"Hey Nygma, you got a visitor."

Edward looked up at the guard in surprise, but he certainly wasn't going to protest when the door was opened and he was allowed to walk out. He was making the best of his imprisonment in Arkham, but that had come with accepting early on that no one would be waiting for him or trying to help him in any way. Accepting that fact had allowed him to focus more on his situation and begin puzzling out his own escape.

The guard that began leading him down the hall, however, had left him with a new and genuinely intriguing puzzle. Who would come to visit Ed in Arkham Asylum? Unfortunately, the only answer he could surmise with some confidence was that it was Detective Gordon. Of all people he might be most inclined to visit.

Of course Jim would want to visit, if only to take a second look at Ed and wonder at how he had been so easily tricked. How had the innocent, weird little riddle-obsessed man gone unnoticed for so many months, and so cleverly orchestrated a flawless trap in which to ensnare James Gordon? And, of course, why? If anything, Jim was coming to try to notice a difference in Ed, try figure out the exact moment in time that he had turned into a monster.

As they continued through the bland, desolate hallways, Edward was almost entirely certain that that was the case. At last they came to the room where his visitor awaited, and he watched with an indifferent expression as the guard put a hand on the door.

"You got ten minutes," The guard said somewhat brusquely before pushing the door open.

Ed was at an utter loss for words when he saw that it wasn't James Gordon standing there, waiting for him with a disappointed or even mocking smile. His feet were seemingly locked in place and wouldn't move when he tried to tell them to. Or perhaps he forgot to tell them to, because all of his focus went immediately to the man standing by one of the tables. His smile was somehow both warm and icy, his hair seemingly rough and unkempt, and his right foot splayed and awkward-looking.

"Penguin?" Ed finally gasped in surprise.

In response Oswald glanced to the guard and gave a brisk nod, at which the man encouraged Ed inside and left, shutting the door behind him. His expression seemed to soften somewhat once they were alone, but he gave the same cool and cautious business-like tone to the atmosphere that Ed seemed to remember from most of their other encounters. The kind of tone that left no question as to who was in charge, until you found the right words to disable him. But for the moment, Ed was too distracted by his surprise to bother trying to play that little game of dominance with him.

"Oswald," Edward breathed in surprise, snapping out of his bewilderment at the unexpected guest a second later. All he could think to say in that moment was, "How did you get the guard to leave? Patients are never allowed to be unattended, especially with visitors."

The Penguin shrugged and smiled as he answered, "It's easy enough to convince them to leave, if you find the right guards to bribe...or blackmail."

"Blackmail? Last I saw you were..." Ed let the thought drift off, unsure if finishing the sentence as he wanted to would trigger Oswald in some way.

"I was simple-minded and foolishly innocent and harmless, you could say," Oswald pointed out with a chuckle and a smirk. "I owe that to Dr. Strange's exceptional talents in...'rehabilitation'. But I'm broken of that, friend, I assure you. Do remind me to thank Hugo for his efforts, though."

"O-of course. So you're...the same as you were before coming to Arkham?" Ed asked with growing curiosity.

"More or less," Oswald answered smilingly. "Here, sit down."

Edward obeyed without hesitation and sat at a table opposite Oswald, who sat in a chair on the other side with a sly, expectant sort of look. Ed wasn't exactly sure how he would adapt to speaking with this new Penguin, if he had to at all.

Ed waited a few moments before asking, "Why are you here? I'm guessing you didn't come just to tell me you've returned."

"Of course, I wanted to make sure Dr. Strange wasn't using the same methods on you. That wouldn't do at all. No, I needed to ensure that I wouldn't be executing a breakout for someone whose mental capacities were in question."

"A breakout? For me? Why would you do that?" Ed asked doubtfully.

"You saved my life, friend, I couldn't just let you sit in here forever after that favor you did for me," Oswald answered confidently. "Besides that, I'll need your help if I am to retake Gotham."

Ed couldn't keep from grinning at the thought of the once and future King of Gotham requiring his help. But it still seemed to Ed that there was more to this visit than just to check up on him, or warn him about a possible breakout. After all, Oswald had come himself. If it was strictly a matter of business he would almost certainly have sent one of his men in his stead.

"I'm sorry that I sent you away when you visited, after you had gotten out of Arkham," Ed found himself saying.

Oswald smiled. "It's no problem, truly. I would have done the same in your situation, I'm sure."

There were several moments of peaceful silence before Ed broke it, saying, "Nevertheless I am sorry. I ended up here anyways, and I never thought I would see you again. At least not...the real you."

"And that's why I have to get you out," Oswald said quickly, "because I don't want that happening to you. It's nothing short of brainwashing, which I know would be especially detrimental to someone like you. You seem fairly dependant on your mental faculties."

"And why should that matter to you?" Ed asked, intrigued. "I never took you for the type of person who cared about the needs of others. Not unnecessarily."

"This is necessary; I already explained that I need your help."

Ed shrugged. "Why not send one of your lackeys?"

Oswald's jaw worked for a moment, one of the many signs Ed had picked up from him in the time they had spent together. He knew it meant that the Penguin was thinking hard about what to say and carefully choosing his words before answering.

Finally Oswald spoke bluntly, "Fine. I was...worried."

"Worried?"

"I was worried about you, Ed." Having spoken, Oswald's expression hardened into an unreadable mask, daring Nygma to say something that would give him an excuse to leave and never look back.

Some part of Oswald had known from the very beginning that his plan would fall apart. And maybe he had been lying to himself at first, telling himself he just wanted to let Ed know that he was getting out soon. But looking back on it, he knew it was all an excuse; a lie he told so no one would see what his real intentions were. And, of course, Ed was the one that broke the cover-up and left Oswald to expose the truth of the matter.

"You were worried about me?" It was that simple, and yet the words or maybe just the tone even, convinced Oswald to open up.

"The whole time I was in Arkham I wondered if I would see anyone. And whenever I thought about someone visiting me...it was always you, I imagined, who would do so," Oswald said softly, his voice shaky and uncomfortable. Was he really telling Ed all of this? It looked like it.

Oswald thought for a moment before continuing, "It isn't so much that I thought you cared, necessarily, so much as the fact that you always seemed to do pointless little things like that, whether I wanted you to or not. I wasn't particularly disappointed when you didn't of course, but I do like to consider you a friend."

At that Edward looked down at his hands, feeling somewhat guilty. He recalled the long walk through the halls on the way to this room, when he was convinced that Jim Gordon was coming to gloat. Having Oswald here to explain how he saw their relationship made him feel utterly ashamed. Truthfully the thoughts had tormented him day and night when Oswald was in Arkham. He had wanted to visit, but Oswald had specifically told him to forget and move on with his life. And yet he still felt guilty.

"I wanted to visit you," Ed confessed, not daring to make eye contact. "I really felt terrible when you showed up...tarred and feathered and yet you didn't seem to have a care in the world. You were pleasant I suppose but...it just wasn't you and it...it hurt to think that I hadn't done anything to stop it. If I had visited I could have noticed what they were doing to you and put a stop to it."

"No, Ed, I'm fine now. And you are apparently the exact same man I remember, which is very good news. I'm going to get you out before anything bad happens, I promise you."

"Thank you," Ed said softly, showing him a small smile as he rested his hands on the tabletop and made eye contact again.

Oswald smiled back. After a short time he said, "I'm only sorry that it took me so long to visit, but I came as soon as I could. As soon as I heard that you were in here I started planning your escape. And now, everything is in motion."

Ed nodded, unsure of what to say. But then he asked, "Why work so hard to get me out? It's obviously not just because I'm useful to you; you wouldn't go so far for a little extra help."

The Penguin seemed to be at an utter loss for words. But finally he conceded by grabbing one of Ed's hands in his and stating uncomfortably, "I already told you: I care about you. I don't have many people in my life that are important to me but for those that I do have...I care."

It was then that Ed realized how selfish he had been during their conversation. He had given many of the shortest answers and left Oswald with more questions, forcing him to open up in a way that was so uncharacteristic of him that it was almost painful for Ed once he noticed. The smaller man was clearly expecting some sort of well-thought-out response for his confession.

He didn't have one of those.

Ed had to give Oswald some show of faith; a sign that he considered him to be one of the most important people in his life as well. Heck, he had to admit that Oswald was the absolute most important person in his life, especially after this visit. And especially if he succeeded in breaking him out. So, Ed did the only thing that came to mind in the few split seconds after the Penguin was finished talking.

He kissed him.

It was a very awkward movement; Ed lurched forward, throwing a hand up suddenly to cup Oswald's cheek as their lips collided in a rough closed-mouth kiss. There was hardly time to blink before the large gap between them was breached and their lips met. And there was hardly time to blink before Ed pulled away about a foot, dropping both hands on the table as an intense blush rose to his cheeks. He looked down sadly.

"I...I'm very sorry Mr. Penguin I don't know why I-"

He was silenced as Oswald's lips captured his in a much deeper, more emotional kiss than the first. Oswald's movements were slow, deliberate, and filled with longing. And while it was a bit sloppy, neither of them could deny how unbelievably good it felt to share this simple touch. It was oddly tender and sweet, and Oswald was especially gentle when he nibbled the slightest bit on Edward's lower lip.

And finally the broke the kiss apart after what felt like minutes, sharing the same breath as they both continued to lean over the table. Neither of them really noticed where their hands were until then; Oswald's clinging tight to the front of Edward's uniform and one of Ed's hands running slowly through Oswald's soft, raven hair.

"I'm so sorry I never visited you," Ed whispered, his breath blowing softly over Oswald's beautiful lips.

The Penguin shook his head the slightest bit and answered, "No, don't be sorry. I'm with you now and that's all that matters to me. Ed I...I don't know what I would do if something happened to you. I'm...I'm lost without you. Back in that forest, I would have died if you hadn't found me. And you took care of me, even when all I wanted to do was run away from you. I don't know how I could ever make that up to you."

"Say you love me," Ed said suddenly, taking Oswald by surprise. Based on the look in his eyes, he was just as surprised that he had said it.

But Oswald didn't hesitate to lean in close to Ed's ear and whisper, "I love you Ed."

And he knew right then that they were the truest words he had ever spoken. Maybe love was a weakness, but then why did Oswald feel so energized when he kissed Ed's jaw, as if there was an electric current in the air? The only thing that mattered was the warm skin under his lips, until he slowly began to notice Ed's tongue licking cautiously into his mouth. He accepted the motion without a second thought, sighing softly into Ed's mouth as he lost himself in the kiss.

A sudden knocking at the door brought them both suddenly to reality, and Oswald felt utterly resentful of the situation he found himself in at that moment. The door opened a second later, revealing two guards this time. Neither appeared to be the one he had blackmailed earlier, so he was prepared for the worst.

"Time's up. Gotta go to your cell, Nygma," one of the guards said.

"You need two guards to escort him to his cell?" Oswald asked. He had ulterior motives for doing so.

The other guard nodded and Oswald had a sudden plan formulating in his head once he was sure that there were only two guards. One guard was sufficient to bring a lunatic back to his cell, and two would certainly see the job done. But Oswald wasn't about to let two guards outmatch two of the greatest minds in Gotham.

Oswald smiled innocently and stood to leave, easily slipping the knife from the inside of his jacket down to his hand, which he held inconspicuously by his side. He began walking to the door and it was a great relief when he felt warm fingers ever-so-slightly caress his own to take possession of the knife. He was weirdly comfortable having an armed, convicted murderer only a step behind him.

"Thank you for the visit," Oswald said cheerfully to one of the guards.

Then with lightning-quick movements he pulled another knife from his jacket and drove it deep into the guard's jugular, instantly feeling the woman's life essence flow from her neck and soak his hand in wet, sticky blood. Before the other guard even had time to react Ed was upon him, stabbing deep into his midsection several times in quick succession, until soon his hand half-disappeared into the torn flesh of his torso with each strike. His method made the man die slower, but there wasn't so much of a spray of blood.

Ed flashed Oswald a broad, toothy grin as the guards fell lifeless at their feet, regardless of the way they were killed. But the difference was obvious, as Oswald's cheek had several all-too-noticeable drops of blood on it. Ed rested a wary hand on Oswald's neck and leaned forward until his lips brushed the crimson drops on his face.

Then he flicked his tongue out briefly, earning a soft smile from Oswald that encouraged him to continue. So he licked a bit more obviously, removing every last trace of blood and eventually turning the licks into actual kisses that made Oswald sigh contentedly. Then Oswald pushed him softly away with his one clean hand.

"Let's get you out of here," he said, revealing the spontaneous plan he had come up with only a minute before.

Edward leaned in to plant another kiss on his lips , cherishing the brief moment when he was allowed to, and then pulled back to look in his eyes for a long while. "I don't know if I could ever make it by without you."

"You don't need to," Oswald answered softly with a reassuring smile. "Now let's get you out of here."

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