Unappreciated by all except you.

Chapter 4: Neon lights, frilly lamps and ceramic pineapples.

"You are leaving?"

Oswald made a huffing noise as he tweaked his fringe, debating on whether he needed to apply more gel. "Yes but don't worry mother" he replied "I'm just having dinner with a friend." Gertrud Kapelput scoffed. "It's some demon woman" she insisted darkly "she has you in her clutches." Oswald sighed, refraining from rolling his eyes with great difficulty. "How many times do I have to tell you mother? There is no demon woman" he groaned "I'm having dinner with that forensics guy who came to my party the other day." Gertrud's face lit up instantly at these words. "The one who gave you such beautiful flowers?" she cried happily "Such a nice boy, so good to my Oswald." 

Oswald couldn't help but smile slightly at that as he finished applying his eyeliner. He didn't wear it very often, the sorts of people he tended to work alongside weren't usually the most open minded and he found it hard enough to be taken seriously by them as it was. This however, was not business and he doubted Ed would be overly concerned about his fashion choices, the man wore an emerald green suit for gods sake.

"Now I've got to go or I'll be late" Penguin said as he picked up his coat. His mother pointed at her cheek expectantly and he obediently pressed a kiss to her cheek, stopping on his way towards the door. "My little Kapelput" she murmured fondly, cupping his face briefly in her hands before patting him gently on the shoulder and sending him on his way.

********************************************************************************************

Ed glanced at his cuckoo clock anxiously. The flat had been given its usual thorough clean and tidy, the food had been cooked and prepared to perfection and he'd sent a good two hours choosing his outfit for the night. Everything was going exactly to plan, completely on schedule. So why was he worrying so much? He sighed and ran his fingers absentmindedly through his hair before immediately running to the bathroom to restyle it. God, he was hopeless. Why someone like Penguin had agreed to have dinner with him was a mystery. 

Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Ed felt his heart sink as he watched the little wooden bird retreat into its mechanical hideaway. Penguin wasn't coming, he was sure of it. He had been a fool to ever think otherwise, he had gotten hopes up for nothing. Resigning himself to the disappointment of eating alone Edward began to put away the extra plate and cutlery that he had set out for his guest, trying to ignore how miserable he felt. Then all of a sudden he heard a knock at the door.

Opening it he found Oswald Cobblepot on his doorstep, hair styled to perfection and wearing a layer of blurred eyeliner that brought out the piercing intensity of his eyes. "I thought you weren't coming" Ed stammered, relief washing over him. Oswald's smile mixed with a look of slight confusion as he checked his watch. "I'm only two minutes late" he pointed out, finding Ed's reaction both adorable but slightly concerning. Had Edward really expected him to stand him up? Did he really think so little of him? Then it occurred to him. Perhaps it wasn't so much a lack of faith in him but rather that Ed failed to see why Oswald could possibly want to spend time with him. Oswald decided to file this thought away for further consideration. "Of course" Ed laughed anxiously "how silly of me. Do come in."

As Ed stepped aside to allow him entry Oswald to glance over his hosts attire. The eye catching emerald green from the other night had been discarded in favour of a far less ostentatious green three piece, the pattern and superb fit of which made Edward's legs look a mile long. It was a look Oswald approved of whole heartedly. Sure, it could be seen as a bit much for dinner at home but Oswald could hardly talk. It seemed neither of them were naturally casual dressers.

Noticing that Ed had caught him staring Oswald handed over the bunch of flowers he had been concealing behind his back, trying and failing to hide his embarrassment. "I'm afraid I'm a complete novice as far as talking via flowers is concerned so red roses will have to do" he said with a shy smile. Ed's eyes lit up as he accepted the bouquet with trembling hands. He never would have expected Oswald to bring him flowers so it was a wonderful surprise. "Thank you. They are perfect" Ed assured him "I'll just go and put them in some water. Please, make yourself at home." He then dashed off to the kitchen, nearly colliding with the dinning table on the way, to find a place to put his treasured gift.