Panic

"Jon?"

Jonathan Crane turned from his lab table at the sound of his name. He recognized the voice, but the tone was different. It sounded…fragile…bordering on fear.

The Scarecrow looked at the person it came from and saw Edward Nygma, standing in the doorway, rubbing his arms as if he was freezing, although Jonathan kept his lair quite warm.

From his distance, it looked to the Master of Fear like Eddie was trembling slightly. The Scarecrow's face grew somber, realizing what this meant and he stepped forward.

Instantly Eddie took a step back, his eyes terrified and pleading at the same time.

Bending slightly so he was at eye-level with the Riddler, Jonathan spoke calmly, holding his arms. "Eddie, it's ok. I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe."

The Riddler regarded the Scarecrow cautiously, his breath coming fast now and spasmodically.

Jonathan looked back at him, keeping his gaze even and calm. "Eddie," he whispered, "I'm here."

The Prince of Puzzles hesitated another moment, and then, with a small choking sob, simply crumpled into the Scarecrow's arms.

Jonathan held him close, rubbing his back and trying to make him feel as secure as possible.

This wasn't the first time the Master of Fear had witnessed one of the Riddler's panic attacks. It had been a long time since Nygma's father had repeatedly scarred his son's psyche, and the attacks didn't come often. But sometimes, a shred of memory, a scrap of a tactile reminder would set one off. When this happened, Jonathan had instructed Eddie to try to find him at the first sign of a problem.

But that didn't always happen. Sometimes the attacks would hit without warning and Jonathan would find Eddie somewhere, curled up and trembling, sobs wracking his body as he cried out against things only he could see-usually his father.

Now Eddie pressed his face into Jonathan's chest, struggling feebly and sobbing. "No, Dad…please don't! I didn't cheat, I didn't! Make him stop, Mom, please! I'm sorry…so sorry…"

"Shh…" Jonathan whispered, gently restraining the Riddler. "It's alright…just breathe…no one is going to hurt you…"

The Riddler shook harder, his tears dampening the Scarecrow's shirt. Unsure if he was hearing him, Jonathan repeated his reassurances, speaking in a soothing tone and breathing evenly, hoping Eddie would follow his example. The Riddler coughed, gripping the fabric of Jonathan's sleeve like it was his only anchor. Sllowly his breathing began to even out as his sobs tapered off and he slumped against the Scarecrow, closing his eyes.

"I'm sorry." he whispered hoarsely after a minute, one last tear leaking out of the corner of his right eye.

Shifting, Jonathan gently wiped it away.

"It's not your fault."

Eddie scrubbed a hand across his eyes. "Yes, it is. I'm the one with these stupid attacks. I'm sorry…"

Jonathan sighed softly and shifted again, looking into the Riddler's eyes. "Did you provoke the attacks?"

Slowly, Eddie shook his head.

Jonathan nodded, squeezing the Riddler's shoulder.

"See? Not your fault."

There was silence for a moment and then Eddie smiled softly, leaning his head against the Scarecrow's chest.

"Thanks Jon."

Jonathan smiled. "Anytime, Eddie."