The Riddle of Us
Characters:
Edward Nygma: A brilliant, playful man known for his sharp intellect and love of riddles. His mind is a labyrinth, but in this moment, he’s lighthearted and teasing.
You (the Reader): Quick-witted, confident, and a perfect match for Edward, you enjoy playing his games and testing each other’s minds.
---
Trigger Warnings:
Mentions of crime
Mild mind games
Mentions of mental health struggles
---
Summary: On a quiet Gotham night, you and Edward decide to take a break from your usual schemes and play a game of riddles. What begins as playful teasing turns into a deeper connection.
Masterlist
Words: 1358
--- The Gotham night was suffocating, heavy with the usual sense of danger and unpredictability. But within the dimly lit room of an old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, things felt different. There, in the darkened corners and between the echoing shadows, there was a strange sense of camaraderie.
Edward Nygma, the man who would one day be known as the Riddler, sat at a rickety table surrounded by papers, half-filled with cryptic notes and plans. His signature green suit—sleek and just the right amount of eccentric—was stretched over his lean form as he hunched over, an intense look in his eyes. The papers were littered with a mix of coded messages, puzzles, and clues. It was all a part of the plan. He had a scheme in mind, something that would bring Gotham to its knees—but he needed the perfect partner.
You leaned against the doorframe, watching him with a smile. His focus was so sharp, so intense, that it was almost as if the rest of the world had faded away.
“Edward,” you called softly, stepping into the room.
He didn’t look up immediately, but the slight twitch of his lips told you that he was aware of your presence. Finally, his eyes met yours—dark, calculating, but with a flicker of something else. Something playful.
“You’re late,” he said, a teasing smirk crossing his face. “I’ve been waiting.”
You chuckled, crossing the room to stand beside him. “Forgive me. I had to finish some... other business.”
“Well, now that you’re here,” Edward said, tapping a pen against the paper in front of him, “we can begin.” He pushed a few sheets aside, revealing the skeleton of the scheme you had both worked so hard to concoct—a brilliant plan to expose Gotham’s corruption, twist it into chaos, and, of course, leave your signature on it.
“But first, I thought we’d warm up,” he added, his eyes narrowing with a mischievous glint. “A little game of riddles. After all, what’s a scheme without a challenge, right?”
You raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A game of riddles? Really? You’re the one who usually comes up with them.”
Edward gave a small laugh, almost like a soft chuckle. “I thought we could try something different. You know, get into the spirit of things. Besides, you’ve been a very good partner—wouldn’t you agree?”
A smile tugged at your lips as you sat down across from him, leaning in with a conspiratorial tone. “I think we’ve done well so far. But let’s see what you’ve got, Edward. I’m not afraid of a little competition.”
He grinned, clearly enjoying the challenge. “Let’s see how you do with this one, then.”
Edward leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, preparing for his first riddle. He stared at you, his eyes gleaming with the excitement of the game.
“Alright. What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?”
You paused for a moment, your mind racing. You had faced many of Edward’s riddles before, but this one felt like it could be a trick. After a brief silence, you smirked, knowing the answer.
“The letter ‘M,’” you said confidently.
Edward raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Not bad, not bad at all. Your turn.”
You leaned forward, pretending to think long and hard, even though the answer came to you quickly. You loved how Edward’s eyes always lit up when he was challenged, and you knew this game would be as much fun for you as it was for him.
“Alright, here’s one for you,” you said. “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have nobody, but I come alive with wind. What am I?”
Edward’s lips curled into a smile. He knew the answer almost instantly, but he dragged it out for a moment, clearly enjoying the tension in the air.
“A(n) echo,” he replied, his voice rich with satisfaction.
You groaned, mock-annoyed. “Alright, you’re good. But I’m not finished yet.” You leaned forward, giving him your next riddle.
“Okay, Edward. What has keys but can’t open locks?”
His eyes sparkled with the thrill of the game. “A piano,” he answered without hesitation, a little too pleased with himself.
“Correct,” you said, leaning back. “It’s no fun when you get them so quickly.”
Edward smiled at you, clearly enjoying how well you two were meshing, even in this playful moment. But as much as he enjoyed his riddles, he had another question in mind—one that he hadn’t prepared for.
“Alright, alright,” he said, leaning forward with an impish glint in his eyes. “What is always coming but never arrives?”
You laughed, already knowing the answer, but you let him continue his teasing tone.
“The future,” you said, giving a playful shrug.
“Well, aren’t you the riddler of the hour,” he teased. “But I can see we’re not quite finished with our game. I believe the next riddle is yours, my dear.”
You leaned in, a grin forming on your lips. This time, you decided to change things up, and you gave him a challenge that required more than just a clever answer.
“Alright, Edward,” you said, eyes glinting. “I’ll give you a riddle of my own. A riddle about us. What’s something that starts with trust, is built on schemes, and thrives on danger?”
Edward stared at you for a long moment, his fingers tapping against the table as he considered the riddle. His grin slowly widened, the challenge evident in his eyes. He had always admired your intelligence, your ability to outwit him when the mood struck.
“Us,” he said simply, leaning back in his chair, impressed. “The answer is us.”
You laughed, a soft, genuine sound that echoed in the quiet room. “I think you’re right.”
Edward’s smile softened, and for a moment, the playful tension between you both shifted into something deeper. It was rare for him to let his guard down, even in moments like this. But with you, he felt that small, subtle sense of ease—an odd comfort in the chaos.
“Well,” he said, his voice smooth, “since we’ve managed to out-riddle each other, I suppose it’s time to get back to business, hmm?”
You paused, taking a breath. Then, with a playful glint in your eyes, you leaned in closer to him.
“Not quite yet, Edward,” you said, your voice light. “I have one last riddle for you. Are you ready?”
Edward raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Always.”
You smiled mischievously, your gaze locked on his.
“Alright then,” you began, your words deliberate and teasing. “What’s something that involves trust, a little mystery, and requires two people to make it truly worthwhile?”
Edward blinked, clearly trying to think of the answer, but you could see the wheels turning behind his eyes. He was analyzing every word, considering every angle.
After a moment, he looked up at you, his lips curling into a thoughtful smile. "A date," he said slowly, his tone playful but with a flicker of curiosity.
You grinned, leaning back in your chair with satisfaction. “Correct.”
Edward's eyes widened slightly, and his smile deepened into something both amused and pleased. He leaned forward, his voice lowering with a teasing edge. “You’ve got me there. A date, huh? And who, pray tell, would be the lucky one to go on this date?”
You gave him a sly smile, your tone casual. “You, of course. If you're up for it.”
Edward chuckled, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "Well, well, well. You know, I do like a good challenge."
You raised an eyebrow. "So, what do you say? I promise it’ll be just as exciting as any scheme you’ve ever devised."
He leaned back, crossing his arms with a grin. "How could I possibly resist? Lead the way, my clever partner."
As the game turned into something more than just a scheme, Edward Nygma finally gave in to the idea of a night that wasn’t filled with riddles or danger. And for once, as Gotham's shadows loomed outside, the two of you shared a light-hearted moment—one that, much like any good riddle, was full of delightful mystery.
---
