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inuiiwonderland · 1 year

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THE DEADLY CURSE

A/n:I finally did it! This idea has been on my mind for weeks, so here it is! If this does well then I'm also gonna write for the other dorms! This is the longest fic I ever wrote so this better not flop😓

Warning: mentions of blood, throwing up[once], angst and angst, super long BTW and uh that it I think!

Words:10k

Fem reader!

Heartsalbyul❤

RIDDLE ROSEHEART

You have liked riddle ever since you defeated his overblot. At first, you thought he was annoying with all the strict rules he made everyone in his dorm follow. But after what happened with his overblot incident, you decided to give him a chance.

And at first it wasn't easy to become friends with the red head tyrant. You would get laughed at by Ace when you told him you wanted to become friends with his dorm leader. Assuming you were just joking, Ace didn't really pay much attention to it.

Until one day when you, grim and the adeuce duo were in the cafeteria showing each other your test scores from Mr. Crewel class.

"HA! I got a better score than you!" You said as you continued laughing at his face.You could tell Ace was pissed by your comment.

"Even grim did a little better than you by 1 percent" Deuce said which caused Ace to roll his eyes.

"Finally! It isn't me getting laugh at this time!" Grim cheered out.

"Shut up! At least I passed Mr. Vargas' class unlike you!"

"Hey! You always trip me, that ain't fair!"

As the two began bickering while poor deuce tried to calm them down, you didn't notice the person behind you who was listening the whole time.

"Mm you did a good job on that test…wish Ace learned a thing or two from you"

"Oh, thanks riddle" it took you 5 seconds to process the voice from behind you and when you did you quickly turned around.

"Wait…riddle?!" At this you caught the attention of your friends who immediately stopped arguing. Ace gulped seeing his dorm leader in front of him and quickly hid his test sheet.

"Heyyyy riddle…what are you doing here?"

"It's lunch time Ace"

"Oh! Right…right" riddle sighs and looks at Ace with disappointment.

"You failed the test didn't you?"

"What! No!"

He just stared at him with a deadpan expression and rubbed his temple.

"I made sure to give you extra tutoring lessons and yet you still failed" You could tell he was upset with this and all you could do was stare at his face and think…

Since when was riddle cute?

And before you knew it, you blurted something out.

"Cute…"

"Huh?" You quickly looked away and noticed your friends staring at you.

"Ahh! I-I said how about I tutor Ace! Yeah! I passed the test with a 98 so I'll be able to help him out with the next!"

He just stared at you for a bit before giving you an answer.

"Fine, but I expect a good score on the next test and no goofing around! You may be Ace's friend y/n but I expect you to not let Ace slack off or anything of the sort, or else that will be off with your head for both of you!"

"No worries! I got this" He gave you both one last warning before walking away. All you could do was sit there with a beating heart and a headache about what you just got yourself into.

"Great, now I gotta help this idiot pass the next test"

"Hey!"

Your tutoring session with Ace started the next day. Riddle said that he would like you to tutor Ace in his dorm rather than yours so he can check up on you both once in a while.

You and Ace both began your session and you started helping him out on some assignments that he has trouble with. Trey would also stop by to bring you two snacks to eat when you guys take a break from studying.

Soon weeks go by and you spend half of your time in the heartsalbyul dorm. Tutoring Ace for those weeks really paid off when he shows you that 90% he got on that re-take.

"Woah I'm surprised I did a good job teaching you" you say as he showed you his paper.

"Well it looks like you knew what you were doing, offering riddle for you to tutor me" you rolled your eyes and bit into the soft pastry trey made you.

"Well you did a good job"

You and Ace hung out for a while before you saw that it was getting late and that you needed to be at your dorm. After saying goodbye, you started making your way out. As you were walking out you were stopped by someone calling out your name from behind you.

"Oh riddle! Something wrong?" You ask as he approaches you.

"No. But I would like to thank you for aces tutoring lessons. You did a great job and I would like to thank you"

"Oh! It was nothing really! I just wanted to help out a bit seeing that you looked a little upset last time. I'm honestly surprised Ace managed to pass with my help" You say as you felt yourself getting shy.

Why am I nervous?

"I'd still like to thank you. We're holding an unbirthday party this week. I would like it if you would come, as a thank you for everything you have done…uh especially after my overblot…"

You stared at him for a moment. Heart racing against your chest. You quickly got out of your daze and accepted his offer.

"I'll come then"

"Great, it will be Friday at 4. See you then"

"O-okay!" You watched as he walk away and you felt like slapping yourself.

"Why was I so nervous?" You questioned yourself as you continued your way back to ramshackles.

Ever since that day, you and riddle have gotten closer. He would invite you over to unbirthday parties, invite you for some tea, and even help you out with some classes that you're doing poorly in.

And because of all that. You felt yourself slowly starting to fall in love with the red head tyrant.

And you knew. You knew that you should be careful with who you fall in love with. Because of a stupid family curse, you need to be extra careful with who you fall for.

Your mother was lucky enough that your father loved her very much. And you always dreamed of falling in love with someone who also loves you back so you wouldn't have to worry about that curse.

As day's turn into weeks and weeks turn into months.

You have already fallen deeper for riddle roseheart.

And in those months you were able to form a friendship with the dorm leader of heartsalbyul.

No one knew about your family curse. Not even your close friends the first years. The only thing they knew is your huge crush on ace and deuce dorm leader.

"Yuck, out of everyone here in NRC you chose riddle?" You rolled your eyes at your friend's disgusted expression.

"He is not that bad. Riddle is…nice"

"Nice? Yeah right"

You ignored Ace and continued working on some assignments.

"So when are you even gonna confess to him?" You went stiff when you heard grim question and you could feel everyone's eyes on you.

"Oh.…um well I still don't know yet"

"You don't know yet? I thought you already had something in mind since you have been crushing on him for the last few months" you chuckle and continue doing your work.

But as you were working, grim question made you think.

When will you confess?

You won't get anywhere if you keep your feelings to yourself.

So you decided to do something about it.

That night. You stayed up thinking how you should tell riddle how you feel. You knew you had to be careful with the decision you were about to make.

Knowing that your life is on the line

That night you slept with fear and hope. Fear because you don't know if riddle is gonna reject you. And hope because he might feel the same way.

The next day came quickly. And you were sure that people could tell you were nervous by the way you were fiddling with the hem of your shirt.

"Are you ok y/n?" Epel's voice pulled you out of your thoughts and you realized that everyone was busy writing down notes.

"Huh?...oh um I'm fine" you say as you grab your pencil and begin writing down the notes on the board.

"You sure? You look nervous"

"I'm fine epel. No need to worry" you say as you give him a soft smile. He wasn't fully convinced but left you alone for now.

You finished all your classes and it was nearing the end of the day. You check your bag to see if the note was still there and smiled when you saw that it was in your bag.

"Ok…now to find riddle"

You started walking around. Trying to find the little redhead and to your surprise you found him.

"Well that was quick" You quickly made your way to him and called out his name.

"Riddle!" He turned around to see you running towards him and you could've swore your heart stopped.

"Y/n, what did I say about running in the halls"

"Sorry sorry!"

"Is something wrong?"

You took a deep breath and took the note out of your bag. You couldn't trust yourself into speaking out your feelings so you decided on writing it down on a piece of paper.

"Uh here…read it"

"What is it?"

"You will know if you read it"

He sighed and began reading the note. You stood there quietly trying to read his facial expression while he was reading your note. Heart beating none stop while your legs felt like jelly you were scared of the outcome.

Once he finished reading you clenched your fist and avoided eye contact.

"Y/n…" that tone was already starting to make you nervous.

"Y/n…I'm sorry…but I don't feel the same way"

Those words were enough for you to accept your fate.

"Oh…"

"Y/n look-"

"No, you're fine. Thank you for taking your time on reading this. I'll go now and sorry for wasting your time" you said as you quickly turned around and rushed out of there.

You could hear him call out your name but you ignored it. Not because you were mad but because you were already starting to feel a burning sensation in your chest.

"Fuck" you whispered as you could feel the pain go through your whole entire body.

"I-I just gotta make it to ramshackles" You whispered out as you made your way there as quickly as possible.

You finally made it and you ran to the closest bathroom. You closed and locked the door as your body trembled from the pain. You whined when you felt something burning in your chest.

When your love isn't returned. Your heart and soul would burn. The pain in a heartbreak would go through not only your heart, but your body also.

The words of your mother ran through your head. She once said that she would never want something like that to happen to you. The pain being described as awful and torture by past family relatives who were unlucky enough in the love department.

But you once never thought YOU would experience it.

And now. You felt a deep sense of pity for the ones in your family who had to experience something so awful until their last breath.

Your body stops shaking. But the pain was still there, but not as bad as when it first started.

You stood there thinking. How will you keep this a secret? How would you hide this from the others until your last breath?

"At least I'll die loving him"

knock

"Y/n? Are you okay in there?"

Shit

It Was deuce. And then you heard a couple footsteps coming closer to the bathroom door.

"I-im fine!" You curse yourself when you notice that your voice came out shaky and weak.

"Is that blood?" Jack said.

You froze. You slowly looked up to the mirror and saw blood running down your nose.

A lot of blood

"Shit"

"We're coming in"

"W-wait! No!" But it was too late and the door opened. You quickly turned around from facing their direction.

"Y/n"

"Holy shit there's a lot of blood on the floor" at ace words, you slowly looked down to see a puddle of blood by your feet.

"Y/n what the fuck happened?"

"Did someone do this to you?!"

"Oh God you're bleeding so much!"

Question after question started to slowly give you a headache. You raised your hand up to your face and slowly backed away.

"I'm fine-n-no need to worry!"

Of course the bathroom looked like a crime scene with the amount of blood on the floor. After all this is the beginning of the curse.

Blood everywhere. Blood will be everywhere making it look like a murder scene. That's what we saw in aunt Gloria's room.

Aunt Gloria. She was one of the victims of this deathly curse 16 years ago. You remember your mom talking about your aunt's death a few years ago when you learnt about the mysterious curse that was in your family bloodline.

So of course you weren't surprised seeing blood everywhere.

"Y/n please tell us what happened" you looked up to see deuce who crouched down to look at your face better. Since you were now sitting on the bloody puddle.

"I-I….it's nothing"

"What do you mean it's nothing?! You have blood coming out of ya nose!" Epel yelled as he started rushing towards you with a cloth to clean the blood off your face.

"Hey, at least tell us what happened!"

"We're worried sick human!"

Both grim and sebek yell as they also tried to bring in more tissue.

You sat there as they tried to stop the blood from coming out while also trying to know what happened. You sigh and grab deuce wrist to stop him from holding the tissue to your nose.

"If I tell you guy's….promise to not tell anyone"

"But-"

"Promise" you said with a harsh tone. They all looked at each other before nodding.

And that's when you told them everything. About the family curse, riddle rejecting you, and now the curse taking effect over your whole body.

And as you told them more and more you could see the horror on their faces. The mere thought of you dying because of getting rejected really scared them to the core.

"So…your dying?"

"Slowly…I'll suffer a slow death but yes I am dying"

By now your nose stopped bleeding and the pain in your chest stopped. But you know that it will come back later.

Deuce and Ace helped you get up from the floor while epel, Jack, and sebek stayed behind to clean off the blood in the bathroom. And grim stared at you worriedly while you guys made your way upstairs.

"That damn jerk, now you gotta suffer all because of him" Ace muttered under his breath while helping you get to your room.

"It's not his fault…"

"Still…now you have to suffer" You felt his hold on you tighten and you felt bad. Deuce was shaking but didn't say anything on the way to your room.

"I'm sorry"

"For what? You didn't do anything"

"....." You stayed silent. You finally made it to your room and they helped you sit down on your bed.

"For..how long is this going to take?"

"I don't know…I remember my mom say that it takes up to a month or two for the victim to die"

The room went silent. None of them speaking up or asking more questions.

Just pure silence.

After that day. The first year crew made it their mission to be by your side at all cost until your last breath. You of course didn't ignore riddle. You didn't want to make it seem like something was wrong so you'll greet him every now and then when you see him.

Riddle of course wasn't fully convinced after seeing how weak you got over the past few weeks. Each time he tried to ask what wrong you will either run away or get taken away by one of the first years.

And this made him annoyed. So one afternoon riddle decided to ask a certain blue and red head duo what was going on.

"Deuce, Ace, may I have a word with you two?"

"Uh sure housewarden riddle"

"Sure"

He could see that the two were in a hurry. Which made him a little suspicious but didn't say anything.

"I've seen y/n hasn't been doing well the past couple weeks" at this, the two first years stiffened.

"I was wondering if anything is going on. Seeing that you two have been hanging out with the prefect more than usual"

"Oh everything is fine!"

"Yeah! Y/n is just um tired with the tests we had recently!"

"Test?" Riddle said confused.

"Yep!"

"Then why does y/n look…ill?"

"I-"

Before Deuce could say anything, he was cut off by Ace's phone ringing. Ace pick up not caring that his housewarden was literally talking to him.

"W-what?! Okay me and deuce will be right there!"

"What happened-"

"Y/n…" the moment your name left his mouth deuce ran out the dorm.

This of course grabbed riddle attention.

"Ace, I demand you give me an explanation on what's happening!"

"I can't right now! I-I have to go!"

"Ace!" He yelled while holding a firm grip on his wrist.

"Fuck y/n is dying okay?! Now let me go!"

"What?" His hold on Aces wrist loosened and Ace was able to run out the dorm.

The time the heartsalbyul first years got there, they saw the staff members and ambulances in front of ramshackles. They both quickly ran inside, ignoring their teachers yelling after them.

The sight they saw in front of them was something straight out of a nightmare.

There, on the floor laid you with blood everywhere. Jack, sebek, epel were trying to calm down a sobbing grim while the paramedics tried stopping the blood coming out of your nose and mouth.

"W-what the hell happened?!"

"We don't know! We were just about to enter when we heard a scream and when we came in we saw her like this!"

Before any of them could talk further, one of the paramedics yelled out something that made them all freeze on their spots.

"She stopped breathing!"

"There no pulse!"

And when those words were shouted out. There, by the door stood the heartsalbyul housewarden.

"W-what"

Standing by the door…was riddle. Hand over his mouth as tears ran down his face.

Ace screams and was ready to throw a punch at his housewarden but was stopped by Jack and sebek who grabbed ahold of both his arms.

That day riddle learned the truth about you and your curse.

TREY CLOVER

Trey was your childhood best friend along with riddle and che'nya. You four would do almost everything together and would help riddle sneak out once in a while to play with you three.

And of course as every cliche romance book or movie, you ended up falling for your best friend.

You still remember the time you got cheated on by your very first boyfriend and trey was there to comfort you by baking you some warm treats and doing a movie night.

That was when you fell in love with trey clover.

As years went by, you slowly started falling for him more and more. You would bother riddle and che'nya by gushing about trey every chance you get. While che'nya just giggles or laughs, riddle on the other hand is annoyed.

You would talk about how good he looked in class today or talk about something cute he did today and riddle would just stare at you with a deadpan expression.

"I'll call animal control to come get you"

"No wait! I still haven't told you about what trey did today!"

"And I don't want to know"

"Haha~ you're so lame riddle! Y/n over here just wants to tell us more about her crush!" Riddle sighs and let's you continue and you just squeal as you tell them every detail about today.

And since they know about your crush, they also know about your family curse.

When you first told riddle and che'nya, both of them of course felt bad and che'nya cried for an hour, which resulted in you trying to calm him down. And obviously both were a little worried when you told them about your crush on trey. Worried that something might happen to you.

And you of course reassured them and said that you will be okay.

But deep down you weren't. You feared that trey might not feel the same. Scared that he will reject you. There have been nights where you would cry yourself to sleep. You would wake up to call your mom about nightmares you would get and she would try her best to calm you down and comfort you.

You tried to be positive. Make yourself believe that everything is going to be fine. And fool yourself into believing that you and trey can become something more.

Today was a rather boring night. You were bored out of your mind and couldn't fall back asleep. You turned to look at the clock and noticed that it was 2 am.

"Man…I still have a few hours left"

You sigh as you decide to go on your phone. As you were doing that, you suddenly got a notification.

Mischievous catboy⦮⑅⦯

You rolled your eyes when you noticed who just texted you.

Are you up?

The text read. You rolled over on your stomach and quickly texted back a response.

You see that he has seen your message. He quickly types back a response.

Woah, didn't know you can sleep type

You snicker at his response and quickly type back.

What do you want

It didn't take long for him to respond back.

Let's go get some take out!

Che'nya…it's literally 2 am

So? That never stopped me before

You thought about it for a moment. You just woke up and can't fall back asleep. So what better than sneaking out and getting free food?

Fine

You got up from your bed and quickly went to put on some sweats and a jacket. You grabbed your phone and saw that he was waiting for you outside.

"What the- guess he has been waiting for a while now"

You quickly but quietly open the door to your room and step out to the hallway. You made sure not to make any noise on your way out of your dorm.

After all, if riddle finds out you snuck out then that will be off with your head.

You soon meet che'nya waiting right outside for you.

"How did you even get in?"

"I have my ways. Now let's go before we get caught by Mr grumpy pants" You both giggle at the name and start making your way out.

"So, when are you confessing to your little boyfriend?" He teases. You scoff and playfully elbowed him.

"He not my boyfriend"

"Yett!"

You rolled your eyes as you both crossed the street.

"But still…I don't know when I'll tell trey about my feelings"

"Do you ever think you'll be able to?" He asks. And that was a good question.

Do you think you will ever be ready to tell him?

"I don't know"

He noticed the little frown on your face and decided to change the topic.

"It was a pain in the ass to get here"

"How so?"

"I almost got caught by a night guard who patrols around RSA" You laugh as che'nya tells you more about his struggles to get to NRC.

You both continued to chat about whatever came to mind and finally found a good place that was still open at the late hour-or more like early hour.

You and che'nya hung out for a couple of hours before he had to make his way back to RSA. You both bid goodbye and walked your separate ways.

During your walk back to NRC. You thought about what che'nya said earlier.

When will you confess?

You wished you could but you weren't lucky in the love department. You could be at risk at any moment by simply not getting your feelings returned.

And you thought it was stupid.

Stupid for being scared to fall in love. Stupid for having your life at risk if the guy you love doesn't love you back.

You thought the whole thing was stupid.

The time you found out about your curse was the most heartbreaking moment ever in your life.

You were confused on why you didn't fall ill that day when you got heartbroken by your first boyfriend. Only for your mom to tell you that the curse only takes over if you actually truly love someone.

The boy you dated in the past wasn't someone you loved dearly. It was only a one time thing as your mom likes to call it.

So that's why you didn't fall sick. But the love that you have for Trey is totally different from the love that you had for that ex of yours.

Trey is someone you actually do love. Someone you love dearly to the point that the curse isn't the only thing that will take you away.

So when your mother found out. She told you to be careful. To think before you do anything that you will regret later.

And you thought about it for a while. As the years went by you made sure to think before you act.

And maybe that is what made you do what you did today. You stood right in front of trey door room. You were nervously fidgeting with the bracelet that you had on and were already second guessing if this was a good idea.

But as you were about to back down. The door to trey room suddenly opens leaving you to stay still on your spot.

"Y/n? Need something?" He asks as he looks at you curiously.

"Oh-um actually yeah. There something important I need to tell you"

"Oh really? Well come on in then" he stepped aside to let you in. You took a deep breath before walking in his room.

"What do you need to tell me?"

"Oh well…"

He pats for you to sit next to him but you kindly decline.

"Actually…It's something that I really wanted to tell you about for a while now"

"Really?"

"Yeah….trey the thing is…" You suddenly felt like your legs were about to give up by how much your legs were shaking.

"The thing is…I have liked you for quite some time now"

You looked anywhere but his face the whole entire time as you were confessing.

"I have liked you ever since middle school. I never told you this because of fear for our friendship"

You finally looked at him and felt like running out of there by the look on his face.

He looked at you in pity.

"Y/n…."

Shit

"I like you I really do but…not in that way you like me"

"Oh"

"You're a great person really! But I don't feel-"

"It's fine! No need to apologize or anything" you say with a soft smile. He still looked guilty but you reassured him that you were fine and that you aren't mad.

"I just hope we can still be great friends after this!" You say as he gave you a nod.

"Totally! This won't ruin our years of friendship" You smiled at that before excusing yourself out. The moment you stepped out of his room was when you finally let your tears fall.

You quickly ran to the one person who would know how to calm you down.

"Riddle!" You choked out as you barged into his room unexpectedly causing the poor redhead to jump from the sudden intrusion.

"Y/n what did I tell you about-are you crying?!" He quickly got up from his chair and made his way towards you who was crying hysterically on his bedroom floor.

"What happened?" He said as he tried his best to calm you down.

"I-I finally t-told him and!" That explained everything he needed to know. He sighs as he caresses your back as you sob on his chest.

"I told him and…he doesn't feel the same way"

He didn't know what else to say but let you cry on him. But what made him tighten his hold on you was your fate.

You will fall ill soon

After that day. He noticed how you were slowly starting to get sick.

It wasn't bad yet but riddle and che'nya notice how you would get bad headaches and chest pain.

You also knew what was about to come when that would happen. You tried your best to act as normal as possible but the pain was making it hard.

You tried your hardest to act normal around your friends who didn't know what was going on. Especially trey. He notice how weak you have gotten over the past week. How you would have to excuse yourself to the bathroom every now and then and how he walked in on you throwing up while Carter helped get your hair out of the way.

As time went by, He started to slowly get suspicious of his three friends. He could feel that you three were hiding something from him and that made him a little sad.

He tries to ask riddle or che'nya but everytime he does they either freeze up or try to change the topic.

A month has passed since trey rejected you and now the pain has gotten worse. You could barely even walk without having to grab onto something or someone for support. Blood would occasionally start coming out from your nose and even your mouth. The headaches have gotten worse and now you feel like just ending it all right then and there.

Today wasn't any better. You felt sick and you could barely hold your pencil correctly as you tried to keep up with the notes on the board.

"Hey y/n, are you okay?" You looked to your right to see cater looking at you worriedly.

"Huh?..oh yeah I'm fine"

"You sure?"

"Yeah um I just didn't get any sleep last night" you could see he wasn't fully convinced but he just let it go for now.

As you were writing down the last few sentences, you felt a sharp pain go through your chest and your whole body. You let out a low gasp and drop your pencil.

"Are you oka-y/n you're bleeding!" Cater's voice was muffled as you noticed your vision getting blurry.

Ah it's finally time

You could hear cater going into panic mode as he shook you to stay awake. But even if you tried, you couldn't fight back to keep your eyes open as you slowly started going into a deep sleep.

Riddle was walking back to class after using the restroom only to hear panic erupt from a nearby classroom. He walked past but stopped when he noticed that it was your class and the main cause of the panic.

He quickly rushes in to see the teacher calling the ambulances while students surround a panic cater and you who was bleeding from the mouth and nose.

"Y/n!"

He quickly pushes past the other students and tries to shake you awake. But even as he was calling out your name and trying to wake you up he knew that you were already gone.

The curse has finally taken you away

"No. Not now…not yet!" He yelled out as he tried to wake you up.

By the loud commotion that was going on in the classroom teachers and other students nearby rushed inside.

One of the students being trey. The moment he saw you and people surrounding you he froze.

"The ambulance is here! Get them here!"

One student ran past trey to go get the paramedics. All the while he just stood there in shock.

"She's gone…there is no need for them to be here" He heard riddle say as he just held your hand tight.

"How-what even-"

The paramedics finally came in and teachers rushed to pull the students away. Riddle finally let go of your hand before walking out the classroom.

But not before telling trey about your curse.

"Y/n had a family curse…the day you rejected her love for you was the day the curse finally took over"

"She died…because of me?"

Riddle didn't say anything and left.

All trey could do was just stand there and watch as his best friend gets taken away.

CATER DIAMOND

You have liked cater since you two were first years. You would always get so shy and nervous around him at first. But sometime around your 2nd year, you and cater started to talk more.

You remember that you were both paired up for a project for one of your classes and almost passed out when you heard the teacher announce who your partner was.

You remember being so nervous and you would have to have trey calm you down and reassure you that cater won't eat you or anything.

"Y/n~"

You looked up from your phone to see a very excited cater running up to you.

"Yes?" You said as you put your phone down and gave him your full attention.

"Look how many likes I got from this post!" He said as he excitedly showed you his phone. It was a picture he took the other day when you both went to a new cat Cafe that recently opened up.

"I told you it will blow up" He smiled and took a seat next to you.

"We should go there again some other time. I really liked the pastry there, plus the cute cats"

"We should. How about this weekend?" you suggested as you took a sip of your drink that you bought from a nearby store.

"That sounds good"

You looked at the time and noticed that it was getting pretty late. You got up which grabbed his attention as you picked up your bag.

"Well gotta go. I don't want azul to send floyd to come get me like last time" you say. Shivering at the memory.

"Alright, get there safely!"

"Mhm!"

You began your walk back to octavinelle. Earphones in and humming the song that was blasting through your ears. All you could do on your walk back was think about cater.

Cater, cater, cater~

That is all you would ever think about. The cute Diamond on his cheek, his beautiful hair, and his awesome guitar skills!

By all this thinking you didn't even realize that you made it to the hall of mirrors. You quickly walk to the octavinelle mirror so as to not be late.

"Your late"

You jump at the sudden voice that awaited you at the front entrance of your dorm.

"Azul! Man you scared me" He raised a brow and while you tried to calm your beating heart. He sighs as he massages his temple all the while you just gave him an awkward smile.

"You know the rules"

"Oh come on" the look he gave you was enough for you to stop whining and quickly walk in.

"You're lucky you're here. I almost sent floyd to come get you"

"Please don't"

"Then get here faster. Now come and help out at the lounge"

You just gave him a nod and quickly went to your room to leave your stuff before rushing to the lounge to help out.

Your family curse was no secret to the octotrio. They knew the moment you accidentally blurted it out during a mental breakdown a few months back.

Knowing how they are made you scared at first. Thinking azul would find a way to get you into a contract with this secret of yours. But surprisingly, the octotrio were nice enough to comfort you during that moment. [Mostly jade since azul didn't know what to do while floyd cried]

You consider the trio as younger brothers. Even though you're just a year older you would always tease them about it. So of course the moment they found out they were super worried.

They asked if there was anything that could help change or cure the curse but all you did was give them a sad smile.

You wish there was a cure but sadly there isn't. You remember their sad faces and you didn't know if YOU needed the comfort or them.

And you were glad that they kept this bit of information to themselves rather than using it to blackmail you. They obviously also know your crush on the heartsalbyul 3rd year and would tease you as much as they can when they see you together.

You were wiping down tables when you heard your name being called.

"Shrimpy!" Or nickname.

"Yes floyd?" You smiled as he ran to you before crushing you into a big hug.

"When did you get here?"

"I just got here a few minutes ago. Why? You miss me?" You teased as he just flicked your forehead.

"No"

"Suree"

"Y/n, floyd, get back to work" You heard jade say.

"You heard your brother"

"Ughh"

You giggle before continuing back on cleaning the tables.

The evening went by a little faster than usual and you guys managed to close up early. You made your way back to your room and took a quick shower before going to bed.

"Ahh~ today was tiring" You say as you curl up on your bed. You grabbed your phone and went on magicam to stalk your crush profile.

You saw a recent pic of him and his band mates from the light music club posing while the caption read "finishing up practice early◇"

You giggle and like the picture before exiting out the app. You decided to call it a night and go to sleep.

Unaware of tomorrow's events

Class was over and you were making your way to the cafeteria. You were a little tired since you didn't get much sleep last night. You kept waking up because of a weird dream you had but you didn't pay any mind to it.

You took a seat and started eating while trying your hardest to stay awake.

"Tired?"

"Mm?" You look up to see azul and the tweels.

"Oh…yeah didn't get much sleep"

"How so?"

"Mm just had a weird dream. Kept waking me up, nothing serious"

"Oooo is shrimpy getting nightmares~?" Floyd teased and you scoff.

"No. It was just a weird dream, no nightmare" Floyd laughs as he continues to tease you.

"Okay that enough floyd"

"Aww you're no fun"

You four chatted for a while before the bell rang. Signaling that it was time to go.

"Oh and one more thing!"

"Yes?"

"You'll be in charge of taking orders today"

"Azul!"

"No complaining"

"Mannn"

"Tuff luck shrimpy hehehe~" You rolled your eyes before quickly walking to your next class.

It was Friday meaning it will be extra busy at the mostro lounge. The day ended quickly and you were the first one to leave the class since you wanted to beat the others to the lounge first.

But as you were walking, you saw cater in the halls which cause you to smile and run over to him.

"Cater!" He turned around and smiled when he saw you.

"Oh y/n! Are you heading to the lounge?"

"Mhm! Azul said I have to take orders today though" You were still mad about that since you hate taking orders.

"Man that must suck"

"It really does"

You noticed that he wasn't heading back to his dorm so you curiously asked him where he was going.

"Oh I'm also heading to the mostro lounge"

"Really?"

"Yep. I want to try out their new menu that they have today"

"Ohh"

"Well let's go before your late"

"Right right!"

You both began your walk to the lounge in peaceful silence-well mostly you while you listened to cater rant about his day.

But while you two were walking your mind kept drifting off to you and him in a relationship. You could feel the tip of your ears burn as you imagine what it would be like to be in a relationship with him.

You kept thinking about when you would have the guts to tell him how you feel and because of that you didn't realize what you blurted out until it was too late.

"I like you"

"And then-huh?" You froze as your heart began beating against your chest and feeling like the world stopped.

"Oh…uh I-"

"Oh y/n…"

Oh no…I know that tone

"I'm sorry but-"

"Oh uh Look! We made it to the lounge! W-well I have to go now!"

"I- wait!"

You were gone.

You quickly rushed into the lounge with tears threatening to fall at any moment. You put your things away and quickly got to work. You tried your best to write down the orders and not cry like a baby in front of the customers but it was getting hard with cater in the lounge.

You really didn't want to take his order after what happened so you ordered one of the other students to take it while you were busy with another table.

"Y/n"

You turned to meet azul eyes and he instantly knew something was wrong.

"Meet me at the back"

"I'm fine azul, I-"

"Y/n" You sighed and gave the notebook and pen to the student that azul called over to take your place.

You both walked to the back and he made you sit down and tell him what was wrong.

That was when you finally broke down.

"I-I messed up! I told cater that I liked him but he- he doesn't feel the same!" His eyes softened and he took a seat next to you. He didn't know what to say so he spent the entire time calming you down as you cried on his shoulder.

He let you go early so you can rest and had someone take your place for the day. You were able to sneak past cater as azul told one of the students to distract him.

You silently made your way back to your dorm and mentally slapped yourself for slipping up and telling him.

"Fucking stupid'' you muttered as you open the door to your room.

You ignored cater after that. You felt embarrassed but most of all hurt. You switched your seat and made sure to not make contact with him in any way.

Cater of course was hurt by this. He tried to talk to you but you never answered his messages or calls and the twins would make sure he wouldn't be near you.

He tried everything he could but nothing. You didn't want to talk to him and the tweels made sure he wouldn't get near you.

A few weeks passed and he noticed that you haven't been attending classes lately. This obviously made him think something was wrong. He tried to get ace to talk to floyd during basketball practice but the first year always comes back with nothing.

He tried asking azul but then went against it knowing the boy wouldn't tell him.

Until one night, when he heard noises coming from the the heartsalbyul lounge. He quietly gets out of his room and makes his way to the lounge to see both riddle and trey talking.

"Did azul tell you?"

"Yes…he said she was getting worse but I didn't know it will go this bad"

Cater brows furrowed as he continued to listen closely.

"And how is she now?" Trey went silent and looked down on the floor.

"She sadly…didn't make it"

"What?!"

"Quiet down before someone hears!"

"S-sorry but…y/n didn't make it??!"

At this cater quickly comes out of his hiding spot which startled the two boys.

"What do you mean she didn't make it?"

"I-I…" trey avoided eye contact which caused cater to get mad.

"What do you mean trey?" Both of them were silent until trey spoke up.

"Y/n…has been sick for a while"

"And she hasn't been feeling well"

"And azul just called and said that…she passed away"

His eyes widened and he covered his mouth in shock. Not believing it.

"H-how?!"

This time riddle spoke up.

"Because you rejected her love for you"

"Y/n had a curse going on in her family that kills them if the person they love doesn't love them back"

"She…dead?"

Cater's heart broke that night as he drowned in the guilt of your death.

ACE TRAPPOLLA

Ace and deuce were the first friends you ever made when you came to twisted wonderland. You felt nice having at least someone to talk to and hang out with as Crowley "tries" to find a way for you to go back home.

But even as the months went by you started to slowly make new friends during your stay in twisted wonderland. Crowley still hasn't found a way to send you back home but you weren't upset about it. You felt kinda…glad in a way to be able to stay here longer.

And why is that?

Because you fell for Ace trappolla.

You didn't know when your feelings for the trouble making first year bloom but all you know is that you love him.

His eyes, smile, jokes, and that cute heart on his eye has you squealing like a middle school girl.

You like how he flirts with you when you guys and the other first years would hang out. You would flirt back and it would just be you and Ace flirting back and forth as the others just get annoyed by the two of you.

Deuce, epel and grim would be the victims who would have to suffer hours of you gushing about Ace when they come over.

Which is what you were doing now.

"He looked so cool during basketball practice!" You say as deuce just nods while epel makes a gagging face along with grin.

"Ew gross"

"Your totally going boy crazy"

"Am not!" You say as you throw your pillow at epel.

"Just confess already! I'm getting tired of hearing you talk about Ace all the time and I have to hear about him everyday back at the dorm" Deuce sighs as he flops face first on your bed.

"As if it that easy"

"What? Scared he'll reject you?" Epel teases and you throw another pillow in his direction.

"No! It's just…I- okay maybe yes"

"I don't get what you're so afraid of. I mean Ace always flirts with you every chance he gets so that might be a sign he into you"

"Yeah! He's definitely hitting on you with all that flirting!"

"They're right!"

You sat there unsure about the whole thing. You didn't want to get your hopes up and possibly embarrassed yourself and ruin everything.

"Mm…still not sure"

"Don't get too stressed about it y/n. You can always decide when you know he feels the same" You smiled at deuce before nodding.

"Yeah…you're right"

"Well can we go watch a movie now?"

"Yeah! I just want to eat snacks instead of talking about crushes!" You rolled your eyes and grabbed the bag of snacks from off the floor.

"Fine fine"

"So did anyone do the homework for professor trein class?" Ace asked the moment you guys sat down.

"Uhh yeah and your not getting the answers"

"Oh C'mon man!"

"You should've done it" you say as you were eating your food.

"I was busy"

"Busy with what?" Jack said with a confused look.

"I was busy okay? And plus I fell asleep during his lecture so I'm pretty lost"

"Well that sounds like a you problem" He groans before sitting down and taking a bite of his meal.

"You guys are mean"

You chuckle and continue eating your food while the rest talk amongst themselves.

The day went by quickly and you along with grim started making y'alls way back to ramshackles. You were pretty tired and wanted nothing more than to lay on your bed and sleep.

"Ahh finally back!"

You both made your way upstairs and grim plops down on the bed while you started working on the homework for one of your classes.

But while in the middle of doing your homework your mind started to wander off.

No one knew about your family curse, not even your closest friends. And if Ace were to ever reject you then what? How could you possibly go on about your day in pain? Not trying to look suspicious or make it look like something is wrong.

All these were starting to make you feel sick. The anxiety was all too much for you.

You sigh and decide to finish your homework tomorrow morning. For now you will just shower and get some rest.

It Was 5 am and you couldn't get any sleep throughout the whole night. You kept tossing and turning which made grim wake up and get mad at you for disturbing his sleep.

You sigh and get up to get ready for the day. You started working on the homework you couldn't finish to pass by time until school starts.

Ding

You looked at your phone and saw that you got a message from the group chat you and the first years created.

Guys hurry to the lunch room after class

It was from Ace. You then started typing back a response as the others got online.

Why?

Because I have something to tell you all!

Tell us what exactly?

You will know when I tell you in the cafeteria

You didn't know why but his message gave you a bad feeling. You shrugged it off and noticed that it was almost time until classes started so you quickly woke up grim to get ready for the day.

Lunch rolled around fast and you,Deuce, grim and epel quickly walked in the lunchroom to meet up with the others. You spotted them and you four made your way to the table.

"Ah finally!"

"Okay let's get this shit over with, what do you want to tell us?"

Ace took a deep breath before letting it out.

"I got a girlfriend!"

It felt like time stopped and your smile almost went away but you quickly composed yourself before congratulating him.

"That good ace!" It wasn't good.

"That's nice but did you really have to make it a big deal?" Jack asked.

"Yeah you made it look like an emergency" Ace rolled his eyes at sebek.

"Of course it was an emergency! I scored myself a beautiful girlfriend!" You clenched your fists and quickly got up from your seat grabbing everyone's attention.

"I have to go use the restroom, I'll be right back"

And you quickly ran out of the cafeteria with tears spilling out. Grim ran after you while both deuce and epel excused themselves.

"I forgot something in the classroom, I'll be right back!"

"Yeah same!"

Both then quickly ran out the doors of the cafeteria and went to look for you.

After what seemed like years they finally found you and grim in an empty classroom.

"Oh y/n…" epel closed the door as deuce started comforting your crying figure.

"I-Im fine…I shouldn't make a big deal out of this!" You say as more tears started sliding down your cheeks.

"W-we didn't know he had a girlfriend!" Epel says as he tries to also comfort you.

"It's fine epel…I should just forget about it and move on"

But you couldn't. You loved Ace and now that he has a girlfriend you feel dead inside.

This is now the beginning of the curse

In a month, you already started feeling very sick and weak. You couldn't go a day without your heart arching in pain.

While your friends went about their day clueless about this whole situation you suffered in silence.

You told grim at some point and he did everything he can to help ease your pain. But you just got worse overtime. You started eating less, not getting enough sleep, and getting more frequent nose bleeds.

You tried to stay strong but it was getting to be too much for you.

Until one day you gave up.

"Y/n!" Everyone in the cafeteria turned to look as you collapsed to the ground and your friends hurriedly surrounded you in panic. Nose bleeding and you not responding had everyone in the lunchroom running out to get help.

"Someone call the ambulance!"

"Y/n wake up! Wake up!"

As this was going on grim just watched everything unfold and he knew what just happened.

You were gone…

DEUCE SPADE

You liked deuce because he was so kind and funny. He would do anything to help his friends and wants to make his mom proud. And all that caused you to fall in love with him.

Just everything about him made you feel like a fool in love.

Poor ace would have to suffer the hours of you fawning over his friend and dorm mate.

"Gah, at this point your head over heels for deucey deuce"

"I am" You said with awe as you continued to talk about him more.

"Say, I can be your wingman!"

"Huh"

"I can help you get with deuce!" This piques your interest and you give it a good thought.

"Hey…that not bad"

"I'll basically play cupid" He pretended to have an arrow and shoot it at you with a wink.

"Easy!"

"Still not sure"

Before he could say anything, he was interrupted by your bedroom door being opened.

"Hurry up and come downstairs! The movie is about to start!" Epel shouts as he then quickly makes his way downstairs.

"Well let's hurry before they start it without us"

"Oo I smell something good downstairs! Move!" You scoff as he pushes past you and runs downstairs.

"Rude"

Your family curse was something you hated for years. Not being able to love more than once and then dying right after was harsh.

You hated it every time your father warned you to be careful. You just wanted to be normal. Being able to love someone without fearing for your life. You always dreamed about the perfect fairytale love life that you see in movies or cartoons. You always felt jealous of the girls your age back in your world who could love anyone they want or get rejected or heartbroken without dying.

Even if they do get heartbroken or rejected they can always move on. But you, you can't do that. One simple no and you're dying of heartbreak.

And you hate it

The only one you trust with this is Ace and Jack. They were the first ones to know when you accidentally blurted it out during a group project.

Those two kept your curse a secret and would always comfort you while you would cry about how unfair your life is.

But even with this curse, you still smile and have hope for you and deuce.

"Did we lose him?!" Ace whispered shouted as you both were currently hiding in some bushes.

"I think so" You took a deep breath before letting it out and calming your breathing.

"I knew I shouldn't have come visit your basketball practice"

"Hey!"

"Shh, quiet down! He might be nearby" You both stayed silent until you felt a hand on your shoulder.

"Ow! Ace let go of my shoulder!"

"What? You let go of me!"

"I'm not even grabbing your shoulder!"

"I'm not either!"

You suddenly gasp when you notice that it wasn't ace's hand. You both slowly looked up to see floyd giving you both a creepy smile.

"Gotcha~"

"AHH!"

"Floyd! Stop scaring the first years!"

"Aww c'mon Jamil! It's fun!" The scarabia vice housewarden sighs as he pulls floyd away from you two.

"Sorry about that. Floyd can be too much sometimes" He apologies while you just awkwardly rubbed your arm.

"It's fine!"

"Hey how come you ain't apologizing to me?!"

Jamil gives him a deadpan look before dragging both floyd and ace back to practice.

"Sorry once again!"

You smiled as you see ace whine while floyd just makes fun of him.

"Dorks"

You decided it was time to go back to ramshackles since you needed to clean a bit and cook food for you and grim. You finally made it back and as you were about to open the door, the door slams opened.

"Finally!"

"Were you waiting for me?" You ask as you walk past him.

"Huh? No!"

He follows after you as you make your way to the kitchen.

"Where were you anyway?"

"I thought I told you?"

"You didn't"

"I went to watch ace basketball practice. Which went wrong"

"What why?" You started searching for any ingredients you have laying around to make something for the both of you.

"Ace thought it was a good idea to prank floyd which went wrong and so we spent a good 10 minutes running and hiding from floyd"

He was silent for a moment before letting out a loud laugh that made you jump.

"Haha! That's what you guys get!"

"It was all Ace okay?!"

He just continues to laugh as you start to heat up in embarrassment.

"Shut up!"

As he continues to laugh you suddenly receive a message. You grab your phone and see that Kamil texted you.

Hii y/n! I just wanted to let you know that I'm hosting a party this week and I want you and grim to come!

You smile before quickly texting back.

Hii Kamil! And I'll definitely be at that party!

Awesome! I can't wait to see you! Oh! And it will be at 6!:D

"Who was it?"

"Kamil. He hosting another party this weekend and he invited us"

"Yahoo! We'll definitely be there!" He cheered as he then starts talking about all the food that was going to be there. You playfully rolled your eyes and continued looking for ingredients for tonight's meal.

It Was finally Friday and you couldn't wait for the party tomorrow. You were in your last class of the day along with epel and sebek.

"Eh?! Vil is not letting you go?"

"No. All because I said that his makeup didn't look good today" You had your hand covering your mouth trying not to laugh while sebek just let out an annoyed sigh.

"I'm still going though!"

"Course you would"

"Epel, y/n, quiet down" You apologize while epel scowl. You both continued talking but whispering to not get called out again. Class finished and you all went separate ways.

"Grim!" You say when you see your furry companion coming out of his class.

"Let's go home! I'm tired"

"When are you not tired" you say as you carry him back to ramshackles.

Saturday night came by fast and you were already done getting ready for kalim party. A knock downstairs made you quickly add finishing touches before going to see who was at the door.

You opened the door to see the adeuce duo standing in front of you.

"Finally! We were- oh wow, you look nice"

"Thank you"

"You look pretty y/n" Deuce said which gave you butterflies.

"Thanks deuce"

"Well let's hurry before we're late" You nod before going to go get your furry friend.

"Grim! We're about to leave!"

"I'm here!" Once grim was there you all made your way to scarabia.

The party was amazing. The moment you got there you would've swore your eardrums pop by the loud music that was playing all over the dorm. Kalim greeted you all and said to have fun before running to go dance.

You met up with the others and you all had fun. You enjoyed yourself and would get pulled to go dance with your friends.

But that happiness didn't stay for long. You notice that Ace and deuce were nowhere to be found so you excuse yourself to go look for them.

You made your way down the halls of scarabia looking for the two until you finally found them talking in one of the balconies.

"So what do you think of y/n?" You stop when you hear your name and decide to eavesdrop.

"Huh what do you mean?"

"I mean how do you feel about y/n? Any romantic feelings" He says while wiggling his eyebrows. Deuce just scoffs and playfully punches his arm.

"No. I just see y/n as a friend. Maybe even a sister" the moment he said that your heart dropped. Ace's face went pale when he saw you behind one of the pillars listening to their conversations and he started to stutter.

"O-oh! Okay uhhh soo no romantic feelings?"

"Dude, I already said no. Plus I already like someone" his eyes widened even more and he looked at deuce than back to you. He could see you looked heart broken by that and he felt shitty when he saw you run away.

"Oh! Okay great um well I have to go soo bye!"

Deuce was left confused but he shrugged it off before walking back downstairs to where the party was being held.

You ran out of scarabia as tears ran down your face. You couldn't believe it. Not only did he see you as a friend but a sister?! And what's worse is he likes someone too!

Your heart couldn't handle all this as you ran back to your dorm. You made it back and quickly ran to your room. You plop down on your bed and just sob onto your pillow as you finally let it all out.

Not even 5 minutes later you heard the door from your dorm slam open and footsteps rushing up the stairs and to your room.

"Y/n!"

Ace quickly makes his way to you and gently strokes your back as you cry on your pillow even more. You could tell ace wasn't the only one with you when you felt Jack tail.

"What even happened?" Ace sighs and starts telling him about the situation. Jack was disappointed to say the least but also tried calming you down.

After that night, you went into a deep depression. You ignored everyone and didn't speak or make contact with anyone. You were heartbroken and all you wanted was to be left alone.

But the one person you mainly ignored was deuce. You didn't speak or even look at him as the days went on. He was confused and worried that he may have done something wrong. The others except for ace and jack were also worried and wondered what happened that made you so distant.

Ace and Jack both knew what was happening and tried their absolute best to help you. They were there when you started growing weaker as the days passed by. You felt your chest hurt and body grow weak as your curse started to fully take effect. You would be found throwing up blood and have frequent headaches that made you want to end it all.

You couldn't do it. The pain was too much. And both ace and jack knew that. They saw how tired you were getting and they knew it was a matter of time before you were gone.

The pain in your heart was everything your family described. Horrible, torture, and hell.

All you ever wanted in life was to be normal and find true love. But guess you were never lucky in life.

You cried as you noticed your vision getting blurry and you couldn't breathe any longer. The pain was too much for your poor little heart to handle.

And so you finally accepted your fate.

"Is everything okay? You've been in the bathroom for a while now. And I have to brush my teeth!"

But no answer. Grim couldn't stay patient for long and opened the door.

"I'm coming in! Henchmen what is taking you so- Y/n?" The moment he sees you laid down in the ground he frowns.

"This isn't funny y/n" He goes up to you and the moment his paw makes contact with your face he froze.

"Cold"

The staff and ambulances were called to ramshackles after grim let out a loud scream. Seeing the commotion that was happening outside of ramshackles had students outside to see what was going on.

"Grim!" The first years quickly ran to grim who was shaken up by what he saw in the bathroom.

"What happened?!"

"Are you okay?!"

"Are you hurt?!"

"Where y/n?"

He ignored everyone and just curled up in the blanket that one of the paramedics gave him.

But two first year students already had an idea about what just happened and all they could do was stare at the ground.

"She gone…"

The end♡

Anyway hope you guys like this! I had to write each character in different days cuz I was being lazy😓

516 notes · View notes

abrcmswrld · 1 year

Text

The Night in Question

Edward Nashton x Coworker!Reader

━━━━━

Word Count: 5,271

Warnings: smut (18+ only MDNI), stalking, murder/violence, unprotected sex, angst and fluff and smut, edward’s inner thoughts and grievances

Summary: As the two of you grow closer, Edward grapples with the choices he’s made and his wants.

Authors Note: This is essentially just Edward’s point of view of the events that took place in Talk To Strangers. However there’s more scenes in this that weren’t in TTS so don’t worry it’s not a total retelling. I worked on this all of spring break,, I hope you all enjoy!

Ao3 Link

He can remember the first time your eyes met his. It's a distinct moment in his brain. He had been warned of the newcomer that would be entering the building in the coming days, but he didn't expect it to affect him much. Different department, not his problem.

And you were significantly more cheerful than he expected. He had expected another temp, desperate for money, but hating the job. But when you made your way to his desk and held out your hand with a bright smile on your face, he could see the motivation on your face.

He figures this will fizzle out. It did for him. Gone were the years that brought him hope for a better life and possibly more opportunities. But this was it. A lifeless job, a lonely apartment, and an emptiness he can't escape.

He never held disdain towards you. He silently hopes that you know that. He simply felt nothing towards you for that first little while. Although, he simply felt nothing towards anyone. But the time would come when that little spark in his chest would grow.

━━━━

So when you approach his desk to call out his disregard, it catches him off guard. He thought for sure you had seen him just as all the others had. A pushover. A nobody. Not worth getting to know. But here you were, practically begging for his attention. And yes, he was willing to give it.

"I think you think you're smarter than everyone else here." He doesn't flinch at the hand you plant on his desk. Only sighs and tries to fight back a smile, because you're right. He does think he's smarter than the people who work there. Zach is a prick and an idiot. The boss doesn't give a shit about any of the people working here. Nobody sees the world the way that he does.

"I do. Is that so bad?"

"It makes you an asshole."

There it was. The true feelings coming out. He had to give it to you for being honest. Most hide their disdainful nature behind a mocking tone. But you were upfront with him. It's the first time he's seen you this honest and outspoken. And he likes it. He craves to see more of it. He wants to pick apart the pieces of your life and watch you put them back together━ just for him.

"Better to be an asshole than to be an idiot."

He stares at you as you work through a stunned expression before he hears a short chuckle that lights up his soul. "I guess you're right."

He can't help the smirk that's plastered on his face as you walk away.

━━━━

That's the first night that he follows you home. He knew it was wrong, he knew that it was creepy, but he set a pace slower than yours and lingered behind you still, hood over his head. It is almost as if he is outside of his own body, watching himself. Going through the motions. He reminds himself that he is not those criminals on the streets. He wouldn't sweep you into the Iceberg Lounge, get you drunk, and take advantage of you. No. He'd never hurt someone like you.

You're disgusting, Edward.

He watched you enter your apartment. He should leave now. You're inside and safe nobody got to you. But he doesn't believe it quite yet, so he stands and observes the windows above searching until he can see you clearly through the pane of glass. He sighs a breath of release. He can see you sit your bag down and roll out the tension in your shoulders. Your heels come off and then you're yanking the curtains shut.

He averts his eyes out of instinct once he spots the slight crack the curtain doesn't cover.

This is wrong, Edward.

But he can't help but let his eyes travel what he can see in the crack. Your bare legs, a flash of a bare hip. You look so soft even in such small glimpses. He can't help the heat that rushes through him.

Why are you here, Edward?

And then you pull the curtains open again slightly. He watches as you settle into your bed, the only light is tiny lamp illuminating the features of your face perfectly for him. He can see you so clearly from this angle. The expression you hold is nothing like the cheerful nature you attempt to hold in the office. It's raw. He can tell you're processing a long day.

He's been there. Almost every night actually. The thoughts are inescapable. He's always there, in that godforsaken cot. He will never escape the pain of the rats sinking their jagged teeth into his skin. He can still hear the cries of the freezing infants. He can see tears dripping off the bridge of your nose and onto the sheets below your head.

He wonders if you feel that same emptiness he feels. Could you see him? Could you see into his soul and touch him in a way he's never experienced? He can feel the roses growing into his lungs and the fire that is lit in his heart. He would tear this city apart if it meant he could keep you alive and happy.

━━━━

He can't hide the way that your company brings him a sense of joy. He's lacked a companion all these years and it's nice to be able to eat lunch with someone. To talk about something other than the paperwork that needs to be filed or accounts that need to be looked into. It makes him feel oddly normal. He can forget about the corruption that plagues the city for a moment. He can forget about the empty orange bottles in his bathroom cabinet that he refuses to get refilled.

It's comfortable. Something he hasn't experienced in his whole life. For a while he thought experiencing comfort may be something that doesn't exist. At least not for people like him. Maybe that's why he enjoys your presence so much. You don't know his past, or where he comes from. There's nothing for you to judge. You're forced to see him with zero prejudice.

It's not like the topic hadn't come up, though. It had, and he had always done his best to steer you away from the truth. He thinks back to a conversation he had with you during one of your lunchbreaks. The conversation turned uncomfortably close to family.

Family.

A word he had never connected with. A concept that was never familiar to him. A negative space in his knowledge of society. You had confided in him about wanting more for yourself. You didn't see yourself in this office for your whole life, but you needed the money with nowhere else to go and nobody else to rely on. And when he had asked if your family was absent you had responded:

"No, I mean they were supportive in my school days, but...I don't think things are that great between us anymore."

He's desperate to keep the conversation focused on you. "Did something happen?"

You laugh. "Nothing major. After high school they wanted me to go to college, get a good degree, marry someone, and settle down."

You meet his eyes. "At that time that sort of life felt like a scam. But, now I kind of wonder if I would've been better off."

He tries to imagine filling that role. Bringing you flowers, meeting your parents, being the boy that they'd love their child to reproduce with. But the universe hadn't been kind enough to him to set your paths to cross sooner. It had never been kind enough to give him any of the things that might fill the void inside of him. Perhaps he had sinned while he was still in his mother's womb. Perhaps that's why she had given him up, she could see that he was tainted from the start.

Your eyes meet his. "What about you? You got any family in town?" It's the part of the conversation he'd been simultaneously dreading and trying to avoid. "I-" He can't even finish his sentence. I have nobody. He thinks.

"Shit- I was sup posed to call this client. Um, let's finish this talk later." He quickly grabs up his trash and leaves the break room.

━━━━

You hadn't asked about it after he had hastily left the breakroom. He silently appreciated it. He's sure you wondered, but you were now too uncomfortable to ask. And honestly that didn't matter to him as long as it meant he could still be worthy of your presence. As long as you still brought him coffee every morning and greeted him with your brightest smile. Like he meant the world to you.

The soft hand that grabs his as he starts to head home startles him at first. But he loosens up as he turns to meet your soft expression. He notices how quickly you had yanked your hand from his, as if its burned to touch. He waits for you to speak first. "I- um- Sorry, I was just gonna see if you had plans now." He feels those flames in his chest again. Just as he had the night he watched you through the window.

"There's a diner on the corner near here. I think they have decent pie."

And for a second he lets his mind roam. He wants so badly to say yes. He could say yes, abandon any plan he has going for him and his followers right in this moment, but he's in too deep. It would be selfish to get you involved. He'd rather fall for you from a distance in an effort to keep you safe. He would take all of the falls for you, even if you never knew the truth.

"Oh. I'm actually sort of drowning in... paperwork right now." He tries to avoid your eyes. He hates thinking you may feel hurt from his words. "I'm sorry."

He can hear the pang of rejection in your laugh before you respond. "Oh no! It's totally fine, I probably have paperwork to finish too." He meets your eyes one more time before you take off. "I'll see you tomorrow."

━━━━

He knew you wouldn't see him the next day. Of course he hadn't mentioned that. He wonders if you will miss him while he's gone as he climbs through the skylight of Don Mitchell's home. It's quiet, but he can hear the television and the faint sound of a phone call in the distance. That's when he sees him, his target. The man who had promised so much, yet delivered nothing to the people who needed it the most.

What a disgusting man.

Mitchell is debating on the phone about the upcoming election. Of course he has plans to stay in office, another couple of years to do absolutely nothing. He doesn't want to hear it anymore.

He's disgusting. Filthy. Kill him, Edward.

So he does. He lets his body crash into the man until he can force the carpet tucker into the man's head multiple times. He doesn't even know how many times he's hit him at this point. It's almost like he has blacked out. Just the crunch of bones and squelch of flesh ringing in his ears. But he comes to when the man underneath him stops squirming.

He's high off adrenaline and his mind is racing, but he can only imagine what you would think about him if you had seen him in this moment. He straddles the man and imagines you were there, right in front of him. Looking down at the mess he's made. And he can imagine your smile.

It makes his body hot, and he lets his head fall back as he closes his eyes and lets the feeling sink in. He can hear your voice in his head.

Good boy, Edward. You've done such good for this city.

He can't help but let out a sigh of relief, because yes he wanted to be good for you. He can imagine The Bat standing right there next to you, and god- it's everything. The feeling of being loved and admired is everything to him, and he craves to feel it more. But it would have to wait.

━━━━

Confidence is flowing through him as he arrives back to KTMJ after his three day absence. He was sick. Or at least that's what he had told his boss to give himself enough time to make sure that everything was still in order and going according to plan. He can't wait to see you. He hopes you'd forgive him for his absence and he can see that you do as you smile slightly seeing him walk in. You inform him of what he had missed around the office as well as the passing of the city's mayor. He only raises an eyebrow in an attempt to feign shock at the situation.

"No but seriously where were you? I started to wonder if that psychopath got you too."

He smiles. He could look past your judgement for a moment because you cared about him and his well being. You worried about him in the same way he had worried about you. The same feeling that had provoked him to follow you home and watch you through your window. He smiles. "Just sick. November weather and all."

But the judgement soon became hard to overlook. You were visibly shaken at the news as the days went on. He had been doing all of this for you. He dreamed of creating a place where you no longer had to struggle and yet you were fearful of his actions. He can see this as you approach his desk and hold a hand to your forehead.

"Sorry. I needed to get out of that." You gesture to the other side of the room where a group of coworkers were watching the latest news broadcast. "The news?" He inquires quietly.

"Yeah. It's a little too much for me to stomach." He hesitates for a moment. "They were pricks. Don't you think they kind of deserved it?"

He doesn't understand. Pete Savage was dead. It was a good thing.

He was a pest.

"I think they were still people with families."

All he can do is frown as you walk away. He'd fucked up.

━━━━

So he swallows his pride and apologizes after work ends for the day. It was too much to bring to you so quickly. He would have to give you time to adjust. You replied with a curt "It's fine." and keep your eyes from meeting his.

Your body language towards him is uncomfortable and it's driving him up the walls. He wants things to be the way they were before, with you naturally gravitating towards him. He misses you. He lights a cigarette and takes a puff. It's a bad habit, but it's better than some of his other coping mechanisms. He decides to break the silence.

"And I'm sorry for last week."

He releases the tension in his shoulders when you finally look at him.

"I've had a lot going on, and it feels a little unfair to bring you into all of that."

"This feels like an excuse to let me down easy. It's okay if you just don't want to go on a date-"

He can't stand to hear you speak any longer. So he steps forward and plants his lips on yours. It's so warm. Once again he has the opportunity to feel normal. He could stay like this forever, but opts to pull back to gauge your reaction. He leaves his free hand on your face. "It's not an excuse. Things are just complicated for me right now." He's telling the truth for once. He hopes you believe him.

He watches you process for a moment, slowly. And then you press a kiss on the corner of his lips, and he's a goner.

"When you're ready."

━━━━

It was easy for him to pick the lock of your window, and he can't help but get a little giddy as he pulls himself through the threshold and plants his feet onto the hardwood floor of your bedroom. You're not home, but it smells like you.

So intoxicating, he thinks.

He lets his finger glide across the framed photos on your nightstand. Who are these people to you? Do they care about you? Do they see you the way he does? His fingers stop at the handle of the nightstand drawer. Hesitation sets in.

He had seen you bare, and yet he hesitates at opening the drawer. He wonders how many people you've slept with. How many people had seen you vulnerable the way he had. He wonders how many names you've moaned in that bed. Did you keep the drawer equipped for a one night stand? He skips the drawer.

He slips a glove off of one hand and feels the plush fabric of your bed. It smells like your shampoo. It's a pleasant scent that he had grown all too familiar with as you leaned into him at work.

"I think the answer might be 'desire'."

He perks up and faces you. "Hm?" You smile. "Number 9, down. 'To want.' It's desire." You lean over to lay a finger onto the page. He stutters.

"Right. Thanks."

A part of him wishes you were here and under the sheets. He closes his eyes under the mask and lets himself imagine it. He imagines what it would be like if you had let him in, if you had kissed him, if you had told him how incredible he looked. How imposing. He imagines a scenario in which you can accept him for it.

He can't help the hand that travels to palm his erection over his pants. That little voice in his head is encouraging. Just do it. They're out. They may not even be coming back. Or maybe they'll come back with someone else to take to bed. Mark your territory.

He pulls the latch of his belt open. It feels so wrong as he pictures your soft face focusing on paperwork at your desk. What would you think of him in this moment if you saw him? Would you be disgusted? Kick him out? Call him pathetic?

God, he'd give anything for you to just step on him. Just to call him pathetic.

His cock is already weeping when he gets it out of his pants. He keeps his strokes quick and tight. He can see you in the bed in front of him. He pictures the way your lips would feel wrapped around the tip of his aching erection. He wonders if it would feel as warm as his chest feels when he sees your smile. He'd do anything for you.

His orgasm comes quick and has whimpers racking through him. He falls to his knees on the hardwood floor and attempts to catch his breath before finally eyeing the spurts of cum that paint the front of his shirt and fist. He sighs.

You're pathetic, Edward.

━━━━

It becomes another one of his bad habits after that. It's wrong, he knows this. But it's even more thrilling when he can tell that you know. He can see it in your movements that you can feel him watching. It goes from frightening you to electrifying you. You used to hide under the sheets and squeeze your eyes shut. But you've quit closing the curtains before you climb into bed.

He's simply protecting you. Who's to say some creep won't try to claim you as their own. He'd never let it happen. And if you could get as much joy out of it as he could, why not?

He justifies it to himself as he watches you pull down your work tights slowly. In full view in the window, the moonlight hitting you perfectly, and god- he wants to claim you as his own. He watches as you arch your back. It's a shame he can't hear your moans through the glass from this distance. But it fuels his imagination well enough.

He can picture taking you from behind, up against the window he's watching you through. He wants the whole world to know that you're his. Yet, he always wants to hide you away and never share with anyone. He wonders if you'd like it with his mask on, or if you'd prefer to see him vulnerable to you. His fingers are itching to touch you and it's torture to watch you come to your end without him.

He wants so many things from you. It's selfish. Your body is beautiful, but he also wants your soul. He pictures himself settling down with you in a nice home far far away from Gotham. Maybe a kid or two, or maybe none, he doesn't really mind either way. It's everything he's ever wanted and yet he had convinced himself he would never have it. He's made himself a martyr. He can't come back from it. You had gotten to him too late. He feels tears stinging in his eyes as he comes.

━━━━

He can sense a shift in the atmosphere at the office in the next couple of weeks. He had taken care of Gil Colson and the finale was right around the corner. He tried to be giddy about it. He was once so excited to show people the real Gotham and to wash this city away promptly after. But now he had his doubts.

But there was no backing out for him. He would sacrifice himself just as he had planned. But he wanted to spend this last week with you. He needed it. He needed that last week of normalcy before he had to throw it all away.

He doesn't understand why you look so frightened when he pulls you into the alleyway after work. He kisses you, because he needs to. He's tired of watching you and not getting to touch you. But you're pulling away quickly and he finds himself reaching out for you, craving more. He brushes your arm in an attempt to comfort you. "Are you okay?"

"I know, Edward."

He knows what you mean, but he feigns innocence. "What?" He watches as you take two steps back out of his reach. "You're killing people." He can only stare at you. What was he supposed to say? Should he just admit it all to you right then and there?

He thinks about what it might be like to kill you in that moment. To feel the warmth of your blood running down his arms and face. But it doesn't bring that same satisfaction that came with all of his other kills. In fact, it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth and makes his stomach turn.

You meant too much. You weren't some corrupt snake parading as a saint. You were just a person trying their best to survive. He wants to leave kisses all over your soft face and apologize profusely at your feet for even allowing himself to think such a thought. In that moment he knows he will have to get you out before the flood. Otherwise, he will never be able to live with himself.

"I think you should go home and rest."

He leaves before you can react.

━━━━

He keeps good on his word. He will get you out of his hellhole before he destroys it. Before he wipes it clean. But first, you and him have unfinished business.

He climbs through your window while you shower. And he doesn't feel bad this time. It's his last chance. The last time he will likely ever see you again. He stands and waits patiently for the water to stop and the patter of your bare feet on the cold floor.

When you finally appear, his heart is pounding in his chest. You're wearing just a nightgown, your hair soaked. You look like an angel, he thinks. He may be the devil in your eyes, but that's okay.

He sees how you freeze when you see him. Eyes wide. Shaking. "Edward."

He smiles as he steps toward you and cups one of your cheeks. You're warm and soft even through the glove on his hand. He wipes a tear from your face with this thumb.

"No more through the window. I'll be gone soon."

He removed the mask he came in. He doesn't need it to feel powerful around you. "I watched you live for a month. I watched you eat, sleep, undress, touch yourself. But you knew that right? Otherwise you wouldn't have put on such a show."

You squirm in his grasp but he holds you tight and continues. "But that's alright. I'll tell you the truth because I hate liars. I liked knowing that you were doing it all for me. I wanted nothing more than to cleanse Gotham, to give them true salvation, but you put a dent into that plan. You became a distraction that I foolishly indulged."

He feels on top of the world. He softens his grip and holds you by the small of your back before softly kissing you. He wants you to feel safe with him. The news, the media, the politicians they all saw him as a monster. The devil. But for you he would soften his gaze, loosen up his shoulders, and bubble wrap the metaphorical horns on his head to keep them from poking you.

He leans back long enough to let you make your decision. He had bared his truth to you. He had expressed his want. If you wanted to leave you could. If you wanted him to stay he would. He would leave the ball in your court. But it only took a moment before your wide eyes closed and you surged forward to kiss him again. It's slightly violent the way your lips meet his and it's intoxicating to him. It floods a familiar heat into his belly.

You're opening up so wide for him. For his tongue in your mouth and his fingers up your nightgown. It's easy for him to slip the fabric of your panties off your legs. He moves to his knees as he speaks.

"I wanted to do it right. Wanted to take you to that diner, buy your food, take you home, and act like I hadn't thought about fucking you into your mattress every single night."

He stares up at you for a moment and relishes in the little moan that slips past your lips at his words, before diving in. You taste so good. He wants to be on his knees worshipping you for the rest of his goddamn life. He can't help but smile when his tongue curls over that spot that makes your hips jerk forward.

You're angelic.

"But it would be wrong to pretend to be someone I am not. I'm not a liar."

He lets two fingers prod at your entrance before sinking them in to his knuckles and curling up until you're yanking at his hair. "Eddie-" He's on his feet in an instant, swallowing up your moans in an open mouthed kiss, still working you open with his fingers. He can tell that you're right on the edge when he pulls his fingers from you, smiling at the whimpers you let out. He can't take it anymore, he needs to be inside you. So he pushes you to the bed and unbuckles his belt.

It's quick and intense. The feeling of your walls fluttering around him is unlike any other feeling he's experienced. It's better than the pleasure he gets from watching the life drain from his prey. He can't help but whimper.

You're gripping him so tight, if he weren't wearing the layer of green leather he's sure your nails would be biting into the skin of his back. He wants to bleed for you so badly. He meets your eyes, and he wants to pour everything he has into you. All of his love. But he spots the tears that are welling up in your eyes immediately and he falters a little.

He wipes away your tears just as he had before.

"Does this not make you happy?"

He's startled when you cradle his face in your hands. "I am happy. But what comes after this? Am I supposed to ignore you and pretend I know nothing about you? That I feel nothing for you?" He stops moving altogether. His heart burns. He had been so caught up in finally having you this close that he had let himself forget the situation he was in.

"I have to mean nothing to you. Momentarily."

His eyes are burning. The longer he looks at you the more he wants to cry. So he kisses you instead with all the love he has to give behind it and continues his movements.

He hears you start to speak, but cuts you off as his thrusts grow erratic and jerking. "I love you- please god- just say it back to me. Tell me you love me." And you force his eyes to meet yours by cradling his face again.

"Edward, I love you."

He falls apart, letting warm spurts of cum paint you from the inside out. He's never felt more alive as he buries his face into your neck and lets out soft whimpers and cries. He hopes you meant it. Though, he knows there's a chance you only said it to please him in the moment, he hopes and prays that you had secretly been holding back those words for weeks. He hopes you'll think of him often once he's gone. He rolls off of you and tucks himself back into his pants.

"I'm gonna turn myself in in a couple of days."

"Okay."

"You should leave Gotham. It's not going to be safe for you here. If the cops ask, you're visiting a friend in Bludhaven."

He grabs your hand and meets your gaze.

"I promise if I ever get out, I'll find you."

━━━━

It breaks his heart to watch you sleep next to him. It reminds him of everything he missed out on. For so much of his life he had nothing. Nobody. And yet now, as you clutch onto his arm in your slumber, he feels a pang in his heart. As if you're his. It makes him want to call off everything, neutralize the bombs, move the vans, pick you up and take you far away. Far enough that nothing could ever hurt you or him ever again.

But it's not realistic. He knows that you understand that by the way you had simply agreed with his plan to turn himself in. He selfishly hopes that you'd never be able to move on. That nobody would ever compare to him. He'd keep that thought in his head to cope with what's to come.

He slowly pushes himself off the bed and leans over your sleeping form. He presses a gentle kiss to your forehead, his way of saying "Goodbye. For now at least."

━━━━

The crack of the rifle has his ears ringing, but he doesn't care. He's put his body on autopilot. He's already down the fire escape and in the diner before the pigs can even comprehend what's happened. This was it. The beginning of the end.

He remembers your words.

He orders a slice of pumpkin pie and stirs his coffee while he waits for the inevitable.

#edward nashton #dano!riddler #dano riddler #paul dano riddler #edward nashton x reader #edward nashton x you #dano!riddler x reader #the riddler #the riddler x reader #paul dano #the batman #edward nashton smut #edward nashton angst #edward nashton fluff

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unrestrained-balderdash-art-blog · 3 months

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Really proud of the inks for my WIP, think I'll be posting inks separately if they're good enough to stand on their own

(Edit: finished version here)

#the riddler #edward nigma #edward nygma #riddler fanart #riddler #dc riddler #the riddler fanart #dc #dcu #dc fanart #riddler in a straitjacket #arkham asylum #fanart #artists on tumblr #tw restraints #cw restraints #angst warning #fave art

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thehardesthue · 1 year

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And I wake up alone...

#gotham tv #gotham #gotham fanart #the penguin #oswald cobblepot #robin lord taylor #nygmobblepot #penguin x riddler #amy winehouse #angst #the riddler #edward nygma #cory michael smith #original art #fanart #riddler x penguin #riddlebird #thehardesthue

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batmanie · 3 months

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Rip apart/Sew anew - Scriddler

The Riddler was weeping, sitting in a darkest corner of his spacious hideout, his back pressed against the cold, basement wall. Scarecrow stood over him, avoiding any sudden movements, simply observing this sad picture of a complete mental deterioration.

Almost every inch of empty surface inside the abandoned orphanage was painted green with riddles, equations, and question marks – the writing was on the wall, in a very literal sense.

“I can’t…” Edward muttered to himself, his voice hushed, his hands covering his head in a protective gesture. “...can’t do it… It won’t work… Why doesn’t it work? Why?”

Scarecrow could see that his right hand was injured, blood from a shallow cut on a side of his palm was oozing into Edward’s messy hair, staining his forehead, and dripping down his face.

Riddler didn’t seem to notice that at all, he just sat there with his knees close to his chest, as if he wanted to make himself look smaller, to shrink, and to disappear from existence.

“Why? Why? WHY?” Edward wailed, tears streaming down his hollow cheeks. “I tried, and they still don’t act the way I programmed them to. I can’t get it right! I don’t know how... I’m a failure! A cheater! Stupid, stupid, stupid…”

Read the full chapter here -> https://archiveofourown.org/works/19347592/chapters/135425050

Warning for a triggering content: psychological torture, abuse, violence, mentioned suicide attempt, and child abuse.

#scriddler #angst #edward nygma #riddler #jonathan crane #scarecrow #batman #bat-mania #temarcia #batman fanfiction #my story #arkhamverse #belting #discipline #dark stuff

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creepling · 1 year

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Idk if you still do this but maybe a scenario about dano riddler getting a panic attack from seeing a rat (ophranage memories coming back to him) and a male/gn reader comforts him?

<?> the ratcatcher - e. nashton

edward nashton x gn!reader / <1k words

tags: angst to comfort. reader helps edward through a panic attack. childhood trauma. musophobia. i think i depicted more c-ptsd than a panic attack in this but they kinda go hand in hand??

an: hey thanks for the request!! sorry if i didn't do it any justice but i liked your request and wanted to try it out. also just sorry in gen for not much uploads, i'm swamped with uni deadlines and haven't had motivation to write much, but your request helped that so ty<3

It was time for spring cleaning, and Edward took it upon himself to clear the cupboard beneath the sink. He was guilty of putting random things in there; plastic bags, pest poison, and cleaning products with no organisation. He got to work gutting the abundance of plastic bags, each revealing how dark it was inside the cabinet.

“Hey, can you get me a flashlight?” Edward asked you.

You fetched the torch from another storage cupboard full of junk and tossed it to Edward, noticing the trash pooling around him.

“Damn, was that all in there?” You asked.

Edward flicked the flashlight on, guiding the light inside the dark cabinet. A strong scent of dampness emerged from the darkness, overwhelming Edward immediately.

His hand began to tremble.

“Y-Yeah, I have a habit of stuffing things in it,” Edward nervously laughed.

The smell was familiar in the wrong ways. Images of the mouldy walls in the orphanage. He was breathing in the mould, day in and day out, a constant cough plaguing his childhood.

“I’ll clear all this,” You said, picking up the plastic bags and taking them to the bin.

Edward sucked in a breath, continuing to look inside the cupboard. The pipes were moist and leaking. That caused the mould. He kept a mental note to ask you to fix it. Or this could be something that cannot be restored. His past has come back to haunt him, clinging to the walls of his home. He will never escape this. The darkness in the cupboard will claim him, swallow him whole. A lump began to grow in Edward’s throat.

Edward shined the light to the far corner, where the mould clung higher up, its black centre claiming the corner of the wall. The light revealed a ball of greasy brown fur the size of a shoe. The light startled it, flashing black beady eyes. Its yellow teeth bucked out in fright, and Edward’s eyes widened. It scurried the opposite side, and its sudden movement made Edward drop the flashlight and back off from the cupboard.

The thump of the torch on the ground startled you. You rushed to Edward, witnessing him crawled up in a ball, clinging to his trembling limbs.

Edward was absent. He was back there. Waking up from a light sleep, the mould filling his lungs. The rats nibbled at his fingers, their eyes glistening in hunger. He felt no pain. His fingers were too numb from the cold. His limbs ached, and chills overcame his body. He could not move. He could not scream. All he could do was look at the rats eating away at his cold skin, his eyes wide in panic.

“Edward, please, look at me,” You sat with him, soothing his back, brushing his hair away from his forehead. Once Edward managed to make eye contact, you asked him to breathe slowly. You breathed in and out slowly, and he attempted to copy your pace.

“The rat is gone, Edward. You’re not there anymore. You’re here with me, okay? I’m not going anywhere,”

Edward began to nod, but his heart was still racing. Tears began to run down his cheeks, and you gently wiped them away. “Tell me what you need,” You said.

“St-Stay with me,” He pleaded, gripping the fabric of his shirt.

You nodded, “I’ll always be here. I love you, Edward. More than anything in this world,”

Internal anger filled your mind, but your eyes stayed empathetic. Gotham was fucked up. How many others are out there, traumatised by this city? Someone must pay for this, but you kept your thoughts to yourself. Edward needed comfort, not a reminder to seek revenge.

Your voice helped soothe Edward’s mind. His breath became level, and a sense of calmness came over him. Suddenly he was exhausted, and his tensed arms grew limb. He tried to get up from the floor, but you helped him.

“You okay?” You asked.

Edward nodded, staying quiet. He wrapped his arms around you and lightly kissed your forehead. You smiled up at him, cupping his cheek into your hand, sadness swelling within you at his tired eyes.

“Let’s just go to bed, huh?” He suggested. You nodded, guiding him to the bedroom where you lay with Edward in your arms, soothing his tired body until he fell into a peaceful sleep.

#edward nashton x reader #the riddler x reader #dano!riddler x reader #angst to comfort #the batman 2022 #paul dano #danonation

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shyjusticewarrior · 11 months

Text

Gotham Incorrect Quotes Pt 177

Ed: And then Oswald put his hand on my shoulder for a second. He didn't even squeeze it, he just like rested his hand on top of my shoulder. And I was just thinking...

How could he not hate me? How could this guy not hate me? How could he not-

Ed, breaking down crying: How could he not hate me?

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writingsofmax · 2 years

Text

Disarm pt. 5

Words: 3,161

Story Summary: Edward and Y/N's relationship slowly blossoms and Edward tries to reckon with his feelings about it.

Tags: slowburn, chronically ill reader, anti-social Edward, emotional distress, heart to heart, angst, hurt/comfort, online stalking

warnings: emotional distress, panic attack symptoms, canon-typical description of orphanage environment and child death, online stalking

Part one

Chapter 5- Down With Secrets I Can't Keep

When Edward had gotten home after the park outing, he felt agitated, like his world was a little off-kilter. He took a quick shower, made some coffee, and sat down at his laptop to compile financial documents for his latest info leak to his followers. Despite all of this, Y/N would still drift into his mind. He would be typing up his manifesto and then his next thought would be about what Y/N would think if she was reading it. He would be writing detailed schedules in his ledger for his plans and then write anagrams of her name in the margins. It frustrated him to no end. He could not get her out of his mind.

Before, focusing on the Renewal Plan had been easy. He would just think about his life, how he had been treated and focus on the hate he felt. It led him to an almost trance-like state where he could focus for hours and hours on end. Sometimes he didn’t even remember filling out entire sections of his ledgers, but they would be full of his writing the next day, his hands smeared with ink.

Now, it was more difficult because thoughts of Y/N would break his concentration.

Whenever he got really distracted and couldn’t refocus on the Renewal plan at all, he would give in and text her. Usually it was just a riddle because he didn’t know what else to say, but she would always answer. Then the conversations would flow more naturally when she would text back. This eventually led to them meeting and talking regularly. They talked about politics, about Gotham, about how, as Y/N put it, “how bad things are in the world” and what they would do to change it. I am going to change it. So soon now. I am going to recreate Gotham from the ground up. After a few weeks, he even told her about what he had found with the Renewal Fund. She had been furious at the Mayor and Falcone, and then scared.

“Edward, you know what they do to whistleblowers.” she whispered, a concerned look in her eyes. Edward giggled at her naivety, “I’m obviously not going to let them trace it back to me, I’m not stupid. I make sure to reroute the website through multiple servers and…” Edward continued on about firewalls, and multiple proxies and unbreakable ciphers, and then stopped when he realized he was getting into one of his trance-like moods again. Y/N had smiled as she pushed her hair from her face, “I sometimes forget how smart you are.”

He started asking how she was feeling. That was strange for him, he had actively tried his whole life not to care about other people, but he often found himself thinking––no, worried––about how she was.

He had even created a separate ledger just for her. The front cover was an anagram of her name and inside were detailed accounts of everything they talked about, a daily log of how she was feeling, her symptoms and any other information about her health that he could compile: doctor’s names and numbers, medications and pharmacies.

When she had mentioned her doctor's appointments to him in passing, he found her patient login later that night. I should really tell Y/N to get two-factor encryption, this was way too easy for me to get into, he had thought. From there, he got her medical history, recorded it, and filed it away. He didn’t want her information to be lost when he flooded Gotham. If Gotham wasn’t going to take care of her, he could.

He tried his best not to question why he was doing this. Self-introspection had never led him anywhere good in the past. There had been so many nights as a child that he had spent thinking: Why me? Why didn’t my parents want me? What’s wrong with me? Why, why, why, why, why.. These questions, unlike riddles and puzzles and equations, didn't have a clear knowable answer so he stopped thinking about them. He stopped questioning why he did anything at all, really.

He just decided that it was because she was a kindred spirit, a comrade. He was going to make sure that no one would ever have to be treated like he was, or she was ever again. He would make sure that both of them were taken care of in his new Gotham. That was all it meant.

And anyway, he did enjoy the companionship. It wasn’t something that he had ever had before, so it was still uncomfortable sometimes, but he deduced that the positives outweighed the negatives.

His plans were coming along quickly now. He had the information he needed, the pictures, and a dedicated following online. Thank you to Y/N for being good public speaking practice. He had even come up with a name for his persona.

Edward Nashton didn’t quite fit. He had hated his last name, courtesy of the parents that had abandoned him. And everyone who knew him by his name didn’t think of him as a vigilante… A bringer of justice. No, everyone who knew Edward Nashton saw him as a strange, quiet, unremarkable fellow. Hm. I guess not everyone. He thought as he worked on Y/N’s ledger.

Actually, Y/N had been quite helpful with his cause so far. She had started keeping an eye out on the comings and goings of the police in the park and reported what she saw to Edward, helping him compile information. She was also able to watch the news when Edward was at work and tell him what was being reported on, and how Wayne Enterprises and the Gotham PD were being construed to the public.

It was her that had helped him come up with his name: The Riddler.

“I have a question,” Y/N had asked, peering at him over a cup of tea.

“I have an answer,” Edward smirked, filling out a crossword.

“Why do you always text me riddles?” she asked, giving him a curious look. She stirred her tea before taking a sip.

“I just like them.” Edward paused ever so slightly while writing, before filling out the rest of the boxes.

“There has to be more to it than that,” Y/N complained exasperatedly.

Edward put his pen down and looked at her. “I don’t like talking about myself.”

“Edward, I hardly know anything about you, but I feel like you know everything about me! You won’t even tell me why you like riddles so much,” she whined.

I do know everything about you, Edward thought.

“Come on, open up a little,” she prodded, pointing at him with her spoon.

“Fine.” Edward let out a frustrated exhale. “So. When I was younger I had… a rough time.” Edward clasped his fingers together in his lap tightly. “And…my…” he trailed off, picking up his pen again. “I’m sorry, can we walk around a bit while I talk about this? I don’t want to talk about it here.”

Y/N motioned to the waitress to bring the bill over. “Of course… whatever you need, Eddie.”

Eddie. She’s never called me that before, no one has, Edward mused while waiting for her outside. Edward didn’t really like nicknames, but the way she had said it made it tolerable, he supposed. Maybe a little enjoyable. At least it’s not Ed-weird.

Y/N met him outside and they walked as he continued. “My home life wasn’t the best, so I needed something to distract me.” He was hating every second of this conversation. Being vulnerable around others wasn’t exactly one of his strengths.

“I couldn’t figure out why things were so hard for me, and to stop thinking about that I came up with games. Rhyming words, coming up with anagrams, thinking of dual meanings of words. After that I got into riddles,” his pace quickened.

A memory surfaced of the grimy book of riddles he had found in one of the forgotten rooms of the orphanage. He would pull it out from under his bed at night to read. He had always kept it hidden because it was against the rules to keep any personal belongings. He had read that book cover to cover to keep his mind off the cold and hunger. He had mastered all the riddles inside pretty quickly.

“They gave me something to focus on and it came really easily to me.”

“E-Eddie hold on a second, you’re walking so fast.” Y/N had stopped a few paces behind him to catch her breath.

Eddie again. He stopped and walked back towards Y/N. He hesitated for a moment before offering her his hand to stand back up. She took it and he felt his head go a little fuzzy. Quickly letting go, he stammered, “Sorry about that. I wasn’t paying attention.”

“It’s okay,” Y/N replied, catching her breath, looking up at him and giving him an apologetic smile. Edward wondered how he hadn’t noticed how pleasant her smile was before.

“Thanks for telling me that. It’s nice to know about you.”

Edward felt nervous and he didn’t like being nervous so decided to change the subject.

“Anyway, why are you calling me Eddie now?” he asked with a pointed look.

Y/N looked up at him amused. “Oh, I’m sorry, would you prefer I call you Riddler?” she teased.

Edward scowled outwardly but felt butterflies in his stomach. “Eddie is fine, I guess.”

—-—————————————————————-

Edward looked up at the clock on his desk. It was close to 5:00, when Y/N said she would be over.

He had tried to keep her away from his apartment as long as possible but it had been getting difficult to keep coming up with excuses. He had moved his traps to storage, taken down some of the postings on his wall, and had hidden the Riddler backsplash curtain he had made for his streams.

He was thankful he didn’t have to move all of the Renewal information from his wall since Y/N was helping him with it now. The way he laid out and understood the information was spatial, and moving it around well… it disturbed things. It was fine though, he could always put it up again later if it meant maintaining his relationship with Y/N.

He anxiously checked each room in his apartment making sure there was nothing out that would give him away to Y/N. Sure she knew about the Renewal fund and the information he had but she didn’t really know about the true extent of his plans and he wanted to keep it that way.

A knock at the door interrupted Edward’s thoughts. He scanned the room one more time grabbing Y/N’s ledger and tossing it under the couch last minute before opening the door.

“Hey, Eddie,” Y/N gushed excitedly. She always seemed so happy whenever he saw her.

“Hello,” Edward replied, looking down at her from across the doorway.

“So this is where you live!” she remarked, looking around the hallway of the old building. “I didn’t realize you lived so close to the diner. That must be nice.”

Edward shifted his weight against the doorframe and looked out the hallway window. “Yeah, I guess it is. Never really thought about that.”

“So, uh… you gonna’ let me in?” Y/N asked, trying to look past his tall frame into the apartment.

Edward braced himself internally and stepped to the side awkwardly. “Come in.”

Y/N walked in, immediately being drawn to the Renewal wall. Her eyes widened at the photos and articles that were tacked up. “Oh wow, you’ve really tracked everything out.” She was quiet as she continued looking.

Edward waited for her to make some quick excuse to leave and then never speak to him again.

“This is really impressive!” she remarked, moving over to the window. “A very nice view.” The next second she was in the kitchen and Edward heard her say “gas stove.”

He wasn’t sure who she was talking to, but felt himself grow concerned as she moved to the hallway and bathroom. His apartment was his personal space. He had to share spaces all of his life, first at the orphanage and then in college. This apartment had been the first time that he could have his own area. It was putting him on edge that she was looking through everything, he didn’t want her finding anything that she shouldn’t see.

“Y/N,” he called, “Come back out here!” he sounded more nervous than he had meant to. Y/N popped back out into the living room. “This is nice!”

“Yes. It’s an apartment. Have you seen everything you needed to see?” he asked, rolling his eyes.

Y/N didn’t notice. “Yeah!” She plopped down on his couch and pulled a book from her bag.

Edward felt relieved that she had stopped looking around so much. He pulled a book from his shelf and sat next to her on the couch, opening it to where he left off. They did this sometimes, just hung out together and read or Edward would work on puzzles or write. That was usually on days like today where they would hang out after Edward got off work. They didn’t always have to talk about things. That overwhelmed him anyway––this was nicer. It was comfortable.

After a while, Y/N got up to stretch and walked over to the Renewal wall. Edward glanced at her over the pages of his book and then went back to reading.

“Hey, Eddie?” she asked, leaning in to inspect something. “Is that… you?”

Shit shit shit. He had missed one picture of him from his orphanage days.

“I would have never guessed you were in choir!” she grinned, and looked closer. “Wait...” her face fell. “Is this from the orphanage..?”

She looked at Edward for understanding.

“Eddie, were you in the—”

“Yes.” Why did I leave that up there? Edward felt like his apartment was too hot. He stood up, trying to get some air.

She looked shocked. “You lived there?”

“Yes,” he answered so quietly that Y/N almost didn’t hear it.

“For how long?” she turned away from the wall, trying to read Edward’s expression with a dismayed look. Edward let out a shaky exhale. “If you must know. I… I grew up at the um,” he cleared his throat. “Gotham Orphanage… I had been left there as a baby. It was hell.” He was quiet for a long time, gathering his thoughts.

Y/N broke the silence by speaking quietly, “I used to follow what went on there. I heard the stories… They seemed like they couldn’t possibly be true but they were. I… I remember volunteering there in high school, and you could tell how hastily they tried to cover up what it was really like there.”

She sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to her, offering for Edward to come sit. Edward sat down, trying to get ahold of his emotions. This was all so sudden and unprepared for––he felt like he was drowning.

Y/N rubbed her hands together nervously. “Back when the orphanage burned down, it was obviously terrible—I’m not saying that it wasn’t, but I remember finding myself a little… relieved.” She snuck a glance at Edward before continuing. “Because Gotham would be forced to build new facilities for them.”

Edward continued to say nothing, just sat staring straight forward, his expression unreadable.

“I can understand why you care so much about the renewal fund now. Not that it didn’t make sense before but… you were affected directly. What was it like growing up there? I can’t even imagine,” Y/N murmured, her eyes downcast. “Yeah it was… awful,” Edward answered, surprising himself. He could feel his hands shaking. “I saw kids die there, you know? I…” Edward drifted off. He had never spoken about his experiences out loud with someone, and the emotions that were coming up were intense

“It was always cold and damp. There were rats that would crawl on you while you were sleeping. There was never enough food for everyone. In the beginning I tried to help. I did try,” he swallowed, “But it was useless. I couldn’t save any of them. After a while, I found that it was easier to just….” He waved his hand. “Not get involved with people. To shut off the empathy and the sympathy. Stop thinking about what’s happening to everyone around you and focus on surviving yourself, you know?”

He knew he was gripping the couch so hard it hurt, but he was afraid to let go––his emotions threatening to become uncontrollable. He had a vision of wounds on his hands, stigmata open and bleeding. “Eddie, you were just a kid. That shouldn’t have been on you.” Her voice sounded so sweet, pulling him through.

Edward noticed that Y/N was blinking back tears. “You should have never been put through any of that. Okay?” She reached over and took one of his hands, gently unclenching his fingers before holding them securely between both of her hands. “I’m going to do everything I can to help you with this. We’re going to expose the renewal fund together,” she whispered, voice choked with emotion.

In that moment, Edward felt like he was being seen for the first time in his life, the dark waters of his mind cleared.

Her touch on his hands felt like being saved.

She rubbed the top of his hand with her thumbs gently. Her eyes were so inviting, so much better than the dark memories that threatened to overwhelm him. As she moved closer on the couch, Edward’s throat felt dry. His heartbeat felt like it was skipping––he needed air. He stood up quickly, startling Y/N. “It’s um––” he moved to the door. “It’s getting late. I’m tired.” He looked back over at Y/N who was still on the couch. “I have work tomorrow so…” Y/N started getting up. “I can take you home.” Her expression was unreadable to him. “Yeah, Edward…” she stood awkwardly beside the couch. “Of course. I’m ready to go whenever,” she finished, grabbing her things.

Edward held the door open for her, and locked it behind the two of them. It still wasn’t any easier to breathe. His mind was spinning, he thought that back on the couch that he had wanted to…. No. Don’t go there. Not now. He rested his forehead against the cool of the door, closing his eyes, willing the world to stop spinning for a second.

“Edward, you okay? You ready?” Y/N called from down the hall.

“Y-yeah!” Edward shouted back. He shook his head forcing himself to stop thinking about it.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” he whispered to himself.

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just-an-enby-lemon · 1 year

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Sometimes I think I should do a Scriddler fanfic for the only reason I never saw people writing their dinamic as Cecilos but fucked up and evil.

I need my Riddler with weird radio host vibes who is a genius but on a unconvencional way and manipulate people in a whim but it's really bad with other people secrets and my Scarecrow to be the socially ackward overly curious scientist who loves his work to obcessive levels, is convencionaly smart, mesures all his worlds and is very confused by this guy who is super vocal about his crush on him.

I want Eddie destroying the life of a random hairdresser because they gave Jon a bad haircurt and how dare they do that with Jon's perfect hair (and since I want Eddie to have Cecil's obcession but Jon to not be convencionally atractive like Carlos is this will make Jon rly confused because Edward was the only person who thought his hair was perfect to beging with). I want Jon to talk about how sometimes you spend a lot of time thinking someone has bad intentions when they are actually genuine as his declaration.

I want them to be apart and Jon to lie about how he got it worse to spare Eddie's feelings while Eddie goes into a depressive episode because he is alone (or Cecil learning to not be codependent, Carlos learning to be more open and me learning that I rly love angst).

I want Edward having to face the fact that there are parts of Jonathan live he doesn't know and will never know as he finds bits of the reasons Jon came to Gotham until his digging causes their first major fight.

#i stopped the post in this point because even though i'm following the recent wtnv episodes now I want to rewatch the old ones #i miss old woman josie #has been years and I still miss her #wtnv #cecilos #scriddler #edward nygma #riddler #jonathan crane #scarecrow #also i need to read more cecilos fanfic #specially cecil angst and hurt/confort #also this post made me realize that the reason i ship scriddler is the fucked up and evil cecilos potential no one else sees #i mean i already knew I shipped them for the potential dinamics and not for the cannon ones #as most of my ships are based on potential dinamics and transformative work #specially in comic books #where nothing is consistent and eternal as it is something wrote by multiple people over multiple years in different medias #and for different audiences #cannon is rly more of a recomendations guide than a law to abide by #super hero comics are one of the best spaces for transformative work because of that

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finzphoenix · 1 month

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A mind of madness, consumed by fright, The body still alive, the soul left that night. The one that once was, can’t be anymore, Only sorrow now, and emptiness galore....

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arctorres · 2 months

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WIP

love some good scriddler angst hehehe

#art #batman #batman villains #dc comics #dcu #digital art #digital artist #gotham #gotham villains #rogues the podcast #scriddler #dc scarecrow #the riddler #work in progress #art wip #angst #dr jonathan crane #edward nigma #edward nygma

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vitchimage · 2 years

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Can i get a battinson x reader where the reader is kidnapped by the riddler because the riddler is yandere for the reader. He keeps her for months and batman is trying to find the reader but can't. One day he finds the reader and batman captures her because she keeps running away from him but he needs info about the riddler. He tends to her wounds and falls in love with her and asks her to stay. Alfred becomes her dad to and just fluff of him comforting her even though she's scared a lil. TYSM!!

Really really sorry for the long wait! But it's here now <3 I hope you love it, and maybe even turn out as you expected.. :)

This idea was just *chef kiss* ISTG you all have so many beautiful and lovely ideas!

TW!: Very brutal and maybe a bit graphic? What I mean is breaking bones in detail, and violence if you squint. Gaslighting, manipulation, toxic and abusive "relationship", trauma/panic attack if you squint.

Note: It's funny I wrote 'Running up that hill' and then Stranger Things S4 came out lmao. I didn't even know about the song until ST 4 came LDAD but now I'm addicted to it.

ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀᴠɪᴏᴜʀ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ – ꜰᴀʟʟ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟʟ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴀ ʙʟɪꜱꜱ

“My dear..” his voice gave her chills. “Trying to escape again? I taught you better than this,”

“I’m sorry..I’m sorry..” she begged and cried, “I didn’t mean to..”

‘I just wanted to go home..I just…’ How did it even come to this? How long has it been since she has seen the outside of this bird cage?

He kneels to her eyes level, hand stroking her cheek making her flinch, “I just wants the best for you, please know that..”

“You made me do this, this is all for you..” It scared her how his voice was so soft, yet the malice from him was clear.

She prepared for any punishment handed out to her as she begged someone to set her free.

Anyone..

–

“Months, Alfred, months, she has been missing for months. Along with Riddler.”

Bruce huffs frustrated, “She is a curcial key yet not once has she been seen nor found.”

“Do you really think she might be riddler’s accomplice?” Alfred puts the tea beside him.

“Riddler has no reason to kidnap a person like that, unless to mess with me. But there has been no sign of her, no hostage threats or anything – so there is a slight chance–”

“Well, commissioner Gordon might be a bit of help,”

“What?”

“He is waiting for you upstairs, it’s about Y/N L/N.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He chugs down the tea, quickly dashing upstairs.

“You never let me get the chance too,” Alfred sighs, following pursuit.

–

Hours has passed and all she felt was numb, tears has dried and the aches semmed to have faded.

She hugged her knees, as she was locked in the room, ankle chanied making her unable to leave.

Maybe she was doomed to be like this forever? Was this really her fate?

The more she thought about it, the more she felt the taste of despair. But deep down, a small fuel still burned and longed for any chance to run, to get out of here.

Maybe she should just wait, act like a good girl so he can let his guard down, and then she can strike.

Yet, the toxictiy in her minds seemed to differ. Maybe it was for the best, Gotham is indeed dangerous. She has seen it’s ugly side, and how uglier it can get. Maybe it was indeed the best for her, after all if she is good he won’t harm her. She just need to..

The sound of someone breaking through some doors, could be heard.

‘What..?’ She looks up, ‘What’s happening..?’

Her breathing quickens, it couldn’t be Edward, he was already out for business and wouldn’t come back for awhile. But what if this was some sick morbid joke to make her scared of escaping? To fear the outside, to prove how dangerous and brutal Gotham is?

The sound grew louder, and louder, closer and closer. Until it reached hers.

“Eep!” She coward for a second or two, before quickly thinking of a way to get out here.

“RIDDLER!” the voice booms from the other side. It was deep, it was stern.

“Y/N L/N!” it yells again, trying to bust down the door.

The person behind that door wasn’t riddler, no, his voice was way to deep.

Then who could it be?

‘Now is not the time to think about that!’ She scolded as she looked around for a way out.

Was it such a time where she wished Edward was here, just like now?

Fear and aderline kept rising, it’s a good thing Edward made that door a tad bit stronger, or else they would have busted through that door the second they hitted it.

“...!”

Her eyes landed on a window beside her, a sense of relief, she scanned around the empty room, looking for some sort of way to break the chains. But to her despair, there was none.

“Y/N!” A hole was made through that door, it won’t last much longer.

Panicked she tried to free herself, yanking at the chains around her ankel in hopes that it would break.

CRACK!

The sound of a bone breaking could be heard, and she screamed in pain.

The person stopped for a moment, before they continued, much faster and stronger.

The sound of the chains breaking was like music to her ears, and she crawled back towards the window just as the door bursts opened.

The man before her was wearing some sort of suit looking like a bat, his eyes pierving through her.

Gotham is dangerous my dear, there are so many people out there seeking to harm you.

Especially the man in a batsuit.

Don’t trust him, don’t trust any of them.

They just want to harm you, they are no good for you, if only you knew their evil deeds.

It’s ok, I’ll protect you from them.

I love you.

I love you, my sweet little angel.

His sweet whispers of lies sang in her head, eyes starring terrified at the man in the batsuit.

With each steps he took closer to her, the more she back away until she felt the wall hit her back.

The man in the batsuit looked at the chains for a moment, before turning his eyes towards her.

“ Y/N L/N.” He calls out to her.

Y/N looks behind her, noticing she is right under the window, before turning her eyes towards his.

“I believe there is something we need to discuss.”

‘Discuss? is that an excuse to..--’ She didn’t want to think about the last few words.

It’s amazing what a person can do to someone just in a few months. The poison of lies being fed to your brain to the point it becomes the truth.

“I..” Words got stuck in her throat, trembling and having no other choice, she slids out of the window. Afterall she doesn’t want to be in pain anymore, and the damage of the fall will only be temporarily. At least that’s what she told herself.

“...!” The man reaches towards her, hands barely grasping as she fell further down.

“DAMN IT!” He yells, the window was obviously to small for him to slip out like she did, if so, he had to take off his suit – something he can’t afford to do. So, not having much option he dashed to get outside.

Coordinating her body right, she landed on her feets and legs, breaking both of them.

“AAGH!” tears slid down from the unbearable pain, masked with the heavy rain of Gotham.

She had landed in an allyway, and having no choice she dragged her body somewhere.

Somewhere far away from the person, from him.

And it was impressive how far she had gotten that it took a quite a while for the man to catch up until another man stood before her, gun pointing at her.

“Stand–!”

‘Ah, he must have called for back up or some sort…I’m doomed..’

Her breathing became heavy and the man seemed to lower his gun at the sight of her state. Horrified and concerned is a way to decribe his expression.

“You..” He began, but ended at that as he remained speechless as he was probably not expecting this situation, “What the hell did he do to you?”

Bruises, marks, cuts, scars and bandages decorated and littered all over her body.

“Broke me.” She answered a smile on her face despite the tears.

She felt someone pull against them, knocking her unconscious as she tried to struuggle with all the energy she barely had left.

–

Y/N found herself on the floor as soon as she woke up, trying to crawl, to drag her body away from this unkown place.

With the stone cold walls, it looked like a cave. Yet there wasn’t any dirt nor rocks beneath her, it was actually a sturdy floor.

When she had opened her eyes seconds ago, she was sitting in a hostpital dialysis bed.

Panicked, as memories of the past with Edward kicked in, her first instinct was getting away.

She remembered it, that day when hell had just begun.

–

“Oh, you’re finally awake!” His cheery voice rang in her dizzy state.

“Where..”

“Our home!” He chriped, Ah, my love at last, I can finally have you all for myself.”

“Nobody is going to take you away from me now...”

Gaining her concious fully she immediatly panicked. She was strapped against a bed-like chair.

“There is no need to panic, no need to fear. I’m here, and only me here..”

He stroked her hair, “And you’re safe here with me, I’ll protect you..”

In a quick movement, she bit his hand making him yank his hand back, backing away a bit.

“How dare you! After all the things I did for you!”

“For me?! How is this for me?! I don’t even know who you are!”

It was stupid the ask him to let her go, she knew it.

As looking into his eyes, a deep sense of twisted love, no, obsession, painted them – telling her he won’t let her go. Her freedom had been stolen from a single person.

It’s scary how easy it is, with just a flick of hand.

She shut her mouth, fear kicked in at his glare.

What happened? She was so brave a moment ago, but just a gaze like this, she felt chills.

“There is no helping it, everyone has to learn something right?” His grip around his hand tightened. And she gulped.

First day, the first punishments.

–

“Don’t move.” An icy voice rang, “Unless you want me to tie you down.”

She flinched. And the voice behind her, picked her up and placed her back on the dialysis bed.

Dark brown hair, newly shaved with dark eyeshadow and piercing blue eyes. His body language seemed like someone who is stoic and stern.

And in a weird sense of way, he was handsome. Maybe she would have thought he was more devilishly handsome hadn’t it been for him being her capture.

“Please let me go..” She whispered a plea.

“I will, once I get the information I need from you.” He tended her wounds making her hiss, “So start talking.”

“What information..?”

“About the Riddler,”

Her breathing hitched, “I.. don’t know..”

“You disappeared with him for a few months, and you’re telling me that there’s–” He stopped in mid-sentence.

It didn’t take a genius like him to understand her expression. Horrified, frightened.

“I didn’t go with him, he..” her breathening quickened,

‘Oh god what if he founds out I’m here? What would he do? what..’

“I need to go..! Please let me go!” She began screaming,

No matter where you run, I’ll always find you, we are meant to be, this is fate..

“If he finds me...if he..”

Trying to run away again? What did I say about this? What did I teach you regarding this?

“Hey, breathe!” His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

Seeing her breathing slowing down he began, “He isn’t going to find you, you’re safe here.”

She didn’t utter a word. Tears stained her cheeks.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I should have known better,”

“It’s nothing.” Her voice was flat.

His lips formd into a thin line as he continued to patch her up, without another word uttered.

–

Bruce.

Bruce Wayne was his name, hiding behind that fearful mask.

He had offered her to stay here in sake of her her safety, to which, without really knowing why. She agreed and accepted it.

Maybe because she feared what would happened if she rejected the offer, considering she was taught to accept. And accept.

But days went by, she felt hostile yet so peaceful, conflicted.

She hadn’t felt this in awhile.

This safety, this warmth, the tender of his care. But that’s what scared her, having forgotten what it was like, used to the opposite, it didn’t feel safe either.

Y/N strolls through the garden in a wheelchair with Alfred beside her, his butler.

“You got an appointment with the physical therapist next monday.”

“Ah, right. My legs are better now, right?” Her voice was quiet, scared if it was any higher, she would be punished, but despite her wrong doings during her stay, never once was she punished, nor yelled at.

Bruce tone may have been sharp at times, yes, but it had always been like that. And after awhile his tone grew more gentle, learning quickly that sharp tones scares her.

“Sort of, but due to not having walked for days or months, walking and moving your legs would be no simple tasks.”

Y/N laughs at that, “I guess so. Sorry it was stupid.”

“Nothing is stupid, miss.”

She smiles at that, the feeling of reassurance floods in.

Something she had missed.

Something she used to get from her dad.

But he was no longer here to fill that tasks, nor any of her family members.

In a strange sense of way, Alfred and Bruce was all that she had left now.

“Everything is going to be alright, miss..” Alfred carefully puts a hand on her shoulder.

“Thanks, Alfred..”

They strolled around for a moment, comfortable silence took place.

“It’s pretty…” Y/N suddenly spoke up.

“Do you like them?”

She smiles softly, “Yes, lilies somehow gives me comfort, especially poppies.”

Alfred didn't question it, mumbling out a,

“I see,”

And thus they both stood there in awhile admiring the flowers as the gentle breeze passes by.

–

Soon after, she grew more and more closer to them, feeling more comfortable.

“Therapy session was great!” Y/N began to tell Bruce on how it went, not only with physical therapy, but with normal therapy as well, as they strolled down the street. Her eyes sparkling so bright, brighter than before.

Bruce felt a ting of warmth soothe through at that. At how lively she looked, at how lovely she looked. Her smile brightens his surrounding, the way her eyes shines –

His sun in life. She was his sun in life.

And that warmth continued to grow and radiate each day.

As soon as she finishes, Bruce chuckles and ask if he could quickly excuse himself.

Y/N felt nervous, scared, her smile falter.

‘No, no..keep smiling’ He had a strong urge to say it, the thought became intense.

“I’ll be close by, and I’ll be quick.”

She fidgets not answering.

“Y/N look at me,”

“...”

“Please look at me..”

She looks up, meeting his blue orbs.

“Can you believe me when I say it’s safe?” There it was again, his tenderness.

“But what if..”

“He wouldn’t be stupid enough to do it in such a public place like this,”

“He is crazy enough,”

“Okay,” He breathes, “I won’t leave then. We’ll go there together.”

She blinked, “huh?” She didn’t expect for him to give in so easily. Usually he would discuss until earth ended. That was how stubborn he was.

Without an answer Bruce takes the wheelchair, pushing her through the street, the speed was fast.

“Bruce?”

“Bruce!”

Her laughter echoes in his ears, and yet again he felt the warmth seeping through.

He wanted this. Exactly this. Her happiness, for her to stay happy.

It felt like her happiness was also his.

If she’s happy, then so is he.

–

“Here you go,” The florist hands him a boquet of lilies.

“Who are these for?” Y/N felt a sting in her heart, the strange bitterness flooded, they replaced the bliss she just felt a moment ago.

‘Is he seeing someone? I mean he has been out a lot lately, I thought it was because of his jobs. But..what if..’

You and him aren’t meant to be, why are you so disapointed Y/N?

We are meant to be, you and me.

His voice dugged into her ear, each word filled with venom.

“You?”

“Huh?” Y/N looks taken a back as she snaps out of her trance.

“These are for you,” he hands her the boquet,

“You didn’t know? I have always been gifting you flowers, till now.”

“I-i do, but these are different from the ones you gift me. You usually give me poppies.”

“Ah, I thought a change might do.”

Y/N became silent, and time seemed to stop. The sting and the bitterness washed away.

She felt ease, her cheeks getting warmer. She felt happy, a tender smile plastered on her face. She felt so…

“Thank you, Bruce..”

–

Days, months passes by, yet again like a flash, like a flick of a hand.

She and Bruce grew closer, closer more than anyone else. More than Alfred who filled her role as a father figure.

Her feelings are growing stronger each day, every minute with Bruce, every moments, seconds with him.

From baking to road trips.

From road trips to picnics, to a warm day at a beach.

To when she could finally walk. Running up that hill.

She felt so free, so alive. She felt like flying instead of falling.

Flying with him.

And without her knowing, he felt it aswell.

This, this feeling of being alive, to fly high into the sky.

And there were times.

Times where she felt like she was drowning, her past sinking her further down the ocean.

Times where she felt like flying, where she can breahte, where the cold is no longer there.

But, that was what love was – bestowing tough and hard times, but also times where happiness lurks, the feeling of bliss. Together.

Love’s ups and downs –

Together, getting through it together.

“We caught him,” Bruce states, as Y/N cleaned the cut on his cheek after a rough night for him.

“Who?”

“Riddler.”

She flinched, backing slightly away at the mentioning of Edward.

“He..he is…”

“Locked in Arkham Asylum,” Bruce looks up at her, “Are you..”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine…” She moves back, returning to clean his wounds.

“I’m sorry I should have..--”

“It’s fine, Bruce. Thank you for telling me sooner than later.”

He takes a hold of her wrists, old scratches decorated it from the past, when she used it as a coping mechanism when she was scared.

He didn’t know why he did that, he just wanted to. He wanted to..

She stops, time stops. And it just felt it was them, just them.

“What now? What do you want to do now?” He breaks the silence.

Close, they were close. If she leaned a bit in, their lips would have connected.

“I don’t know..but I want to pay him a visit.”

Silence filled the place again.

“Wait, you..”

“No,” She cuts in before he could finish, “I just want to face him, to confront him.”

‘So I can move on,

move on with you’

“And here?” He hesitates. He doesn’t want to hear her reply either, his heart was hammering way to much.

“I..” her breathing hitches.

‘I want to stay,’

You’ll just be a bother.

“I don’t know,” She gives a sad smile, “we’ll see..”

He nods, his throat tightens.

He let’s go and she pulls away.

Both missing each others warmth.

“I can get the visit permission from them, but are you sure?”

She packs the first aid kit, “Yeah,” Y/N puts it back on the shelf, “I want to move on. And I believe to do that I need to confront what’s standing in the way, what’s chaining me to the past.”

She felt someone spin her around, the same warmth emitting from her waist. Calloused hands holding her tightly.

“Time.” He said, “is important when healing, when leaving the past.”

Y/N widens her eyes, stunned and flustered.

Although they were close when she was taking care of his wounds, she still felt like butterflies swarming her stomach. Getting the warmth she craved, she missed a second ago.

Him, he was the cause of this. This emotional rollercoaster, like a drug, a drug she wanted more of.

Him, his everything, she wanted his everything, the ugly scars and his flawless ones.

“If you jump too quickly before the time, you’re bound to wound again. So I’m asking you again.” he pauses, “Are you sure about this?”

She gulps, her gaze downwards.

Memories of Edward floods in, and yet again she felt like drowning. But with his warmth she was floating again.

Head out of the water, breathing, barely.

What’s holding her back from coming on land? To safety?

She knew, deep down, to be able to swim, to get to land, she needed to let him go.

To let the past go, to confront. Running has been tiring, and it will always appear again, and again – like an evil cycle by him. And she needed to break it, to break from him. The chains, the toxins in her brain, him.

If she does that then..

She breathes, she looks up at his piercing blue eyes, her hand around his arms.

“I’m sure.”

–

“You’re here..” he lets out like a saviour before him, “you came,”

Y/N silently sat down.

“I’ve been looking for–”

“Edward.” Her voice was cold,

His happy face fell.

“You and I..”

We are meant to be, you and me.

“Are not meant to be.” A statement, a fact.

She wanted to get this done quickly, to get her point across.

“No, no, no..” Edward shakes his head, “you–”

“You’re delusional.” She didn’t let him finish, “All this pain, all the suffering I had to go through. Blaming myself for just wanting to survive, to live, that I clung to you for that.”

“But it’s not my fault. It’s a human nature.” a smile plastered, but not for him, not for Edward, “and he made me realize that.”

He laughs, “I’m not delusional, Y/N! Open your eyes! He doesn’t love you the way I do, the way I’d do anything to keep you by my side, the way I want you to be happy! You and him are not meant to be. You need me, Y/N, you relied on me back then, what changed? WHAT CHANGED? YOU AND HIM..” He slammed his fists onto the table, clearly the thoughts of Bruce and her was like an oil to the fire.

She shakes her head, numbed,

“You’re sick Edward. I don’t need a sick person like you, but clearly and strangely you need me.”

“Y/N..Angel you don’t understand..”

“There is a difference between doing anything to keep a person by their side and doing anything for their happiness.” She stands up,

“Burn in hell, Edward Nigma, I hope you get the taste of pain I once felt when my freedom was taken away from me.”

She puts the phone back, leaving as Edward calls out for her.

And maybe, she was cruel to say that. But even so, even if he really was sick, it doesn’t excuse for the hell he had shown her, the hell she felt with him.

No, it was worse than hell. She would rather be in hell than be with him. Hell was a better place.

Y/N could only wish the same pain, fell upon him as she left the Arkham Asylum, leaving the past behind, and finally moving forward, swimming.

–

Stepping outside she was greeted by the rain. Y/N looks up at the sky, before exiting to the gate.

“How do you feel?” A familiar voice rang in her ear as an umbrella hovered over her head.

She looks up at him, his blue eyes.

“Good..It will take some time, but..” She smiles, “I feel like I can finally move on..”

“That’s good, Y/N, I’m proud and happy for you” Bruce smiles back, a gentle look to him, “Let’s head back before–”

“Bruce..” She interrupts, her breathing shaky.

“Is something wrong?” he grew worried, putting a hand on her shoulder as he looks around for a moment, for any dangers.

And as soon as it seems clear and safe, his gaze went back to her.

“Y/N-”

Y/N’s lips, wet from the rain, clashed against his dry ones – yet to be touched by the rain.

Time stilled. It was just them now, everyhting else vanished to thin air. A moment where every emotions clashed.

She pulled away, but he pulled her closer – not wanting this moment to end.

Their silence, their movements and the way their eyes said the words, they understood;

The way their heart was beating for each other.

–

Y/N flutters her eyes open as she heards the curtains open.

“Good morning you two,” Alfred greets, “It’s 12’ clock, lunch is downstairs.”

She hears Bruce groan beside her, dragging her down with him as she sat up.

“A little longer..”

“20 minutes or you’ll get leftovers.” Alfred leaves.

“He is really overprotective of you,” Bruce mumbles, “He has known me since I was a kid, yet he lectures me on how to treat you right, thinking somehow I’ll hurt you. I think my back burns everytime he sees us, or me touch you ever since yesterday.”

Y/N laughs turning to face him. Bare chested, his brown hair messy. scratches on his back from the night. He looked so good. A god prehaps? No,

the devil. He was the devil.

“Well, good morning to you too sir,” She raises an eyebrow, teasing.

He buries his face more against her chest,

“Morning, love.”

“I personally think he is celebrating since yesterday after it was clear we were late and drenched, due to the make out session in the rain.” Y/N strokes his hair,

“Well it doesn’t matter cause in the end, I’m pretty sure I’m not getting the leftovers, but you are.”

He laughs heartily at that. God that laugh.

Everything about him, she fell, his laugh, his smile, his everything,

she fell for him.

And it didn't matter if he was really the devil. She would gladly, go and fall into hell with him – together.

Y/N snakes her hands to cup his face.

“I love you,” She whispered.

“I love you too,” He responded back and kissed –

both feeling such intense bliss.

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