Ed adjusted the lenses on his binoculars to create a sharper image. He could see Oswald waving his hand dismissively to his bodyguards in the hallway as he retired to his office. Two of the armed me waited outside his door, diligent as well trained dogs.

The Penguin removed his feathered jacket, hanging it neatly on a coat rack near his desk. Ed watched Oswald sit. He sunk into the large chair as if releasing the burden of a long day.

Ed increased the zoom the on the lense. Oswald's we're alit with a little sparkle as he gazed upon something on his desk. A little gift. He folded his hands beneath his chin, propping it atop them, as he gazed down at the little box adoringly for a few moments before making a move to open it.

Ed felt sick to his stomach. He grinded his teeth in frustration. Anger was building up in his chest, threatening to rise up like bile. He could not handle this. Not only did someone find it fitting to give Oswald a gift, they also quite obviously held Oswald's affections. He was certain that no amount of bleach would burn Oswald's adoring gaze at the box out of his mind.

Ed would not stand for this. He was Oswald's only love, indisputably. If there was one constant thing in Ed Nygma's life it was that, despite the tragedies that tore them apart, Oswald Cobblepot held a deep an hopeless love for him. And Ed reveled in it.

There could be no substitutions.

He replayed that night in his head, with Oswald curled against him in his bed. Their body heat mingled, he breathed in Oswald's scent. Finally after all of his yearning, the silent eyes watching the King of Gotham's every move, Ed's desire had materialized. He had spilled more emotions than he was willing that night. Confessions that had been locked in the deepest archives of his mind to rot. Oswald's little discovery had thrust the two of them into this new phase.

There was no going back.

He remembered that warmth. His body craved it. To hold this man in his arms, to let his fingers trace the contours of his face as if logging them in an important archive for future use.

Oswald had not allowed any intrusive physical contact. Just soft touches and deep kisses. Ed did not pushed him. They both need time to heal.

It was evident that this was a relationship that had to be repaired stitch by stitch.

After that night they had both fallen back into their regular routines. A business-like partnership that was, ever-so slowly, bordering on the line of companionship.

But little passing smiles and endearing comments that Oswald had awarded Ed were a little more than confusing. They were both jaded, both hesitant to fall back into each other's lives so deeply, both cynical of love. This would not be easy, that fact was inevitable.

But Edward had not risked exposing his inner desires for nothing. Oswald. Was. His.

This adversary had to be discovered and destroyed.

He ignored the voices in the back of his head whispering: Jealousy, jealousy. This is MADNESS. You're overreacting.

Oswald unwrapped the small package, removing a letter that was tucked beneath the decorative paper. His eyes roamed the sheet of stationary fondly. The ends of his lips curled upward as his gaze travelled down the page.

Ed's knuckles were white. He hadn't even realized how tightly his was gripping the binoculars. He had to get his hands on that letter.

He was already familiar with Oswald's daily schedule, from when he woke in the morning to when he returned home from the Lounge late at night. Edward knew all of Oswald's patterns and nuances. He had been watching feisty little man for several years, through his progression to power; even before the start of their former friendship. It had been an on and off project at first but his little addiction had heightened recently.

Just as Ed was devising a break-in strategy in his head he recalled something devastating. His own words echoed in his head, 'After all this time, I think I'm ready to find out. Because it's definitely something significant.'

He had agreed to this. To start over. To try.

It was Oswald's jealous rage that had torn them apart in the first place; His fierce and unyielding love.

Was Ed willing to risk such a catastrophe?

He exhaled, trying to ward back the rising flames of ferocious jealousy.

Oswald instinctively unlocked his desk drawer to reach for a gun, when he heard his office window slide open.

He took his finger off of the trigger when he met eyes with the intruder. This green idiot.

Oswald could not help but smile, which quickly twisted into a haughty little smirk. "Have you decided that the back door is no longer dramatic enough for you?"

Edward ignored the comment, sauntering into the office and casually making his way closer to Oswald. He could now see the contents of the box. The angle from atop the neighboring building, which he was using to spy on Oswald, was not very ideal for details. The gift looked to be a little golden lapel pin in the shape of an umbrella. It was accented with a tiny dot of amethyst. Disturbingly appropriate. His rival was classy.

"Where were you exactly, that you determined my fire escape to be the most probable entrance?" Oswald quirked a brow. Being admired was a compliment but being stalked was risky venture when your admirer tended to be difficult to read. Maybe that was what drew them to each other, the inherit cleverness and the tendency to mask their emotions from the world.

Edward circled Oswald like a predator. "Nice choice of gun." He did not bother to answer the incriminating question. "It is a bit concerning that you do not carry one on your person, considering your status."

"I do. But I prefer this one." He ran his finger along the engraving of gold plated pistol. "Your concern for me is touching." Oswald's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"I am not sure that your enemies will find flowers intimidating." Ed noted the elegant detail of the engraving that snaked its way up the barrel. It was rustic and almost looked ceremonial. Very Oswald.

Ed shrugged. "What fun will I have calling out your nuances if you are dead." He couldn't help the worlds tumbling from his mouth and it was obvious neither could Oswald. They had been at this for years now. It was impossible for them to wake up and fall into something more gentle overnight.

"I beg to differ, my dear Edward," Oswald chided. "What is more humiliating than being taken out by such an extravagant gun." That was Oswald, going for the ego first.

"Touche." Ed made sure to casually snatch up the letter while Oswald was distracted by their conversation.

Oswald's brows knit together when he caught notice. "What are you doing?" The tone seemed more inquisitive than irritated.

Ed did not bother to beat around the bush. "Who is Martin?"

Oswald looked a bit taken aback at first. "I beg your pardon?"

Ed's stomach dropped. The fire inside him, grew anew. "Who. Is. Martin." Ed repeated between clenched teeth.

The flame must have burned in his eyes because Oswald's lips twisted into a little smirk. "Mar-tine."

"What?"

"It is pronounced 'Martine'." Oswald shrugged nonchalantly. He was clearly enjoying Ed's torment.

Ed's fists were curled so tight that his fingernails were digging into his palms. He could not believe this. After he had spilled his guts to Oswald. Had he been played? Was this some sort of sick revenge. Ed was a split second from lashing out, a storm of words on the tip of his tongue.

"He's my son."

The storm was vanquished with those three words.

"-What?"

Ed's mind was swimming. Had he heard correctly? He swore his brain was short circuiting.

"Your what?" He asked again, none the less dumbfounded than before.

"My son. Martin is my son." Oswald said calmly, like this was common knowledge.

"How-?" Ed was far too taken aback to form proper sentences.

"Oh, so there were some details that slipped below your radar in your little quest to catalogue my entire life," Oswald drawled vexingly, making sure to rub it in. "Honestly I am very relieved. I have taken great measures to keep my relationship with Martin concealed. In fact it was quite tricky to receive that letter covertly. It's such a shame that I will have to burn it." Oswald sighed.

Providing Ed with this information was a potential risk, one that Oswald hoped he was not taking in vain. He and Edward had been slowly falling back into each other's presence far before the confession. Oswald had thought that it was his heart wishfully thinking or his mind playing tricks on him. Now he had proof and the reckless emotion side of his was screaming with joy while his better logical self scolded him. Six years had passed. It would not be easy but he was ready to try and let his fears come to rest. He was taking a chance.

"You have...a secret son?" Ed ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to process his unexpected information. He was still bewildered. "How could I have missed this?"

"Easy." Oswald said matter-of-factly. "I destroyed any paperwork that tied us together, killed several people involved and bribed the rest of them. I have also gone through great measures to keep our correspondence covert and as minimal as possible, as torturous as it is. I will not have the boy be used as leverage against me again. Even though he has grown into quite the little trooper himself. He's very handy with a knife." Oswald smiled dreamily for a short moment before returning his attention back to Ed. "You may be good, but I can be better. Besides you were too busy with your nonsense parade in the Narrows when my relationship with Martin was public. So I guess that's on you."

Ed rolled his eyes at the jab. He should not have been surprised. Oswald was incredibly resourceful and dedicated, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

Ed brought his hand to his chin as he pondered all the effort Oswald must have gone through. "How tedious. I am impressed. This son of yours...biological?" He was fearful of the answer.

"No. And not legally adopted. No technically, that is." Oswald's little smirk returned. This time he was the predator closing in on his prey. "Did anyone tell you that jealousy looks good on you?"

Ed tried to repress the warmth rising in his cheeks. "I am not jealous."

Oswald moved closer. "Oh look at me, the big bad Riddler, overcome with jealousy over Oswald's son." He laughed, the sound echoing in Ed's ears.

"That's preposterous. Why would I be jealous of a child." He bit back, fighting the urge to shrink away from Oswald's smouldering gaze. Was it just him or was there a coquettish twinkle in the other man's eyes?

"You didn't know that a few minutes ago." He bore a sly, cheshire like grin. Oswald traced along Ed's chin with a single finger. Now tell my why you are really here."

The heat rising in Ed's body was too strong to deny. "I'd rather show you." He quickly dipped his hands below Oswald's bottom and lifted him, placing him on the desk. He earned a yelp of surprised and quickly silenced it by crashing their lips together Their lips met again and again, waging a passionate war of dominance. Oswald bit Ed's lower lip roughly, delighted when a growl buzzed from his lover's lips to his. Ed's hands were still grasping Oswald's ass firmly. He pressed their bodies flush against each other and slipped his tongue between Oswald 's fingers are tangled in Ed's hair in no time, pulling, blunt nails grazing his scalp with the most delicious friction.

He breaks away when he feels his lungs screaming for air. Oswald's breath brushes his lips in warm puffs as their eyes lock together, lost in the deep depths of each other's irises. That brief moment almost seems like a lifetime.

Ed dips his head to press warm kisses down Oswald's waiting neck. His skin in hot and blushing, begging to be ravaged. Little gasps are plucked from his wet lips as Ed's teeth graze his flesh, nipping all of the right places. His mind is a frenzy. He's never been touched like this. He's never been touched.

When Ed's fingers move deftly to undo Oswald's belt he lurches. His hands move quickly to halt the invading force. Ed catches a glimpse of Oswald's face before the mask slips over. His eyes are wide, dilated with unregulated emotion, fear and uncertainty.

Ed studies him curiously trying to understand that nature of this arrangement. Perhaps he had missasses this, this relationship. Oswald Cobblepot was an wondrously curious phenomenon.

In their younger years, in the height of their friendship, Ed would have wondered if he had made some grave mistake. He was callow then; lost, tentatively searching for a source of appreciation, companionship, love. Through the trials of life he had become more confident, clever, and immaculately versed in the human condition and collective physical elements of emotion. That was a necessary skill for unravelling one's victims.

But here, with Oswald, his skills were not fashioned to be used for manipulation, despite his wired impulses. When the fierce facade melted away he was left with the raw truth. Ed had a strong regard for Oswald's feelings and he was desperately fighting to keep his place in Oswald's heart.

His hands fall away without protest and rest gently atop Oswald's thighs. They lock eyes. Ed's are soft, glowing with sentiment; a wordless apology.

"Is this how it's going to be from now on?" Oswald's voice was soft and fleeting. His lashes fanning over his eyes as his gaze fell to his lap. "Bitter and procacious until we're forced together, a slave to our carnal desires."

Ed knew well enough, that this had nothing to do with Oswald's knee-jerk reaction to his touch. It was a diversion, but even still, it was something that had most likely been plaguing Oswald for a long time now. Edward could not deny, he had been wondering the same thing. Where in their lives had they become so damaged that they could not accept a second chance to heal? Were they so damaged that they had accepted pain as a second nature?

"You haven't exactly been peachy yourself. If we are going to try and move forward then we have to be harmonious in our efforts. It takes two Oswald." Ed chided gently.

Oswald scoffed. "I was trying." his voice cracked, a shaky cry, ladened with emotion. "After your little stunt. I thought you wanted this." Wanted me.

Ed's face burned in frustration. "I made it clear that I wanted you. I confessed to my affixation-my affection for you."

"Oh, because that was absolutely clear when you abandoned me." Oswald hissed through his teeth.

"What the hell are you talking about?" He bristled back.

Oswald does not yeild. He looked Ed straight in the eyes, gaze burning with vindication.

"When you met me at the water's edge."

Ed swallowed dryly. He remembered that day, just days after they'd spent their night together. His nerve endings burned, crackling with sparks of anxiety. That place.

"When I gave you the map that I promised you. You were cold. You left me. No goodbye, no thank you. No acknowledgment. How was I supposed to know that you had not fed me a string of lies the night before. That this was not another one of your games." Oswald whispered venomously. And even so, he has let Ed get so close again today. This man was like a drug he couldn't quit.

"I-I couldn't." Ed stuttered. His eyes were downcast, drowning in pain like a wounded animal. He tried to breath as the memory flooded him. The crack of the gun fire. Oswald's hair wisping around his face as he fell to depths of the water. The reams of blood that floated to the water's surface like smoke. That place, so close to where he had shot Oswald all of those years ago. He still dreampth of it vividly. It tore into the abscesses of his mind, carving holes into his tainted conscience. "I couldn't face you there. It was too- It was too similar." He finally breathed. "I couldn't forgive myself."

Oswald's eyes were gentle now, soft and apologetic. "I know." He seemed loss for words. "I can't-" He paused, seeming to reassess the words lingering on his tongue. "This is not going to be easy. You and I fight fire with fire. But maybe it would do us some good to be a little…" His fingers were slowly tipping Ed's chin up and forcing Their eyes together once again. "...understanding." He traced his thumb along Ed's jaw and shifted a little farther back on the top of the desk so he could pull Ed back between his legs, their bodies nearly touching. "I shouldn't have lashed out at you."

Ed's lashes brushes the tops of his cheeks as his eyes fluttered close. He gave into the soft sensation of Oswald's touch on his skin. "We could have both benefiting from being more communicative. I truly am sorry."

"Me too." Oswald murmured, bringing their bodies flush against each other once again. He took Ed's face in his hands, tracing both of his thumbs over his cheeks. He pulled his face forward gently to press a chaste kiss to his lips. The small kiss seemed to last for a lifetime, their combined warmth sheltering like a safety blanket.

Oswald's eyes fluttered open slowly once they parted. He was savoring the moment. He looked up once again, eyes swimming with a bashful uncertainty that seemed almost innocent. He chewed his lip and exhaled softly. "I-" He spoke almost inaudibly.

"Yes?" Ed coaxed. It was his turned to stroke along the the contour of Oswald's chin with the gentlest touch.

"Can we move slowly. I'm not accustomed to..." Oswald's freckles were scattered about his cheeks like little stars in amongst the wisps of the soft flush flourishing in his cheeks.

Ah, here was the answer to question he was seeking. The ends of Ed's lips curled into the softest little smile. "I won't touch you, if you aren't comfortable."

"No!" Oswald fumbled hastily. His cheeks were a soft pink. "I mean, I like it when you touch me. I am just not ready to indulge in anything overtly physical yet. Not like-" He seemed to be struggling for words.

It was oddly endearing. The King of Gotham, a known crime boss and killer, bashful in face of physical intimacy. Something about this new found information drove him to love Oswald even more. He had a deep and unyielding desire to protect him.

"Then I shall only touch you with your permission." He moved closer, whispering the words onto Oswald's lips. He brushed their lips together, kissing him gently. The pad of Ed's thumb grazed along the bottom of Oswald's chin. "May I have the honor of touching you here. Your face is a work of art, it would be a shame if I couldn't admire it." There was a playful ring to his words, however true the statement was. He stroked along the seam of Oswald's lips just for emphasis.

Oswald bit the tip of his thumb in response, glancing up at his eyes coyly despite the ever present blush still dusting his cheeks. "You don't have to ask me for everything. I will tell you when I don't want something. Or show you. I just don't want to move to fast."

The way Oswald was beating around the bush was enchantingly charming. "I don't know what I am going to do with all of this freedom." A coquettish smile blossomed on Ed's lips. He dipped his head to kiss along Oswald's collar bone, earning a content sigh. He gripped Oswald's hips with gentle pressure.

Suddenly, and preposterous thought wormed its way into Ed's mind. Could it be possible that Oswald was completely untouched, pure. That type of innocence seemed beyond a place such as Gotham. Beyond a man like Oswald. Yet, Oswald had loved Ed unconditionally throughout the years. Just him. No other.

Ed felt and odd sense of warmth in his chest, a swell of pride and affection building slowly.

He would not do Oswald wrong. He would unfold him delicately like a flower, treating each petal with respect.

His hands slowly massaged Oswald's sides as his nose brushed along Oswald's jaw. He pressed a kiss to the center of his neck. "There is no marvel in discovering all things in one day. What is the journey without a little mystery?" Their lips found each other once again meeting over and over in sweet, short kisses. "I am in no hurry." He murmured between kisses. "We can chart new territory together."

Oswald felt lax in his arms, giving himself over to the tide of affection lingering between them, falling in and out like the waves. "I'd like that." He whispered back eyes closed. They kissed slowly until their lips were numb and swollen.

When Oswald bid Ed goodbye that night neither of them felt hollow. They both knew that with the new day their souls would be intermingled, healing slowly together.

I've been working so much. Hopefully I will get a chance to write Chapter 3 soon. Probably by next weekend.

All reviews are appreciated!