Chapter 125

Oswald has a car waiting in front when we get outside. It's black and sleek, almost new, the type only driven by mobsters and crooks. He opens the front door for me, as I climb into the back passenger's seat. Once he gets inside, and shuts the door and instead of sitting down in the driver's seat, climbs into the back with me.

"What are yo-"

Before I can finish, Oswald grabs my shoulder and pushes me against the seat. His eyes showing nothing but sheer focus, he presses his weight onto me with both hands as he climbs up on top of me.

"...M-mother wouldn't approve of our intimacy. Let's get it out now while we can, shall we?" he asks, his eyes shifting back and forth.

Keeping my breath steady, I purse my lips, and shake my head, "Ozzy, I appreciate the gifts, and yes, I'll go to whatever...celebration you've invited me to, but please...not in the car."

The wild glimmer in Oswald's eyes fades, as his grip on me loosens. He releases his hands off of me, and takes the seat next to me, still close enough so that our legs touch.

"Well...I wasn't suggesting...that...specifically-"

"Oh come on, you were," I counter.

He sighs, before bowing his head, "Perhaps I was. Would...would you indulge me?"

I place my hand on his, and he looks up, his pale cheeks beaming with light.

"Oswald...while you certainly have been rather...polite this evening...I...I…"

My speech trails off as I lean back, before resting my head on his shoulder, "I still feel guilty about doing it in the car."

He gives me a pout, but his eyebrows sink, and he wraps one arm around my waist before turning over to kiss me on the lips.

For Oswald, he's being rather...gentle. I'm not complaining, but it just seems odd. Is he trying to get me on his side? Or is he genuinely trying to make amends for past trespasses? Yes, I want to get on his good side as well, but, where's the line? Do I have sex with him just so he may be pleased with me? And...is it wrong if I enjoy it? Want it? Not just for the emotional and psychological advantage, but for pleasure's sake and because...because...

"I've been watching over you and your little gang," he tells me, as he pushes me down onto the seat of the car.

I giggle, "What's new?"

From under him, my head reaches up to kiss Oswald on the cheek. He lowers his eyelids, before resting his chin on the area between my neck and my chest.

"I've had my men staked out around the hotel for about a week now. They know the room you're staying in, and exactly how to get in and out," Oswald gestures to the car phone at the front of the car, "I can call Gabriel right now and tell them to go in and kill Barbara and Renee."

I can't help but gasp. So this is his bargaining chip. I shouldn't be surprised. Seeing my expression, a cruel smile spreads across Oswald's lips, as he releases a low chuckle. Barbara was right, I am a danger to the two of them, just by my association to Oswald. He's a monster, but does that make me in the wrong as well?

Satisfied, Oswald runs his hand through my hair, "You know what I'm going to ask for, correct?"

With a sigh, I nod, and turn my head away from him, but with a firm hand, he grabs my cheek to keep me facing him.

"You say you know what I want, and then you look away. Look at me."

While Oswald keeps his voice soft, there's a forwardness to his tone. He's still giving a command after all. After briefly staring at one another, Oswald leans down to kiss me. As he kisses me, he wraps his other arm around my waist, gripping me so tight that he lifts my hips off of the car seat.

"I just want to be happy tonight. That's all I ask. And besides, tonight wouldn't be complete without you," he confesses, loosening his grip ever-so-slightly.

Confused, I ask, "Ozzy, what is tonight? I mean, Christmas is still more than a week away-"

"It'll be a surprise," Oswald interrupts, "I know it's not exactly something you grew up with, so just...take it in stride, okay? I'll explain later."

He turns to the car window, and sees the winter sunset disappearing behind the tall skyscrapers, the golden sunlight dotted with snow.

"We still have a little more time, maybe just...a few minutes more," Oswald tells himself, before turning back to me.

Out of nowhere, his lips dive into mine, his hands gliding up and down my waist. His lips soon move from my lips to my cheek, and down to my neck.

"I love you, so, so much," he pants into my ear.

Does he, really? This is Oswald after all, everything he says could be a possible deception.

"And, weakness you may be, I intend to have my fill tonight," he tells me.

The fading sunlight create angled shadows along Oswald's pale skin, the light peeking through his strangely styled hair. I sigh, before wrapping my hands around his lower neck, and smiling.

"Well...you've got me, if only for tonight."

He seems almost saddened by the thought, tilting his head down, "Of course...for tonight."

"What could I say to make it better? You know...without lying?" I question, my tone light and as comforting as I can force out.

Oswald sniffles, and shakes his head, "Please...I don't care if you're lying or not. Lie to me if you must. Just-..."

As his voice trails off, his eyes become puffy and red, but a tear refuses to fall from his eyelids. I purse my lips, and move my hands to massage his shoulders.

"Oh Ozzy...don't get like that. You know I love you. I'll always love you, and I'll never leave your side, not again, ever," I promise him.

And just as I finish, Oswald breaks down into sobs, burying his head into my shoulder. Luckily, my shoulder is broad enough to support him, and as he secures his arms around my waist, I wrap my arms around him, patting him on the back.

"No, I shouldn't have asked you to lie! Now...now I'm caught up in all of my ideas...my...my fantasies," he's practically shouting now, bawling like a child.

I rub his back, "There, there, it's okay. Let it out, you can tell me."

Droplets still running down his cheeks, he releases me from his grip, and wraps his arms around himself, "I'm being forced to confront the reality. About you and me. And...well, I don't have to tell you, reality is painful. No...no, I'd rather retreat into fantasies, and hope against hope...that one day they'll come true."

I put my hand on his arm, "You...you do realize that you could fulfill your-...fantasies...with someone else, right?"

He shakes his head, "No, no to be with someone else...it wouldn't be the same, it wouldn't mean the same. An affair with someone else would be for nothing more than a show of power. A means to an end and-...with you, I have something more, get something more out of it all. When I feel the warmth of your body, I feel more than warmth. I feel...love, true love unmotivated by money or power. You go against your own better judgement to love me...me, of all people. Ha...it seems idiotic of you to do so but it's also...a miracle to me. And that's why I try to do right by you, to make myself as desirable to you as I can. But everything I think in my mind I do for you and Mother, it's all really for me, isn't it? In the end? Climbing the ladder to become the most powerful man in Gotham? To usurp Don Maroni and Don Falcone? You don't want that, I do. You'd probably prefer I be some straight-laced, white collar everyman, drinking coffee in the morning so I can off to work in one of those skyscrapers downtown. Hmph...no, I could never live like that. And so I ask myself: is our love...stronger than our own life choices?"

He places my hand on his, "I would like to think so. What say you?"

I glance up at Oswald, his eyes sparkling from the diminished tears and faint sunset. I want to believe him, and I do. Even if it's just for now, just for tonight.

"Yes Oswald, I think so too," I reply, my shoulders relaxing, a faint smile appearing on my lips.

We lean in and kiss, just as the sun disappears completely over the horizon.

I stand hidden from the doorway as Oswald opens the door to his apartment.

"Mother, I'm home. And just in time too," he greets, taking off his winter coat and hanging it on the nearby coat rack.

"Why did you leave your Mother all by herself on such a special occasion? You're not working yourself too hard, are you?" Mrs. Cobblepot asks, running over to hug her son.

He shakes his head, "No, no, there was just...one more piece of the puzzle to put together. Someone to join us tonig-"

I don't have to imagine her pale cheeks burning red, her small fists tightening, "You...you don't mean that whore you insist on bringing into our home?! My Oswald, you are being deceived by a scoundrel, the scum of the Earth who mean to leech off of our family-"

"Mother!" he stops her, "This time of year is a time to celebrate with family, that's what you've always taught me, and Trixie...well...I consider her family."

"The harlot is not allowed in this house!" Mrs. Cobblepot protests, stomping her heel onto the wooden floor.

His tone becoming more stern, Oswald builds himself up, "Mom, I am the man of this house. I am a grown adult, and I pay the bills. So can I please, have some say in who we invite into the house?"

Grabbing my arm, Oswald pulls me into the house, past a sneering Mrs. Cobblepot. Inside, all of the lights have been tampered out except for a menorah that sits on the living room table. It's a silver color, with all but one of its candles lit.

The daily gifts over the past week, his insistent that he'll be spending the nights with his mother...it's all for Hanukkah.

"Oh…so that's what we're celebrating," I realize aloud.

Cringing the moment those words come out of my mouth, I'm pulled forward as Mrs. Cobblepot grabs my hair, pushing me with her other hand.

"She knows nothing of our traditions! She has no place here!" she cries, yanking my hair for all its worth.

I retaliate, elbowing her in the stomach, before kicking her away. Mrs. Cobblepot recovers almost instantly, lunging at me. But just as I'm bracing myself for her attack, Oswald wraps both arms around her.

"Mother! Look at how you're acting! This is a time of peace, of celebration, not fighting!"

She starts to calm down, and after he releases his grip, Mrs. Cobblepot dusts off her dress, "You're right...if you insist on having her...soil our celebration, so be it."

Sticking close to her son, Mrs. Cobblepot lays a hand on Oswald's chest in a manner that's almost...too affectionate. Now I remember why I moved out. But as I look at the two of them together, I see the similarities. Pale, sharp features, wide eyes that just barely hide a concealed ferocity, gestures and mannerisms that at one moment appear to exude class, but also serve as a juxtaposition to their own uncontrolled anger.

Oswald holds up his arm and gestures for me to come closer to them. I hesitate, he's really gung-ho about the whole "together for the holidays" thing, isn't he? Who knew someone like him would be so passionate about it.

I step toward them, and Oswald wraps his free arm around me, the other already around his mother, "A happy family, together."

I smile, and so does Mrs. Cobblepot, but we still stare daggers at each other from either side of Oswald.

Author's Note: Happy (belated) Hanukkah! I tried to have this posted yesterday, but it's also finals week for me. That being said, I'm planning on making a permanent return after Christmas (of which I am also planning a special chapter for). Until then, happy holidays! :)

Langley21: Awe, I'm glad you enjoyed it, and the giving isn't over since there'll be a special chapter for Christmas as well. I hope Oswald's plan met expectations, and as for me, I won't be able to enjoy the holiday season until finals are over, but I hope you're enjoying yours!

Thanks! :)