Many thanks to @singtheskyandfightlikehell for being the final push in my posting this. This fic has been finished for over a month but I couldnāt bring myself to post it. It will be 22k total, posted in five chapters. Iāll update every four or five days. I will also tag any warnings as they come on AO3, and list ones which are relevant to the specific chapter in the chapter notes. This chapter is safe for work, and 4k. The only warning is for canon-typical violence (not even canon at its worst, either).
Oswald turns to look at Jim, watching as the stark veins in his face and the darkness in his eyes recede. He tries to move farther away, fearful of his āold friendā, but Jimās grip is unshakable.
āTwo of a kind!ā Jervis continues, turning to smile up at Edward. Oswaldās attention had been diverted from himā due to his concern for Jimās increasing lapses in control ā-but he looks at Edward now. Heāsā¦ the same, really. Not deranged or foaming at the mouth, eyes black and face contorted like most of the other infected heās seen. Suddenly, Jervisā words seem to register with the other man. Edward shoves his gun under the Hatterās chin, eyes flashing dark while the capillaries around the sockets seem to expand.
āI told you not to speak,ā Edward hisses. āNot. Another. Word.ā Oswald watches his eyes clear, the lines on his face easing back into their usual smoothness.
āHeās infected, too?ā Harvey asks, utter disbelief with the universe at large evident in his tone. āIs there anyone else who wants to tell me theyāve got the virus?ā
āDoes it matter?ā Edward snaps. Evidently, his patience is very thin. āHand over Penguin, or I pull the pin on this grenade and you wonāt get your antidote!ā Oswald scoffs. Ed turns to look at him.
āA little crude, donāt you think?ā Oswald jabs.
š„ There is beauty in destructionš„ 