Undercover (Riddler x Scarecrow)

“No.” Jonathan dead panned, ignoring the whines coming from his lover as he sat on the bed. “Absolutely not.”

“But Jon! It’s really important to me!” A bright eyed Edward Nigma pleaded, sitting on the straw covered floor of Crane’s lair hidden in Arkham. The two had been hiding out while Joker prepared for his siege on Arkham due to take place within the next week or two.

“You think giving me some of your infernal trophies with the goal of placing myself in danger is more important than for us to keep a low profile in case Batman may show up?” Crane hissed slightly, not liking the implication that Nigma believed his stupid trophies were more important than himself. Then again when Nigma had his mind set on something, there was no stopping him until something drastic happened…that’s it! “Fine, I shall place only a few, then the rest will have to be for you.”

“Great!” Nigma grinned and began to explain where he would be placing them, ignoring Jonathan text someone with a slight smirk on his face. Thus Nigma found himself watching Crane sneak about from his own little hideaway on the island, laughing about how oblivious the guards were to the psychologist flitting about right behind them. He had to admit it was rather nice to watch Jonathan at work, grinning as Crane began to place the last trophy under one of the guard towers, dropping down from his perch without a sound. His elation quickly turned to horror when a red dot appeared on Crane’s back, the psychologist turning too late as an unseen bullet hit him so hard he went down out of view of Nigma’s camera. Staring at his monitor Edward blinked before getting up and running to where Jonathan had last been, moving faster than even he thought possible. Crane was lying on his stomach, a pool of blood staining the ground beneath his still form.

“Jon?! Oh god Jonathan!” He hissed in worry, moving Crane so he could see his face, eyes closed as if he was sleeping. “No…no no no..no you can’t be dead..” Unwitting flashbacks of the demise of his mother flashed through Edward’s mind, nearly shrieking when he felt a familiar hand wrap around his. Apparently he had begun to cry, Jonathan realizing his little game had gone too far for his lover, shushing him gently as the two snuck back underground, the fake blood and wound apparent in the light. Fast forward three years later, and you’ll find Edward Nigma nothing but a bitter shell of the man he had been. He believed that Crane was dead after Killer Croc had gotten him thanks to Batman, sighing as he walked to his apartment. He knew something was up when he found his door slightly ajar, unsheathing the blade hidden in his cane as he slowly crept into his home towards the kitchen, hearing someone rummage through his cabinets.

“You have exactly five seconds to explain why you broke into my home before I slice your throat open.” He spat out, emerald eyes widening when the person shut the cabinet door, revealing his face. The man only smirked slightly, coaxing the cane from Edward’s hand in case he swung at him out of shock. “J-Jonathan?”

“Naturally.” The psychologist replied, his voice slightly raspier than Edward had ever remembered. Taking in the sight Nigma reached out, hands brushing over the myriad of new scars that plastered Jonathan’s body, eyes traveling up only to land on now cloudy grey eyes. “Before you ask no, I am not blind. A certain man was only too happy to help me with my vision issue, but he could not fix everything.”

“Such a shame, you had the most beautiful blue eyes.” Nigma murmured, hands gently cupping Crane’s cheeks. “I am nevertheless happy you are able to see at all.” He felt Jonathan wrapped his arms around his waist, nuzzling closer as Nigma hugged him close. “I’m just glad you’re alive.”

“I apologize…for making you believe such a rumor. I’ve been recovering and making plans, and I only waited because I wanted to wait until I was well once more.”

“You didn’t want to worry me...” Nigma chuckled against Crane’s chest softly, hands balling up the burlap fabric. “I…I thought you were dead. That I would never see you again...”

“I know.” Jonathan murmured softly, rubbing his lovers back soothingly as they just stood for a while in silence and for the first time in a long time Edward smiled.