LUNATICS || Gotham²

08 || Meet-Ups

Edward Nygma sat on the hospital bed beside his little sister, relief flooding through his now that she was awake and speaking. It had been so long. He had been preoccupied with surviving, his mind a jumbled mess since Myrtle Jenkins had unfrozen him. He hated how muddled his thoughts had become, how it felt like he had gotten dumber. But now, with Butch - Grundy - by his side, he had some backup.

At the moment, however, his only concern was Reese.

She had just finished explaining what had happened with Lucielle, and rage burned in his veins. Livid didn't even begin to describe it. She had not only disobeyed him but had caused more harm to Reese than she could ever imagine. They'd accepted her absence for years and learned to live, knowing Lucielle had disappeared. But now, she was back, reopening wounds that had barely begun to heal.

Reese wiped the tears from her cheeks, her voice trembling as she whimpered, "I'm so confused. Why did she come back? Why now? I don't need her." She rambled, all her conflicted emotions spewing out.

"I know," Edward mumbled, pulling her into a hug. He lightly kissed the top of her head as she sniffled, her frame trembling against him. "It'll be okay."

She hesitated before nodding, resting her head on his chest. His arms wrapped around her protectively, rubbing her back soothingly. His eyes flickered around the sterile hospital room, concern knitting his brow.

"How long are you staying in the hospital?" He asked, changing the subject, sensing she needed the distraction.

Reese sighed in relief at the topic shift and sat up slightly, looking down at her hands. "I'm going back to Arkham tonight. The doctors said I'm 'okay' now. But I know they don't want me here. They're scared."

"Idiots," Edward grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Are you going to be okay back at Arkham? Can you protect yourself?"

Reese gave him a small, dimpled smile, her pride evident. "Definitely. Whoever wanted to kill me didn't succeed."

"Thank goodness." Edward chuckled, beaming in admiration of his little sister. One of the many things he loved about Reese was that she picked herself up. "You're so strong, Ree. It would take a lot for someone to kill you."

"Oh, you're too much," she muttered, a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes. Her cheeks had turned pink with embarrassment.

Edward's smile faded slightly as he thought of her return to Arkham. "I just hope you can get out of there soon. Everything's gotten so... complicated."

Her heart ached at the thought of her brother being overwhelmed while she was stuck in that looney bin. She hugged him tightly, wishing she could be by his side more often, to support him as he had supported her.

"I wish I could be with you too," Reese whispered, pulling away just enough to cup his face, giving him a reassuring smile. "But one day I will be."

"Promise?" Asked Edward, his eyes filled with hope.

"Promise."

Edward grinned and prayed that they would one day be able to see each other again — not in Arkham or some cold, isolated hospital, but somewhere free.

Before he knew it, the sun was setting, and Reese was beginning to doze off on his shoulder. He gently helped her settle back into the hospital bed. She snuggled into the covers, her eyes shut, her breathing slowing as sleep overtook her. Ed smiled softly and tenderly squeezed her shoulder before quietly exiting the cold room. As he approached the main entrance, his footsteps echoed in the empty hospital halls. Outside, he pulled a small cell phone from his pocket, his fingers shaking as he dialed a single number.