2| 𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙖 𝘼𝙧𝙠𝙝𝙖𝙢 |

| Chapter XX | stupid man and his plan

Later that night they waited for poll results. Though Joan was pissed, for her sister leaving like that, she didn't bother asking where they had been. She didn't want to involve herself in whatever plans the man had. Though she would shoot the occasional glare to him.
Odette, on the other hand, didn't mind her sister reprimanding her or the glares. She had enjoyed the time with her friend, so it was very much worth it.

"This is it. The moment I've been waiting for.", Oswald says with a smile as he approaches the three of them.

"Indeed.", Edward answered.

Before the twins could also say something, in storms Butch. And he was enraged.

"You!"

He grabs Edward and Joan by our throats and holds them against the wall. Odette had been saved since her sister had stood between her Edward and Butch only had two arms.

"You, you ruined everything!"

"Butch, release them this instant! What is going on?!"

"I'll tell you what's going on. These three just cost you the election. They went to every district official and took the money back. Said you wanted to run a clean election."

Oswald turns to the two who were being held by their throats.

"Tell me this is not true."

"I'm afraid Butch is right. For once."

Joan was angered that the man had involved her into his stupid plan, that she wasn't actually involved in. She would have protested if it weren't for her sister. She'd rather be the one in the chokehold than her little sister.
Though Odette wouldn't mind being in her spot, she would take the risk for Edward.

Butch got more angered at Edward's comment and tighten his grip.

Oswald looked at them, hurt by their betrayal. 

"Why? After everything, I've done for you. Everything we could've done together. You betray me. Butch!"

Butch then let's go of them. When he does, he pulls out a gun and aims it at them.
Joan immediately goes in front of Odette, protecting her, and also getting ready to fight.

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't let Butch kill you where you stand."

"Well, there are thirty witnesses-"

"I don't care!"

"And there's that." Edward nodded towards the tv.

Oswald turns to the tv.
It reported that he had, in fact, won.

"In what can only be viewed as a seismic shift even by Gotham standards, former underworld kingpin Oswald Cobblepot has won the mayor's office by a landslide.", the journalist said.

Odette proudly smiles at the results, knowing Edward's plan would work. And though Joan still didn't enjoy being pulled into something she had no part in, she still trusted that Oswald would win.

The people in the room start cheering, but Oswald is quick to shush them.

"I still won.", he said in a hushed tone.

He turns back to the three of them.

"They really want me as mayor."

"Yes."

Oswald starts walking over to them.

"I can't be bought, but I can be stolen with one glance. I'm worthless to one, but priceless to two."

Edward makes a heart shape in the air with his fingers as Oswald talked.

"Love."

Oswald pushes away the gun from them.
He looks back again, seeing all the people cheering for him, then turns back.

"They love me."

"If you would've bought the election, you would've never known. But now you do. Feels good, doesn't it?"

"How did you know I would win?"

"We believe in you, Oswald.", Joan finally spoke.

"Even when you don't believe in yourself."

Oswald starts tearing up a bit.
Then he turns to Butch.

"You. You never believed I could win this on my own. I think maybe you're not cut out for this after all."

"What?! You got to be kidding me. This guy-"

"Don't worry. I still need someone to crack skulls."

He faces Edward with a smile.

"Come, Ed, Joan, Odette. We have plans to make."

Later that night Oswald gave his first speech as mayor.

"It is with a humble heart that I accept the trust placed in me by this great city to become your mayor. The people have spoken and I have heard their call. And as my first act as mayor, I would like to introduce you to my chief of staff, Mr. Edward Nygma!"