Chapter Text
After the events at the restaurant, Penguin having been fried with electricity, he was left passed out on a table in the GCPD. Maroni and his men were sat nearby chatting and joking with the officers, not paying much attention to the unconscious man.
“Do you hear that?”
“Go.”
Ed walked out of Miss Kringles office, looking around to see if he could find where the noise was coming from.
“Thank you... He is so weird”
He slumped a little, sighing as he walked down the stairs, determining he’d be unable to find the source of the strange noise, without looking like more of a creep. As he made his way to the exit, he was a little caught off guard to see Maroni and his men occupying the workspace.
One stood out to him, the Penguin. Straightening his posture, he moved over to the table Oswald had been laid on, hoping Maroni’s men wouldn’t notice him. Typically, he was good at blending in, being invisible.
Theres that horrible noise again, his head twitched and he grinded his teeth together. Maroni noticed him, damn it.
“Woah buddy, what you think you’re doing over here? You alright pal?”
He cleared his throat before speaking.
“Yes, I’m quite alright thank you. I just figured it may be good for me to check on him; he doesn’t seem to be doing well.”
Maroni looked between his men, before turning back to Edward.
“Sure buddy, just don’t let him go running off anywhere.” He chuckled, despite sounding deadly serious.
Ed gently picked up Oswald, which was surprisingly easy to do, Ed thought. As he moved away, he overheard Maroni talking.
“Didya see that guy, so weird, even worse than Penguin.”
The whole group laughed as Ed hurried away, Penguin rested over his shoulder.
He made his way to the Medical Examination room figuring it was the best place to get away from all the chaos of the precinct and patch up Penguin. Slowly, he lowered Oswald onto the table and picked up a first aid kit to see what he could do to help.
As he worked, he hummed to himself.
“What trouble did you get into now huh, seems like the electrocutioners work again.”
Ever since he’d first seen penguin at the precinct - his dramatic entrance to clear Detective Gordons name - he had become very interested in the strange little man. Every chance he could get he would follow his criminal escapades, reading all the files they had on him. He wanted to know everything he could about this man in front of him.
Again, he spoke to himself, as he ran his hand down Oswalds cheek, examining his face.
“What a beautiful riddle you are… If only I was able to solve you.” He turned away to look through the med kit again.
“Who is one and many at the same time, and always present when somebody talks about them?”
Oswald took this opportunity to grab his pocketknife, jumping off the table and holding it to Edwards back.
“Who are you?” He demanded.
Ed jumped a little but tried to play it off.
“So close, the answer is just you.”
“What are you talking about?” Oswald lowered the knife, reaching up to grab Eds shoulder, turning him around to face him.
“My riddle! Who is one and many at the same time, and always present when somebody talks about them. The answer is you!” Ed spoke quickly, fidgeting with his hands held up just below his chin. Excited to explain the riddle, he forgot the danger of the man he was speaking to.
“Who are you.” Oswald raised the knife to his throat.
“Oh right- Yes.” He lowered his hands, still fidgeting though. “Edward Nygma, I um work here!” He smiled awkwardly, sounding far too eager.
“You’re a cop? Why are you helping me?” Was this guy an idiot? Does he even know who I am? He thought to himself.
“Oh no” He chuckled, putting his hands up in a defensive position. “I’m just a forensic science technician”
“But why help me, what do you want?” As he questioned, he lowered the knife a little but was still ready to use it.
“What's nowhere but everywhere, except where something is?” Ed asked excitedly, seemingly having no sense of self preservation.
“ENOUGH WITH THE RIDDLES, ANSWER ME” He waved the knife in front of Edwards face.
“Nothing, I do not want anything from you.” He wilted a little at the clear disinterest in his riddles.
“This is Gotham no one does something unless it’s for themselves”
“Ok, ok. I must admit, I am fascinated by you…”
“Excuse me?” Oswald stepped back, clearly surprised.
“I mean, how is it you went from lowly umbrella boy to Maroni’s right hand in such little time. You’re a survivor, you’re smart and I guess, that intrigues me.” He spoke with clear admiration, leaning down a little as he spoke, so that he could look at Oswald on the same level (He avoided looking into his eyes though).
Oswald stood there in stunned silence for a moment, his cheeks warming up a little, going slightly pink. He finally lowered his guard, putting the knife down as he climbed back onto the table.
“You are a strange man Edward Nygma…”
Ed frowned and looked away.
“So I’ve been told”
“No disrespect of course, strange as in uh strange in a good way.” Oswald stumbled through an explanation, not wanting to offend him after he had complimented him so much.
Ed was quiet for a while before smiling a little too widely, turning back to Oswald.
“Are you still in any pain? I can find you some painkillers.” He spoke almost robotically.
Oswald shook his head, chuckling.
“I’ve felt worse.”
“Maroni said not to let you run off, did you do something?” Ed spoke quietly sitting down on the table across from Oswald.
Penguin seemed to jolt up a little.
“What? I-“ He stared ahead, trying to figure out what he could’ve done.
“I’m not sure.” Suddenly, he remembered what had happened earlier, that Falcone had called him and needed him. Quickly, he jumped up from the table.
“I have to go”
“Alright… goodbye. Let me know if you um, yknow need anything in the future.” Ed replied smiling softly, placing a small, folded piece of paper into Oswalds suit pocket. He hoped they could keep in contact now that they had properly met.
Oswald was a little surprised by this gesture but continued to the door.
“Right… thanks”
As he went for a back entrance, he took the paper out of his pocket and unfolded it. Written on it in neat handwriting was Edwards phone number with some question marks written around it as well as a riddle above it.
‘What can you break, even if you never pick it up or touch it?’