Gotham imagines

Oswald #1 How You Met

It was a dark, gloomy day, heavy clouds hung over head like the burdens on the shoulders of every citizen of Gotham. I had been visiting my brother's grave. B/N wasn't just my brother, he was my best friend too. As I walked through the graveyard, I saw someone else grieving, he was clearly overcome with emotions. I simply couldn't help myself, so I approached him.

"Excuse me?" I asked walking up to him. The man turned to me and I recognised him as The Penguin, I kept my cool hoping he wasn't going to attack me or something.
"Forgive me for intruding but, I saw you at this grave and felt compelled to talk you you. My name is F/N L/N. What's yours?" I said kindly to him, holding out my hand for him to shake. He did so.
"Oswald Cobblepot. I recently lost both my mother and my father." He said quietly, I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It gets easier," I assured. "I lost my brother and best friend just a month or two ago. He was the only person I had left." I whispered as an after thought, story for story I supposed.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Oswald said turning to me again.
"Same to you Mr Cobblepot. Do you have any family to go home to?" I asked him.
"My Step-mother, brother and sister," He responded. "We haven't been family for long, but I feel connected to them."
"I'm glad to hear that." I said with a nod.
"Do you?" Oswald asked after a short pause.
"No. All my family is dead. From maniax attacks, to muggings. I've lost everyone," I paused. "That's how I know it gets easier."

Oswald stares at me.
"How are you so strong?" He asks in disbelief.
"Not strong, desensitised." I replied with a small chuckle.
"I won't have this. A pretty girl such as yourself shouldn't have to deal with this. Come back to my father's house with me."

Oswald wasn't The Penguin he used to be, something had happened and I wanted to know what it was. It compelled me, just as I'd been compelled to speak to him as he stood at his father's grave.

"Your family won't mind?" I asked weakly.
"Of course not. I'm sure they'll welcome you." He assured with a smile. Oswald took my hand again, this time not in a formal handshake but as a comforting gesture.

I trusted him.