2| 𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙖 𝘼𝙧𝙠𝙝𝙖𝙢 |

| Chapter XVIII | butterflies

Days pass, things happened, one thing leading to another, leading to another. Monsters roamed the city, which led to people hunting them down, Oswald Cobblepot taking a big part in it, which led to him running for Mayor of Gotham. Then that led to three inmates being let out of Arkham Asylum; Edward Nygma, Joan Coldwell, and Odette Coldwell. 
After almost six years in Arkham, the twins finally left the asylum. Going out of the place was terrifying, they had planned to stay there for the rest of their lives. But now things are going to be different. Sometimes different can be good, sometimes it can be bad.
Luckily they had friends to help them get used to being out of Arkham. Oswald had given them a place to stay, and clothes.
Still, they laid awake in their new beds. They had been used to falling asleep to the screams of the insane, almost like a terrifying lullaby.
When she couldn't find sleep, Odette decided to go to her sister for comfort. 

"Joan, are you awake?", she whispered as she walked into the room.

"Yeah." She sat up and turned on the lamp on her nightstand.

Odette sat on the bed, hugging her knees. 

"You okay?"

Odette didn't answer, she stared at her feet with eyebrows furrowed. 

"What are you thinking about?"

Odette lifted her face up and gave her sister a faint smile.

"It's nothing."

"Come on tell me. You can trust me, I'm your twin."

"It's just that, why did father stop paying for our stay in Arkham? And why didn't he come for us?"

"I'm sure he had his reasons."

"Well, why didn't he tell us? Why didn't he warn us? Does he not care about us anymore?"

"Of course he does, he's our father. We should trust him, he just wants what's best for us. I mean, you trust me, don't you?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then you should trust him, even more actually."

"I suppose..."

"Great. Now, how about we play one of our music boxes to go to sleep?"

Odette laid on the bed as Joan wined up a music box. 
Then as music played, Joan stroked her hair, lulling her to sleep.

The next day they went down to meet up with Edward and Oswald. The place was filled with posters of Oswald and his slogan, 'Make Gotham Safe Again'.  Lots of people were there, busily working, making calls, or talking to each other. Though they were able to find Edward easily enough.

"Hello, Edward. How are you?", Odette said with a bright smile.

"Great, especially now that I'm out of that looney bin."

"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.", she giggled as she twirled a strand of her hair.

Joan rolled her eyes at her sister's antics.

Odette noticed Edward looking at something, she followed his gaze to see a man talking to two people and handing them an envelope.

"I must say, you all are looking quite stylish in your new clothes."

They turn around with a smile, facing their friend, Oswald. Who had his own fancy clothes on, and his hair was neatly brushed. 

"I had to guess on the size. I hope they fit."

"Perfectly.", Edward answered.

The twins simply nodded their heads, staying quiet.

"I cannot thank you enough."

"It's just a suit."

"No. No, if it weren't for you, I would still be falling asleep to the screams of the insane."

"It becomes almost a white noise after a while, doesn't it?"

"It does."

Joan nodded and raised her eyebrows.

"I do believe, Oswald, Arkham has made us stronger."

"I couldn't agree more.", he took off a velvet cover from the table behind them revealing their two Arkham certificates, which were now framed, "Which is why I had our release certificates framed. A reminder of past struggles and new beginnings.", he turns to the twins, "I would have framed yours, but since-"

"It's alright, Oswald. You letting us stay here is enough of a gift.", Joan said, cutting him off.

"If I didn't know you better, I'd accuse you of being a sentimentalist.", Edward said with a smirk.

Oswald shrugged with a smile.

"Guilty."

"You all set, boss? Busy day today.", the man from before said.

"Who were those people you were speaking with?", Edward asked without missing a beat.

"Don't worry about it.", the man said, getting defensive.

"Come now, Butch. Play nice. We're all on the same team here. Right? My team."

Oswald started leaving. 
Edward and Butch continued their glaring contest.

"Yeah. Sure. Whatever you say." He leaned over the table. "You keep your nose out of my business."

He was about to walk away, but Edward's voice stopped him.

"Yeah. Sure. Whatever you say."

Butch left with a final glare at Ed.

"I don't like that man.", Odette spoke in a soft voice.

"Agreed.", Edward retorted.