Work Text:
Despite everything, regardless of his doubts, after he tentatively tossed to the side his hesitations and tried his best to ignore the strong feelings warming his heart, linked to his recent friendship plus genuine bonding with a seven years old that almost changed his mind... Edward Nashton stuck to his initial goal.
He spent too much energy, too much time, too many thoughts, too many nights creating his network in the Dark Web, too much personal investment with his followers, too much of himself into this incoming scheme, he cannot... let it go to waste on the spur of the moment, for the sole reason he made an unforseen life-changing encounter. He cannot abandon his future partner-of-the-love-of-his-life-aka-Batman self just because becoming best buddy with little Stephanie Brown is the most entertaining, most satisfying, greatest thing that ever happened to him. Could he?
Eddie took another deep breath, in yet another desperate attempt to convince himself he is doing the right thing.
Well, maybe not 'right', but what he wants to do.
Who he wants to... be. The Riddler. Batman's matching half. The only worthy lover and number one fanboy of the Bat.
He will make sure Gotham City never forgets this Halloween.
Looks like Gotham has a massive soft spot for setbacks and irony nevertheless, since his objective... didn't quite go as planned.
Ed cut his phone communication with Arthur Brown earlier, who took Stephie trick-or-treating outside. The child had been disappointed her new pal couldn't tag along, Ed pretexted he has an 'urgent business matter to take care of'. He answered she looks gorgeous in her bird costume when the blonde kid showed herself off, dressed like a little robin while her father as for him pulled together a cliché-like gangster orange attire.
Edward didn't get ready for now, he waited the opportune instant to sneak into the mayor Mitchell's private home then wrap himself in his green suit plus mask.
For now, his victim, a corrupt politician, was enjoying himself in his house with his wife and his son Timothy. Eddie forced himself not to think further about that kiddo, Tim, whom he will deprive of a father... otherwise his determination risks to cave in.
Except life is a funny odd little thing, isn't it?
From his overhanging spot on the top of a medium-sized habitation, Ed noticed an unexpected element he should have left aside: a tiny silhouette committing an illegal act in a dirty dead-end street.
Keep out. Stay put. Don't go there, Ed severely lectured himself in his head when he walked off his flat rooftop... and didn't head to Don Mitchell's residence but to this side lane not far from the place he aimed.
He scolded himself for his own lack of savvy, whereas he... didn't try harder to remain focused on his upcoming murder.
Albeit Stephanie didn't coax him to cast out his Riddler coming out, a part of Ed is willing to seize anything he could to hold himself back, to... give himself an excuse not to go on with this craziness.
"You should be more discreet. Anyone paying attention from the main street will be able to see you."
The child startled then sent him a murderous glare.
Edward felt proud he managed to surprise the boy by silently reaching out to him.
Unmistakably a street kid: his black hair is tousled, he wears an ancient red hooded pullover with visible holes scattered across the fabric, worn out jeans and filthy shoes. There is a light purple bruise around his left eye, surely a few days old. Even with the heavy bags under them attesting of his exhaustion, he has beautiful eyes, while Ed is at it. Mismatched, of two very different shades of blue: deep ocean blue for the left one, turquoise sprinkled with minuscule cyan sequins for the right one.
Roughly hidden behind a large trash can, the kid was clutching a lug wrench between his fingers, he... removed a grey car's tires.
It is established Edward is far from an expert in the realm of 'interacting with people'. He tilted his head to the side, like a curious cat upon watching an interesting yet profundly puzzling prey and inquired:
"What's yours but others use more than you do?"
"Fuck off," the boy spat aggressively, sporting a scornful facial expression. "Get outta here, ya riddle-weirdo. I'm busy."
Eddie blinked under his glasses. His Riddler mask is safely located inside his backpack, he has a duty to accomplish. What is he still doing here?!
"... Your technic is far from optimal," he pointed out in a quirky manner, rapidly analyzing the child's gestures. "At this pace, it'll take you hours to remove these tires, and you probably don't have that much time at disposal. I bet the owner is out there partying for Halloween?"
"... Yeah. It's a young couple dat went to a bar," he informed him, a thick suburb accent pooling in his tone. "I spied on them a li'l."
Ed knelt next to the confused kid on the muddy ground.
"You need to rectify the angle of your wrist to be more efficacious."
The boy didn't comment, surely stunned that odd guy didn't threaten him like a standard adult would, but instead... helped him go on with his larceny.
The whole deal felt so bizarre.
Edward bit his lower lip, as he regularly does whenever he feels stressed, once the boy and him successfully removed the tire from the front left wheel. They placed the round object between them on the soiled concrete, then looked at each other, not... knowing what to do or say.
"Hu... Thank ya? I guess," the boy hesitated after over a full minute of unsure silence. "For... hu... helpin'. Dat was... nice. Super weird, but... nice."
Yup, that was definitely awkward. Eddie should have thought it through before getting unecessarily involved.
His anxiety kicked in, he felt his fingers' disagreeable twitch and he suddenly realized his crouched position is far from comfortable. The situation is starting to make him nervous. He didn't know what to say, what to do, how to cut short this impromptu interaction with that poor kid...
"Do you... want to eat something? I invite you."
The dark-haired boy stared at him.
He must think you are a complete freak, Eddie, his inside voice translated accurately.
Be that as it may, if this was the child's conclusion then he must be a freak as well, for he ended up responding, likely after considering his options:
"I'd go for a burger."