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Oswald adjusted his fake white beard and then turned back ready to welcome the next child into Santa’s grotto – only to be surprised by Ed climbing into his lap and wrapping his arms about his neck.
“Hello Santa. I’ve been a very good boy this year.”
“Ed! What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same question.” Ed pulled back slightly to look him up and down. “The penguin exhibit isn’t a surprise but why are you cosplaying Santa?”
“I’m supporting my feathered brethren,” Oswald huffed. “This grotto raises vital funds for endangered species and I’m a very popular attraction. So if you don’t mind-”
He made to extricate himself but Ed was being clingy as an octopus.
“Don’t worry, I put the on-a-break sign out.”
“Edward.”
Annoyance seeped into his tone but all Ed did was cuddle in again.
“I missed you.”
Instantly, Oswald’s irritation vanished and he snuggled Ed closer.
“I’ve missed you too, my turtle dove.”
“I thought when you broke out of Arkham, you’d come see me.”
The complaint was spoken mildly, and Ed remained wrapped tightly about Oswald, yet his upset was apparent. Oswald responded by lifting a hand to stroke through his hair.
“Oh my poor pet. I was going to find you as soon as I finished here, I promise.”
“But why after?” Ed pouted.
“Because how could I be expected to drag myself away from you after we’d endured such a long absence? And I gave my word to help here every year.”
“I guess I am addictive.” Riddler smirked.
“Well, you’re going to have to tear yourself away unfortunately.”
As if to confirm his words Oswald didn’t relinquish his hold, but neither did Edward.
“Surely I can stay here?”
“Ed,” Oswald whined. “I have to invite the kids to sit on my knee. They won’t fit with you there.”
“No but I could help,” Ed insisted. “I could stay and be one of Santa’s elves!”
His suggestion made Oswald pause to glance him over.
“I suppose the green suit does look rather the part. But surely you don’t want to spend your time here? Supporting the zoo isn’t really your M.O.”
“No,” Ed agreed. “But supporting you is. If this is something that you care about, then I care about it.”
“Oh, Edward.”
Oswald’s eyes glistened with emotion and it took all of his will power not to drag Ed into a make out session. For his part Edward slid himself off his lap with obvious reluctance, as evidenced by his deep sigh.
“Later, Oswald,” he suggested. “But for now, how about we make this the most successful year ever, hhmm?”
He sauntered across to the entryway, giving Oswald a good look at him, and he only just snapped back to what he was doing as he heard Ed welcome the first of the waiting children. Ed might prove to be something of a distraction but Oswald truly had never felt more like sharing the magic of Christmas.