Chapter Text
A little over a week had passed since Edward last set foot in The Last Drop, and he couldn't shake off the unease that had settled within him after his conversation with Tim about kindness and choices. Seeking a sense of normalcy and a return to familiar routines, the Riddler decided it was long past time for him to stage a heist, a familiar dance between him, the Caped Crusader, and his faithful Robin. But the outcome was far from what he expected.
As Edward set up his intricate puzzle traps, anticipation brewed within him. He eagerly awaited the arrival of Batman and Robin, envisioning the battle of wits that was certain to lay ahead. However, when the time came and the Robin who confronted him emerged, the Riddler's excitement quickly turned to disbelief.
Standing before him on the CCTV monitor of the control room he was working from was a much younger Robin, a mere child of around 12 or 13 years old instead of the much older teenager of 18 or 19 he’d been expecting. The brashness and arrogance that radiated from this new Robin were immediately apparent. Edward's expectations crumbled, replaced by a growing frustration and disappointment.
He couldn't believe his eyes as he witnessed this new Robin's reckless approach to his carefully crafted puzzle traps. Frustration coursed through him, and he couldn't hold back his exasperation any longer.
"What do you think you're doing, boy?" Riddler snapped, his voice laced with irritation. "These puzzles aren't mere obstacles to be brute-forced! They require finesse, intellect, and a keen eye for detail. Have you no respect for the art of puzzle-solving?"
Behind the Robin mask, Damian Wayne stood defiantly as he turned his gaze up at the security camera watching him, crossed his arms and scoffed at Riddler's words. "Save your lectures, Riddler. Your puzzles are nothing more than a waste of time. I have better things to do than entertain your self-indulgent challenges."
Edward's frustration grew, his face contorting into a mixture of disbelief and anger. "Better things to do? What could possibly be more important than engaging in a battle of wits, where intelligence reigns supreme? The previous Robin understood that, but you... you're just a disappointment!"
Damian's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with defiance. "You know nothing about me or what I'm capable of. Your puzzles are nothing compared to the real challenges I face out here in the city."
The Riddler's patience waned as the new Robin’s words hit a nerve. "Real challenges? Don't make me laugh. These puzzles are designed to test your mind, to push you to your limits. If you can't appreciate that, then you're not worthy of the mantle you wear."
"I don't need your validation, Riddler. I know my worth. And I certainly don't need your puzzles to prove–”
But before Damian could finish voicing his retort, he made a catastrophic error in his dismantling of the trap room, inadvertently mangling an integral part of the puzzle's mechanism. The sound of metal grinding against metal filled the room until the entire mechanism seized up as Edward watched in helpless disbelief. Curiously, Edward pressed a few buttons and flipped a few switches experimentally to try and manipulate the various doors and panels in the trap room. Nothing responded. He couldn't help but facepalm in dismay.
"You've done it now, Robin. You've not only trapped yourself more effectively than I could have ever planned, but you've also rendered the puzzle completely useless. So even if I wanted to free you manually, I can’t now," Edward said with a mix of frustration and disappointment. "Well done, I suppose. You played by your own rules instead of mine and this is the result. Now you’re stuck.”
Damian scowled, his tone growing defensive. "I'm not stuck. I just need a moment to think."
Edward rolled his eyes, shaking his head and seething with frustration as he turned his attention back to Batman, who had just silently arrived at Riddler’s control hub just a few minutes prior, having solved his own version of the puzzle trap correctly and freed himself in record time.
While the Dark Knight had been expecting an immediate battle of wills and clash of intellect, as was per the norm when he and the Riddler crossed paths, he was taken aback as he was met with derision from the Rogue himself.
"Are you kidding me? THIS is the replacement you’ve forced me to deal with? This insolent child lacks the intelligence and courtesy of his predecessor. A rude and disrespectful child who doesn't appreciate the art of puzzle-solving? Where is the older Robin, the one who embraced the challenge, who approached my puzzles with respect? What happened to him?"
Damian's voice grew more defiant. "That Robin made his own choices. I'm not here to fill his shoes or play by his rules."
Edward seethed, his disappointment palpable. "No, you're here to tarnish his legacy. To prove that you're nothing more than an arrogant brat who lacks the patience and intellect to be a worthy adversary."
Damian bristled and retorted through the security camera feed, "I don't need your puzzles to prove my worth, Riddler. I have other ways to prove myself."
Edward's frustration grew, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, really? So dismantling my puzzles without even attempting to engage them is your idea of proving yourself? You've certainly done an excellent job rendering my trap useless… and trapping yourself more effectively than I could ever have hoped. Congratulations!"
Damian clenched his fists, ready to defend himself, but before he could unleash a retort, Edward muted the CCTV feed, cutting off Damian's words and shutting him out. The room fell into silence as the Riddler turned his full attention back to Batman.
His frustration simmering beneath the surface, Edward demanded answers from the Dark Knight. "What happened to the previous Robin? Did he meet an unfortunate end? Is that why you've replaced him with this brat?"
Batman stood silently, his expression unreadable behind the cowl. He absorbed Edward's verbal assault, understanding the pain of losing a connection with someone who had become a challenge and a companion. Deep down, he shared the same sense of loss since Tim's departure.
With a voice devoid of emotion, Batman responded, his words firm and unwavering. "The previous Robin made his own choices, Riddler. His path diverged from ours, and his decision was his own. We must accept and respect those choices, even if they bring disappointment."
As Batman's words hung in the air, a sense of finality settled over the room, leaving no room for further discussion. Riddler's seething resentment clashed with the realization that pursuing this line of questioning was futile.
In a begrudging resigned tone, Edward replied, "Very well, Batman. If you wish to save your 'caged cuckoo,' you should go down and try to figure out how to free him yourself before the brat runs out of air. As for the artifacts I've taken, they're all hidden in the heart of the puzzle trap your new Robin is now stuck in too. Good luck retrieving them... that is, if he hasn't already damaged or destroyed them with his 'bull in a china shop' mentality."
While Batman was momentarily distracted, trying to devise a plan to free Robin from the intricate, but irreparably damaged puzzle trap, Riddler seized the opportunity to make his escape, leaving behind the remnants of his failed encounter.
As Riddler made his escape, a mix of disappointment and frustration flooded his mind. The ease with which he eluded Batman and the new Robin only serves to amplify his sense of disillusionment. The Riddler had hoped for a challenge, a chance to engage in his trademark intellectual battle with the Caped Crusader and his older sidekick. Instead, he found himself evading their pursuit without breaking a sweat.
Edward’s disappointment weighed heavily on him as he traversed the darkened alleys of Gotham, his footsteps echoing a symphony of missed opportunities. The thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of outsmarting his adversaries, had been replaced by a hollow emptiness.
Edward had come to rely on the presence of a worthy opponent, someone who could truly appreciate the intricacies of his puzzles. But with the arrival of this new Robin, that dynamic has been shattered. The brash, arrogant nature of the young vigilante prevented him from even attempting to engage in the mind games the Riddler so desperately craved.
As he wandered into the night, Edward's mind churned with a mixture of self-doubt and resentment. He questioned his own worth as a criminal mastermind and whether he could find the intellectual stimulation he craved in a city that seemed to be changing around him. Edward wondered if he could adapt to this new era of challenges or if he was destined to be left behind as a relic of the past.
Edward’s disappointment gradually transforms into a gnawing curiosity as well. Batman's cryptic words echo in his mind, haunting his thoughts. What did the Dark Knight mean by saying the previous Robin made his own choices? And why did his path diverge from theirs?
—
Edward stood outside The Last Drop, the weight of his frustration and unanswered questions pressing upon him. He originally contemplated seeking solace in the familiar darkness of a normal villains' dive bar, where he could drown his frustrations in a sea of like-minded individuals. But in the end his feet ended up taking him back to the plain nondescript alley to the familiar, unassuming door. But as he stared at the entrance, a nagging feeling tugged at his heart. Against his initial intentions, Edward found himself stepping forward, crossing the threshold into The Last Drop once again.
Tim looked up from the bar at the sound of the silver bell chiming, his eyes widening in surprise as he recognized Edward walking through the door. A genuine smile formed on his face, and he approached the perplexed Rogue with warmth in his voice. "Edward! It's good to see you again. Welcome back."
Edward blinked, taken aback by Tim's friendly reception. He had expected to be met with indifference or perhaps even scorn after his previous flustered departure from the bar. Yet here was Tim, extending an unexpected welcome. The Riddler hesitated for a moment before cautiously returning the smile. "Tim... I didn't expect such a warm greeting. After the way I left, I assumed I wouldn't be welcome here anymore."
Tim waved off Edward's concerns, his expression still kind. "We've all had our fair share of rough nights. It’s no big deal. Besides, Winston is all about this place offering second chances to folks. I’m honestly glad to see you back."
Edward's shoulders relaxed slightly, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over him. He followed Tim's invitation and took a seat at the bar. "I’m… glad to be back. And I suppose you could say I have had a bit of a rough few nights recently."
Tim leaned against the bar, a sympathetic look on his face. "Well, let me make it better. How about a drink? You look like you could use one. I could make you one of our signatures, perhaps?"
Edward hesitated for a moment, then nodded appreciatively. "I wouldn't say no to that.”
Tim smiled, reaching for a martini glass and a tall bottle of Bludhaven Black Gin from behind the bar, among other ingredients. As he began expertly preparing the cocktail, he continued the conversation. "So, what brings you back here tonight? You’ve been gone for a while. Did you find the answers you were looking for out there in the city?"
Edward watched as Tim skillfully poured the dark black elixir into a glass and offered it to him, his eyes briefly glancing at the liquid before meeting Tim's gaze. "No, I can't say that I did. I thought I could go back to my normal routine, indulge in the usual song and dance with the local vigilantes, but I ended up right back where I started.” He stared into the glass, as if it could contain any answers. “Apparently things have changed when I wasn’t looking, and I am not sure what to do now."
Tim paused for a moment, a flicker of understanding crossing his eyes. “I understand what you mean. Sometimes life takes unexpected turns, and suddenly we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory. It can be disorienting, to say the least.""
Edward looked up, his gaze meeting Tim's, curiosity tinged with a touch of vulnerability. "You've been through something like this too?"
Tim offered a small smile, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "Let's just say that I've had my fair share of surprises and had to navigate through uncharted waters. Sometimes we need to reassess our priorities and make choices that lead us on a different path."
Edward leaned in, a spark of intrigue lighting up his features. "Different path, you say? Tell me, Tim, how did you manage to find your way amidst the uncertainties?"
Tim's eyes shimmered with a mixture of memories and wisdom. "It wasn't easy. I had to take a step back, reevaluate my own desires and goals. I realized that sometimes the answers we seek can't be found by clinging to the familiar, but by exploring new possibilities and embracing the unknown. I made a choice to start traveling down a different path. Sometimes I do look back and wonder what might’ve happened if I stayed on the one I was on before, but I don’t regret my decision. I’m happy where I am right now."
As Edward took a sip from his newly crafted cocktail, the flavors danced on his tongue, but his mind was consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts. Tim's words resonated within him, intertwining with the cryptic hints Batman had dropped about the former Robin and the rumors Edward had heard during his search for The Last Drop. The pieces of the puzzle finally clicked together, forming a startling revelation.
Edward's voice trembled with a mix of excitement and disbelief as he addressed Tim, his words laced with a newfound understanding. "You... you were the previous Robin," he uttered in awe, the revelation shaping the words with a mix of astonishment and recognition. "The one who made his own choices, who chose a different path. You're the one Batman spoke of."
Tim's eyes widened slightly, the mask of neutrality momentarily slipping as he registers Edward's realization. Vulnerability flashed across his features.
As the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, Edward's eyes widened with realization. The identity of the former Robin stood before him, embodied in the person of Tim. Excitement surged through Edward's veins, his mind racing with the possibilities, his sharp intellect conjuring countless schemes and strategies that could unfold with the knowledge he now possessed. He could exploit Tim's identity, use it as a leverage against Batman, or manipulate the former Robin for his own gain. The temptation to seize power and control surged within him, threatening to consume his better judgment.
Yet, as Edward's eyes locked with Tim's, he saw the fear hidden behind the young man's attempts at composure. He recognized that fear, for it was the fear of the unknown, the fear of the consequences that could follow the revelation of such information. It was the fear of being exposed and vulnerable.
In that moment, a profound realization washed over Edward. It wasn't just about the choices he made, the answers he sought, or the power he could amass. It was about the impact of his choices on the lives of others.
He looked into Tim's eyes, witnessing the vulnerability that lay beneath the surface. Edward suddenly realized that Tim had taken a tremendous risk by extending kindness and acceptance to him, a dangerous Rogue who could have easily betrayed his trust. It was an act of courage that defied logic, an act of compassion that Edward hadn't anticipated.
In that moment, the weight of Edward's own choices became crystal clear. If he were to choose his own self-interest and exploit Tim's identity, he would not only harm the former Robin but also tarnish the genuine kindness and empathy that Tim had shown him in The Last Drop. The damage caused by such a catastrophic betrayal would be irreparable, shattering the trust they had started to build.
Edward's expression softened, his mind embracing a newfound understanding. He realized that he stood at a crossroads, where he could either succumb to his old patterns or choose a different path. It was a moment that would define his character, shaping the kind of person he aspired to be.
In that moment the Riddler's mind, always sharp and calculating, went through a whirlwind of possibilities. He analyzed the risks and rewards of each path, weighing the potential outcomes with meticulous precision. However, deep down, he knew what his decision had to be.
Edward took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before he spoke with a sincerity that surprised even himself. "Tim, I have spent a significant portion of my life seeking power, control, and knowledge. It has become second nature for me to exploit any advantage I come across, especially when it comes to someone like Batman and the secrets he holds. But in this moment, as I look at you, I realize that I have a choice to make. I can either continue down that path of manipulation and betrayal, or I can choose a different path—one that embraces kindness and empathy."
Tim's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise, relief, and confusion filling his expression. "Edward, I... I don't understand. Why would you choose not to exploit this knowledge? Why wouldn't you use it to your advantage?"
Edward leaned forward, his gaze locked with Tim's. "Because, Tim, I see the fear in your eyes right now. The fear of being exposed, of having your past brought to light. And it strikes a chord within me because I have felt that fear too. I know what it's like to have secrets, to have vulnerabilities. And in this moment, I choose not to exploit yours. I choose to honor the trust you have placed in me, and the genuine kindness you have shown me, despite the risks involved."
As Edward's words sink in, Tim's apprehension gradually gives way to a mixture of surprise and relief. His tense shoulders relax, and a genuine smile spreads across his face, illuminating his features. It's as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, and he finds himself grateful beyond measure for Edward's choice.
"Thank you, Edward," Tim says sincerely, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "I can't express how much this means to me. It's not often that someone like you chooses kindness over self-interest. It gives me hope, you know?"
He chuckles lightly, the tension dissipating further. "And you know what? I'm actually looking forward to getting to know you outside of the complicated schemes and convoluted death traps we've encountered in the past. I've kind of missed the Riddler's mind games since I 'retired'."
Edward's eyes sparkle with a mix of amusement and satisfaction, the warmth of Tim's positive reaction reverberating within him. "Ah, the mind games," he muses with a playful grin. "I must admit, I've missed our intellectual duels as well. Perhaps we can find other games to play, ones that don't involve life and death stakes. After all, you are one of my favorite opponents, Tim."
The tension at the bar continues to dissipate, replaced by a shared understanding and the promise of a genuine friendship. Edward, in his own way, is surprised by the warmth that blooms within him at the thought of this newfound connection. The choice to choose kindness has opened doors he never anticipated, and the possibilities shimmer before him.
—
From his own little corner of The Last Drop, Jason watched the scene unfold from his secluded booth, his initial anxiety turned into utter surprise. He had prepared himself for the worst, ready to intervene if necessary to protect his younger brother. But as he observed Edward's reaction and the subsequent exchange between the Rogue and Tim, Jason couldn't help but feel a combination of relief and flabbergasted.
As relief and astonishment washed over him, and he leaned back in his booth releasing the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his hand slowly retracted from his holster. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he watched the genuine connection forming between Edward and Tim. It was an unexpected turn of events, one that surpassed his wildest expectations.
"Who would've thought?" Jason muttered under his breath, his eyes fixed on the two figures conversing happily at the bar.
“Who indeed?
Jason glanced over his shoulder as Winston approached with a knowing smile and a freshly poured pint of Jason’s favorite dark lager. The younger man raised an eyebrow.
“You knew this was going to happen, didn’t you?”
Winston shrugged as he transferred the beer from his serving tray to the table in front of Jason. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m just a simple bartender, not a crystal ball.”
Jason took a sip of his beer, his gaze fixed on Winston. He had known the bartender long enough to recognize that mischievous glint in his eyes. "Come on, Winston. Don't give me that 'simple bartender' act. You always seem to have some kind of insight into people, even the most complicated ones like the Riddler."
Winston chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, I must admit, I had my suspicions. Call it a bartender's intuition if you will. But the truth is, Jason, I believe in the transformative power of connections. Sometimes, all it takes is a little nudge in the right direction."
Jason raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "A little nudge, huh?"
Winston shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "All I did was create an environment where people can come together, where individuals like Edward and Tim can find common ground. The rest is up to them."
Jason leaned back in his booth, a smile playing on his lips as he swept his gaze across the expanse of The Last Drop, glancing over all the other patrons happily enjoying their evening before finally settling back on Tim and Edward, the both of them leaning on the bar as they spoke and smiled. “Common ground, huh.”
Winston nodded, his gaze following Jason's to Tim and Edward at the bar. "Indeed, common ground can be a powerful force. It bridges the gaps that divide us and opens doors to understanding and friendship."
A comfortable silence settled between them, the ambiance of The Last Drop enveloping them in its comforting embrace. They watched as Tim and Edward continued their conversation, their laughter carrying through the air, a testament to the bonds that were forming.
Drink: "Midnight Masquerade" (fictional)
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Bludhaven Black Gin (can sub Bludhaven Black with Scapegrace Black)
- 1 oz Creme de Cassis
- 1/2 oz Freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 oz Simple syrup
- Dash of Angostura bitters
- Blackberries (for garnish)
- Lime twist (for garnish)
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a cocktail shaker, add Bludhaven Black Gin, Creme de Cassis, lime juice, simple syrup, and a dash of Angostura bitters.
- Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, allowing the flavors to meld together and the cocktail to chill.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass or a martini glass.
- Garnish with a few fresh blackberries on a cocktail pick, gently resting it on the edge of the glass.
- To add an intriguing touch, take a lime twist and gently express its oils over the surface of the cocktail, releasing its citrusy aroma. Place the lime twist on top of the blackberries.
Winston’s recipe notes: Another of the six original signature cocktails served during The Last Drop’s inaugural year of opening. During Prohibition, one of The Last Drop’s main suppliers was a secret distillery in Bludhaven who both “imported” illicit beverages from across the borders and created a few concoctions of their own. They got rather “inventive” in their time. Bludhaven Black is one of my personal favorites. Still not sure what a person has to do to make a “black” gin, but I’m not gonna start questioning now.