Oswald was exhausted. The night had went better than expected however it had taken it's toll on him. He was currently reclined in his seat at the centre of the Iceberg Lounge watching his staff clear out the last of the club's stragglers. The increase wait staff handled the attendance numbers beautifully however due to the abundance of alcohol circling throughout the club, and lack of bartenders to monitor, there was an increase in drunken antics. Oswald had to call for security more than he would have liked. While the ice wall had Gotham in awe it also resulted in endless questions, which Oswald as host had to spend his night answering. After the turmoil of the last two days the persona of host had drained him and didn't help that his mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Ed and that kiss. Oswald would have preferred to spend his night hiding in his office, but The Penguin was as much of an attraction of the Iceberg Lounge as the exclusivity and the ice features. Many in Gotham fought for entry to the Iceberg Lounge just to able to say they had brushed shoulders with the infamous Penguin. Even now, as he watched the club close up, he could not stop the thoughts running through his mind "What was Ed playing at? Was he just trying to up the anti? He isn't actually attracted to me?" Oswald hated that he let Ed tie him up in knots and it's in moments like this, when he is reeling from one of The Riddler's mind games, Oswald wonders why he ever thought it a good idea to unfreeze Ed.

After the club was emptied Oswald headed to his office to enter the nights accounts when he noticed his office door ajar "I swear to god if Nygma is in there again I'm just going to shoot him". Oswald stomps into his office, preparing to have Ed ejected forcibly, but comes to a sudden stop. Victor Zsasz is currently lounging in Oswald's office chair, feet on the desk, reading the note left by Jay. Oswald snaps. He grabs the first thing within arms reach, a vase, and hurls it at Zsasz. The vase smashes against the wall near his head but Zsasz doesn't even flinch "Geez, Boss! What's crawled up your ass tonight?" Zsasz looks mildly annoyed that a vase had just barely missed his head but otherwise unconcerned. "Excuse me!" Oswald practically screeched. Oswald had had enough. He stalked over to his office desk, and leaned over into Zsasz's personal space . "Is this not my office? Do I not own this club? Do you not work for me?" Oswald was snarling at Zsasz, venom dripping from every word. Zsasz cocked his head in confusion at Oswald's outburst "Just figured you'd wanna talk." Zsasz rose from Oswald's chair and strode around to Oswald "Nygma's games aren't good for business" Zsasz held out Jay's note to Oswald. Oswald took the note from Zsasz "What are you talking about" Zsasz eyes flicked to the note in Oswald's hand "Riddles are not really my thing, but it does spell his name" Oswald quickly pulled note from the envelope and reread it.

Recently I have come to realise that this

isn't who I want to be. If I was to continue

down this path it would only end with me

despising myself. I am ashamed that I acted

like I did, but it was familiar work. I cannot

ever return to the lounge. If you have any

respect for me you will let me go. I'm sorry.

-Jay

Oswald couldn't believe he didn't see it before. There was no other way the note could have got into his office. His security would have caught Jay if he had tried to break into the office, he was a bartender not a thief. Not to mention the first letter on each line spelt out Riddler. Ed was playing some kind of game, with him once again at the centre of it. Oswald had thought he had learned his lesson from the last time "I guess I will have to teach him again". Oswald crushed the note in his hand and smiled up at Zsasz "Thank you Victor. I will attend to this immediately" Zsasz's raised eyebrow was the only sign he noticed the change in Oswald "Sure thing Boss. Want me to call the girls?" Oswald was already halfway out of the room "No, no. It's fine Victor. I plan to handle this personally" Zsasz smirked and called out to The Penguin's retreating figure "Oh... it's like that is it. Well don't forget to lock the door this time" Oswald slammed the door at the comment, Zsasz's laughter following him. The Penguin had always afforded Zsasz more informality than others members of his organisation, and he had no issue taking advantage of it and pushing the boundaries.

The Penguin dealt in more than just arms and drugs. Information was a commodity of high value and Oswald paid top dollar for information about all the Gotham Rogues. There were not many who could hide from The Penguin, and Ed certainly was not an exception. The Riddler's HQ was in the centre of Gotham at the top of a high rise building overlooking the city. Oswald laughed, he had no doubt why Ed chose this location for his home base. Ed had always had a God complex, and the building afforded him a birdseye view to watch his mayhem unfold. Oswald could imagine him standing against window, quoting some esoteric text and looking down and revelling in his power over Gotham.

Once at Ed apartment Oswald considered picking the lock but he was not certain what booby traps Ed had in place. Oswald payed good money for his umbrella to, at a click of a button, be able to disperse an electromagnetic pulse however that does not mean it disabled all of Ed's security. Ed may have for electronic gadgets but he also knows how to rig C4. The door was opened by a very tired looking Ed. His hair was a mess, as if he had been running his hands through it, his eyes had dark circles and that manic energy which normally seemed to leach from him seemed to be absent. Oswald prayed that Ed didn't notice his eyes travelling over his body or lingering on his exposed flesh. Ed was wearing a loose fitting white t-shirt, which appeared sheer in the lighting, with green boxer briefs, which hugged his figure and exposed his long lean legs. Oswald's thoughts on what he would want to do with those legs were interrupted by Ed confused and groggy voice "Oswald?" Oswald pulled himself together and smiled pleasantly up at Ed "Hello old friend. May I come in?" Before Ed had a chance to respond Oswald had already maneuvered his way into Ed's apartment.

Oswald took a moment to examine Ed's apartment, his hand trailing across his furnishings and his eyes flicking over the variety of half finished projects and plans scattered across the room, as he wandered into the room. Ed of course was glaring at him from the doorway, annoyed at having someone invade his space "What are you doing here Oswald?" Oswald turned towards Ed, a look of wide eyed innocence and confusion on his face "What ever do you mean friend?" Oswald tone was genial, but the underlying threat was clear "Are we not in the habit of showing up uninvited, and unwanted, at each others place of business? These last two nights have certainly given that impression." Sarcasm dripped from every word as Oswald smiled contritely at Ed "I do apologise If I have misread the situation". Ed's eyes narrowed as Oswald took a seat on his lounge "But since I'm here, we have unfinished business to discuss." Oswald patted the spot next to him in invitation. Ed tensed "Oswald… if this is about what happened in your office-" Oswald quickly cut of Ed with a raised hand and a shake of his head "Oh Eddie… I do hope you didn't think I came all the way out here, at this time of night no less, just to finish what you started earlier." Oswald looked pityingly at Ed "I have other ways to scratch that itch, which don't require me to make my way all the way out here" Ed's face went red, with embarrassment or rage Oswald couldn't tell, and didn't care. Oswald needed to reaffirm his unnecessity in his life. Oswald refused to let this game that Ed was playing, whatever it was, mess him up like the last time. Ed was no longer his friend who hurt him, he was a colleague who dared challenge him. No villain in Gotham got away with that without consequences. "What is of issue, is this little game of yours" Ed lip twitch but nothing else indicated any reaction to Oswald's comment. "What game?" Oswald lip twisted to the side and tilted his head at Ed, in his characteristic look of disbelief "Are you trying to start a war? You only survived the last one because I let you." Oswald smiled but the anger in his tone was evident "You've taken one of my staff. You will return him" Ed smirked, his good humour appearing to return "You seem awfully concerned about some boytoy Ozzie. Did you fall in love with this one too?" Ed enjoyment appeared to grow with every dig at Oswald "I must say he did look a lot like me. Do you surround yourself with my look alikes just to force them to do the all things you know I would never do to you." Ed was laughing now "It is really quite pathetic Oswald" Oswald was getting angrier by the minute, every taunt hitting its mark. Oswald took a moment to centre himself before responding calmly "Friend, I won't ask again" Oswald had come expecting the taunts, Ed was a master at manipulating the emotions of those around him and Oswald would not let him use this to derail the conversation. Ed lip curled in a sneer at Oswald's calm response "What makes you think I would take your little boytoy. What use is he to me?" Oswald huffed and rolled his eyes in frustration. Ed was determined to avoid the question "You left a note with your name written all over it." Oswald's mask of geniality slipped. His irritation became evident in his tone and demeanor "Do you see why I would think you you had something to do with his disappearance. Now I don't know what game you're playing but you do not play them with me." Giggles spilled from Ed lips as he grinned from his position across the room "I'm guessing scratching that itch isn't as easy as you say Ozzie, otherwise why are you knocking at my door for the location of some pathetic rent boy, who probably just found another patron" Oswald eyes narrowed in anger "It's the principle, I've sent Zsasz for less. Now where is he" Ed alight with manic energy sauntered over to the lounge and sat down next to Oswald. Ed's eyes shone with madness and his cheshire cat smile blinded Oswald "Always in you. Sometimes on you. If I surround you I can kill you. What am I?"Ed pressed his fist to his mouth, almost as if to hold in his glee. Oswald hated that he found Ed endearing when he was like this. It brought back fond memories and Oswald thought the expression always highlighted Ed features in the most attractive light. The riddle was surprisingly simple, however Oswald could not figure out what it had to do with the location of his missing bartender "What does water have to do with anything" Ed looked absolutely giddy with excitement, he always did love when people answered his riddles "Well to be more specific the Gotham docks. He'll probably wash up in about 2 to 3 days" Ed was smiling and looking unbelievably smug.

Oswald was furious. He contemplated his next action as he fiddled with his cuff links. He wanted to strike with his concealed knife and watch Ed bleed. Ed had kidnapped and killed his bartender for nothing but his own amusement. Oswald could see no other reason for the act. If it had anything to do with Selina's theft, and trying to force Oswald's hand on the issue, Ed would have kept the boy alive. What use is leverage if it's dead. It would have been a reasonable assumption, given Oswald's previous responses to the abduction of a loved one, that he could be used to manipulate Oswald. Oswald did not get emotionally attached to his lovers for this reason. He was happy to let one die, or be tortured, if meant his business interests were protected, but Ed didn't know this. So if he didn't want to use Jay to push an agenda then Ed had clearly done it for entertainment value. The Riddler just wanted to watch The Penguin squirm. Oswald quickly stood, his decision now made. Ed needed to be made an example of. If he felt confident in messing with Oswald's business who knew who would be next. Not to mention no one would would want to work for him if he couldn't protect them. Part of the appeal of working for the King of Gotham was the security it entailed. One was less likely to be targeted by criminals if you worked for the same person, and almost all of them worked for The Penguin.

Oswald smiled simperingly at Ed "I do believe it's time I headed home friend." Oswald rose from his spot on the couch and looked down at the ever smug Riddler "I will allow a few days for you to get your affairs in order, given the length of our friendship, before Zsasz pays you a visit." Then Oswald turned and headed towards the door. Oswald hadn't taken more than a few steps when he heard Ed burst into laughter. Oswald stopped and turned abruptly, his brow scrunched in confusion. Ed was lounged on his couch looking like the cat that got the canary, laughing at Oswald "Oh please." Ed looked like childlike in his glee. Face animated, practically glowing with his sheer enjoyment of the situation "You can't kill me even if you wanted too" Ed flung his arms wide, his expression reeking of arrogance and assurance, as if the whole situation was obvious and Oswald an ignorant child "Don't you get it Oswald? What this was all about." Oswald gritted his teeth. Ed was infuriating when he felt he had outsmarted someone, and apparently he thought he had got one over on Oswald "You thought this was about what? Me amusing myself with killing some pathetic boy, who you clearly only hired because of his resemblance to me. Or maybe I trying to gain leverage over you, though it clear you've never let anyone close enough to be used since me." Ed was gloating, his arms were spread across the back of the lounge, his legs crossed and his smile was stretched ear to ear "Isn't obvious Oswald? I wanted to show you just how pathetic you are. You still love me. Even after everything. If you wanted me dead you would've just sent Zsasz in the first place. You knew it was me, yet you came here alone. I mocked you, yet you let me live. You surround yourself with boys who remind you of me, yet you can't love them because their not me. So much for love never letting love be a weakness. I own you Oswald. Does that make me the true King of Gotham?" Ed was grinning, smug and confident he had beaten Oswald. He clearly was expecting Oswald to turn tail and run but instead Oswald started to laugh. Oswald was almost doubled over in his mirth "he created some convoluted plan just to make me realise I was in love with him. Oh Ed. As always you miss the obvious, I was already well aware of that" Ed tensed and sat up straight, his expression going flat and cold as he became aware that for some reason he was being mocked "What's so funny?" Oswald walked towards Ed, his amusement visible. Oswald leaned into Ed's personal space and placed a hand on his cheek "Such a silly boy you are Edward." Oswald was smiling fondly, his hand caressing Ed's face "I know I'm still in love you, I never stopped loving you. When have I ever said any different." Oswald expression turned wistful "And yes , I can't kill you. I never said I intended to. I learnt from our last confrontation that I can't seem to live without you." Oswald's hand slipped into Ed hair and his grip tighten on the loose curls, pulling slightly "But I have no issue hurting you. No issue humiliating you for all of Gotham to see. I can, and have made an example of you in the past." Oswald voice was cold and the malevolence clear "Don't think my love protects you from consequences" Ed looked shocked. Eyes wide and staring at Oswald in bewilderment. He was not expecting this. He had expected that Oswald would deny it, or at the least be disturbed by the revelation. He had not expected that Oswald not only knew, but embraced this about himself. Oswald released his grip on Ed and stood up straight. Oswald began to fix the imagine wrinkles in his suit and look down pityingly at Ed "What you should be trying to figure out is why is it so important to you that I'm still in love with you?"

Oswald had turned to leave when Ed hand reached out to stop him "Wait!". Ed, in his haste, pulled Oswald arm too hard and Oswald ended up tumbling into Ed's lap with a squeak of shock. Ed looked terrified as he stared down at flustered Oswald "I already know why it's important to me" Oswald stared back in confusion. However that expression was quickly wiped as Ed claim his mouth in a sweet kiss. Oswald couldn't stop the moan that fell from his lips as Ed slipped his tongue into his mouth. It wasn't long before the sweet kiss turned much more passionate. Oswald had maneuvered himself so he was straddling Ed. Ed shirt had been removed in haste, along with Oswald's jacket, vest and tie. Oswald buried his hands in Ed's hair as the man trailed kisses down his jaw and throat. Ed hands were running over Oswald's body, squeezing, caressing and encouraging Oswald to continue grind against him. As Ed lips reached Oswald's collar bone he was hindered by Oswald shirt. Ed turned his attention to unbuttoning Oswald's shirt, his hands shaking with excitement and biting his lip in concentration. Without the sensory overload that was Ed's hands and lips travelling over his body Oswald was able to think about what was happening. Oswald would be the first to acknowledge he in no way wanted to stop, making love to Ed was more than a fantasy come true it was a chance for him to express his love to Ed in way which had never been allowed before. Oswald wanted an opportunity to convey how much he loved Ed, especially given that whenever he had spoken the words in the past they had always seemed so repugnant to Ed. It also didn't help that he was really sexually frustrated, after 2 days of interruptions he just wanted to finish what had been started. Despite all of this Oswald knew they could not continue, not after what had triggered this bout of passion.

Oswald grabbed Ed's hands "Ed, Stop!" Ed looked up from his task, confusion and hurt visible on his face "What's wrong Oswald? Did I do something wrong?" Oswald shook his head "No nothing like that" Ed smiled in relief and ran his hand along Oswald's thigh "Is it you leg? We can head to the bed, it would be more comfortable." Ed glanced towards the what Oswald assumed was the bedroom. Ed looked eager and oh so sweet. It took everything in Oswald not to go with Ed to the bedroom and ignore his reservations "What is this Ed?" Ed brow scrunched in confusion, and Oswald realised he needed to be more specific "Not ten minutes ago you were mocking me for loving you. Gloating about it even, as if you had achieved some victory over me. Yet for some reason you now want to go to bed with me, despite you making it very clear that the very idea of that disgusted you. Is this just another game?" Ed was having difficulty making eye contact with Oswald, his attention focused on fiddling with Oswald's buttons. Oswald was getting ready to get up and leave when he heard Ed mumble something "What was that Ed?" Ed looked at Oswald from under his lashes "It's never disgusted me" Oswald glared at Ed "That wasn't them impression you gave when you spoke about how repellant I was was or repeatedly told me how you could never love someone like me" Ed was biting his lip nervously "I was never talking about you physically" Oswald flinched at the comment and went to get off Ed "Great! There is nothing wrong with me physically, it's just everything else that is repulsive and unloveable" Ed looked stricken and quickly wrapped his arms around Oswald to prevent him getting up "No, please Oswald. That's not what I meant." Ed was holding Oswald tightly to him, his arms wrapped around Oswald's waist and his head buried in his shoulder "Stupid! Stupid! Stop messing this up!" Ed released his hold on Oswald and leaned back to give Oswald some space "Um...Sorry Oswald, I wasn't... I mean… That wasn't directed at you Oswald." Oswald's eyes narrowed in suspicion but he didn't leave Ed's lap. Ed looked anxious, he was fidgeting and his eyes kept flicking away whenever he made eye contact with Oswald "I..um..I'm not very good at all this emotional stuff" Ed laughed nervously "that was always your forte." Ed took Oswald's hand in his, their finger interlocking "Oswald, those things I said earlier… I was angry about... It's just... you seemed…" Ed swallowed and took a moment to pause before looking into Oswald's eyes "I couldn't stand seeing you with him Oswald. You're better than that. Better than him. You deserve better." Oswald looked more confused then ever "So your saying you killed my bartender because you were jealous?" Ed nodded quickly. Oswald laughed "huh" A shy smile graced Ed's face, relieved he had not upset Oswald with his confession. Ed wanted to say more but as always the words got mixed up as he tried to say them and he ended up blurting out a riddle "I can start a war or end one, I can give you the strength of heroes or leave you powerless, I might be snared with a glance, but no force can compel me to stay; What am I?" Oswald rolled his eyes but smiled fondly "always with the damn riddles" Oswald tried to decipher the riddle, and the answer he came too was answer he could not trust. He had spent years building walls around his heart to protect himself from vulnerability and weakness and he would not allow them to come tumbling down for Ed's amusement.

Oswald practically jumped from Ed's lap and began snatching up his clothes "Don't Ed. This isn't a game." Oswald couldn't stop himself from glancing at Ed. Ed was sitting in the same position as before but he appeared to have almost retreated into himself. He looked wounded and hurt. Oswald became angry "how dare he act hurt. It wasn't him who had his heart ripped to shreds. He wasn't the one left broken and dying. He doesn't get to be hurt" Oswald slapped Ed "Don't! Don't act hurt. This is all just another game. You don't love me. You've told me repeatedly enough that you can't. Why would I believe it now" Ed stood up and reached for Oswald. Emboldened by the fact his confession of love wasn't so much rejected as disbelieved. He wrapped a struggling Oswald into his arms and practically pleaded with him "I do. I really do". Oswald screeched back at Ed "No. I don't believe you. Get off of me" Ed just held him closer "Oswald I really do love you. These past years without you by my side have been empty. I've longed for everything to return to the way it was before we hurt the other. I should have begged your forgiveness after you defrosted me, but I just couldn't. I was hurt. I didn't think you'd want me. You seemed to have done so well without me. I fell apart when I thought I had killed you" Oswald seemed to have stopped struggling sometime during Ed's confession. Ed tentatively released his grip on Oswald and begged "Please say you believe me" Oswald looked up at Ed. His eyes glistened with tears "I do. But I don't think I could ever trust this. Us." Ed's felt his heart shattered at Oswald broken confession. Oswald loved him but did not trust him enough to risk being with him. He went to step away from Oswald, it hurt too much to be near him. Oswald grabbed Ed's hand and pulled the man back towards him "But, I'm willing to try" Ed smiled down at Oswald, his expression glowing with happiness "I can work with that" Ed leaned in and kissed Oswald. Whatever struggles were ahead would be dealt with, right now they had each other and that was what mattered.

The two villains knew the future, and their relationship, would not be easy. They knew they were likely to hurt the other again, more from their own inability to communicate and trust their emotions than anything else. The relationship left them both vulnerable to attack and manipulation and they still had The Bat, the GCPD and other Gotham Rogues to contend with. Despite all that was against them they were both willing to try and rebuild the foundation of trust that had been destroyed, which was more than either had ever hoped for.