Work Text:
Today was a rough one. His stupid boss took credit yet again for work that Edward did, bringing it to the attention of their superior which landed him an expensive lunch out. A lunch that Edward deserved. He went as far as to say goodbye to Edward on his way out with a slap on the back and a 'good work kid'. Fuck that condescending prick, he wasn't a kid. On the subway ride home, he listened to a soothing voice in his ear. A motivational speaker whose podcast he tuned into frequently. Her messages of finding positivity in the darkness calmed him, but only slightly, she's clearly never been to Gotham. She recites some message about relying on the support of family. He has no family. As the train rocked back and forth, Edward looked up at the poster behind the seat across from him that reads Renewal, and a swarm of bees invaded his throat, his ears, his vision. It was all too much. The zombies around him suddenly became over-bearing and harder to ignore, he saw their faces everywhere, grotesque and reaching to drag him with them further into hell. It felt suffocating. Edward needed something to ease the pain he was born with. He needed hope.
As the digital clock on the left side of his paper ridden desk shines bright, digits reading 2:43 if you squint, Edward sat awake with one thing on his mind. The Batman. His apartment was barren, empty but kept in shape with his work relatively in order around him. His eyes sting from the blue glow of his computer, back aching as he doubles over, Edward watches the same video on loop. A member of a web forum he frequents that focuses on seemingly rare sightings of the elusive creature, uploaded a shakey, dark video of the man. Edward's curser drags the progress bar to the beginning, he squints and a small smile pulls at the corner of his mouth. Again, he watches two men attempt to mug a woman by stealing her purse on the subway. The first man grabs the woman and the second grabs her bag. She fights back and screams for help, there is only two or three people around, they all turn away pretending not to hear and too scared to do anything, they're everything that's wrong with this city. Suddenly, as the second man pushes the woman to the ground, he appears. Edward grins and a heat creeps up his chest, his favourite part. Like a shadow or a monster or death itself, he's behind the two of them, his big black cape encapsulates the two men like wings and drowns them in darkness. They look around, scared and confused, as they should be, and both try to run away, heading up the stairs. He pulls one back, sending him flying and his head bounces against the tiled floor. The Batman grabs the other and smashed his body against the brick wall. Edward feels his face flush, he pushes up his glasses and shifts in his seat, leaning in closer as if trying to climb through the screen. The Batman turns to the other man on the ground and drops to his knees on either side of him. Lifting his arm back, curling his hand into a fist, it's a choreography Edward has memorized. He smashes his fist repeatedly into the man's face, over, and over, and over, and over. Edward rewinds. Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam. It's a scene that's imprinted in his mind, the Batman and his metal fists serving the justice he wishes he could against those who deserve it.
He restarts the video, his bottom lip caught between his teeth. Edward's eyes flutter shut, his tongue stuck firmly to the roof of his mouth. He leans back and feels prickles all over his body. He allows himself to imagine what it would be like to fight at the Batman's side. He's never been a physically strong man, the boys at the orphanage always picked on him, pushed him down. Edward learned to rely on his wit to defend himself, making bombs in chemistry. His mind felt like something he needed to keep hidden, but more an more it was getting difficult to contain this unending rage. That was, until he saw The Batman. He didn't contain the anger, the resentment and disgust he felt towards this city, maybe Edward didn't need to either. His breath quickens and his face is warmer. Edward squeezes his eyes and listens to the sounds of the masked mans rhythmic grunts as he lays his fist down on the squeaking man beneath him. It's so melodic it's an art. His hand slides up his jeans, unconsciously unbuckling them, his other slips under his shirt, feeling his own pacing heart against his chest. He stays like that with his head back, The Batman grinds this man's bones to dust as onlookers near by flee, their expressions turning from curiosity to fear. Edward's hand creeps down his underwear, feeling the heat in his palm. He cups himself as the robber screams in pain. It sends a jolt up his body. Unzipping his fly, Edward takes his dick in his hand and hesitates before starting a slow pace. He's not usually so perverse, getting off to another man isn't something he's ever done, this was different. It wasn't the man behind the mask that was so hypnotic to him, it was what he represented. Edward scrunches his eyes and takes off his glasses. Gritting his teeth and flexing his jaw as he quickens the pace. A restless feeling spreads to his thighs, his back, his stomach. His ears pique at the sound of The Batman's laboured breathing, his growls between rough gasps. Edward curves in his chair and drops his head so his shaggy hair surrounds his face like a curtain, hiding the weird shame that he suppresses for now, he almost leaps out of it as he pumps his arm faster. Letting out a squeak and a loud groan that he's sure his neighbors heard. A build up reaches it's peak, nearly tipping over the edge before Edward stops to catch his breath. His face is dewy with sweat, with his other hand he puts his glasses back on, looking back up at the screen. The Batman gets up from on top of the man and stands there. He seems to pull all the surrounding darkness towards him so his features aren't clear. His cape blows slightly behind him and his chest rises and falls as he catches his breath. Edward continues, slowly. His gaze fixed in the screen. The Batman is turned towards the camera and Edward swears he's looking at him. The understand one another. He knows the turmoil this city causes, the evil and corruption it inhabits. The Batman understands there's only one way to get much needed revenge. Edward finally peaks. He groans and rattles a shakey breath as thick liquid ejects from his body and hits his desk, work shirt, jeans and floor.
He turns his head slightly to the window he's left a jar. Through the thick layer of mist, smog and sewage that lays over this city, a light cuts through it and shines into the sky. Edward smiles. Hope incarnate.