E. Nygma ficlet
Title: Questions Answered
Character: Edward Nigma
Rating: PG
Word Count: 496
Disclaimer: DC owns.
AN: written for batfic_contest.
You can’t wipe the grin off your face. You’re practically giddy. Have been since you heard the news-made sweeter by the messenger delivering it. Harley told you everything about Catwoman going after Hush. She explained her part as well as everyone else’s. Bandaged bastard deserved what he got. Deserved worse, actually.
However, something bothers you about it. Being Gotham’s most celebrated Private Detective, possessing the mind that you do, you should have been the one to find a way to take him down, to hurt him so. Especially, since you carry this gnawing hate for the man. You don’t know all of why, but Harley has enlightened you some. Still...it should have been you.
And why wasn’t it? Because you work for socialites now. Getting paid to return the spoiled children, so oppressed by wealth and luxury, they just have to get out. Or helping that pretty boy Wayne add more millions to his bank account.
And for what? Money? Recognition?
Couldn’t you get your hands on enough cash before whenever you needed it? And the fame had followed you even then, had it not? What changed?
You pace around the apartment. What changed?
You freeze on the spot, realization hitting you like a slap to the face.
You changed.
But why? What criminal worth his salt reforms? Perhaps those wanting to get family back. Or cats wishing to get laid. But what was your reason? What?
Your mind races in circles and you feel that old, familiar rush of adrenaline run through you. The thinking, the analyzing, the trying to solve the riddle that you have become is exhilarating!
You sit on your new couch, elbows resting on your knees, your fingers steepled under your chin.
You wonder if maybe in search of a new riddle, you allowed your mind to forget? Were you simply setting up another mystery for yourself to unravel?
No, that wasn’t it. You know you’re not the greatest riddle of them all. You exist to solve it.
You stand and pace again. You can feel your thoughts shaping themselves, molding just the right way. They’re like puzzle pieces now and all you have to do is match them up and make them fit.
The chaos in your mind begins to settle and you can see every piece in its rightful place. A delicious tingle runs through you; you can see it clearly now.
Batman. It’s Batman. It’s always been about him. Discovering his identity. Knowing the truth. When did you stop trying to figure it out?
A chill runs along your spine leaving you feeling cold, sick… You would never stop until you discovered the truth. It can only mean you must have known the truth at one point before you forgot it…
And that’s when it hits you. Your breath hitches, you’re hands are shaking at your sides because the answer’s staring you in the face. You know who the Batman is. You’ve known all this time.