my readers won't be there. BOAF has become such a routine that I feel that if it ever goes away, no one would notice and move on. Whenever I see that no reviews have been posted on the latest chapter, I automatically assume, "oh...that chapter was shit"
That being said, I do need a break, probably around the holidays, depending on when Gotham will take its Christmas break. Again, I can't thank you guys enough for all of your support.
Thanks! :)