my funny valentine for @ridddleboy !
dent's mismatched pupils skim through the crowd of cops and company, raising their glasses high and laughing loudly after one successful case got finally shut. a sector of the falcone's criminal operation had been shut down --- they hadn't managed to bring the big guy to justice, not yet, but getting these many of his men behind bars would surely put a break on carmine's latest entrepreneurial endeavours. the folks harvey had been working with deserved to celebrate a job well done. the small dark-wooded bar was bustling with energy and hope. gotham's finest wrapped their arms around each others' shoulders, sang together, patted each other on the back a bit too hard and insisted on paying for the next round.
and yet, harvey could not help but notice that, on a stool at the far left corner of the counter, right next to an abandoned pinball machine, sat edward nygma. despite sitting alone, the man didn't appear particularly bothered. dent figured he must have been entertained by the small television, looming over the bar, showing an old rerun of the price is right. the screen's blueish light reflected against ed's glasses. he wondered if the guy could hear anything that the presenter was saying --- especially when a group of five, red-faced gentlemen suddenly started to uncoordinatedly sing bob dylan's "a hard rain's a-gonna fall".
dent walked up to the counter and did his best politician smile. "hey there, ed. this seat taken?" he pointed towards the empty stool next to the younger man. harvey quietly sat down and looked around them. "looks like the whole precinct's working towards a hangover, huh?" a half-smile, a small show of camaraderie, harvey couldn't stay there for long, but surely, nygma was part of the team too. he shouldn't be made to drink alone when this was his victory too. harvey glanced up at the tv. the contestant's name tags were all heart-shaped. from his peripheral, he thought he saw someone falling into a passionate kiss in one of the booths. a few bouquets filled the empty spaces on the counter.
harvey's brow shot up in sudden realisation. "oh, i brought you something." he reached for his blazer's inner pocket before pulling out a small book. the cover announced in big bold letters SUDOKU. "here." the district attorney offered a small shrug. "figured i could copy off of you when you're done with it. might impress a few voters who're on the fence." dent joked with a small nudge. the tv audience applauded as a contestant got down on one knee. the singing cops clinked their glasses together. "happy valentine's."
