Work Text:
Gotham was an interesting city. And August found himself fitting into it better than he thought he would. He had been warned by everyone he had talked to that it was too dangerous and that he would want to run screaming within a week. But he hadn't found that to be the case at all. In fact within his first three months working at his new school it hadn't been attacked even once. Unlike Casper High where it was a weekly occurrence. The move had actually made his life calmer overall.
The rogues of Gotham were much easier to avoid than the ghosts. They for the most part couldn't fly so once he knew where they were he could avoid them. Unless they attacked where he was at the time. Which was what he had stumbled into trying to do his weekly grocery run that day. He was now one of nearly two dozen people being held hostage by one of the various rogues. He didn't recognize this one, nor did he care to. Though he couldn't help but think he would get along with the Lunch Lady with all the screaming about condiments.
He sat patiently waiting on the floor. Even going so far as to pull out his pocket book of crosswords to start working on. Which got him a number of disbelieving looks from his fellow hostages. It was obvious that they weren't in any life threatening danger so why not keep himself occupied?
He got through one and a half puzzles before the local vigilantes showed up and put a stop to everything going on. And he just kept on waiting where the officers told him to. There was no point trying to rush anyone through their job. They would get his statement when they got to him. Many more of the hostages needed medical attention or just someone to help them calm down more than he did. So he kept working on his crossword puzzle while he waited.
"Do you want to explain to me why you are the only person here who isn't freaking out?" a man asked him without bothering to get his attention. "To the point none of my men are willing to be the one to talk to you."
August looked up at the man who had said the words he was patiently waiting for his entire life. The words that made it so he was able to keep cool in almost any crisis. The words of his soulmark that wrapped around his upper leg. They came from a man who was trying to look put together and in charge but who had been going for too long and was suffering for it. His suit was just a bit too loose like he had lost weight since getting it and there was a coffee stain on his shirt that said it had been more than it should have been since he had a chance to change. As did the stubble that was too long to call five o'clock shadow anymore. The badge on his belt said he was with the Gotham City Police Department. Probably a detective then.
"I find it most useful to remain calm in a crisis where I'm not the one in charge," he said. "And whoever that was seemed to have no intention of killing anyone. So there was no reason to get overly worked up."
The man sighed. And it was something he did a lot by the way he moved through the motion. It did make sense for what his job was. If his ears weren't playing tricks August could have sworn he heard the man mutter "why now" to himself. So it wasn't just a coincidence then. It was just as likely he said the man's words as the man said his.
"You know most people don't decide to do crosswords even if they aren't in immanent danger during an attack," he said, with pure exhaustion in his voice.
"I was bored."
"You were bored."
There was disbelief on his face and in his voice. Which was understandable. It wasn't a normal reaction. August knew that. He had just been through so many situations where death was the likely outcome that his body no longer responded properly to non deadly situations. Though it was definitely responding to being so close to the man that was his almost certainly his soulmate.
"It's better than dissolving into a panic," he said. "I have had enough of that to last a lifetime."
"I should be taking you in for more questions," the man said. "But honestly that is the kind of response I expect from people nowadays. And it's hard to believe anyone would work with Condiment King."
"Oh is that what he's called? I haven't been in town long enough to learn all the rogues yet."
"Yes that is what he calls himself. Now, I need to get your statement so that we can move this scene along and I can get where I need to. First things first, what's your name and contact information."
"August Lancer."
He continued to answer the detective's questions one after another, giving his entire statement about what had happened. At the end he was told he could leave.
"Before I go, could I get your name?" he asked.
"Did I never give that to you?"
He seemed genuinely confused about that. Probably used to giving his name out right at the beginning of his questioning.
"You didn't."
He rubbed a hand over his face.
"As long as no one is dead I am going home after this. I need to sleep," he said. Then looked back up at August, "I'm Jim Gordon, the police commissioner."
"It's a pleasure to properly meet you Commissioner Gordon."
He got another odd look from the man.
"Why do you seem so happy about that?" he asked.
"Well, when you first came over here you told me a very distinctive set of words. My soulmark words You also reacted to what I said to you."
Jim face filled with thought for a long moment. Until he somehow managed to look even more tired than he had before. It was an impressive feat seeing as the man was close to swaying on his feet.
"I did, didn't I? I can't believe I managed to forget that."
"You have had a busy day by the looks of it," August said.
"More like week," Jim said. "I don't think I've been home since Tuesday."
It was Saturday. Which definitely explained the dead on his feet look. Five days of almost non stop work would do that to anyone. August felt bad for him. It must be a terrible time if he hadn't gone home in that long.
"Rough time," he said. "You might want to make it there."
"After I make sure this mess is properly cleaned up."
August nodded. His soulmate was the type to never leave something unfinished. He could tell that already.
"And after you get some sleep give me a call. I would like to properly get to know you."
The first smile he had seen appeared on Jim's face.
"I'll make sure to do that, but in case I forget here's my card."
August was handed a business card with an extra number scrawled across the bottom noting that it was a cell phone. I stuck it in his pocket to enter into his cell phone at the first chance he got. Then gave his soulmate a goodbye and they went their separate ways.
For the time being.