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When a door is closed, a window is opened. That’s what Oswald’s mother always used to assure him when he was down.
So when he lost his mother, he did not expect to get something almost as great as her: a true friend. Edward Nygma, the fascinating, quirky man that he was, had saved him and nursed him back to health. They had grown very close, very quickly.
It hurt Oswald to let himself be taken to Arkham, especially after he’d forged a new path with Ed. He wanted more than anything to stay and help Ed finish what he started.
Ed understood him in ways that no one else did, and they just clicked. So after he had returned to normal, and reclaimed his empire, he decided to start visiting Ed in Arkham.
It was such a waste to see such a brilliant mind rotting away in that mundane place. So when Oswald had finally gotten back to a place that was comfortable and he decided to run for mayor, he knew that this was the moment he’d been waiting for to free Ed.
He’d been wanting to do it for a long time, but he wanted to make sure he wouldn’t be wasting his friend’s talents or that his friend’s mind was being affected by the asylum he was trapped in.
However, after threatening the warden, who informed Oswald that Edward was indeed fine, he picked the former forensic scientist up.
It was by far the best decision he’d ever made. Ed was fantastic, doing what he thought would help Oswald win mayor, and stay there, no matter the cost. The cost even being his own life.
The moment Oswald had seen Butch’s fingers claps around Edward’s throat, his heart had lurched in his chest. He couldn’t lose anyone else that he loved or cared for.
Wait, hold on? Love?
That snapped Oswald into action, grabbing the bottle from Barbara’s hand and smashing it as hard as he could against Butch’s head.
After he pushed Butch’s collapsed form off of Ed, he placed his hands gently on the back of Ed’s head.
Ed, who wasn’t breathing. Ed, who had sacrificed everything for him.
“Ed,” he’d cried. “Ed!”
If Ed died, then Oswald would kill Butch and Tabitha very , very slowly .
He finally heard Ed’s sharp intake of breath, eyes fluttering open. A smile spread across Oswald’s lips as he gazed down at his best friend, cradling his head.
Ed grasped his arms, holding them firm.
Everyone watching them, holding their breath as they waited to see what would happen next were nonexistent. In that moment, it was just Oswald and Edward.
After a soft murmur from Ed, a gruff, coughing sound, reminding Oswald they needed to get up, he pulled them both up. He thanked Ed quietly, sneering at Butch before he summoned Victor and Gabe and left with them.
He’d pushed Ed into the bathroom at the mansion, handing him his father’s robe.
His father had meant a lot to him, as had his mother, now Ed was the center point in his life. Someone who cared for him just as he did for them, someone who accepted one hundred percent of him and his flaws.
He brewed a pot of water and made a cup of ginger tea with honey before making his way to find Ed.
Ed was sitting by the fireplace of the mansion, his face illuminated by the crackling flames. His brown eyes seemed to twinkle in amusement as he leaned over to cough.
Oswald handed him the cup of tea before sitting down, inquiring about if Ed was sure that he didn’t need a doctor.
Ed assured him that he was fine, sipping the tea and giving him a warm smile.
“I still don’t understand why you didn’t tell me what you were doing?”
Ed placed the cup back on the saucer before setting it down on the table. “Your shock when seeing Butch had to be genuine.” He smiled again. “The people had to believe it, and they did, and once again, you’re the city’s hero.” He chuckled.
Oswald felt his fingers clench slightly as he stared back at Ed, who was still smiling. “But you were almost killed.”
“And you saved me…again.” Ed chuckled again before letting out a light cough. Oswald felt his heart beating quicker in his chest as Ed turned back to him, the light of the fire reflecting on his glasses. His brown eyes were crackling with truth and admiration, along with something else. “I hope you know, Oswald…. I would do anything for you.” Oswald felt his heart stop. “You can always count on me.”
Oswald let his body take over, and he felt Ed leaning forward, too. Only he stopped himself from connecting with Ed’s lips, instead pulling the man into a hug.
As he let his hands moved against Ed’s back, and he felt Ed’s hands as well, he smiled, “Thank you.”
His heart was aflutter with some feeling he had never felt before. He cared about Ed, more than he had ever cared about anyone.
As soon as they separated, and Oswald escorted Ed back to his room, his brain started clicking its gears. Everything that had occurred over the past couple of weeks, the soft moments between them. Oswald’s growing admiration for Ed, the hug, the soft feeling.
It became very clear to him as he drifted off to sleep that he had feelings for Edward.
For the love of god, was Gotham playing matchmaker?
~
Over the next couple days, Oswald came to terms with his feelings for Ed. He watched as Ed’s throat recovered perfectly, the warmth in his chest growing ever so slightly anytime his chief of staff smiled, beamed, or anything really. Any touch between them felt electric.
Oswald knew he should tell Ed about his feelings, and for god sake’s, he’s tried. Every time the words die in his throat, cause him to sputter and throw out something he hadn’t even fathomed.
He took it upon himself to ask Ed to dinner after they tour the school.
Ed agreed with more than imaginable excitement, and once again that warmth is there. He informed Oswald that he’ll pick up a nice bottle of wine.
So they parted ways when the day at city hall is over; Oswald to the manor, and Ed off to the wine shop.
Oswald changed into another suit, sitting at the table as Olga prepared dinner. He runs the lines through his head, feeling his anxiousness rise the closer they get to six o’clock.
Ed, there’s been something I’ve been dying to tell you.
I love you.
Why is confessing your feelings so hard?
As Olga placed the last food on the table as the clock strikes six, the door opened, revealing Ed.
Ed, who looked like he’s seen a ghost, but immediately smiled and took a seat.
They started eating, and Oswald felt the words once again dying in his throat as Ed talked about the dish Olga prepared for them and how the wine complimented it nicely.
“Oswald, you asked to discuss something, yes? What’s on your mind?”
Oswald looked up to see Ed’s full attention on him. For a split second, he wants to forgo the whole thing because he’s terrified of what could happen.
What if Ed doesn’t see him that way? Would it ruin their friendship? He can’t lose the best, and only, friend he’s ever had.
But his mother’s words ring in his head; life only gives you one true love, Oswald. When you find it, run.
He is willing to take the risk, take the chance.
“Yes, um… Ed, you’re the best friend I could ask for, and I’m grateful for that,” He inhaled, trying to calm his rising nerves. “Recently I’ve come to the realization that I have developed romantic inclinations towards you.”
Ed’s face shifted into a mask of neutrality, making it impossible for Oswald to figure out what he was feeling.
“Okay,” Ed breathed, folding his hands. “I did not expect that, but yes, I feel the same, too, Oswald.”
“So, shall we make this an established relationship then?”
“Yes, we shall,” Ed said as his lips twitched up. He stood up and walked over to where Oswald was seated, gently pulling him out of the chair and locking their lips. “I’m glad you told me.”
“So am I.”
As they separated, Ed intertwined their hands and led Oswald down the hallway.
~
With their relationship established, the two continue their reign of Gotham together. Things take turns, especially when Ed had an identity crisis, but they work it out together.
They keep each other in check, working to rule this city better than any of their predecessors.
The Riddler—Ed’s new moniker— joins the Penguin in the spotlight of the underworld. Most of what Ed does, he does with more of a freedom in creativity and showmanship. Oswald lets him because otherwise, it would stifle his lover’s creativity and his intellect. He just made Ed agree to keep it on the down low.
When the Court of Owls rears its ugly head, they face it head on, though for a brief stint, they struggle to agree on how to act. Ed wants to paint their name all over the city, forcing them to reveal themselves.
Oswald talks him out of it, and they work out what benefits them the most. Once they incinerated the Court of Owls, they draw up their next set of plans. A club, as they had driven Barbara, Tabitha, and Butch out of the Sirens.
Ed brings up an idea for a game show that he would run, albeit legally, and Oswald agrees. They make the city better, safer, stronger. But it’s still Gotham, it still challenges them.
They’re happy, they took a chance, and it worked.
So whatever comes next for them, whether it be Jim Gordon and the GCPD (which will happen soon because Jim swore it, and we all know Jim keeps his promises. Boy Scout’s honor, obviously), Falcone (or his terrible offpspring), or just anyone, they would face it together.
The Penguin and the Riddler would stand for as long as they could, together. Their two skill sets aligned perfectly, allowing them to come out on top. They didn’t do this for just money or power anymore, they did it for each other and for fun.
That was what they wanted, and they had finally found someone in this wretched city that completed them. They were each other’s home, just like how Gotham was their kingdom, and they would rule it how they wanted.