Edward Nygma

“Nine letters. Across.” Ed finally spoke up. Poking his head up to look from his crossword to her. A small smiled stretched across his face. “It’s a lonely animal.” He said before holding up and straightening the newspaper so Lee could see where he it was and the letters he had already figured out from the other clues he got. He wasn’t asking for her help, in fact he had already deciphered that it was ostracized. He just wanted to see if she could get it. He couldn’t help but want to test that beautiful mind of hers. “What is it, Lee?”

Feeling sick of myself Think I'll try to be someone else Can't be hard to paint a person In my head create a version The parallel Pull my head out the sand Try as hard as I can Guess I must be satisfactory You said you love me exactly the way I am And you know I find it hard to understand Pay a visit to the doctor 'cause I have A sweet tooth for you

“Jeremiah Valeska.” He states before shaking the other’s hand. “You used to work at the GCPD right? As a forensic scientist right?” The male asks while looking at the taller. “I used to live in a bunker where there was not much entertainment since I was always busy with my work but I am familiar with the game yes.” 

“Oh, yes. Not that that’s particularity the thing I’m most known for.” He attempted to hint. Reaching up with his other hand to push back his glasses some. He took the seat across from Jeremiah without being asked to join him and clasped his hands together. Leaning forwards. “A bunker? How interesting.” He decided all at once that that was the reason that Jeremiah didn’t immediately recognize him as the Riddler. After all... he was famous in Gotham. “Perfect. I’d love to test your mind.” 

As soon as Lucius saw Edward obsessively washing his hands, his heart sank, and he knew. He had suspected for quite a while now, but he hadn’t wanted to believe it. Things had been going so well for Edward, or at least so it had seemed. But for a while now Lucius had been coming away from conversations with Edward with a pit of his stomach, one that he’d tried to ignore. Perhaps it was unwise, but a part of him had pushed it away because he didn’t want it to be true. He just wanted Edward to be happy, because he deserved that after all he had been through.

He was about to approach him when Edward turned around abruptly and ran into him. Lucius’s hands came up out of instinct, settling on Edward’s shoulders to steady them both. “I’m fine,” he said, looking up at him. He paused. Even now he didn’t want to come out and say it. “Are you?” he said, meeting his eyes, hoping his direct gaze was enough to let Edward know he was fully aware that he wasn’t fine at all. 

.

Lucius’s hands clasped over his shoulders and he felt himself tense up. Trying to shrug him off, he backed up against the sink. Glancing back to look at the sink that pressed into him for only a moment before looking back. They had been close like this from time to time but each time they were, his mind took him to that night. The impulsive thought was pushed aside once Foxy turned his question back at him. “You’re awfully close to me for someone who probably thinks I’m crazy.” Ed accused. “I could kill you.” He moved his hand to Fox’s neck. Resting his thumb lightly on his throat before pulling back, reaching up and adjusting the glasses on his face so that he could pinch the bridge of his nose. 

A frown tugged on his lips, thinking about how unfortunate it felt to him that it was Lucius that found him like this. He couldn’t imagine the crushing disappointment that the other man probably felt. His gaze fell and he stared towards the ground. As though he couldn’t bare to catch a glimpse of that disappointment in his friend’s gaze. Like a child scorned. “You do still think what you did that night we spoke in your car, don’t you? You think I’m mad? I bet for some time I convinced you otherwise and now you’re seeing all this again and that newfound faith in me is gone. Have I disappointed you, Foxy?” 

When Jeremiah heard that the other was in awe of his work, he could feel a little sense of pride. He always took such pride in his work. “Well, thank you for your kind words. I am Jeremiah Valeska. At a young age I showed proficiency in math and building whereas Jerome more the mutilation of animals. I went to one of the top schools in the world where I could perfect my skills.” 

“Edward Nygma.” He said with a smile, holding out his hand for the other to shake. “Perhaps you’ve heard of me.” He urged. A part of him wanting that sliver of recognition. Despite him trying to disconnect from the Riddler name for the last year. He missed the respect that came with it. The fact he had been able to make the city hold their breath with anticipation as he held up a museum or as he robbed several banks in one night. “That’s all very impressive. I too am a man of science and mathematics and I think you would make an excellent opponent in chess. Do you like games?” 

| Studying | open |

Jeremiah had been working on his latest architectural design and his favorite place to think other than the bunker, had to be the library. After everything that had happened and despite his hesitance to leave the bunker he knew he couldn’t technically live like that forever. He looked over his plans as he could hear someone clicking their pen next to him as he felt someone’s eyes on him. “Could you please stop staring yes, I know I look like him, but I am not my brother.” 

“I’m hardly staring on account of your face. I was actually looking at your work. It’s quite beautiful, you know.” He said, leaning over the table to get a closer look at it. He always enjoyed architectural design. He loved the smooth straight lines on the page and all the math on it. Of course, he had taken a moment to go over all of it in his head to ensure there wasn’t a sneaky little mistake he could correct for him. He found himself impressed not to find anything. He smiled and glanced up, finally taking in his appearance. That soft, ginger hair. Maybe a shade darker than Jerome’s. The perfectly identical face. He’d love to one day align them and see if there was even a freckle out of place. “It’s unfortunate that you’re twins. You shouldn’t be compared to that... imbecile. I can see you’re very intelligent.”

Not having a good time, huh? A voice came from the other side of the mirror but Ed didn’t bother looking up. He knew what it was going to say. Let me in the driver’s seat. He shook at his head before turning in one slick movement, ramming right up against someone. “Oh- I... Sorry. Are you alright?” He asked.  

Lee could see that her response had upset Edward. She didn’t want to hurt him or make his problem with Riddler worse, but she had to be honest with him. There had been too much deceit in the past, and now she wanted a relationship and marriage built on love, honesty, and trust. He would understand that, he had to. She reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder, rubbing it gently to provide some reassurance and comfort. “I’m not doing this to be cruel, Ed. I just want you to be sure about our relationship before we tie ourselves to each other for the rest of our lives. Could you really live with being married to someone who frightens you? That isn’t right or fair.” Lee loved him with everything she had, but sometimes love wasn’t enough. It couldn’t erase the past or the terrible things she’d put him through. Apologies couldn’t fix emotional scars, nor could promises. “I love you, Edward Nygma. That’s something I’ve never been more sure of in my life. I can stand here and promise you and Riddler that I’ll never hurt you, but there’s always going to be a nagging doubt in the back of your mind, and that’s the truth. We can’t hide from the truth.” Sighing, she took a step back. “We’ll work through this. Together. If any couple can survive this, it’s us.”

.

He didn’t want to lose her to this. This stupid, recurring nightmare. It was like he was living in this infinite whirlpool and every time he thought he had broken free of it he was sucked back in it’s wicked current. His deep brown eyes broke from her gaze and stared down at his own hands which were moving obsessively on their own. Rubbing his fingers together with anxiety. She didn’t want this to be cruel, she said but her words came off like a parent lecturing their child. Ed had always taken issue with that kind of tone. He felt his lips draw into an awkward frown. His face feeling heated. “You don’t think I thought about it, Lee?” He questioned. “I don’t care if it seems unfair to you. It’s worth it for me. I plan to be with you for the rest of my life.” Unless of course, Riddler got his way. Then he’d be with her for the rest of her life. 

“Great. I love you too. So we’re fi-” He tried to say, cutting himself off as she continued. He straightened his back up. His body looking awkwardly stiff. “Lee...” He said before finally saying. “I’m not working through this with you. I’m going to need to go to another therapist. We’re too personal. Clearly. And your...” He gestured towards her. “Newfound strength apparently is a trigger for me. Despite me being rather fond of it in um-” He cleared his throat. “Other circumstances. I’ll sort this out. Trust me.” 

🐧🐧🐧

Oswald smiled softly it was easy to bring a smile to Edward’s face and he’d long since learn how to make his best friend happy. He loved their Christmas photo. It was something that made them all the more family like even if Lee was joining them this year. “You will, though I’m sure you’ll be taken by her either way” He mused before chuckling softly “for a brief moment yes, You are my best friend Edward, we’ve never not be together and now I know I must share you I worry that now you have a life you’d leave. But alas you always endeavor to prove me wrong.”

“She is quite beautiful, isn’t she? I’m absolutely taken by her each time a see her.” He said, looking away from Oswald for a moment. As much as he knew his friend now approved of his relationship with Lee, there would always be a sneaking suspicion in the back of his mind. A whisper that he would never truly approve. He smiled and once again met Oswald’s gaze. “And you’re mine. You were my first real friend and you know that for that I am indebted to you.” He shook his head, “Oh, stop. I’d never leave you behind. Not even for Lee.” 

Lee watched Ed’s hand move to his neck, unsure what he meant by it. “I don’t want you to die for me. You died because of me once, and that was enough.” She still felt guilt over what she did, despite knowing that he’d killed her, too. It didn’t make things right. Not in the slightest. You weren’t supposed to hurt the people you loved. Love was a special and sacred bond – you were supposed to protect that person. “I love you too, Ed.” When he pressed his forehead against hers, she let out a soft sigh, listening to his words. “You’re scared of me?” she asked, pulling back in surprise. Throughout being infected, she’d tried her hardest to be her old self around Ed. She’d remained soft and loving, attentive and kind. “But everything I do is to protect you. To protect what we have and what we’ve built together. If you’re scared of me, then what are we doing, Ed? We’re engaged to be married. That means something more than just a piece of paper to me. Once that ring is on my finger, I don’t ever plan to take it off. So I need you to think today while I’m at work. Really think about whether what you’ve said holds any truth or not. Because if it does, I believe we’ll need to have a more serious conversation.”

“But I would.” He tried to tell her, as if that helped at all. He just wanted her to understand that she was safe with him. “Lee...” He murmured, thinking about telling her about that day he tightened the rope around his neck. Thinking only of protecting her from himself as he took each fateful step down the staircase. The crazy thing was that he’d do it again. For her. He’d do anything. He leaned in as they’re foreheads touched for a peck on the lips but she pulled back right as he was going to. “Well I-” He whispered, desperate to explain it to her. He couldn’t see another reason as to why the Riddler would want to off her. He was a form of protection. Something he created a long time ago in order to keep himself safe. He felt himself swallow at her words, his eyes only widening from the threat that was her turning away from their marriage. “No...” He whispered, “That’s not what I-” He reached up and rubbed at his eyes under his glasses. “Okay, okay.” He whispered. Finally taking his hands from his face. “I’ll think about it then.” He lied. Already knowing his answer. He’d just have to fight off his other side harder and pretend like everything was okay. 

       Crane took the invitation, pushing off the door frame and walking through it towards his friend. Seeing him in such a vulnerable state made Jon uncomfortable by association. Pulling the medicine - Ed had asked for - out of his pocket, he handed it to him. “I had some stashed away from the last time.” He replied, taking a seat on a chair across from Ed, his eyes gazing over the man, trying to spot something different to explain the favor. “Are they happening again, Eddie?” The question was a simple one but they both knew the answer could change everything.

“That was probably a good call.” He murmured, taking the pills from him and with a shaking hand opening the bottle to take two out. Quickly popping them into his mouth and swallowing them without a second thought which wasn’t the most comfortable thing to do without water. He placed the pills on the table beside him. He nodded his head at Jon’s question. “Just when I think I’ve gotten over it... they just come back again.” He replied miserably. “I’ve been seeing them everyday... at least. I really appreciate your help. I just couldn’t go outside tonight.” 

Harley gasped in offense as Ed insulted her tree. She’d worked on it all night, hyped up on 5 espressos and some pills she’d found in her purse. “But it already sparkles! Can’t ya see all the tinsel? An’ the shinin’ knife on the top!” Huffing, she crossed her arms and nodded towards her bedroom. “It’s all in there, with my Hanukkah stuff. I hadn’t finished yet. I celebrate Chrismakkuh, remember?” After skipping into her room, she handed her friend a box filled with more lights and ornaments. “Don’t put the ivy ornament on the tree. I’m mad at her.” Throwing her head back in a dramatic, annoyed gesture, she looked over at him. “Everythin’ else is fine.”

“Exactly my point, there’s a knife at the top!” Edward said, reaching up and plucking it off the top of the tree effortlessly. He pointed it towards Harley as he spoke. If you really want this knife to work. You should get creative and make a star out of knives.” He told her. “All you need is five knives, something to remove the handle part and then glue.” He said before watching her give him the box. He immediately glanced into it, his brain busying itself with how to better decorate. “Okie-dokie.” He said a little more gently. 

@ofenigma​ – “I don’t care about anything else, the pudding is all that matters”

Lois stuck a spoon in the pudding and held her arm up toward Ed’s lips. “Come on, try some,” she said. She waved the spoon around in front of his face, as if this would actually entice him to eat. “Come onnn,” she said, whining a little like the adult woman she was. “Get down here and try some. It’s good, I made it.”

He moved back from her as she kept pushing forwards. “No, thank you.” He stated again, this time a little more firmly. He didn’t know her well enough to accept food from her. Not that he thought Lois Lane would poison him but he wasn’t sure she wouldn’t try to drug him in order to get him to spill secrets. All so she could stick it in some stupid article. 

Oswald smiled looking at Edward the male always seemed to light up when he brought him something that he knew he’d liked. “You did Edward, How sweet” he mused looking at the sweater smiling happily it was quite amazing “I love it Ed its prefect, I must ay this could be the best Christmas photo we all have, I do so love families that match each other for special occasions” He mused chuckling softly “that we can not, we must make this much better especially given our new family status” He mused before giving the other a soft smile “I love it so much Ed its perfect, are you guys still coming over for Christmas dinner?” 

Edward felt himself grin when Oswald said that it could be the best Christmas photo they had. Validating his choice this year. It made him feel a lot better to be told by him such things. “Then it shall be fantastic. I’ll have to teach Lee how to pose if she doesn’t know how already.” He said a little too seriously about something so silly. He nodded his head. “Of course, Oswald. You think I’d abandon you and Emeli just because I’m engaged?” He asked.