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The TV had become white noise to me at this point, being drowned out by the scratching of my pencil and occasional crunching of the pretzels in the bowl that was just within my reach. I was perched on the table, and had probably been hunched over the multitudes of documents in front of me for far too long. Definitely for far too long, I corrected myself, wincing at the sharp ache that shot down my back as I stretched, raising my arms over my head.
“Ryan, look! Those are my men!” Oswald exclaimed suddenly, turning to me with a wide grin and one arm outstretched to point at the TV. His enthusiasm would normally be infectious, but I couldn’t help but frown at his words. Even though it had been hours, his conversation with Jim and Harvey still stuck with me. Oswald had been acting… strange lately. Very unlike himself. And I knew Sofia was to blame, she had been trying to infect and manipulate him from the moment she stepped foot in Gotham. I just wish I knew what she was trying to do.
“And there’s that Headhunter person I introduced you to earlier. Kind of a moron, as you saw, but he is effective.”
The news reporter continued talking about the unnecessary brutality the people in the Narrows faced, the death and nearly fatal injuries of at least a dozen people, and the state of 2 out of 3 of the missing cops. One found dead, and one alive. No news on the other.
“So, technically,” Oswald continued, referring to the now-hospitalized survivor, “I saved that cop’s life. SUCH great PR!” My frown deepened. Yeah, but at what cost? And what about MY opinion? “Uh huh,” I muttered, shoving another pretzel in my mouth. “A number of the men involved are what I’ve been told are the men of former Mayor, Arkham inmate, and alleged crime lord, Oswald Cobblepot. It is unclear why Mr. Cobblepot is aiding the police.”
Yeah, to you and me both, I thought to myself, hunching back over in an attempt to get back to my paperwork.
“Is co-opting the police not the most brilliant idea I've ever had? It is Pax Penguina taken to a whole other level.”
The news segment ended. I still didn’t say anything.
“Ryan?” Oswald leaned forward to get my attention. “Are you alright? You haven’t said anything in a while.”
“Oh…” I sighed, rolling my neck out before speaking. “I just… wish you hadn’t gotten involved like this.”
Oswald cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… Everything you’ve done lately makes it feel like I’m with a completely different person. The Oswald I know wouldn’t have allowed his men to run wild through the Narrows like that and let them act so viciously towards completely innocent people. And for what, to save cops? ” I swung my legs off the table to position myself so I was facing him. He looked almost guilty for a second before pressing his lips together in a thin line. “Well, what would you suggest I have done? Have my men ask ‘pretty please will you tell me where the cops were taken’? I don’t think that would have gone over so well.”
“No, I would have suggested you not get involved with this at all. I know ‘your’ cops are dying and affecting business for us, but I don’t know why you’ve demeaned yourself to publicly helping them instead of just going after the Pyg yourself. You didn’t even ask me what I thought, you just went right ahead and did exactly as you pleased. Which is very concerning, because this isn’t like you at all.”
I felt very out of breath after my impromptu confession. I wasn’t quite sure how Oswald was going to respond. He had sat back in his chair with crossed arms, looking at me through slightly narrowed eyes. “You know, I wasn’t technically involved in any of this. The only connection to my name is Headhunter, who I hired. Besides, Sofia said-”
“Oh, Sofia said!!” I interrupted, the edge in my voice obvious. “What do you mean ‘Sofia said’?” Oswald retorted, imitating my sarcastic tone.
“I mean all you seem to care about lately is what Sofia thinks. Ever since she came spewing her bullshit to you, you’ve been so concerned with what she tells you to do. She’s manipulating you, Oswald, I’ve been trying to tell you for weeks!!”
Every time all 3 of us were in the same room, I could see the way she carefully picked her words to appeal to Oswald’s soft side, to make him see past her suspicious actions. Everything she did was so carefully calculated and I was the only one who could see it.
“Yes, I know, you’ve been saying, but I really don’t think that’s true. And I do not do everything she tells me,” Oswald said. “Okay, who here has known her for over a decade? Oh, that’s right, me! I know her Oswald, I know all her dirty tricks, including the ones she’s using on you. And maybe you don’t do every single little thing she tells you, but how the hell would I know? You hardly spend time with me anymore.”
“That’s-”
I shook my head, not allowing him to continue. “You’re always off doing God-knows with her! Usually the only time I ever see you is at night, and then you’re gone before I wake up. You used to talk to me, I used to be your partner. When’s the last time you asked my opinion on literally anything, huh? It was last week when you asked me which fucking tie you should wear to lunch with Sofia!!”
My throat was tight and my eyes were hot and wet by the time I finished, and I got up, not wanting to spend any more time here.
“Ryan, please…” Oswald followed me up and reached for my hand, but I shook it out of his grasp, trying hard to ignore how hurt he looked. “No. Fuck this. I’m leaving.” I headed to the door, hoping he wouldn’t follow me, but also wanting nothing more than for him to beg for me to stay, to hold me tight again.
“Don’t come crawling back when she betrays you.”
I left. And he didn’t try to stop me.