Special thanks to Starswim for following ABILY;
And another special thanks to Flowerchild23 for favoring ABILY.
Finally special thanks to Danish Fantasy Girl, 510angel, lunabloodmoon666, Flowerchild23, and Johanna Crane(guest ) for reviewing ABILY.
Johanna Crane: He does have a Cillian Murphyish vibe, doesn't he? The EYES oh my god I felt my heart break in two when he was in the hospital bed. Every time I watch Gotham and see the Riddler get upset I feel like crying because he just does that tight lipped thing like he is trying not to let his emotions show and I NGAH. I don't get upset when Oswald gets hurt though because he does in like every episode and half the time he does something stupid to get hurt. And when my mom saw Jonathan in the hospital bed, she had the same reaction your dad did so don't get worried about it. She thinks I am some form of sociopath now, but oh well, I have the Gotham Rogues and also fellow fans to keep me company when they eventually send me to the asylum.
XXX
Emily sighed softly as she counted the object on his desk for the millionth time that day; wires and hard drives and other electronic devices were littered on it, there were blueprints and journals and puzzles as well.
As it would turn out, the Riddler did indeed escape Arkham, or perhaps he was never in there to begin with; he hadn't told her anything since he appeared in the back of her car. He merely forced her to come to wherever this was and threw her into his office; feeding her twice a day with carrots and bread, as well as water. She wasnt a damn rabbit; she hated carrots.
"Oh cheater!" The arrogant voice of her captor rang out as the door to the office flew open; he strutted in with a cocky smile, "Well there you are!"
"Where else would I be?" She muttered under her breath, crossing her arms and glaring at the floor.
"Now don't be like that, Pet." He tsked, wagging a finger at her as he came closer, "I've been nothing but kind to you."
"Because locking someone in a room and feeding them rabbit food is such kindness."
"Don't be brave," he hissed, leaning over her with a terrifying gleam in his eyes, "Heroes get nowhere in life; just look at Batman. Don't try to hide your fear, because I know you are terrified, so don't try to tell me otherwise. I have been nothing but kind to you, especially since you cheated at my riddle!"
"You never said that we couldn't look up the answer online!"
"I never said you could!"
"But you never said I couldn't!"
"You cheated!" He shouted louder, slamming his hands on both sides of her as he leaned in really close; Emily shrunk back into the couch as far as she could, trying to escape as he continued, "And you will pay the price for it; you will submit. But, my Pet, not today."
"…Why not today?" She asked cautiously, keeping her eyes set on his tie as she tried to ignore his piercing gaze, "Why not just get it over with?"
"Because you answered the last riddle correctly," he breather, taking one of his hands and stroking her cheek, "at the school. I was watching, you know; to make sure you didn't cheat. You did try, but your incompetent students didn't know the answer-"
"Don't insult my students," she hissed, leaning up with fire in her eyes as she grabbed his tie, "Don't everinsult my students."
"Or what?" He challenged; their eyes were locked on one another until eventually he smiled softly, "Oh Pet…" He dipped his head down and pressed his lips to her, catching her a million miles off guard; he stayed there, moving his hands to cup her face and pull her closer to him
Emily was frozen in shock, her eyes wide and lips parted; suddenly, she felt his tongue slip into her mouth, causing her to gasp. She tried to pull back but his grip tightened and his face contorted in anger; he pulled back slightly, "Stop struggling."
He dipped back down and forced his mouth on hers, causing her to squeal and try to move away; he snarled softly and pushed her to lie down on the couch, pinning her body with his and holding her arms above her head. She wiggled a bit more before slumping back, letting his leg rub against her own and his tongue exploring her mouth.
He continued for a little bit before pulling back, looking at her flushed cheeks while she panted, and trying to catch her breath. He stared at her with a wide smile, his bright green eyes not leaving hers.
"Well," he hummed, leaning back and getting off, "That was fun. And, it was the perfect starter for our activities this weekend.
"What activities?" She whispered, leaning back.
"Our Valentine's Day plans."
"….what?"
"We are spending Valentine's weekend together!" He exclaimed, looking down at her like an excited puppy, "I was going to just kill you, after torturing you of course, but then I realized, what kind of gentleman would I be if I killed a beautiful young lady right befor Valentine's Day? I decided that if you could pass my riddle at the school, you would be worthy of my presence tomorrow."
"… Can you please just kill me?" She whispered, staring defeated at the floor, "you won't get any ransom, there is no white knight coming to rescue me and challenge you. I'm useless."
"Don't be so depressing!" He chasted, holding out a hand for her, "Come on."
Emily hesitated possibly five seconds befor taking the offered hand.
XXX
"So are you going to like push me off the balcony or something?" Emily asked, staring up at the large Victorian house, "or perhaps there is like a torture chamber in the basement."
"Oh hush," he cooed, patting her head and motioning one of the goons he brought along to get the bags out of the car, "This will be fun!"
"Sure," she muttered. He led her into the house and she gaped once inside; large marble staircases, a grand piano, endless directions, and it took like ten minutes just to get to their destination once inside the house.
"And this is where we will be staying," he hummed, walking into a large room that had a large bed and multiple furniture pieces occupying it.
"Where we will be staying?" she repeated, turning to him, "we."
"Yes, as in both us, plural, including two or more, we," he empathized, walking over to her. Emily couldn't help but compare his behavior to some animal, trying to assert dominance over the weaker. Most in Emily's position may have not given in, made some smart ass comment to throw him off guard or would even challenge his authority; but she was a coward.
Yes, she had her moments of bravery when absolutely livid, and she could be a smart ass because it came natural to her, but she was afraid of pushing him more then she already had. She didn't want to die, and if that meant playing this little game until Batman could save her then so be it.
She averted her eyes to the floor as he came closer, refusing to meet his burning gaze; she might of stared at the floor all night had she not heard him chuckle softly and felt his hands cup her cheeks. He tilted her head up and leaned in, his breath hot against her face as he pulled her body closer.
"Emily," he murmured, getting closer until his lips were just barely brushing hers, "what are you doing?"
"I don't know," she answered honestly, lifting one hand hesitantly to grip his jacket, "I honestly don't." Apparently, that answer must have pleased him because he leant in all the way, taking her lips and trapping her in his arms.
Judging by last time, she decided to not fight back; after all, she wanted to live. She swallowed a bit of her pride and laced her hands in his hair; keeping a tight grip on him as she kissed back. For a moment, he must have been surprised because he yanked himself back, staring at her with wide eyes and a dropped jaw.
She merely stared back, waiting for a smart ass comment or a pompous smile, but he just stood there shocked. Suddenly, without another word he walked forward, his hand raising and befor she even realized what was coming, Emily found herself on the ground with a stinging cheek.
He grabbed her neck and pulled her up a bit, his expression no longer shocked but held unrented fury as he hissed, "don't try to play me as a fool."
XXX
She didn't see him for the rest of the day; he had left her in this room and locked the door behind him. At least she had a clock with her; around seven, a goon brought in dinner, which were really good roast beef and assorted sides.
She ate slowly, keeping her eyes on the door as she waited for the Riddler to come back. After a few hours of sitting in the chair, she looked to what she had earlier discovered was a large expensive bathroom; god she wanted a shower. She looked to the door once more before getting up and running across the floor into the bathroom, planning on using what little time she had and hurrying up.
She didn't even realize, not until she had taken the shower and was reaching for the towel, that she hadn't any clothes. She peeked out and looked to the floor, feeling a cold feeling spread through her chest when she saw the floor empty. An article of clothing caught her attention on the counter and upon closer inspection realized what it was; a green, silken baby doll night piece with matching panties.
"Hell no," she whispered, looking back at the door; she was a hundred percent positive that it was not in here when she got here. So did someone- did he- come in without her even realizing it?
XXX
Emily slowly looked out the bathroom, seeing a large still human shaped lump on the bed and a bowler hat next to it. He was back, of course he was back, now what was she to do? Her face still stung from being slapped, and she did not want a repeat of the episode.
She slipped out and started to silently walk towards the couch, planning on not even trying to get in bed and to face that again.
"Don't you even dare take another step," his voice broke the roaring silence in the room; he didn't move, still laying on the bed with his ankles crossed and arms cradling behind his head, "come to this bed, right now."
Emily hesitated befor walking over to it carefully, he moved one arm and she flinched ever so slightly; he patted the spot next to him, "come, Pet."
Emily laid down, obeying in fear of what rebellion would bring; he shifted now, grabbing her waist and pulling his uncomfortably close, he breathed softly in her ear as he made himself comfortable.
"Now listen here, and listen well," he said in a threateningly calm voice, "The game you think you are playing, quit while you're ahead. You can't play me, you can't reason with me, and you can't survive me; I am going to kill you. Depending on you is how long you are going to live; we are going to enjoy the rest of our weekend, and you are not going to try to con me or escape me. When we get back to Gotham we will start our little games, but until then, enjoy the calm befor the storm. And Emily? Happy Valentine's Day."
XXX