Work Text:
The mansion, as it had been the last few weeks, was packed full of Oswald’s campaign team, with their low chatter filling the remaining space. I stood towards the back of the room, trying and failing to focus on the TV screen. The reporter’s babbling about tonight’s election was almost a white noise, drowning out everything around me, so I hardly noticed the rhythmic tapping of Oswald’s cane against the ground as he headed my way. He came to stand beside me, with his suit sharp as always, and his neat hair unfortunately devoid of spikes.
I did my best to match his wide smile, but it felt much more forced than I would have liked. Luckily, Oswald didn’t seem to notice, or he at least didn’t mention it. “This is it,” he said, “the moment I’ve been waiting for.” He broke off into a nervous chuckle then fell silent, following my gaze to the TV before speaking again. “I… thought a lot about what you said the other day.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, though I felt I knew exactly what he was talking about. The other day, when I told him my thoughts about him paying off the election to guarantee a win. I know for a fact he could win on his own - after all, who was his competition? Aubrey James? The man was a hack - but he wanted to make sure. I wasn’t the one running for mayor, so I wasn’t going to call the shots for him, but knowing he had spent so much of his life as a criminal, so hated by the public, I knew an honest, genuine win would be beyond gratifying for him.
“About my decision to buy the election. I… I hope you’re right.”
“You took the money back?”
“Yes.” He pressed his lips together tightly. “You seemed so sure I could win on my own. I trust your opinion. And seeing everyone who didn’t know cheer for me these last few weeks has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”
Despite Oswald’s confident words, there was a hint of anxiety in his voice. Which was understandable, after all, anything could happen, but I didn’t want to get him down with my usual pessimistic ways. And besides, I truly believed that he could win - that he would win.
The TV cut back to the news segment, about to announce the election results, and Oswald fell stock-still beside me, barely even breathing. I held my hand out to him and he took it, almost crushing it in his nervous grip. Silent anticipation filled the room in a moment that felt like hours, which made the applause that followed almost deafening.
In what can only be viewed as a seismic shift, even by Gotham standards, former underworld kingpin Oswald Cobblepot has won the mayor’s office by a landslide.
Oswald dropped my hand, speechless and teary eyed amidst the cacophony of cheers erupting around us. “I… I still won.” He took a step forward then turned back to me. “They… they love me,” he breathed, tentatively, as if he didn’t believe it. As if there were any reason for him to not win.
I grinned widely at him, real and genuine this time. “Of course they do, who wouldn’t?” My breath caught in my throat as soon as the words left my mouth. I didn’t mean to say that. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice the true meaning of my words, too caught up in his euphoria and the chanting of his name, from both the broadcast and his campaign team.
I hung back as he began to accept his congratulations and praise, practically glowing with excitement and joy. He looked so beautiful, and I so desperately wanted to tell him so, tell him how amazing he was, but he disappeared into the crowd before I could even begin to work up the courage.
“It is with a humble heart that I accept the trust placed in me by this great city to become your mayor.”
Oswald stood in front of the crowd, long after I decided against telling him how I really felt about him. Cameras clicked and flashed around me as he spoke.
“The people have spoken, and I have heard their call.” He locked eyes with me before continuing. “As my first act as mayor, I would like to introduce you to my chief of staff, Mr. Ryan Campbell!”
My mouth dropped open and my face flushed dark as everyone’s attention turned towards me. I felt like a deer in the headlights, standing awkwardly amidst the throng until I noticed Oswald waving me up.
I somehow never even imagined the possibility of holding a position with Oswald, thought I probably should have seen it coming. After all, what else would I do while he’s mayor?
My brain went on autopilot as I made my way up to stand next to him, and when he grabbed my arm to raise it proudly, I really truly felt like my heart would beat out of my chest or my legs would give out. I had never had this much attention put on me before, especially so suddenly. Was I supposed to say something? I wasn’t sure, though it didn’t seem like anyone expected me to.
The rest of the night passed by in an overwhelming blur, and I was glad to find myself sprawled out on my bed in comfortable clothes that didn’t feel like they were choking me. A knock on my door shook me out of my daze, and I sat up into a more flattering position. “Come in.”
Oswald entered my room, still dressed but a bit disheveled. “Hello there, Mr. Mayor,” I said, grinning at the laugh he huffed out. I patted the bed next to me, swinging my legs over the side when he joined me. “To what do I owe the honor?”
“I still can’t believe that I won,” he said softly. “I’m the mayor. Me.”
“I knew you could do it. I always believed in you.”
“I know.” He looked up at me. “And I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am for all you’ve done for me. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.” I ducked my head, embarrassed at the praise and raw emotion in his voice. There was no way that was true, I knew for a fact he could do all this and more, with or without me.
After a beat of silence, he spoke again. “I’m sorry for putting you on the spot like that, especially without warning and in front of so many people.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “But… are you sure you want me as your chief of staff and not, you know, someone more qualified?”
“Of course,” he said matter of factly. “I trust you more than anyone.”
Fuck. It was so unfair, how he could say things like that to me so easily and not know what they did to me. I could feel my face start to heat up, and I once again wanted so badly to tell him how I felt about him. How much I loved him. It’d be so easy, right? Just say it - I love you.
Oswald stood up before I could speak, oblivious to the complete and utter turmoil my mind was in, but saving me from the embarrassment of what I’m sure would have been a lousy confession anyway.
“We’d best be getting to sleep soon, tomorrow will undoubtedly be busy.”
“Yes,” I said. “Goodnight.”
As Oswald left, I cursed my cowardice and failure to tell him how I felt tonight, not only once, but twice. Although, I thought, settling into bed, perhaps this was fate telling me to just keep it to myself. After all, no matter how hopeful I was, I could never convince myself that Oswald would ever feel the same way towards me. I could settle for what we had now, no matter how much my heart ached for him every time he was near. I had to.