#;;riddler

"I'm bleeding!"

Honestly why do you bother with this freak? He's just a lunatic with no sense to speak of. Is this going to get infected? If anyone were to have Rabies it would be the fucking Joker, wouldn't it? You look for some disinfectant some bandages too. Hopefully there are some in this shitty place.

It wasn't supposed to come out. It was obvious, yes, but it wasn't supposed to be said in such clear terms. Especially not in some stupid heated rant you went on only because you were throwing a tantrum over your perfectly thought out plan being ruined again.

"... Yes! Yes obviously I'm in love with you!" You throw up your hands exasperatedly, but only a moment later your voice softens "Who would do all of this if they weren't? I- Everything I've done has been for you. I taught myself everything I know just to keep being a challenge for you. To make sure you had the rival you deserved."

Could he really have been so blind to your motivations this whole time? Did he really believe someone would throw themselves at him like this over and over knowing what the outcome would be every time, for any other reason? Why else would you have refused to play the game with anyone else?

Only half listening. You never were good at people, and this guy almost makes you look like a mime the way he runs his mouth. Still you manage to tune back in while he laments about... a sour date? Maybe?

You can't help it, your eyes flick up, down-- the costume doesn't leave much to the imagination, does it? A scoff and shrug of your shoulders, swirling your tragically almost empty drink. "Men, right? They have a way of making you feel like you're invisible."

You know her tone is meant to be condescending. It's meant to be insulting. To undercut just how brilliant you are.

And yet here you are, beaming, arms outstretched, chest puffed with pride "Thank you for noticing! You know how hard it is to put all of this together? How complex it is to come up with the plan- making sure every detail is perfect down to the very second, write the riddles, build the puzzles, capture the NPCs, all while making sure the Bat hears neither hide nor hair of it until the game is ready for him?"

Not nearly the craftsmanship truly befitting a Lord of Machines, but every thread has been meticulously woven with great care. The gear and beads have been tirelessly shined to mortal perfection. "Merry Christmas, Ed."

Edward never liked Christmas. He had no fond memories of the holiday. Truthfully every year he just spends the day waiting for it to be over so he can take advantage of the heavily discounted candy the day after. So he wasn't expecting to get anything.

Still, he gently takes the box, brows raising at the contents. A gear. A simple gear he'd long since forgotten about. Basically garbage, until Jonathan got his hands on it. His fingers trace over the woven band, imagining the time it took to carefully string everything together. Jon said it was a gift for his altar, and he could practically feel the worship that went into it.

Edward never liked Christmas. He wasn't expecting to get anything. But he deserved this.