Okay hear me out.. How would the Riddlers react to slowly realizing that they’re in love with someone?
a/n: asdghj these green beans will be in denial for A LONG TIME but there will be signs you can count on!
Riddlers Realizing They're in Love
Arkhamverse Riddler
Oh, please, like a genius like him has time for such…such matters.
But even a mastermind like Eddie knows the tell-tale signs and he greatly tries to ignore them.
Clammy hands, elevated heart rate, stammering and stuttering his words…like some kind of buffoon.
The small elation of hearing your name or hearing your voice, to have you next to him when he'd sneer and push everyone else away.
Edward shrugs it all off—this…this can't—isn't happening—
Every time you leave, he finds himself missing you more and more…that warm feeling of love rising and lingering longer than the last time he saw you…
It's getting more difficult to say in denial.
Dano/Reevesverse Riddler
Eddie contemplates the notion once he realizes he's been thinking about you…a lot more than he should be.
His mind should be focused on his reformation of Gotham—following Batman's lead for justice—
Yet his mind can't help but wonder about you: what you're up to, how you're feeling, are you safe…
Which is another sign that he's falling for you, he finds himself worried about you—almost an obsessive amount.
Did you make it home okay? Are your doors locked? Windows shut? Are you sure no one's followed you home? (well, besides himself anyway)
Once he's accepted the fact that what he feels…can only be described as love…
Eddie feels more invigorated than ever to go through with his plans…after all if anyone deserves a better Gotham…it's you.
Gotham Riddler
Definitely one of the few Riddlers that's well aware of when he's falling in love.
It makes him anxious as one might expect, but not for the same reasons as most…
For Eddie, when he realizes he's falling in love again, he's anxious that something will happen to you as a result of it…after all everyone he's previously been in love with is now dead.
Eddie will try and push the feelings down, but remain cordial, kind, and friendly—even if it kills him not to admire you.
Meanwhile, Ed, thinks…no he knows, you'll be different! You can handle him—both sides of him—you wouldn't run away.
It is Ed that eventually pursues you, behind Eddie's back.
Eddie can only hope that Ed is right and that you won't be afraid of him…or become a target…
BTAS Riddler
Edward is smitten almost immediately.
He tries to stay…calm and collected…not let this—sudden fondness get the better of him…but to no avail.
He can tell it's love when he thinks about you after finishing a new project.
Among it's completion, he wonders what you would think about his new puzzles or toys he designed…how you'd like his new riddles.
The signs of infatuation only get more obvious as he begins blushing and stuttering over his words around you. Especially after you praise him for his latest invention~
He finds himself almost wanting to impress you more than outwitting Batman…almost…
But he definitely begins seeking your approval more so than his investors~
Zero Year/Capullo Riddler
Edward scoffs at the idea…
Sure, it's a sweet idea…an ideal outcome for most to find love.
He figures it's just not in the cards for him—already deciding no one out there could ever meet up to his expectations.
If (and it's a big if) he does start falling in love, he will take notice—and urgently try to ignore it.
Ed will still be condescending, rude, and blunt towards you—but he actually feels dejected when you get frustrated with him and walk off.
He doesn't get as annoyed with you as others, finding the banter between you two amusing.
Edward wants to keep you around…he can't deny enjoying you presence, and surely this feeling will subside once you inevitably bore him…right?
Gotham City Sirens Riddler
Well, for starters, he must really think highly of you if he goes out of his way to set up dates with you—
Often times, Ed gets sidetracked with work to call back for a second date or found the first date to be underwhelming.
But he put forth the effort to be with you, unless it was an emergency or he was caught in a snag and he couldn't make it…but even when that happened, you always understood.
Which just made him appreciate you even more.
You knew to an extent who he was and what he does…and when you didn't pry when something occured…it made him want to tell you everything.
Something else that was unlike him, to feel this desire to be vulnerable with someone…especially after getting burned before by so called "friends".
Edward continues to make the effort to keep you around and slowly comes to terms that he may indeed be in love with you.
Telltale Riddler
Edward believes he's far too old and past his prime to pursue such endeavors.
It's not even so much that he thinks no one is good enough but that…he didn't want to put someone he cares about in harm's way…given his colorful and infamous past.
For Edward, there was no point to love…not anymore, but he knew himself well enough to know the signs.
The way his shoulders slump slightly, his voice isn't so heavy with intimidation or condescension, and the way his walls open up slightly.
Hearing your name…brings a small pleased smile on his face, as he quietly hopes to see you soon.
Edward has no contention admitting to himself he's in love…it's whether he'll ever tell you…is the true enigma.
Young Justice Riddler
Oh boy...oh God…oh geez…
It's…painfully obvious early on that he's head over heels for you.
Eddie can't stop thinking about you—what to say the next time he sees you, how to impress you, to get you to notice him…
You're a fairly big distraction much to the chagrin of Eddie's teammates.
He goes out of his way to try and spend as much time with you as he can…
Even while simultaneously being a nervous wreck about being near you for an extended period of time.
Unlike the previous Riddlers on this list, when he's in love—even if he desperately tries to hide it…he fails miserably at hiding it.
