Edward’s Ending
Whether it was due to your threat about never coming back or the emergence of the Batman as a new adversary, you couldn’t be sure, but Oswald and Edward decided to put aside their silly little war and finally join forces. Frankly, you were relieved. You had a tendency to worry about them, and knowing they had each other if something went wrong was a reassuring thought. Especially since you had more than enough on your plate already.
Before she died, Natasha had given herself the job of keeping in touch with, not only the other members of the team, but their allies as well. At the time, there really hadn’t been much going on to monitor. But, since you’d taken over the role, it seemed to keep you busy nonstop. By the time you checked in with Scott, Wanda, Stephen, Peter, T’Challa, Thor, the Guardians...it was time to start all over again. Add to that the fact that you were still working directly with Sam and Bucky on everything they did AND mentoring Bruce, it was a miracle that you even managed to get a shower everyday.
Still, in spite of your self inflicted duties, you always slipped both Edward and Oswald into your very full schedule. In actuality, your trips to Gotham had a dual purpose. You’d spend about half the time with Bruce in his Bat-cave devising strategies, and the other half hanging out with a couple of the very villains he was trying to bring down. If either party suspected you of playing both sides, they hadn’t mentioned it. The way you saw it, Gotham had plenty of other bad guys for Batman to beat up without receiving any interference from you. If you happened to have a soft spot in your heart for only two out of an almost infinite number of them, you weren’t going to let yourself feel guilty about it.
One morning, as you were sitting at your desk jotting down notes and reminders, you received a call from an unknown number. In your new position, you didn’t have the luxury of simply ignoring it and hoping that, if it was important, they’d just leave a message.
“Hello.”
“Don’t be mad,” a man’s voice said. Even without an intro, you knew it was Edward.
Letting out a deep sigh, you rubbed your hands across your face in frustration. With a lead in like that, it couldn’t be good.
“What happened? Where are you? Why is it so loud?” There were a lot of voices in the background and what sounded like people moving around.
“Three guesses.”
You didn’t have time for this, but you were pretty sure you knew the answer.
“The holding cells at the GCPD or Arkham?”
“Only two guesses, but right the first...and the second time. I’m still at the GCPD. I’ll be transferred to Arkham later today.”
“Ed!”
“You said you wouldn’t get mad.”
“No, I didn’t. You just told me not to. What did you do?”
There was silence.
“You screwed around with the Batman again, didn’t you? I told you this would happen!”
“I know you did, but...he’s my intellectual equal, y/n...my first real challenge. I can’t help myself.”
Despite your warnings, Ed had insisted on taunting Batman. He kept committing these stupid crimes and leaving those damn riddles behind trying to start a game of wits with him. Not only had he told you about it himself, but you’d seen the other side of it, too. That’s why you’d warned him to cut it out. Bruce was smart. He didn’t need anyone’s help solving them. But, Ed just wouldn’t listen.
“Intellectual equal, huh? Is that why he caught you, Ed? Because you’re as smart as he is?”
“He got lucky this time.”
Normally, comments like that would have hurt Edward’s feelings. But, he knew that you thought he was smart...and that you were just pissed right now.
“Lucky? Lucky?! I told you this would happen!” you repeated, louder this time.
“You have a lot of confidence in him to not even know who he is,” Edward said. He was certain you knew Batman’s real identity, and that one day he’d successfully trick you into telling him. But, for now, he was enjoying the game.
All you gave him in response was an annoyed groan.
“Look, I don’t have much longer so let me get to why I called. I’m not trying to guilt you into coming to get me. I know it’s my fault, and I’ll figure it out. I just wanted to tell you what happened before Oswald did...so you wouldn’t worry.”
“I’m still going to worry.”
“Hey, it’s not my first trip to Arkham, and it probably won’t be my last. They’re hanging me up now. I gotta go. I love you.”
Then, the line clicked in your ear.
Oh, that damn man.
He’d never broken out of Arkham. He’d never broken out of anywhere. He’d probably figure it out, eventually, but how long would that take?
You had promised yourself you wouldn’t do this again. If he and Penguin wanted to keep breaking the law and getting caught, they’d have to deal with the consequences.
Picking up your pen, you tried to get back to your work. But after several unsuccessful minutes, you tossed it back down and said, “Who am I kidding?”
Your phone once again in hand, you called Scott. You’d had plans to leave later in the day to go visit him. Some of the other Avengers and “honorary Avengers” normally only received video chats from you, due to the distance, but you made a point of visiting Scott in person every time it was his turn. Maybe it was the whole “saving your life thing”, but you’d grown very fond of the man. It didn’t hurt that he was a lot of fun and an all around nice guy.
“Hey, y/n, what’s up? What time should I expect you tonight?”
“About that...I need a favor.”
“Anything. What can I do?”
“I’m going to be late. Maybe tomorrow sometime? And I might need an alibi.”
“You’ve come to the right man. If anybody asks, you showed up at eight tonight. We watched Frozen 2 with Cassie, you fell asleep on the couch before it was off, and you have a rather adorable little snore.”
“I do not snore.”
“A good alibi is all in the details. And you’ve fallen asleep on the couch before...you do snore.”
You really could have done without that last part, but you thanked him anyway.
“Anytime. Is that all you need? No backup?”
“No, I can handle this one on my own. But, I appreciate it.”
“Ant-Man is always ready to serve. Be careful. See you when I see you.”
Once you were off the phone, you began rounding up all of the stuff you’d need. Your luggage was already packed, but you hadn’t planned on a breakout at the time. You were so busy that you hadn’t heard anyone come in.
“I thought you weren’t leaving until tonight?” Bucky asked, startling you.
“What are you doing here?”
In retrospect, it was the kind of stupid question a person only asks when they’re hiding something.
“I live here.”
“Duh, I know that, but I thought you were out on a run?”
“I’m done. I can go do ten more miles if you want, but I’d rather not. Why are you acting so weird?”
With a sigh, you gave up. There was no point in hiding it from him.
“Promise you won’t tell Sam?” you asked with pleading eyes.
“Are we keeping secrets from him now?”
He looked far too happy about the idea.
“No, but...he’s the new Captain America. I don’t want him getting wrapped up in all the fibs I’m telling.”
“My lips are sealed.”
“Ed got arrested, and-“
“You’re going to go break him out, after you swore up and down that you’d never get involved again?”
“I know! But-“
“Doll,” he said, interrupting you and getting your attention. “Just stop. It’s obvious to everyone but you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re stringing them along by not making a decision. Go ahead and take the plunge.”
You realized he was right. Putting it off was just putting your life, and theirs, on hold. No matter what happened now, it was way past time.
“Thanks, Buck.”
“Promise me one thing? That I’ll still be your best guy?”
“No one could change how I feel about you,” you said, giving him your most serious expression. “You are...the third most important man in my life.”
“Third? THIRD?!”
“Well, yeah...Steve is still number one...Clint’s two...and you’re three. Actually, Sam might be three...and there’s Edward, of course. I guess I’ve got to include him. But you are definitely in the top five. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Why you little-“
You could tell from his face that he knew you were teasing him, but you still felt the need to make it clear.
“I’m kidding! You know I love you!”
“Mmhmm,” he hummed, glaring at you sideways.
Throwing your bag over your shoulder, you pecked him on the cheek and said, “Hold it all together while I’m away.”
After he was sure you were gone, he said to himself, “That’s one hell of a woman. I hope he’s man enough for her.”
—————
“You know, as often as I do this, I ought to just go ahead and get my own key,” you said, leaning against the now open doorway to Edward’s cell.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, jumping up from his cot. “I thought you said-“
“I know what I said. I also know it probably would’ve taken you a couple of years to bust out of here on your own. I figured you needed me, at least until you learn how to do it yourself.”
He let out a sinister laugh and said, “That’s my girl.”
“Come on.”
Once you were outside of the gate, he asked, “So, why are you really here? You have more faith in my abilities than that. Is it because you feel guilty about knowing who the Batman is and not telling me?”
Momentarily shocked by his question, your mouth fell open wordlessly before you shut it back tight. Did he really suspect you, or was he just talking shit?
Recovering quickly, you answered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you do. You’ve always liked playing both sides. I don’t blame you. It’s the smart move. Actually, if I’m being honest, I’m impressed. You could very well be the only person who does know who he is.”
“And what would you do if I was?” you asked.
“Not a damn thing,” he replied with a large grin.
“I’m not here because of Batman. I’m here because...” you hesitated while your playful demeanor from earlier slipped off and a serious one took its place. “I’m here for you, Edward. I already had to live without you...without your love...for five long years. I don’t want to do it again.” With a small chuckle, you added, “I did think it would take you ages to figure out how to get out of there.”
When he said nothing, you stopped to look at him and found that he was staring hard at you. All of the humor was gone from his face and he was wearing an unreadable expression. He took a step towards you and you found yourself backing up against the wall behind you.
“What about Oswald?” he asked quietly.
Leaning your head back against the bricks, you let out a deep sigh.
“I can’t pretend that those years with him didn’t happen. I love him. That’s something you’re going to have to accept. Just like he’s going to have to accept that I’m IN love with you...It’s been you and me since the beginning, Ed. I think part of me realized that the first time I came back to Gotham.”
Slipping one of his long fingers under your chin, he pushed it up slightly then leaned down to kiss you. It was chaste and tender, not at all what you were expecting.
Pulling back only an inch or two, he whispered, “I’ve waited a long time for you. I would’ve kept waiting...as long as it took.”
Wrapping your arms around his neck, you pushed his head back down until your lips could reach his again. As soon as they met, his body closed the distance between you until every inch of him was pressed against you. This time his kiss was deep and powerful, causing every nerve to tingle and between your thighs to ache with desire.
Ignoring the fact that the two of you were in a dark, dirty alley not far from Arkham’s front gate, Edward dragged his lips along your jawline, leaving kisses in his wake. With your mouth now unoccupied, you couldn’t help but whimper his name over and over as you grasped tightly to his shoulders. Spurred on by the desperate need in your voice, he began kissing and nipping at your neck.
It was getting difficult for you to think now as lust clouded your mind. When he hit a particularly sweet spot, you moaned out, “Riddler!”
He stopped instantly and pulled back, fixing you with a most unusual stare. The pupils of his already dark eyes were blown wide, and there was an obvious glint to them. He looked equal parts dangerous and exciting.
Even though your brain was not working at its normal speed, it didn’t take you long to realize what you’d said.
“Did you just, in the middle of a passionate moment, call me Riddler?”
“No!” you said, sounding far too defensive. “Of course not. It’s a stupid name. I’d never do that.”
“I heard you.”
“You imagined it. You’re crazy, remember?”
“I liked it,” he practically growled. “It was sexy.”
He didn’t believe you in the slightest, but you weren’t going to admit defeat.
“I’m sure you did like it, since you imagined it and all.”
“Oh, my perfect little Avenger has a weak spot for her Riddler. Mmm, I bet I can make you do it again.”
“I bet you can’t,” you argued weakly, although you were pretty sure he could.
You watched cautiously as he leaned in and gently turned your head ever so slightly to the side. Your eyes fluttered shut when he pressed a soft, lingering kiss behind your ear. Letting his lips brush against it tenderly, he whispered something that made you go weak in the knees: “Why don’t we get out of here and find out?”