Chapter Text
Today finally came. Mr. Wayne, or rather his butler, had been delaying these meetings for months now and the accounting firm was getting impatient. Nobody bothered to ask why or where Wayne was, they just assumed he was busy with whatever playboys do with their free time. Even though everyone in Gotham knew Bruce Wayne was not the playboy type, more of the sulk in the dark and read sappy romance novels in secret type.
Each time someone tried calling the Wayne residence to speak to someone, anyone, willing to talk about scheduling a meeting, no one answered the phone, or a very grouchy butler told them to “buzz off”. Luckily, last Thursday someone was able to get Mr. Wayne on the phone and schedule an in-person meeting.
Edward and his boss, Jake, were standing in the elevator up to Wayne’s loft. Edward kept tapping his fingers along the laptop he was holding. The elevator up to Wayne’s loft was sleek, probably no different from the interior of the loft itself. The walls were edged in a dark almost black Mahogany wood and in the center of each wall sat a gothic style silver mirror. The floor was a dark grey tile that matched the vibe of the rest of the elevator. If Edward didn’t know any better, he would have thought he was about to enter a vampire’s layer.
Edward wished he was the one to have called and scheduled the meeting, but really Edward just wanted to talk to Bruce Wayne. His boss told him that since Edward was the only other person working that day (not due to Edward nicely not-so-nicely telling everyone to stay home that day) that he got to accompany his boss to Wayne’s abode.
You see, Edward has been waiting to meet the infamous Bruce Wayne for a while now. As cheesy as it sounds, by day Edward was a typical accountant working a 9 to 5 job that paid little to nothing. But off the clock, in the dingy apartment he called a home, he was so much more than a measly, pathetic accountant. Edward was a genius, a man who only wanted to see Gotham crumble, even an influencer. He kept this part of his life a secret to many except for his beloved followers who have been with him in all his planning. No one needed to know the Riddler was actually a stupid accountant. No, people only needed to know that the Riddler would show the truth of all the corruption in this city. But that was all for another day. Today, he was just Edward Nashton the accountant in charge of talking to Bruce Wayne.
“Nashton, would you stop that?” His boss scolded him and immediately stopped his tapping. He hadn’t even realized he was still drumming his fingers.
“Sorry sir…” God, he sounded so pathetic.
After what felt like hours, the sleek doors opened to a man, Edward could only assume is the butler, standing there with a serious but friendly look on his face.
“’Ello gentlemen. Mr. Wayne is waiting for you two in the main portion of the loft. If you would just follow me,” the butler stepped to the side, with his hand-drawn, indicating the two men in the elevator were allowed to enter the home.
Just as expected, the rest of the home matched the elevator: all black, sleek, and gothic. Edward wondered why the Wayne’s would design their home like this. Not that he had anything against it, it just didn’t fit the rich philanthropist lifestyle they led.
“Nashton! You coming or what? I didn’t bring you along just so you could daydream,” Edward blinked and realized Jake had left the elevator and only he remained.
“Sorry sir, I didn’t realize you had left!” Edward chuckled nervously and his boss rolled his eyes.
“Yeah well, be more attentive next time huh?” Jake turned around and started walking. “ Jeez, for someone who deals in numbers you sure are stupid,” saying, thinking he was out of ear range. Edward heard every word and glared at the man. How dare he insult his intelligence, how dare he insult someone leagues above him. Didn’t he know how much Edward had been doing to prepare to show this city its true colors? All the nights he’s spent researching, experimenting, analyzing, creating. No of course he didn’t… He didn’t deserve the pleasure of knowing.
Following in tow, all three men entered the main section of the loft. And, as promised, Bruce Wayne sat at the table in the center of the room in a black baggy t-shirt and sunglasses. Even though Edward was dressed in his standard white button-up, sweater, khaki slacks, and loafers he felt underdressed.
Bruce looked up over his sunglasses and nodded, acknowledging the two accountants. Jake immediately started talking. “Hello, Mr. Wayne! So glad we could finally catch you with your probably super busy schedule. My name is Jake Muller, and this is Edwa…”
Whatever Jake was saying faded into the background. All Edward could focus on was the man in sunglasses sitting in front of him. He knew Bruce Wayne was attractive, but dear God he didn’t think he was this attractive. Even in the baggy clothes Bruce wore, he pulled it off and did it flawlessly.
Suddenly Edward felt a sharp jab in his side and stopped staring. “Hi! Yes, Edward Nashton,” Edward extended his hand, “nice to finally meet you Mr. Wayne.” Had he spaced out? Must have.
“Please,” Bruce took his hand and Edward never wanted this moment to end, “don’t call me Mr. Wayne. That was my father,” Bruce said, softly. Edward just nodded and let go. Bruce’s hands were soft but firm, not too boney like Edward’s hands. They were pale too, just like Edwards in that matter.
Jake sat down across from Bruce while Edward sat next to Jake. Jake held out his hand asking for the laptop Edward was still carrying. He set it on the table for Jake to grab. This was what Jake did, talk about finances and meet with clients. Edward just did the calculations and the background stuff. Background… ha, what a joke. Edward was never the one noticed, never the speaker. He didn’t think he was cut out for it, and when he thought he was, he was shut down. He preferred to work in the shadows, to pull the strings so to speak. That’s why Edward loved the thought of the Riddler so much. He loved how alive and free he could feel if he could truly be the one in control. All the rats the people of Gotham called their mayor, police chief, DA, you name it, everyone had dirt and Edward knew every single detail.
As Jake was talking about Wayne Enterprises and its business, Edward just sat there and took notes, trying not to stare at Bruce. Bruce just kept nodding along and answered, or tried to, all the questions Jake had.
“Now I know you’re not the CEO, but you still have some power within the company. Are you planning on returning to the company and running it like your father?” Jake looked over to Bruce to see him looking away. “Mr. Wayne?” He asked again.
“Um, I don’t think so, no. I’m not cut out for that much attention,” Bruce said. Jake nodded and looked back at the laptop. Edward stopped taking notes and looked up. Huh, that sounded like him.
Edward leaned over to Bruce, “The spotlight isn’t all that fun to be in. I think it’s more fun working behind the scenes. Get to do the same amount of work with not as many people watching.” Bruce nodded.
“I guess. I prefer to avoid being the center of attention. I’ve had enough of it for a lifetime, believe me.”
“That’s why I work in accounting… well the number side of things. It suits me better,” Edward sat up straighter and adjusted his glasses. He never would have guessed how similar he and Bruce Wayne would be in that aspect.
Edward looked at Bruce to see him looking right back. Edward averted his eyes and tried to hide his blush by going back to his notes. He did take a little peek back at Bruce to see him smiling a little bit. If Edward could give anything in the world to have that smile engrained into his brain, he would give it in an instant. Damn, he’s been here for not even an hour and he’s already falling for an emo rich boy who smiled at him once. Come on Nashton, get your head in the game! he told himself. He’s Bruce Wayne, the boy billionaire and you’re some loser from an accounting firm that works with his company. So much for that fantasy.
Jake was showing Bruce the financial reports of the past couple of months when Edward dropped his pen. Jake just rolled his eyes and Edward silently apologized. Edward reached under the table to grab the pen while Bruce also started to reach under the table. Edward felt another hand grab his instead of the pen and he snatched his hand back like he had been burnt. Bruce came back up from under the table and gave Edward the pen. When did Bruce take his glasses off? Edward almost wished he was still wearing them, almost. Edward chuckled awkwardly and grabbed the pen. Edward could build a bomb in his apartment so why is it that the moment he sees a pretty guy he immediately loses all sense of being? As Edward grabbed the pen, his fingers brushed Bruce’s. Soft, just like they had been before.
After about two and a half hours of Jake talking, Edward taking notes, Bruce nodding and smiling at something stupid Edward probably said without thinking, the meeting was over. All Edward had to do was make it to the elevator, down, and he was out. Simple enough, right? Edward collected his notes, made sure he didn’t drop his pen again, and grabbed the now powered off and closed laptop. He looked over to Jake who was texting someone on his phone, probably another client.
“Well, it was a pleasure meeting with you Mr. Wayne,” Jake exclaimed. Bruce cringed a little bit, but it was hardly noticed. Jake reached into his blazer pocket to pull out his card. As standard practice by the firm, anyone who is to meet with a client is to give them their business card. That means every single member, including the guy there just to take notes. Edward, however, doesn’t have cards.
Jake handed his card to Bruce and glanced over at Edward waiting for him to do the same. Edward just stood there awkwardly, looking from Jake to Bruce. He shook his head as if to say, ‘I don’t have cards… I don’t go out often enough’. So Edward did the first thing that came to mind and tore a piece of paper off of his notes and wrote his e-mail and phone number down. Not his work phone, his personal phone, cause Edward was in a little bit of a hurry unless he wanted Jake yelling at him again for the probably sixth time that day. He handed the paper to Bruce in a less graceful way than Jake did. Bruce took the piece of paper with a small smile on his lips. Jake rolled his eyes and scoffed quietly.
“Thanks, Alfred will show you two out,” Bruce motioned for Alfred to come closer and to lead them to the elevator.
“It was our pleasure, Mr. Wayne. We got all the information we came for and maybe more! Quite an informative meeting,” Jake chuckled and followed Alfred out on the main room, Edward in tow and Bruce behind Edward.
Edward tried not to think too hard about the fact Bruce was right behind him. All that Edward needed was for him to do something stupid like trip and Bruce to catch him. That would be quite an exit… Now all he could think of was Bruce holding him- okay enough of that. He needed to stop or else he’s actually going trip. At least Jake’s in front of them, the small mercies.
Alfred opened the elevator and motioned for Jake and Edward to step inside. Jake nodded his head in thanks and Edward did the same. They both turned around and Jake waved goodbye while Edward was looking down at his shoes. At the very last second before the elevator doors closed for good, he looked up to see Bruce looking at him with that tiny smile on his face. And as the doors shut, Edward smiled back.
“Nashton, I think we did well. Finally got that meeting out of the way and now we don’t have to interact with Bruce Wayne until next year,” Jake sighed. Edward just nodded and looked back down at his shoes. It wasn’t as bad as it could have gone.
Finally home, Edward breathes out a long sigh. He shuts the door and walks into the living room of the cramped apartment. As he boots up his computer and sits in his chair, Edward recalls his meeting with Bruce. For a rich boy who never seemed to have time for the people, he was pretty calm and surprisingly beautiful. Edward checks the time on his computer, a small ‘10:34 PM’ is displayed. It’s later than he expected. All of a sudden, his jacket he threw onto his practically destroyed coach starts shaking. His phone. He rushes over to grab it, just knowing it’s Jake texting him about some other client or some numbers that were inputted incorrectly when he reads the screen: “Unknown Number”. That’s odd… And then he remembers. Edward gave Bruce his personal phone number. Uh oh.
Edward opens his phone and opens messages. He looks at the message sent from this unknown number:
Unknown Sender: hi its bruce from today's meeting
thought i would test out the number
Edward couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He adjusted his glasses to make sure he was seeing it correctly. The Bruce Wayne texted him after he mistakenly gave him his personal phone. What the actual shit. Edward started feeling weird and sat on the couch, setting his phone next to him. He ran his hands through his hair, taking a couple of deep breaths to calm himself down. He picked up the phone and stared at the screen. What should he respond with? Something casual? Excited? Indifferent? Should he not even respond at all? No, that would be a dick move. After about five minutes of contemplating a simple text message, Edward decides to respond.
Nashton: Hey! Didn’t think you’d actually respond!
A fun surprise!
No need to dwell now, the message was sent and even if he doesn’t respond its oka- ding. Oh, that was fast.
Unknown Sender: yeah surprise
so today was chill
Who is Edward texting right now? A teenager or a man in his mid-30s? He grinned down at his phone in awe. If he didn’t think too much about this, it may go well. ‘Just don’t mess up Edward,’ he kept telling himself.
Nashton: So why’d you decide to text my number? It’s a little late.
Unknown Sender: well… i wanted to talk again
Edward’s mind screeched to a halt. Now that was something. After one meeting with each other, Bruce already wants to talk to Edward again? Edward wouldn’t consider himself special in any way, aside from the fact that he is one of the smartest, if not the smartest, people he knew. He wondered what Bruce saw in someone like him? Maybe Bruce was in the same boat of being a loner and wanted a friend. Oh god, a friend. What has Edward reduced himself down to? He was planning on exposing every crooked man who held power in Gotham, taking care of them one by one. He had half a fricking bomb sitting on his dining room table and a cage of rats next to his computer! And he’s sitting here texting Bruce Wayne? Yes, yes he is. Edward remembered that little smile Bruce gave him, remembered how it made him feel. He remembers how Bruce’s hands felt against his own. He wants to see that smile and feel those hands again, maybe not in the near future but someday. And all he has to do is text Bruce back.
Nashton: Really? Cool! Well, I can’t talk rn but how about tomorrow morning?
Early morning y’know? Bedtime.Unknown Sender: ah gotcha
well gn
Edward blinked down at his phone. This felt almost surreal, like something out of a dream. He took his glasses off and set them on the couch cushion and rubbed his eyes. He looked back at his phone and put Bruce’s number into his contacts. ‘For later…’ he told himself. Edward put his glasses back on, powered off his phone, and plugged it in to charge. ‘It’s time for the real event to start’.
Grabbing his mask, cling wrap, and jacket, he put them on one by one. Lastly, he put his glasses on over his mask. He was ready, all he needed now was to start planning his first act of exposing Gotham’s elite: the mayor.