Deviation Actions
Literature Text
"N-no…Ed…put…put it down…"
Edward Nygma rolled onto his side and watched Jonathan Crane talk in his sleep.
"Put it down…"
"Put what down?" he mused to himself quietly.
"The squeaker." Jonathan said, as if he could hear the Riddler. Eddie blinked. Hmm…what if he could hear him?
</I>
"What squeaker?" he asked, bemused.
"The turtle squeaker…" Jonathan murmured sleepily.
"Why should I put it down?" Eddie asked, trying a different tactic.
"The fish don't like it."
Eddie smirked. Ridiculous. "'The fish don't like it'?"
"No!" Jonathan exclaimed, rolling over in his sleep, forehead creasing with distress. "You upset the fish!! Why would you do that?!"
Eddie blinked, watching a tear travel the length of the Scarecrow's face. "I…Jon…I, ok. I put down the …squeaker…the fish are happy."
"N-no…they're not…" Jonathan whimpered, shaking his head from side to side. "You can't just take it back!!"
Eddie sighed, a bit frustrated. Take what back?!
</I>
As if in answer to his silent question, the Scarecrow whispered, "Once you've hurt someone, they stay hurt."
And suddenly it all made sense.
Touching his face gently, Eddie whispered, "I'm sorry, fish. I really am."
There was silence for a moment and then Jonathan said, "How do they know you mean it?"
Swallowing, the Riddler whispered, "I guess…they're just going to have to trust me."
Jonathan lay quietly for another few moments and then sighed, seeming to relax.
"They do."
Eddie smiled softly. "Good. Because I've thrown out the turtle squeaker."
In his sleep, the Scarecrow smiled.