Define Close [Nygmobblepot]

Ch3: Power Play

Oswald's POV

It's getting late when I'm surprised by the sound of the doorbell ringing through the manor. I frown as I wonder if I can be bothered to go open it. It is, in fact, late so I've already sent Olga home and can't ask her to go get it.

Eventually I sigh and put down my glass of wine on the coffee table before getting up from the couch. Instead of my cane I grab my gun as I make my way to the door. I open it enough to poke my head out of it and have to admit I'm surprised to see Edward Nygma.

"I'm sorry, is this a bad time?" He asks and I frown slightly as I hide behind the door, putting my gun under my waistband so it's hidden from view thanks to my jacket.

"Um, no." I say as I open the door wider. Actually, people don't usually pay visits this late but I'm guessing his business is urgent or he's not aware of this social norm. "What is it?"

"Well, you told me to contact you and I did, I mean I tried to call your office today but they kept saying you're busy so..." He seems a little nervous.

"Well, I have been busy. They weren't just saying that." I say with a smile. "But you could've just told them I'd want to talk to you, I'm sure they would've let you through if you insisted."

"But.. do you?" He seems surprised. "I mean.. want to talk to me?"

I give him a look that suggests he's acting stupid but keep the smile on my face. "Why else would I tell you to contact me?"

He smiles, looking relieved. "Well.. good." He says. "I mean I just thought I'd come by after work since I couldn't reach you with the phone."

"After work?" I ask frowning, glancing at the clock. "You were working this late?"

"Yes, well, it took some time to get here too." He explains. "I usually work late. Once I fell asleep in the lab." He confesses with a small chuckle and I smile. I was right, he really does not have a life outside his precious lab.

"Would you like to come in?" I ask then.

"Oh, thank you." He says as he walks in once I've stepped aside.

"So, what is this about?" I ask as I close the door after him. "The job offer?"

"Mostly. Yes." He says and I frown a bit but he just stares back at me without saying anything.

"Uh.. I can take your coat." I offer my hand and he shrugs it off so quickly like he thinks it's polite to be super fast or I'll take back the offer.

"Thank you." He says as I turn around to hang it up.

"No problem." I say simply and turn back to him. "Shall we step out of the foyer?"

"Yes, sure, okay." He says and I wonder why do I seem to make him so nervous as I lead him inside the house.

"Sit down." I gesture at the couch and he does it so quickly I realize it probably sounded more like a command than a suggestion to take a seat. "I mean.. you can stand too if you wish, I just thought..." Whatever. I realize that trying to make him act less awkward I start sounding just as awkward. I've never had a problem with people doing as I say but I kinda wish to see a hint of that confidence he had when I first met him.

I go over to the kitchen where I pour him a glass of wine as well before returning back to him. "So," I say as I sit down, handing him the glass. "What did you have in mind?"

"Oh, thank you." He says quickly as he takes the glass. "You have a lovely house."

"Thank you, it was my father's." I just say as I pick up my own glass. "Tell me, what had you calling me and eventually coming all the way here?"

He sighs, looking down before starting to talk. "You know, I've enjoyed talking to you and your offer was very kind, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it." He says and I smile. "But you can probably imagine why I'm having a hard time making a decision."

"Of course." I say simply. "You should be aware of all the facts before deciding anything." I smile and pull out my gun, putting it down on the coffee table.

His eyes widen slightly but he doesn't seem too surprised. "You have a gun."

I roll my eyes. "It's Gotham City, who doesn't?" I ask him.

"I don't." He mumbles and I don't doubt that.

"The point is, many people do but you probably know some things about me." I say and he swallows, hard.

"I know you went to Arkham for murder." He says and I nod. "But.. they released you."

"Indeed." I tell him. "And after that I was a model citizen and helped keep Gotham safe as I got rid of all of Hugo Strange's monsters."

He looks at me for a while in silence. "That's not all, is it?"

"Of course not." I say and take a sip of my wine before setting the glass down on the table again, next to my gun. "I might've had few bumps in the road, getting taken to Arkham and all that, but I'm still the King of Gotham and I run the underworld. As much as I'd like to focus on the petty campaign race against Aubrey James, I have other things to worry out. See, being on the top is great but the only way you can go from there is down. I have a lot of people close to me who I trust in theory but if they had the chance to take me down.. I know they would."

"So.. are you asking me if I'm willing to work for a criminal?" He asks and I laugh. Cute.

"Of course you are, you knew I was a criminal before I told you I'm currently in charge of Gotham's underworld." I point out.

"Right." He mumbles. "So.. what would my title be? What would I be doing? Or are you really just being nice and kind of.. just paying me to be your friend?"

"Like I said, I can't trust most people fully, basically everyone who works for me are payed friends." I say with a smile. "But I think you're smarter than that. I thought you could be my Chief of Staff."

"Chief of Staff?" He repeats, looking surprised. "Wait, so.. for.. public duties? Or.. you know, the underworld."

"I'm sure you'd be great at both." I point out.

"You really think I'm that clever?" He asks me and I raise a brow at him.

"Don't you?" I ask and he shrugs lightly. Seriously, where's all the confidence? "Well, do we have a deal?"

I think he has already made up his mind but he doesn't give me an answer yet. "I've never really been into politics."

I smile. "No one is into politics, Mr Nygma." I assure him. "They're into power."