Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A stupid rainy morning. Oswald hates these mornings. It’s Monday, sadly. Oswald doesn’t want to go to school but he doesn’t have a choice. His mother pleaded for him to go so she didn’t have to leave him in danger by himself, so he agreed to go. He hated school. He groaned as he stopped in front of his high school, the rain still pattering down. He had a simple black umbrella above him, the students chattering and hurriedly going inside. He hated Mondays. And he hated school. 

Oswald was standing at his locker, he was getting some supplies out. He sighs heavily when he hears a giggle from behind the locker door. He shuts it closed and looks at the figure. 

“Hello, Ivy.” Ivy smiles widely. “Hi, Oswald!” Truthfully, Oswald was not in the mood to deal with Ivy but she gets all offended and childlike if Oswald tells her off, so he deals with it. As Ivy is blabbering on about some random plant, Oswald sees behind her, Jim Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Lucius Fox and Edward Nygma? Oswald believes that that’s the boy's name. He remembers running into him, he’s a weirdo who likes riddles and puzzles. Oswald found it difficult to believe someone would voluntarily do puzzles for fun but whatever. Ivy had to have noticed that Oswald was distracted by looking at Edward. She smiles mischievously. “Do you like Nygma?” She whispers, Oswald scoffs at her. “No. I was just curious.” Ivy nods and rolls her eyes, “Yeah, sure.” The bell finally rings

and Oswald is Ivy free for a couple of hours, he starts bidding farewell to Ivy. He had to get to class even though he hated that class. 

He sat at his desk. As kids started piling into the room, Oswald got more annoyed. He heard shuffling right next to him. He felt obligated to look over, there he was again. That boy. Edward Nygma. Why is he everywhere? He looks peaceful as he hums a tune and pulls things out. Like he knows what they’re doing in class. Oswald looks away from the boy before he glances over and sees Oswald looking at him like a creep. Oswald also happened to notice that a certain person was staring at Ed with an intent to hurt. Tom Dougherty. He hates Edward, Oswald doesn’t know why but he always likes to pick on Ed and call him “riddle man” or whatever. Oswald can’t help but feel bad for him. Oswald suspects that it might be because Edward has a small crush on Kristen Kringle. That’s Tom Dougherty’s girlfriend, Edward has always harbored a crush on her but Oswald thinks he’s getting over it because he’s not so nervous around her anymore, Oswald thinks that they’re friends. It would make sense. Oswald is startled out of his daydreaming when he hears the boy's voice next to him. 

“Um..Do..Do you have an extra pencil..?” Oswald felt like he could laugh. Was he really nervous over a pencil? Wow. Oswald reached into the bag next to him. He pulls out an already sharpened pencil and hands it to Edward. “Here.” Edward looks like he just became the happiest man in the world. Oswald could feel himself smiling, almost feeling like laughing. Edward looks down at the paper he brought out, it was normal line paper. 

When class finally started, everyone was silent. The teacher was talking away about random shit. Oswald couldn’t care less. When he looked over at the boy next to him, Edward looked like he was literally mesmerizing everything. How could he even do that? Oswald was trying to think of it when he saw a ball of paper hit Ed. Oswald doesn’t know where it came from but he felt.. anger. Poor Edward just knelt his head down. Ignoring it. Or at least, trying to. Oswald scoffed, he was looking in Dougherty’s direction. Staring daggers at him. Dougherty just shrugged and chuckled quietly. Oswald looked back at Edward only to see that Ed was looking at him. With pure concern. Oswald looked away and back at the teacher. 

Class ended, the bell rang. Oswald was moving stuff around when Dougherty came up behind Edward and grabbed his notebook. Edward has always written.. weirdly.  

“What does this even say?” Dougherty laughs. It looks like squiggles, a bunch of notes, sentences and riddles in one page. Overlapping each other. Edward goes to take it back, but Dougherty reels it back farther. Height was not a problem in this situation. Edward was slightly taller than Dougherty. And way taller than Oswald. Intimidatingly taller. Edward needed that notebook. Oswald, for once in his life, decided to step in. “Just give it back, Dougherty. Stop bothering him.” Dougherty smiles in entertainment. “Why do you care, penguin? Is he your boyfriend?” Oswald hates that nickname. He felt like he could beat Dougherty’s ass right now. But he won’t. He will after Edward gets his notebook back. “No, just give it back. He’s just trying to get to his next class. Don’t be a dick.” Dougherty’s face darkens. He still has Edward’s notebook in hand, he gets closer to Oswald. Oswald is short. Dougherty is taller than him, also Intimidatingly taller. “Why do you care so much?” Oswald scoffs, “Because. Ivy talks to him, if I didn’t do anything, Ivy would yell at me.” Dougherty laughs, he grabs Ed. “Ya hear that riddle man? He’s not actually protecting you!” Oswald could see the obvious discomfort in Ed’s face. “Goddamnit Dougherty, just leave him alone!” Oswald yanks Ed’s notebook out of Dougherty’s hand. Now he’s pissed. Oswald punches Dougherty hard. He falls to the ground and Oswald has his bag swung over one shoulder as he grabs Ed’s hand and drags him outside the classroom. Oswald is still holding Ed’s hand as they walk down the hallway. Ed doesn’t move his hand.

“You..didn’t have to do that.” Oswald sighs, “Don’t worry about it.” Oswald pulls his hand away from Ed’s. Just noticing that Ed was holding his hand also. “Really..you didn’t have to. I would’ve gotten away at some point..” Oswald looks at Ed. “Just be glad I did that, Okay?” Ed looks at Oswald for a minute, then he nods. “Hey, I have a question.” Ed looks at Oswald, “Hm?” Oswald looks away then looks back at Ed, “It’s kinda weird…but why do you write that way?” Ed smiles, he chuckles and then looks at Oswald. “Hm. Well it’s hard to say, y’know? I’ve always written like that. My elementary teachers were stressed out because they didn’t know what I was saying.” Oswald giggles softly. Ed smiled. Not knowing his face was a little red. 

Oswald finally returned home. It was still raining, his mother wasn’t home yet. He didn’t expect her to, but he wished she was. He was tired. He went to his room and just dropped onto his bed. Falling into a deep sleep, thinking about Ed.

Chapter Text

Edward hated most of his classes. Not because of the subjects, he enjoyed those. It was the people in the classes. Especially since it was Tom Dougherty. He just loves picking on him. Edward doesn’t find his jokes funny, but others do. He’s even taken a liking to calling Ed “Riddle man”. He hates that nickname. Especially because Dougherty’s riddles are stupid. They are the worst riddles he’s ever heard. Sometimes he’d even tell Ed jokes. Those are terrible too. Ed even told him that once. Ed got sent to the nurse with a bloody nose and a black eye. Never did that again. 

Ed was sitting in the first period. He was not paying attention to anything around him, why would he? There was nothing to pay attention to. That was until Oswald took the seat next to him. Ed looked over, acknowledging his presence. Oswald noticed, and smiled at Ed. Ed felt warmness in his chest. He felt.. happy ? Hm. 

Lunch was a different story. At lunch, Ed was alone. Always. He tried to get out before Dougherty realized he was alone and bothered him. Today, unfortunately, he wasn’t so lucky. 

“You all alone again, Riddle man?” That annoying, frustrating voice. The voice Ed despised. Ed sighs, 

“Mhm.” He doesn’t give a straight answer. He tries to pass Dougherty with no luck. Why is he doing this in front of the whole lunch room? No, better yet..Why isn’t anyone helping ? 

“Seriously? Fuck off, Dougherty.” An angel Ed assumes. Well, maybe not an angel..but Oswald. Of course it’s Oswald. 

“Look who came to the rescue again, you are pathetic Nygma.” Ed just looks down, trying to ignore it. Oswald looks angry, Ed can tell he is. Oswald gets closer to Dougherty like he is literally about to punch Dougherty again. 

“Stop fighting.” Ugh. Gordon. 

“Mind your damn business, Gordon!” Oswald yells, he looks back at Dougherty. “Why’re you defending Nygma anyways?” Oswald freezes, then turns to Harvey. “Why?” Oswald gets closer to Harvey, “Oh I’ll tell you why-” Ed grabs Oswald’s hand. “It doesn’t matter.” Oswald looks at Ed, then back at Harvey, scowling. “Whatever.” He starts walking away, Ed follows. Dougherty lets him. Maybe he doesn’t want to get punched again. Ed smiled when he saw the mark on Dougherty’s face. 

“Oswald..Why do you keep saving me?” Oswald stops walking, he looks at Ed. “Why? Because nobody else in this damn place will.” Ed smiles. “Well yes, but why ?” Oswald looks away. “Nobody deserves to be bullied.” Ed chuckles softly, “Except for Dougherty.” Oswald smiles. “Except for Dougherty.” Oswald and Ed laugh together. “Oh, we’ll actually, I had to ask you a question.” Ed looks down at Oswald and stops laughing. “Hm?” Oswald looks embarrassed. “This..this is a little embarrassing but uh..will you tutor me in science?” Ed looks shocked and then nods quickly. “Yes, I will. You deserve my help after helping me twice .” Ed smiles softly. Oswald nods, “Okay. Thank you, Ed.” Ed nods, “Of course.” Oswald smiles, “Would you be okay with doing it tomorrow? I have to go grocery shopping with my mom today after school.” Ed nods, “Of course. I’m free all week anyways.” Oswald nods, Ed smiles at him. A real smile this time. 

Dougherty didn’t bother Ed anymore that day. Harvey kept giving him weird looks, so did Jim. Ed hated when people looked at him, he couldn’t stand it. Especially when he could practically tell what they were thinking. He hated it. He hated it. 

School ended. Ed started walking home. He ended up seeing Oswald as he left the school, they smiled and waved to each other. He was happy. He was happy the whole way home until he got home. Standing on the porch, his hand on the door knob. Ed knows he’s home. He’s scared. What if he messes up? Makes his dad mad? A million scenarios run through his mind. Each one ends with Ed in the bathroom, tears streaming down his face and bandaging himself up. He knows he’s done for. He opens the door. 

A TV plays. At the table, his mother sits. “MARY!” He flinches, so does she. “Yes, dear?” She calls out, softly. She doesn’t even see Ed. She never does. “COME HERE!” He yells again. She goes to him. Ed starts walking up the stairs, he tries to take two steps at a time, trying to make it up the stairs faster. A stair creaks. All hope of getting out of this unscathed has vanished from sight. “Edward?!” His father calls out. “Y..yes?” Ed softly calls out, not raising his voice. “Get down here.” The tone, he knows he’s not getting out unscathed. 

He was right. All the scenarios that ran through his head were right. The bathroom, where he was at the moment, the tears blocking his vision. His glasses were on the floor, where he tossed them. Bandaging himself up, what he was doing. It was hard to do with the tears in the way. He wiped them the best he could. His body hurt . This was worse than what Dougherty does. He finally was able to stand, pushing his glasses back up. He slowly walks to his room, shutting the door quietly. Before he flops on the bed, a knock. Ed’s afraid it’s him . He hears a soft, “ Ed? ” It’s not him. It’s her . She opens the door, quietly. She actually came to see if he’s okay. “Are you okay, dear?” He stares at her. He’s not used to this. Talking about how he feels. She should know that..right? “It’s okay to be silent. I wanted to..check up on you. I’m sorry, Ed. I’m so sorry.” She apologizes. But for what? What did she do? “It’s fine.” His voice comes out raspy. She moves closer, she pulls Ed into a hug. She’s.. trying ? That’s what he guesses. She takes one more apologetic look at him and then leaves. Closing the door behind her. Ed just stands there. Then he slides down onto the floor of his bedroom. He can’t wait to see Oswald tomorrow. Maybe he can make him feel better. 

Chapter Text

Oswald was at school already. Oswald was waiting by his locker, For who was the question and surely, Ed had the answer. Ed was walking towards Oswald. That’s only because Oswald was telling him to. “Oswald?” He whispers. “Friend, why are you whispering? There’s nothing to be whispering about.” Ed nodded, “My apologies.” The first thing Oswald noticed was how apologetic and upset Ed looked. Well, Ed was always a little apologetic..right now, he looks upset. Like something happened. Oswald wanted to pry but decided against it. 

Oswald was worried. Ed hasn’t spoken much or told one riddle today. He’s usually told about 50 riddles. Oswald can’t take it, he has to ask. 

“Ed?” Ed looks up at his friend. “Hm?” He hums in acknowledgment. “I..did not want to pry on your business, but uh..are you okay?” Ed freezes. “Do I not seem okay?” Oswald stutters. “W-well-” Ed looks nervous and Oswald is concerned. “You..don’t have to say anything, Ed. I was just worried.” Ed looks down at Oswald. “I..um.” Oswald looks up at Ed attentively. Edward looks into Oswald’s eyes. “I don't mean to lie to you, Os. Something…happened.” Oswald’s eyes went from softness to anger in 2 seconds. “It was fucking Dougherty wasn't it!? I'm going to beat his ass!” Oswald turned on his heel and was about to stomp away to confront Dougherty. “No! Oswald, it wasnt Dougherty..!” Oswald stops, he turns to look at Ed. “What? Then who-” Ed looks distressed, “It doesn’t matter who! I-I don’t want you starting fights..for me.” Oswald just stares up at Ed. “I wasn’t gonna fight him. I was going to make sure he was getting buried 6 feet under.” Ed stares at Oswald and sighs, “That’s even worse.” Oswald smiles. Ed looks down at Oswald, “Oswald…please don’t worry about it.” Oswald looks away, nodding slightly.

Edward sat in class, spaced out for the first time in his life. Oswald was next to Ed, even more worried. Oswald wasn’t usually worried for people but when Ed wasn’t paying attention or asking riddles every five minutes, Oswald had every right to be worried. Ed never went a day without telling a riddle, he hasn’t asked one and it was 7th period, it’s starting to scare Oswald. There was one thing Oswald was thankful for, that was the fact that they had ninth period together, a study hall. Oswald didn’t want to pry into Ed’s private life but he was worried for his friend. 

It reached the ninth period. Ed was trying to focus on studying, Oswald was mustering up the courage to talk to Ed again about the issue at hand. “Ed?” Ed looked up from what he was doing, “Yes, Oswald?” Oswald sighed, and cleared his throat. “Like I said before, I don’t mean to pry but..You look extremely upset. You haven’t even asked a riddle yet today, it's the ninth period!” Ed sighs, “Didn’t I tell you not to worry about it?” Oswald stutters and fumbles on his words, “Y-yeah, but I’m worried. I really am.” Oswald looks at Ed with a sincere smile. Ed looks at Oswald and then at the book in front of him. “I…it..it was my dad.” Oswald freezes, he’s only heard a little bit about Ed’s parents. A tiny bit, only the fact they never cared much. “What about your dad?” Oswald says in an accusing tone, Ed side glances Oswald. “He..he hurt me. Yesterday. And then, mom came to see if I was okay. She’s never done that.” Oswald only sees red by the first words Ed said hurt me. Who could do that to their child? Hurt them? On purpose in that sort!? Oswald was ticked off. “Oswald..?” Oswald snaps out of it and looks back at Ed, hiding his anger, “Sorry, Ed. I heard you. I just..how-how could someone do that? To their own child?” Ed shrugs, “I don’t..I don’t know.” Oswald searches Ed’s face to see if he’s crying. He’s not. “I’m sorry, Ed.” Ed laughs quietly. “It’s not your fault. Don’t act like it was.” Oswald looks at Ed in pity, “Yeah, but I’m still allowed to feel pity.” Ed looks back up at Oswald, “Yes, you are. Just..don’t say sorry all the time..” Oswald nods, not taking his eyes off of Ed. That’s when Ed remembers that today after school Ed is supposed to tutor Oswald in science. He’s been looking forward to it. Since he didn’t have to go home right away.  “Oswald?” Oswald looks at Ed and makes a sound of acknowledgment. “Am I still tutoring you after school today?” Oswald gasps, “I completely forgot I asked you to do that!” Ed smiles, and chuckles softly. Oswald glares at him. “Don’t laugh at me!” Ed shakes his head and still continues to laugh. Oswald rolls his eyes, and then the bell rings. Edward gets up out of his seat to put his things away, Oswald groans and starts putting his stuff away too (it’s literally just a pencil and a notebook). Oswald waits for Ed to be done putting his stuff away, he looks around the room and turns to the window. Great. It’s pouring outside. “Hey..uh. Ed?” Ed puts his messenger bag over his shoulder, “Yeah, Oswald?” Oswald swallows thickly, “Do you happen to have an umbrella with you today?” Ed looks confused for a moment and then looks outside and makes an oh sound. “Actually, I do in my locker! It’s a spare.” Oswald makes a sound of relief. “I’d be lost without you, Ed.” Ed freezes and smiles as his cheeks heat up. 

When Ed took his umbrella out of his locker Oswald giggled a bit. It was a green umbrella with a little design of a small question mark on it. Oswald wondered how Ed was able to find an umbrella with a question mark on it, especially green. He shrugged it off and started to walk out of the school with Ed. “So are we going to your house, Oswald?” Oswald nods and that’s all Ed needs to know before undoing the umbrella strap and opening it. It went to hold it over both of their heads, coincidentally, it was a little small so they had to be close together. Ed didn’t mind it but he was a little anxious about what Oswald would say. “Hm. You said this was a spare right?” Ed nods, “So it would mostly be for you anyway…eh. It’s okay.” Oswald moved closer to Ed, Ed’s face heated up, so did Oswald’s. They walked to Oswald’s apartment. When they got inside the apartment building, Ed shook off his umbrella outside in the rain and not inside. Oswald waited for him, Ed finally turned and smiled at Oswald, Oswald did the same. They walked up to Oswald’s apartment, and Oswald pulled his key out, only to find it unlocked. He was a little on edge but didn’t let Ed see that. He opened the door cautiously, and was greeted with his mother. “Oh. Hello, mother.” She looked to see her son, with a friend. “Oh Oswald? Who’s this?” Ed waved at her. Oswald rolled his eyes, “This is Edward, mother. He’s tutoring for science today.” Gertrud moves swiftly over to Oswald and puts her hands together, “Oh, I’m so happy you’re focusing on your studies and grades now Oswald!” Oswald rolls his eyes, “Yes, Mother. Edward and I have to go now, we’re going to my room.” Gertrud nods and smiles at them. 

“Sorry about that, Ed.” Ed shakes his head, “Nono. Don’t worry about it Oswald, your mother seems wonderful.” Oswald smiles at Ed and giggles. “Anyways, you want to start now?” Ed nods at Oswald and Oswald looks pleased. “Okay, so what do you need help with?” Oswald inhales and then exhales, “So..” 

1 hour later. 

“Does it make sense to you?” Oswald nods, “Yeah. Well enough.” Ed smiles, pleased. He claps his hands together. “Wonderful!” Oswald smiles at Ed. Ed moves to check his watch on his wrist, “Oh dear! Look at the time. I should really start heading home, I-” Oswald cuts Ed off, “Do you want a ride home, Ed?” Ed looks nervous for a moment, Oswald must have noticed because he said, “It wouldn’t be a problem, Ed.” Ed sighs and gives into his friend's offer. “Yeah..it would be nice.” Oswald nods, “Okay then.” Ed smiles. “Mother!” Oswald opens his door and Ed looks nervous again. “Can we drive Edward home? It’s late!” Ed sighs. 

Ed arrives home from his ride from Oswald, waving to the boy inside the car. Ed knows it’s late. He sneaks into his house and is so glad that he wasn’t noticed. He gets into his room when he realizes he forgot his sweater at Oswald’s apartment. Fu-

Oswald gets back home and sighs as he opens his door, exhausted. He trips on something and groans. He looks down to see what it is and it’s a forest green knitted sweater with a black question mark in the middle, it’s a quite big question mark. Oswald realizes that it’s Ed’s. Oswald looks at it for a moment before biting his lip. Thinking. He makes a sound of frustration before he picks it up and brings it over to his bed. Oswald starts to get ready for bed and looks back at the sweater and sighs. He puts the sweater on and brings it up to his nose. It smells just like Ed. Oswald lays down onto his bed, still wearing the sweater. He pulls the blanket over him and closes his eyes with the smell of Ed making him drift off to sleep. 

Chapter Text

When Edward woke up the next morning, he felt off. He felt like something was missing. That’s when he remembered that he left his favorite sweater at Oswald’s apartment. He groaned in annoyance. He wanted to go to Oswald’s house now and get it but he knew he most likely wouldn’t be able to. He just flopped back down onto his bed, groaning louder. Edward decided he’d just have to wait it out and ask Oswald about it at school and get his sweater back. Yeah. It’ll be that easy. Maybe . 

Oswald woke up in Edward’s sweater. He completely forgot he even put it on. Oswald didn’t feel like getting up because the sweater still smelt like Ed and it was comforting for some reason. That was before his mother came in, trying to wake him up. “Oswald dear, you have to wake up for school.” Oswald groaned to the loud sounds, but also to tell her he was awake. She smiled and left the room, closing the door behind her yelling through it to get dressed. Oswald sat up tiredly and tried to get up off his bed, Edward’s sweater slipping off his shoulder just a bit. He looked at it and shrugged. He'll keep it on for no reason. Ed wouldn't mind, would he?

When Oswald makes it to school, he spots Ed by the front entrance. Oswald looks dwarfed in his sweater but he was too lazy to take it off today. He waves at Ed and Ed just stares at him. “Uhm, Oswald? Is that my sweater?” Oswald shrugs, “Yeah, sorry.” Ed just nods and heads into the school. Oswald grins and follows him in. Ed gets to his locker and opens it, Oswald beside him. “You're not mad are you?” Ed looks at him and shakes his head. Oswald keeps pestering Ed about it almost the whole way to class. Ed stopped him and put his hands on his shoulders. “Oswald, I don't mind.” Then he walked into his class, leaving Oswald in the hallway. Oswald huffed and walked the rest to class. 

At lunch Oswald was sitting at a table with Ed when Harvey and Jim walked by and then Jim froze and looked at Oswald. “Isn’t that-” Ed sighed again. He was getting sick of people asking that question so he looked at Jim, pushing his glasses up. “Yes, Jim. It is my sweater. Now move on.” Jim just nodded and walked away with Harvey. Oswald just looked at Ed and shrugged again. “People are really interested aren't they?” Ed glares at Oswald. “Yes.” That's all he said and then continued studying. 

At the end of the day Ed and Oswald were standing out near the entrance. Oswald begged his mom to pick them up today. Oswald was leaning against the wall. Ed was standing there politely. Ed sighed and looked at Oswald. “Oswald, I know you might like my sweater or whatever..but that's my favorite. You can have another sweater.” Oswald looked up at him and scoffed, “Ed, calm down. I just wore it because I didn't feel like getting all dressed up today.” Ed looked a little shocked but nodded. Then Gertrud pulled up. She smiled at them both. Oswald got into the backseat with Ed. That was different. 

Oswald opened the door to his room and walked in, dropping his bag and then sitting on his bed. Ed sat his bag down on Oswald's desk chair and he sat next to him. Oswald yawns, Ed smiles and pokes him. “Are you tired, Oswald?” Oswald shakes his head and looks at Ed. “Do you want your sweater back?” Ed nods, “I'll give you another sweater.” Oswald nods, he seems satisfied about that. Ed looks around before turning to Oswald. “Oswald?” Oswald looks at Ed. Ed sighs, “I cannot be bought, but I can be stolen with one glance. I'm worthless to one, but priceless to two..What am I?” Oswald groaned and flopped back onto his bed. “Another riddle?” Ed huffs, “Just answer it.” Oswald rolls his eyes. “Love.” Ed nods. Oswald stares at him. “I love you, Oswald.” Oswald froze. He sat up in his bed and looked at Ed. He felt the same but he never would have thought Ed did. Was he serious? “Really?” That came out harsher than expected. Ed froze also, he moved back almost falling off the bed. “I'm sorry I didn't–” Oswald grabs his hand, “No, that's my fault Ed. I feel the same. I love you too.” Ed stared at him.

“Oswald..does this mean we're…dating?” Oswald stares at him. “Dating?” Ed nods hesitantly. Oswald keeps watching him and then shrugs, “Why not?” Ed nods. Super confused. Oswald hums and lays down. “Are you staying here tonight?” Ed looks around and then looks at Oswald until he nods. Oswald hums and lays down. Still wearing Ed's sweater. Oswald grabs the blanket and curls up into it. Ed throws his shoes off and lays across from Oswald under the blanket so their faces are facing each other. They stare at each other for a few minutes before Ed just smiles. Oswald scoffs and honks Ed on the head. “Go to sleep, Ed.” Ed smiles and closes his eyes. Oswald falls asleep fast and is already asleep. Ed takes a few minutes but then eventually he fell asleep. Sleeping together.