Chapter 113

Wearing only a bra and underwear, I lie atop my bed. Oswald lies beside me, shirtless and in black boxers, as we both stare up at the ceiling.

"...I love you Oswald. I'll always love you," I confess, my head turned away from him.

"I know, and I love you too. But...why tell me now?" he asks, looking over to me.

I laugh, "Because I could be dead tomorrow."

"Nonsense," Oswald protests, "I'll protect you. It's just...how can I possibly protect you if you keep running off on me?"

"I told you Oswald, I don't want your protection."

He rolls over and places his hands over my shoulders, "Well, you're getting it whether you like it or not."

Oswald snickers, before kissing me on the cheek, "I promise you. Now that I've assumed a position in the Court, all I need to do is start a domino effect. A mob war between those affiliated with the Court, Don Falcone's people, and those who are not-"

"Aka...Don Maroni and his men," I finish for him.

He nudges me in the arm, "You're getting it."

He climbs up on top of me, and leans down to kiss me on the lips, "But before I can begin my conquest, I will need a proper army and arsenal. And that requires money, so, this morning I plan on squeezing out a little extra from Don Maroni's fishermen."

I reach up, and run my hand through his hair, "Good, I was worried you were going to hold me hostage past morning."

I start climbing out of bed, when Oswald grabs my arm, "I said 'this morning'. It's hardly morning yet, come back to bed."

With a sigh, I throw my body back onto the mattress, as Oswald creeps up and wraps his arms around my waist. I curl up next to him, nuzzling my nose into his chest. Despite the cold weather and lack of clothing, his body is surprisingly warm.

"Don't leave," he murmurs, his hands gliding up and down my back.

I frown, "...I don't know if I have a choice-"
"Yes you do," he interrupts, "you underestimate my ability to care for you."

"Perhaps, but you overestimate my ability to trust and forgive," I counter.

"And how have I wronged you?"

My eyes widen as I give him a knowing look. He sighs, "Fine, but only proportionate to what you've done to me."

I shrug, "If you say so."

He leans his head in until our foreheads touch, "...I want to tell you something, something I've never confessed to anyone before."

"Go ahead."

Oswald purses his lips, before taking a deep breath, "I have an infatuation with Detective James Gordon."

I nod, "Yeah...not surprised there."

"Wha-what do you mean? You've never even seen an interaction between he and I," he stutters in surprise.

"Mhm, but I know your type. Lazlo, Frankie...both slightly stiff, confident men who stand almost unbearably straight, often with their chests puffed out. Gruff exterior, with the possibility of a soft side. Am I wrong?" I ask.

Oswald shies away, remaining silent even as his nervous expression appears to agree with me. He rolls up his adult body into a ball, his eyes like a child.

"Thank you...for understanding my sickness," he murmurs, keeping his head down.

A small smile forms on my lips, as I reach out and take his hand, "Hey, one upside to working for the mob: they won't fire you if word ever got out."

He chuckles, "Ah, yes...very true. Being an officer of the law, you have to be extra careful in particular."

"Yep. Although, I have to wonder what would be worse. If they found out I'm sleeping with a criminal, or with a woman," I ponder.

Oswald's hands reach up to massage my shoulders, "Well, if I were a woman, would you still feel for me as you do? Or would it just be too...scandalous?"

I kiss him on the forehead, "No...actually, now that you mention it, I might like that."

We laugh, as I rest my head against his chest, occasionally reaching up to kiss him on the cheek. Oswald falls silent, and cups my chin in his hand.

"Oh Trixie...please, drown me in your love. Let me gorge on it until I've become fat and lame. I love you, I love you, I love you…"

His sudden outburst of passion dissolves into sobbing as he buries his head into my long hair, grasping at strands of it with his hand.

I pull the two of us up, so that we're sitting on the bed, "Oswald...I love you too. But what we have is impossible to maintain-"

"I refuse to hear that!" he shouts, his sadness quickly turning to anger, "When my reign over Gotham has begun, no one will even think to question me! That includes who's in my bed!"

His breathing heavy and rapid, it takes a couple of moments before he begins to calm down, "I...I must go."

He gets out of bed and starts changing into the suit left strewn out on a nearby chair, "But mark my words my dove, when acceptance does not come from love, it will be forced with blood."

Once he's finished changing, Oswald limps over to give me one final, drawn out kiss on the lips. He digs his lips into mine, gnawing and grunting with an unrestricted ferocity.

We let go, and spend a few more moments with our heads pressed together, before Oswald runs his hand through my hair, and leaves the room.

I sigh, before I start moving to put on my clothes. I've wasted too much time here, I need to meet up with Barbara and Renee. Oswald did keep his word, we were not attacked by Talons during our time together, but that doesn't mean one can't come in now that he's gone.

As I pick up my suitcase and head out, I sigh to myself. One last night with Oswald. It felt incredibly good, maybe because I know this is the last time I would see him. I can't stop clinging to him, going back to him, time and time again. I have a problem, that's for certain. And it stops now.

Gabe drives the car as Oswald sits in the passenger seat, looking out the window. His smile holds confidence, for he'd just secured a great victory, he's gained Trixie's love. Before, he'd only been able to grasp slivers, but now he's truly earned it. "On top of the world" doesn't even begin to describe how he feels right now.

The car pulls up to the docks, as Oswald hobbles out with Gabe. A group of fishermen wait for them there, appearing unimpressed and displeased with the two of them.

"Morning gentlemen. ...have you considered my proposition?" Oswald greets the fishermen, slowing his walk so to hide his limp as much as possible.

An older fisherman, with both hands on his coat, replies, "Uh...yeah. No."

Oswald raises his eyebrows, feigning surprise, "...no?"

"We already pay enough, Don Maroni set the rates last year," the fisherman explains.

His hands folded together, Oswald retorts, "Now I'm raising the prices," he shrugs, "inflation is a bitch."

"Well, Maroni said-"

"Maroni, Maroni," Oswald interrupts, "you're beginning to irk me. You're talking to me, the Penguin."

The name rolls off of his lips so naturally, now it is a name to be feared.

"So you're Penguin," the fisherman laughs, "...so what?"

He gestures to the police cruiser pulling up behind them, "I called the cops on you."

Oswald closes his eyes, and adds a bit more force to his soft-spoken tone, "It's the Penguin, and that was a very naive call to make. Hello, we own the cops on the waterfront."

"Tell that to the cops, buddy," the fisherman dares, pointing to the two officers approaching them.

Oswald and Gabe turn around to the officers, muffled chatter coming from their radios.

Oswald steps forward, confident as ever, "Boys...why the frowns-"

He's interrupted by one of the cops sucker punching him in the jaw. Oswald falls to the ground, and Gabe steps back, holding his hands up.

Author's Note:

Guest (Chapter 15): Thanks. Everyone has their different opinion on who Natalie should be with, although I admit I like it when she and Ed are together too

Langley21: I'm happy to hear the past two chapters cheered you up. Yeah, I was pretty torn between the two myself, but I have to admit that it took way more work than I'd expected. And I'm glad you're in this for the long haul, I really appreciate the people who read twice a week and take the time to review on top of that, and the reason I've held out for so long is because I see how many people get enjoyment out of my story.

Thank you so much! It's quickly becoming crunch time as I start to apply for colleges, as well as prepare for the winter show season, so depending on when Gotham takes their holiday break, I might either schedule my break around it or switching to only posting once a week. And thank you so much, it's good to have hope that the readers will come back after the break. Thanks again!

Guest: Thanks, the threesome fluff was the easier of the two to make, and yeah, I can't wait to see more of Oswald and Ed interacting in Gotham.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Arkham tapes as well. If you want to read more Arkhamverse BOAF, there's the Arkhamverse Standalone Special on Chapter 83 (The Court of Owls), as well as "The Doctor Is In" BOAF's predecessor that takes place a little earlier than the Arkhamverse Standalone Special

Thanks! :)