When Dorothy is gone the Scarecrow is the Clue [Jonathan]

[Deleted]

Roses are red
Violets are blue
When Dorothy is gone
The Scarecrow is the clue

Riddle me this, if you are fear and fear is the only primary emotion, why do you love?Is it because you have a heart but no brain?

The riddle had been written on hotel stationary, the very hotel he was currently in, and the numbers circled in the address was the date and time he wanted to meet him. He had sent the letter to him in Arkham, for the man had stayed trapped there for far too long. He couldn’t have his pieces staying off the board, especially in this moment of time. While Jonathan certainly was not on his top list of people to see, Edward still held respect for the man. He could accomplish what he needed, and more importantly, with his involvement, he could kill two birds with one stone.

He did hope the puzzle wasn’t too advanced for the poor Scarecrow without a brain. After all, it was fairly simple. He needed to come to the hotel addressed on the stationary at the exact date and time and ask for the room number of Mr. Dorothy, and he would be directed here. Of course, Jonathan would have to break out of Arkham, but that hardly was a concern. Edward had already heard the news of someone missing, though the news media was still working on details even though it had occurred a couple days ago.

The sun was about to set in the distance, and he suspected to hear a knock on the door anytime now. Edward walked over to the cart the hotel service brought in. It had a bottle of champagne and two glasses, nothing fancy. His finger traced along the bottle before he picked it up.

He felt a drip of water slip down his cheek. His hair was wet from the hot shower he had just taken, and he wore a low hanging towel along his waist, nothing else. Edward was a confident man, and felt confident in his body. He held no qualms like Adam & Eve after they bit into the apple. He popped the champagne and poured it into a glass, setting it down after it was filled. He took a sip, his eyes glancing around the room to make certain everything was in place.

A knock sounded at the door, and his brow rose. With his glass in hand, he went to the door and opened it widely already knowing who he would see. He smirked, “Hello Jonathan.” He tilted his head taking in his form before opening the door wider to let him in. He made no note to his current attire, acting like it was completely normal to be wearing almost nothing. “I do hope you being here means you aren’t still sour. I never quite liked sour patch kids. Too tart, and the idiotic commercial always agitates me. You would think the kids would stop forgiving them with all the nonsense they cause.”

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

When Dr. Crane had received the note he knew exactly where to go. A lot had happened recently and his mind was already jumbled with more things than he’d care to deal with at the moment, but for now he could distract himself with this. He held the paper between his fingers and mulled over the Riddle. It would be like him to use characters he despised to describe him. But why did Edward want to see him in the first place? After their last altercation he had made it very clear what it was to become.

Not that it was odd for Nigma to often change his mind.

Dr. Crane had taken his time getting there but he arrived nearly at the time he was supposed to. It wasn’t the same hotel they had met at before, this one was far nicer. It seemed Edward had upped his tastes since he last spoke to him, not caring where he was or what he was doing in that moment. But that was always Dr. Crane’s biggest diagnosis for Mr. Nigma. He always took too big a dose of himself and paid for it in the end. Dr. Crane walked to the front and got the information he needed. His head was kept down the entire time in front of the desk manager. A face like Dr. Crane’s was not easily dismissible by people in Gotham anymore.

Once he got the directions to what room he set off, took the elevator and made his way to the door. His hand came to the wood but halted right before it to think. It had been some time since he’d seen him last and he didn’t want anything to repeat itself considering what had happened. It was going to be a professional encounter, he was going to find out what he wanted, whether he was interested and leave. Assured of himself he knocked on the door.

Edward answered within the minute he knocked, always expecting him to be on time…foolishly. Dr. Crane worked on his own time. Dr. Crane looked up to catch Edward’s form but he was struck still and in silence. From the floor his eyes drug up and over the towel, bumped over every ab, up his chest and finally made it to his eyes to lock their with his. Dr. Crane was no fool as he stared into his eyes; he had done that little bit on purpose. It wasn’t going to work, however distracting it might have been. He had to push those memories down.

“Nigma” He answered in greeting and then stepped through the door. This hotel room was certainly nicer than any of the others they spent time in. The doctor winced slightly at the thought; he needed to push those away. As Edward began to talk he didn’t acknowledge him, instead he walked right by and went for the back door. He opened it and leaned into the doorway for some fresh air. His eyes had glanced to the table for a few seconds but had little desire to drink anything of his. “Forgiveness?....Is that the message you gain from it? To me it seems they are being manipulated by the children….After all they are about to be eaten. So who is the true victim?” He mused to himself out the door. He kept his body half inside and half out so he could keep an eye on Edward’s movements. “What do you want Nigma?” He asked to save them both time. His riddles were often easy to solve when done in this manner, but never very descriptive on exactly what he wanted from him. Visibly, he kept his eyes off of him all together for several reasons….One in particular. But the main reason he’d admit to?... To drive Nigma insane.

[Deleted]

As per usual, Jonathan appeared like a disheveled mess. His suit always seemed slightly large for his body, and simple things like straightening a tie or owning a brush seemed far too advanced for the man to comprehend. However, his eyes…his eyes could read through layers of emotional walls with how piercing they latched on to their subject. He felt them roam every inch of his body like a hand maneuvering its way along his skin.

Edward certainly pretended like the last two nights they spent in the sheets together never existed, but moments like this, when he was so exposed to him, it was hard to deny that images of teeth against teeth, hands on skin, pure wild aggression came to the forefront of his mind. For the briefest of moment, his cheeks became a bit redder than they had been before, but he dismissed it with a calculating smirk.

He watched carefully as the man stepped into his hotel room, a much cleaner and classier hotel room than their first encounter in a bedroom. He almost laughed as he avoided the drink. For a man who proclaimed he had no fears, he certainly treated the glass like a mouse hidden under a fridge. He supposed it did make sense. He had poisoned him before, but not tonight. No, he needed him coherent.

“Interesting, which are you the kid forgiving or the candy being manipulated?” he asked as the man opened the door, almost like he was preparing himself to flee at any moment, if only he had Batman’s assortment of gadgets. The simple action told him his current attire certainly was not settling well with Jonathan, but the fact that he was avoiding eye contact was almost maddening. He couldn’t think of time Jonathan didn’t lock him with his eyes, why did he fill so inclined to stop looking at him now?

He took a sip of the champagne as he moved to the bed. He sat on the mattress, crossing his chin over his knee, exposing much of what was underneath the towel if Jonathan dared to look. “Nigma? There is no need for formalities, Jonathan. I have seen you naked,” he smirked, taking another sip of his glass before shifting his shoulders back to relax a bit. “If you wish to be so bland and get straight to the point, I suppose I can indulge you. I need your assistance with a certain little flying bird,” he stated.

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

The only way for Dr. Crane to have clothes that actually fit him well was to get them tailored. There was no store in Gotham that sold suits in his small frame. He was a tall man with a very slender frame, like a man that looked like he had indulged in far too many drugs and not enough food. But in his eyes he was quite healthy, as he never had anything to worry about health wise, it wasn't as if he could die from anything. Back when he was actively in the medical field he would pay for tailored suits on occasion, but after the arrest there was little point, it didn't matter what he wore. Besides, there was always better things to spend his money on for his research.

"I am not a corporate commercial for candy." He answered simply and kept his gaze out toward the night sky. He had no desire to look at Edward aside from what he could see in his peripheral and that was all he needed at the moment. His fingers tapped at the glass on the sliding door as he mentioned his name again but didn't rise to answer him back on it. He had already made it clear what he was going to call him tonight and he wasn't going to change it simply because Edward thought being bare changed anything.

He was aware through the corner of his eyes that Edward had moved onto the bed and exposed more of himself. He was always trying to get his attention as always, but Dr. Crane wasn't going to buckle at any moment he wanted. It was better if he just got to the point, as Dr. Crane was a busy man with little time and little desire to talk. But his next words actually caught his attention. He didn't expect that he actually wanted his "help" with something, someone at that. His shoulder shifted slightly at the mention of something with wings but he could only assume he meant a member of the Batfamily. But why would Edward ask for his help?

Finally, Dr. Crane turned from the open doorway and caught his eyes to Edward's. His glacial blue's stayed on Edward's and refused to move down him, which was probably what Edward wanted. He was far more interested on staying focused on the business at hand. Edward had made it perfectly clear before that he wasn't interested anymore and whether it was true or not he didn't care, it didn't matter to him. It was a fleeting feeling regardless, something that he knew all along was just a folly that he had somehow slipped into, he wouldn't make that mistake again, and to convince him otherwise was going to take more than crossed legs in a towel on a bed. "I see.." He answered simply,, trying to keep his focus straight. Dr. Crane walked further in and came right to the edge of the bed, keeping the back door opened. "What makes you think I would assist you with anything? Right now it seems you can barely dress yourself." His hand gestured to his towel but his eyes never removed from his.

Dr. Crane ran it over in his mind, the last night that they were intimate together and the last night that they spoke. It was enough to make his knuckles pop and a strain come into his neck. He had thrown away something so precious out of his fear to be able to handle it. He should have known Edward was an incredibly weak man underneath his facade. But dropping something so precious as he did....Dr. Crane didn't care about what he wanted right now. Suddenly his hand snapped up and caught the edge of Edward's jaw. He hooked his thumb and index finger right under the hinge of his bone to keep him in place as he spoke. "What describes the impossible, but proves the obvious?" He asked in the riddles that Edward so enjoyed to indulge in, mixed within his own twisted cryptics. There was a coldness in his eyes that was judging him with each breath he thought he could take after their last meeting. He was asking for a lot....having proven his worth so little since he had returned.

[Deleted]

Edward couldn’t help the laughter that escaped from his lips as Jonathan commented on his attire. The palms of his hands were placed behind him on the bed, leaning back, and looking up at the tall man. He flipped his wet hair back, causing his bangs to side swipe across his forehead. He could feel the warmth of Jonathan’s legs with how close he had come to the bed. It almost surprised him he was willing to be in arm distance away from him, when just a moment ago, he was hiding in a corner like a trapped mouse.

“It’s my hotel room, I didn’t know I was required to put on my best for you,” he smirked, mischief playing in his eyes as he took in Jonathan’s cold ones. He knew the man was still bitter with him over his actions over his formula. For a man who only believed in one emotion, he certainly could wear anger and irritation fairly well, like a brand new snuggie. Edward did not regret his decision to toss the formula. Personally, he thought it had only hurt Jonathan, and Edward certainly would not be putting that formula in his bloodstream or any other person’s blood. He had no use for it, and things he has no use for, he throws in the trash.

The smirk faltered on his face, as Jonathan’s gripped into his jaw, his nails digging under his skin. His eyes narrowed as he listened to the riddle.

Philosopher.

Could it be that Jonathan was attempting to describe himself? Edward did not consider Jonathan such. The more the man thought he proved his theory on fear, the more Edward saw flaws in it. The very fact that man could have an emotional connection to another human being disproved all of Jonathan’s theories, but he supposed the walls had returned to fill Jonathan’s mind with lies once more.

“Me,” he stated, tilting his head in his hand, before he leaned forward. His fingers hooked into Jonathan’s belt loop, and yanked him forward. “You will do this for me, Jonathan,” he stated, “You might believe I am describing the impossible, but you will.”

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

Through a stare so cold, nothing went unnoted in his mind. In turn nothing was given to Edward in his emotions. The man was void of them as far as he was involved. He knew that Edward could and had tried to counter that before, anything that he claimed he brought out of him was nothing but his own distorted perception of what really was. Edward saw what he wanted to see. It seemed that even in his mind he couldn’t escape the ego of himself. Not that Dr. Crane expected anything less of him in that aspect.

Dropping his formula was something he didn’t want to think about, but couldn’t help it as his chin laid in his hand. The tips of his discolored nails ran just underneath the bone. They edged only to and fro, never giving him enough room to escape his grasp if he wanted to. The color of his nails wasn’t any amount of filth by any means. It was actually close to the discoloration of his fingers and hands, which had a slightly yellow tint on them. Years of sterilization and chemicals had stained his hands over the years, mixed with things that only he would ever know. He had never expected Edward to do anything with the formula except keep it, but Edward often exceeded his expectations and this time he had gone a bit too far.

Yet, through his disdain, he wouldn’t give Edward an inch more on what he has seen. He just couldn’t understand and as his self-preserving words left his mouth the doctor almost smiled. But before he could even correct him he felt a force pull him forward. The force was enough to make him hit the already far too close bed and stumble forward on it. His body leaned forward, but the ever graceful Dr. Crane caught himself just over the angle of Edward’s inclined form by a single hand to his left. The other never left, but wavered at his jaw. Dr. Crane lifted his head from the fall, scanning over him until he reached his eyes to stay.

He will do this for him.

It was quite a demand.

His nose nearly missed bumping with Edward’s chin in the tight space he had found himself in over him but it wasn’t going to stop him. The doctor pressed forward, bringing his lips dangerously close to the side of Edward’s, as if he was going to suck the words right out of him. “Then I…. Am just proving the obvious…” He whispered to him in his cryptic manner, it was always painfully obvious to Dr. Crane, everything that no one understood included in that. But now there was another striking piece he couldn’t ignore.

[Deleted]

As Jonathan’s nails scrapped along his skin like glass, he wondered when this encompassing difficult to breath surrounding started with Jonathan. Had it always been this way? The man could walk into a room and the air somehow felt thicker and heavier than it had been moments before. Could the man be a black hole? Sucking life out of anything that came within a certain radius? There were certainly people in this world that had such power, could Jonathan be one of them? He couldn’t wrap his mind around the riddles and particularly why his heart had seemed to skip a beat as the man fell partly over him.

His mind darted to the Greek Myth of Medusa, her eyes leaving anyone who saw into stone. At the very moment, he couldn’t move a muscle, his arms and body frozen in Jonathan’s ice blue gaze as his lips lingered closer and closer to his. He knew for certain that this tension was not merely in his head, a figment of his imagination. After all, he had gotten Jonathan to admit to something the man clearly did not believe in. He swallowed thickly in attempts to remind himself of the game at hand. He had no interest in a relationship and especially not one with Jonathan Crane. He had to manipulate this…..feeling…to his own advantage, instead of letting Jonathan take control.

He ran his tongue along his bottom lip quickly as he collected his thoughts to the statement. He needed air to breath. “Yes, the obvious….but I am certain we have two different opinions in what that to be,” he stated, almost breathlessly.

His finger went up to his chest, and tapped on his tie, hoping the touch might distract Jonathan. “However, there is one obvious thing about this day that you have yet to comment on, and you should know all my actions are done perfectly. I am perfect. I wonder why you have failed to mention….,” he leaned forward, a smirk tugging on his lips. “Yes, I wonder why? A riddle indeed. Are you afraid of getting older?” he chuckled. He then tilted his head away from his hand and stretched towards the nightstand, with his middle and forefinger, he grabbed an envelope that had Jonathan written on top of it in Edward’s scrawled handwriting.

He put it in between their faces, giving Edward the needed breath of air. Inside the envelope was a letter. It had a picture of a sad pit-bull wearing a birthday hat. “Why are you sad?” the front of the letter read and inside it said, “It’s your birthday, and you’re with someone special!” Happy Birthday was scrawled down and below an address located in Idaho. Pressed inside the letter was a blue poppy that he suspected Jonathan to recognize instantly.

“Are you still going to be pissy with me, Jonathan? It does seem rather pathetic to be as moody as you are on your birthday,” he smirked.

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

If Dr. Crane could have frozen Edward where he was and kept him there in the frigid ice he would have. But he knew just as well as Edward knew about him that there was a motive here to both of them. He had known exactly what he was doing from the moment he walked in and how to keep his attention. Not that he was ever used to having air in the first place, but around Edward there never was any to be had. It was like they would drain the room with the tension between them.

His lips just barely grazed Edward’s as he spoke in his puzzles and riddles, much more directed than Dr. Crane’s. The Riddler was always asking his questions and serving his riddles, but if you couldn’t answer it, he couldn’t bare the thought of you not knowing the answer either directly….or indirectly from him. He did have to have all the answers after all. His eyes fixated on Edward’s even as the distracting tongue ran along his lips, he could see it from the peripheral and it only made him want to know the burning question they were both asking silently that much more.

What was going on between them was never clear, to either of them, especially to Dr. Crane. All feelings in this aspect were new and confusing. They challenged the way he thought and he believed that was part of what drew him toward him. But at the same time he knew that it was all for a higher purpose, both of them had a motive that was on the surface of whatever was already under there and both of them planned to accomplish their goals. His was just far more important than Edward’s.

The unfortunate subject of his birthday caused a heavy sigh to leave his chest. It never mattered how old he was turning in this world anyway. Society saw him as another year older but it never mattered much to him. The message on the card elicited no reaction from him except a small mark of confusion. It was a mild distraction from Edward’s face to see the long dogs eyes with the ridiculous hat on. Why would Edward get him a gift for his birthday? Why would anyone for that matter, it was pointless to do so. He was about to comment on it when the brilliance of the blue poppies petals hit his eyes. They reflected off of his Iris like it was the perfect match for one another. How?.....Did he pick this up from him? At his lab? While he was gone? Where?

Dr. Crane shoved his hand up from where it was, leaning the weight on the other over him to snatch it from the card. It was crushed….The most important thing in the universe, crushed, the pollen probably already dispersed and leaves dried. It was a waste. Yes, he was angry….So angry. Edward was one of the few that could bring him to this point and the only that could do this….because he was now the only one that knew besides….

He shook the thoughts that came into his mind and turned his gaze back to Edward. His eyes this time seemed darker and more unstable than before. The stem from the flower twisted into his fingers as he continually reminded himself of the game they were constantly playing, a battle for dominance of the mind. His hand dipped lower until his finger hooked the edge of his towel at his hips. “I think I’m about to find out your opinion…” He growled before he pulled it up to release it and expose him. He kept his composure about him besides the heat that suddenly rose, there was a motive to this. ”I’ll do it…but not for free… He whispered with every intent to lead his thoughts away from money. Paper was simply a useless tool for him.

”First we’re going to do this….and then you’re going to tell me about this….” He rolled the flower within his fingers waiting for his response.

[Deleted]

Edward Nigma prided himself on knowledge and information. There was barely little he did not know, and if he was unaware of the information, he would find a way to gain it. His dip in the Lazurus Pits did not just bring him clarity and returned health, but it offered him a chance to dig through Ra’s al Ghul’s library of knowledge, oh and how much did he learn. He learned of this little poppy creation and the towns that succumb to the fear of the small blue flower. He learned of its connection to Jonathan and its relation to Gotham, including Jonathan’s chain of obedience to the League of Shadows.

The idea of someone holding ownership over Jonathan always bothered him in a way he couldn’t describe. It was for that reason he had bought Jonathan’s debt from the Penguin in the first place, but he knew he could not buy Jonathan from Ra’s. No, freedom would only be created by having the product that Jonathan so desired. He had a sample of it shipped to him, and he had spent time studying it and the climate it needed to grow. Edward held a large mass fortune from his years of crime, so with it, he was able to create a greenhouse set to the exact climate conditions it needed. He hired botanists to grow the plants and with months of preparation, the little poppies manage to grow in Idaho. It gave him the perfect opportunity to steal the chain Ra’s had over Jonathan and take it into his own hand. The poppy Jonathan held in his hand was the one he had stolen from Ra’s that had allowed him to create the mass ones he now had in the small greenhouse. It was his gift to Jonathan, and to some extent of a reminder, that when it came to power, information and knowledge were the kings of the chess board. Both that Edward Nigma had in his hand.

He watched Jonathan for his reaction, hoping to see some form of happiness that Edward had freed him, but he was surprised to see the anger. He had not expected that flash of anger that ran in his eyes, and the glare that seemed to follow as he took in the poppy. Did he not see what Edward had done? It was the same look he had given him when he had dropped his formula. Did he think he had destroyed his supply? Why that idea was certainly tempting, he would see no reason to punish Jonathan in such a way.

But then his hand moved to his towel, and Edward sucked in a sharp breath of air, as Jonathan’s knuckles rubbed along his skin. Before he could even react, he had pulled the towel off of him, leaving his body completely bare to Jonathan’s eyes. He didn’t fight the action, and he didn’t shade himself. Edward knew he was attracted and had nothing to be ashamed of, but he couldn’t deny the heated feeling that flooded his body.

No, he was not going to continue this action with him. The rumors were already dancing about town, and it insulted him greatly to be even considered to be gay. He might have only worn a towel to make Jonathan uncomfortable and easier to persuade to what he wanted, but it hadn’t been to say that Jonathan could sleep with him. He had not been offering up his body for payment for the trade.

He swallowed thickly as Jonathan announced as a fact that he planned to have him. He shifted away a bit, but kept his face full of confidence, not giving him a glimpse of fear. He merely smirked and leaned forward. “I don’t ever remembering putting my body on the board,” he stated, his hand moving to cup Jonathan’s neck.

“Your birthday present is already a fair price for what I am asking, unless you see freedom as second rate?” he squeezed his neck and began to push Jonathan up as his own body moved forward.

“If you want me, you have to do more than slip my towel off,” he whispered against his lips before pushing Jonathan completely off the bed.

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

Though he would never admit it outwardly, Dr. Crane had been owned nearly his whole life by one person or another or one being or another. His talents were not something you could just throw away without cringing at the waste. There had been many holders that had come and gone in his life, Dr. Crane holding most of the cards in every game, but there was one man that had him on a leash and collar. Ra’s al Ghul….Dr. Crane never wanted this to be so, but he wouldn’t give it up for the world if it meant letting go of the most precious resource in the world.

He couldn’t feel happiness, according to the world, especially seeing this in his hand. It was pure fascination with it. His fingers pulled over the stem every chance he could just to continually touch it. There had been so much time that he had invested in getting these flowers to grow. There was very little he hadn’t tried, under the sun, out of the sun, the same soil from the ground, transferring the environment. Nothing seemed to work. Edward couldn’t have done that….Not if he couldn’t…it was impossible, he stole it.

Dr. Crane felt the full vibration of his body as the towel dropped from him. His eyes never came away from his, completely locked upon his gaze. There was no amount of temptation that would warrant him to look down and in his mind he didn’t need to. He had everything he needed to see right there in the depths of the hallows in Edward’s eyes. He had seen this look before, it was the same look he had seen their first night and every night after. Edward was paralyzed with fear, that confidence was just his way of covering it, and his body was resonating heat from it. It was intoxicating. It was enough to make him bare his head down ever so slightly and take in the scent of him in a long noticeable breath.

It would be short lived unfortunately. Dr. Crane never cared much for the thoughts and opinions of others, although it often played a part in how things turned out. Life was about his research and the things that he was able to discover and accomplish with it. It didn’t matter what the ignorant thoughts about it but Edward certainly wasn’t ignorant. Not that he would openly admit to caring what he thought, He didn’t. But he was becoming slowly aware that their opinions about this in particular were about as similar as they were polar opposite, a colliding mesh of searing Ice and Flame.

Nothing that Edward did went unnoticed as he stared into the complicated formula in his eyes. He didn’t respond as he announced his protests and put his hand against his neck. His skin reacted in a tight pull and his body inhaled sharply to cover for it. His eyes flickered with a small amount of confusion as he talked about his freedom. In his distraction he staggered back and took a few steps back from the bed. “My…Freedom” The words slipped from his lips like he never thought he’d say them. The world was becoming so bleak with his freedom. Surely, Edward wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this…He wouldn’t have been able to make Ra’s sell to him to sell to him….

His last words made his eyes darken and take an unstable step toward him. “I am now thinking a lot more than just the towel…” He commented back to him. His hand went to his chin and steadily rubbed a long it as he was deep in thought. The push had sparked the fight between the two male lions in the cage. Neither of them was going to back down to submission…..Dr. Crane cracked his head to the left and then reached into his right jacket pocket. This was just the way he wanted it. “I am not a man that is so easily bought….just as you are not so easily caught…” He pulled out the brightly colored yellow syringe and wrapped the flower around it. “But….” His lip rolled under and came to the edge of the bed again, wih the needle threateningly pointing upward. The taste of his lips still lingered on his. “I think I know just what will tame the lion…” A pause came after his last words and suddenly grabbed the edge of the bed covers. In one powerful pull he attempted to rip them out from underneath him and pull him toward him.

[Deleted]

Edward had certainly caught a cord with Jonathan. The man loved to appear as an unmovable stone of emotions, but like everyone, Jonathan went through his up and downs allowing his emotions to take control of his actions instead of reason. After all, he seemed quite focus on a small flower, almost more focused on the flower then he was on Edward’s bare body. In some extent, Edward should feel insulted. He was quite used to people attacking him when he showed his attractiveness, but the way he spoke….

There was such uncertainty in his voice.

Did he believe that he was lying? Edward never lied. (Of course, Edward didn’t realize that there was certainly a flaw in the flowers he grew. They did not have the same quality, but Edward wasn’t as familiar as Jonathan would be.)

His eyes followed Jonathan’s form, still fully clothed with that stiff appearance. He couldn’t explain….but didn’t like it.

Jonathan stepped closer and the wind in his lungs seemed to be sucked out by a vacuum. He nodded barely listening to his words, too focused on how close Jonathan was becoming, until he brought out the needle and the yellow liquid glared at him. His eyes widened.

“Jonathan….” He said his name with concern, leaning back, but as he leaned back, he was jerked forward. His chest pressed against Jonathan. His hands falling on his body, his head tilting up, locking his eyes with his. He sucked in a sharp breath as the needle grazed his skin. His fingers clawed into his shirt until finally his eyes narrowed.

Jonathan couldn’t think a simple threat would give him control. Did he not realize who he was dealing with? Edward Nigma was a genius, a man of many talents and specialties. He could easily get out of tangled sheets and drugged needles if he so pleased.

“No need for the dramatics,” he said softly, as his eyes roamed his face. “You must still like me greatly, if you are so determined to drug me in able to have me.”

A smirk finally played on his lips, as his forefinger reached up and tapped Jonathan’s bottom lip. “Are you in love with me, Jonathan?”

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

It wouldn’t be hard to stick the needle in his neck. He could give him this sweet gift and then he would be completely his. But when his chest collided with Edward’s, his fingers slipped down on the grip of the shot. His eyes never came off of him and his hand never actually let go of the needle, but he could feel the sweat building on his skin and between his fingers. The heat was rising in the room as it always had when they were in it together. He had seen that sly look before, such fear in his eyes, masked by a smirk and witted charm.

Beautiful…

Edward touched his lip and gave his body and breathing pause. He felt his breath shake and shift suddenly as if he had just had something drop onto the middle of his chest. ‘Do you love me?’ The words echoed in his mind. It brought back memories of golden hair and deception but this was different. The eyes he was staring into were Edward’s and Edward was very different. Anyone on the outside looking in just wouldn’t understand. No one would ever understand what they shared between them, he could barely understand it himself.

And he never wanted anyone to know..

How could he expect to answer? How could Edward even think to expect him to answer? Did he actually expect an answer? Dr. Crane couldn’t tell if we had just trying to trick him or asking it for real. He searched his eyes for the correct answer, as it was always there. As he looked he had to try and ignore the sweat pulsing just above his brow and threatening to dip lower. But from his peripherals came the study of the true Edward Nigma. The man’s lip curled up and he saw that smirk, flashing a glimpse of his perfectly white teeth hiding under his lips.

If there was one truth, it was that he did want to know, he could see the wonder in his eyes. He tipped the needle head to tap against the bottom of his chin. ”Your lips look like they are almost begging for an answer.” He spoke with an edge of conviction on his voice. Dr. Crane rolled his own lips when a drop of sweat fell onto them. Anything he says from this moment will be used against him.”I….” The doctor hung on his own words, as if he was unable to get passed stuttering a simple phrase.

The word love to him was completely foreign. He had his own definition for it but….

But it wasn’t what he felt for Edward.

What did he feel for Edward? The confession of liking him in the hotel parking lot came to mind, but it was I really like how he felt now? What he felt for Edward now, he knew, was something more. His eyes were lost in his, deep into his own mind and Edward’s. The answer was off, pushed away from him, he didn’t want to think about it, but he had to pull it back near.

His right hand dragged the needle across his jaw and he brought his lips closer. ”I’ll make you a mute…” He threatened, almost in a silent confession. Suddenly, he ripped his neck to him and collided their lips together. He kissed him deeply, wrapped in the mental warp of his mind that Edward had him trapped in. The needle dropped from his hand and clanked to the floor but his fingers still hooked around the flower. He would never be able to let that go. While is mind was still wrapped in him, his body began to follow.

One after the other his knees got onto the bed over him. The flower in his hand cupped to Edward face and he rubbed it against him as he held him there locked into the kiss that he had initiated. This was his…He was….He was in control of what was going on.

Edward was his……This was what he knew.

[Deleted]

The needle scrapped against his five o’clock shadow that he hadn’t gotten a chance to shave before this little rendezvous. He could feel the hair on edge, and his blood pulsing through his veins in quick escape. He swallowed thickly, trying to remove the dryness in his mouth as he continued to match Jonathan’s determined expression. He could sense the off kilter confusion in above man’s movements, and how his deep blue eyes seemed to be searching for something he couldn’t quite find. Edward couldn’t deny the small sense of confidence that seemed to build with each second Jonathan continued to hesitate. Such a simple question, and it appeared that Jonathan was almost lost for words.

Edward had planned this encounter fairly perfectly. While he had hoped to avoid any use of the toxin, Jonathan was still falling right into his hands and reacting to each string he pulled. Before his little dip in the pit, he had let his own confusion and fascination over these new feelings with Jonathan get the better of him. He had allowed himself to be reckless and careless, even though he knew the man was plotting to hurt him. Now, he saw things clearer, as if looking through a new prescription of glasses. He wasn’t certain of the exact moment it had occurred, but Jonathan had become completely smitten by him, to the point that Edward could manipulate those feelings in any way he wanted. Edward had control.

However, as Jonathan leaned over him, his body pressing up against every inch of his bare skin, his eyes preventing him from looking anywhere else, he was slowly realizing how obsessive affection from a man like Jonathan could be, and it strangely made his own temperature rise as he felt the familiar touch of anticipation and desire. Perspiration grew on his skin, and a drop rolled down his neck, across his flat chest, and along his exposed hip bone.

“I already know the answer…” he said through his breathing that had become rougher with each movement. Edward had control. He had planned this. He had planned to toy with Jonathan’s emotions, emotions the man didn’t even realize he had. He had planned to suck Jonathan in, and use him like a castle, to take swift action against two enemies, one from the past and one of the future. He was a piece on the board, one piece of many. He had planned this. He was in control, but….why was his heart grounding in his chest like an addict on the verge of lighting up again.

Before he could protest, or attempt to break for air, a hand grabbed his neck and his lips were taken from him. His body appeared as if it couldn’t believe what was occurring. His hands staying at his side, as his lips merely were led by Jonathan’s direction. He was kissing him. He had taken the initiative. Jonathan never initiated. But….his lips molded into his, and he found himself pressing towards it. His lips parted, allowing Jonathan’s obsession to consume his own soul. His hands went to Jonathan’s shirt, and started undoing and yanking apart, until he touched skin. His nails dragged across Jonathan’s chest, taking in the scars and his well kept form until he reached the edge of his pants. His hands seeming to hesitate, uncertain with what he was doing. What was he doing?

He could not be bending into this nonsense with Jonathan again. Edward was in control. His hand went to his chest and he tried to push Jonathan away, barely breaking the kiss. “Jonathan, we shouldn’t…”he panted, his eyes showing a rare moment of insecurity and confusion.

[Nina Stenet]

Though Nina had been very quick to arrive at the hotel that Crane had indicated in his text message, from that point forward she and Shawty proceeded with great care. After all, she's not completely sure that she can trust Crane, though if she thought that the odds weren't in her favor she wouldn't have asked for his help in the first place. Then again, there's also the fact that she's after Edward to consider - he's not exactly known to leave himself wide open. On the other hand, the entire point of enlisting Crane's help was so that she could not only find him but find him at a moment where he's not expecting her at all. It would be incredibly stupid of her to do otherwise - he knows her far too well for her to expect to be able to safely get to him if he has any warning.

So Shawty took the lead as they headed for the room, keeping an eye out for anything unexpected trouble. Fortunately, all seems to be quiet and according to plan as they find the right door, being sure to step quietly when they come near. While hearing someone walking around outside the door probably wouldn't be that unusual, hearing people linger there may cause concern. Fortunately, she and Shawty have no need to talk - the plan here is incredibly simple and there is no need to risk breaking the silence.

As Shawty keeps watch for any signs of trouble, Nina reaches into the hotel room with her power. Unable to see what she's doing and not knowing the layout of the room within, she has flail around rather blindly. Especially since she knows that at the very least Crane is probably in there too. Fortunately, while she's yet to ever touch Edward with her power before, she's looked within him plenty of times and knows him when she sees him - the exact pattern of blood vessels and nerves, for example, is unique to everyone. So the first person she senses is not Edward - Crane, perhaps? She keeps looking... Again she finds someone and it's not Edward, though if the first was Crane then perhaps she simply found him again? Her power isn't exactly the most efficient method for searching a room. But if Edward has any sense in him, he'd shoot her on sight at this point to protect him from what she intends to do, and she's not about to give him the chance.

Finally she finds him, a bit lower than expected? Perhaps he's laying down? No matter - once she finds him it's a simple enough matter to find the top of his spinal cord and start to temporarily paralyze him. As it's not her intention to kill him, she carefully avoids disrupting the nerves that allow his diaphragm to move and other such vital functions. However, though it's normally her habit to give someone she paralyzes full use of their neck, she's not exactly feeling that generous toward Edward and instead only spares his head and vocal cords. Back when she'd come up with this plan she'd actually had to debate with herself for some time about whether or not to allow him the latter, but eventually she decided it was better to allow him to speak to her - if only a little. The entire process only takes a few seconds once she starts, though it took her quite a few minutes to arrive and find him in the first place so she can have no idea what she's interrupting - she only knows that she has Edward paralyzed.

It's only then that she gives Shawty a nod, and her assistant immediately goes to the door. Finding it unlocked, she has her gun in her hand as she opens the door, just in case. What she sees causes her eyebrow to lift, but she's quick to remember her job and motion for Dr. Stenet to follow her inside. She's only here to ensure Dr. Stenet's safety, not to comment on... whatever is happening on the bed.

Nina, following behind Shawty, actually would appear less affected by the scene, her eyes drift dispassionately over the men as she closes the door behind herself and dryly comments, "I'm not interrupting anything, am I Crane? There wasn't a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door." And even if she did, she doesn't really care. Besides, she's just barely rendered Edward unable to do much besides speak, so even if they were doing something, they probably can't continue now in any event. Her attention shifts to the other man, and she simply says, "Hello, Edward." And those two words are spoken with nearly complete neutrality - any hint of kinder feelings she may have once had for him are completely absent.

[Jonathan Crane - Scarecrow]

Dr. Crane was aware to a certain extent that Edward had every intention of toying with him. It had only been confirmed when he showed up and Edward was half naked in a very operable towel. It was something that he had come to expect from Edward after they had been running into each other more. Ever since that night things seemed to be more complicated between them and yet each encounter was more intense than the last. Yet, they tried to keep it professional, every move on the game of chess that Edward blade was another direct hit to the other. They followed their own agenda’s and did their own plans to get what they needed but somehow in the end they always ended up like this along the way. No matter how bad it got.

Was his body shaking? He felt his muscles twitching and something within his core shivering with need, but he would never admit it. He didn’t have a response to Edward thinking he already knew the answer to what he asked. How could he respond when they were like this? Every time this happened it tossed every path of logic or reason out the window and all they had left was the desire and intensity that was between them. It was a tension that they couldn’t seem to get rid of and rose with each encounter. Every time one of them twisted the knife deeper the passion to drag the other down grew and he was aware of this as much as Edward, but he didn’t understand it.

Edward was always challenging him to do the impossible.

He had kissed him deeply. Consciously he made the choice to move in first, but he was certain if he had a chance to go back there was no other path to take. The heat was too intense and the desire was too great. His body reacted in short jumps as he ripped his clothing, causing buttons to fly onto the bed and on the floor. It exposed yet more syringes that he kept with him, but he had no interest in doing that right now. Everything that he needed to see in Edward’s deepest fears was right in front of him and he could have every part of it if he wished.

When his lips broke from his even for a moment an audible groan left his throat. ‘We shouldn’t’. There were many things that shouldn’t have been done tonight, before, or in the future but they were either going to happen or change in some way. The bright blue in his eyes darkened and his head rolled in complete and utter frustration but the look in Edward’s eyes captivated him. There was a pause between them, the tension was steadily rising and he couldn’t prevent himself from moving further. “The reflection of me in your eyes is exactly why we should.” He whispered his cryptics to his lips, touching with each word. Only Edward would understand what he was truly saying, one of the things that drew him to him.

But then he felt Edward’s body stiffen and the life in his eyes suddenly changed. It was if every nerve in Edward’s body had been pinched and made him instantly immovable. It only took seconds before he was reminded what he did before he came over here when the door swung open. Even though he knew another had entered the room he didn’t expect to be caught like this, but he didn’t expect Edward to be in a towel either. Edward always had this way of throwing him off of his original plans, luckily he was used to adapting to instant change. There was an even louder groan that left him now as his body hurt even more for what it knew now it couldn’t have. With Dr. Stenet’s snide comment he stepped back from Edward and tried to take a breath of air that hadn’t been there before. He took in long huffs of air like he had just run a marathon to try and calm himself down, but his eyes never left him, telling him something in silence.

”No…Edward was just asking me to leave.” He huffed out in a breath that he barely had, just trying to collect himself. He pulled back and let her come in front of him as she wished. There was always a time and place for someone to interrupt something and Dr. Crane knew it better than anyone. As his breath was calmed he became even more captivated by what he was seeing. Was Dr. Stenet doing this? Having more than originally met the eye? Certainly more unexpected turns but nothing he couldn’t handle. He ran a hand through his hair and moved to the other side a few steps away from Shawty.