Stephanie's Second First Halloween

Chapter 8: Talking (It Feels Nice)

What the fuck kind of question is that?! Harv panicked (he was not panicking, he was angry). What's his game?

Is it that hard to believe he honestly just wants to know? Harvey asked, uncertainly.

No-one else ever has.

No-one else ever referred to us as 'you two'. Harvey pointed out. And when was the last time someone asked if we had a bad dream?

Puh-leeze! He's probably just gathering info on our fears for the demon.

...Fair point. Harvey acknowledged. He caught Edward staring, probably waiting for an answer, and turned their head away. They were probably twitching like crazy right now. But still, would it really be that bad to tell him our names? I mean, don't you want to?

It was a big decision, too big to even use the Coin for. 'Twoface', 'Harvey', 'Harv' — everyone always just picked which one to call them, no-one knew (or cared) that there might be a difference. Them having different names had only ever been a thing between the two of them, to bring anyone else into that little bubble...

Fine, we can tell him. Harv grumbled. As a trial run, I guess, to see how people react. But you better not freak out when he ignores it and just calls us whatever he wants anyways, because I ain't in the mood to deal with your emotional shit.

I won't freak out. Harvey rolled their eyes, remembering too late that Edward could still see them. Edward, who was very patiently still waiting, not looking the least bit bothered.

Harvey cleared their throat, knowing he was going to have to say this for both of them. "Uh, no, Twoface is both of us. It's a shared villain name. I'm Harvey, the other one is Harv. But, really, it's okay for you to call us whatever. We're used to it." He felt nervous, really wishing Harv would be the one to do this, while paradoxically being glad he wasn't.

"It's a pleasure to be properly introduced." Edward smirked, holding out his hand. "So Harvey's the one that calmed me down from my little, ugh, episode, I'm guessing?"

"How'd you know?" Harvey asked, carefully shaking his hand.

"You haven't cursed, so I'm guessing it's the rude one that goes by 'Harv'." Edward said smugly, as if proud of himself for figuring that out. A second later, he coughed, leaning away. "No offense meant, of course! Living with Jon has made me more than used to a bit of insult, after all."

"Would you stop panicking, you fucking twit?" Harv growled, ignoring Harvey's protests. "We're not gonna beat you up while your fucking kid's in the house."

I doubt he was worried about that.

Trust me, he definitely was. Harv laughed. Hey, do me a favor and don't let me beat him up without flipping for it first, will ya?

That was already my plan. Harvey agreed, inwardly smirking. He knew that was as close as Harv was going to get to saying he kinda liked Edward, but it was a lot more than he had expected from his other half.

"Is that tone change a conscious decision or a subconscious one?" Edward burst out, as if he'd been trying not to ask and had failed. There was something puppy-like in the way his eyes got wider as he continued asking, "Does your voice always change when who's in control changes? Are there other signs, and how often are they even there? How do you decide who gets to be in charge when? How–"

The questions kept coming, Edward looking alternatively excited and horrified as he asked in a seemingly endless stream of talking.

That's it, I'm shutting him up. Harv reached out a hand, blocking the other's mouth. Edward flinched, then froze. Oops, didn't mean to frighten him.

Yes you did. Harvey mentally sighed, removing their hand. He started answering a few of Edward's questions, though he had to really think about a couple.

It was strangely nice. No-one had ever been this interested in knowing more about them before, and even if it was due to The Riddler's compulsion to learn as much as he could, it felt good to be the center of attention for something other than crime (or stopping crime, when he was a DA).

Eventually, though, they were interrupted by the kitchen door opening slowly. Big brown eyes and blonde hair peeked around the door, Stephanie very hesitantly speaking once Edward turned to look at her. "D-dad?"

Edward's entire body tensed up, eyes going wide and mouth hanging open a little. He seemed a bit like his brain had just stopped working and he had to wait for it to reboot.

Wait, is that the first time she's called him that?

Idiot's gonna mess it up if he doesn't answer. Harv actually sounded worried, in a pissed-off way. She's going to be too fucking anxious to do it again.

Acting on impulse, Harvey elbowed Edward in the ribs as subtly as he could, quietly hissing without fully opening his mouth "Say something!"

"Um, uh, y-yes, Sweetie?" Edward smiled shakily, rubbing his ribs. He briefly glanced at Twoface, though they couldn't figure out whether it was a silent thanks or a glare. It might've been both.

"We're gonna watch Beetlejuice, now." She said quietly, moving a bit more behind the door. "Are you gonna watch it with us? You don't have to, but..."

"Oh, Sweetie!" Edward fretted. "Of course I want to watch it with you. I didn't mean to ignore you, Steph, I just needed a few moments away from everyone. Uncle Jon's Toxin made my panic attack a bit worse than normal, I'm still a little shaken up, but just give me a minute more and I'll be right out. Okay?"

Before Harvey could question the wisdom of talking to a little girl about panic attacks, Stephanie nodded as if she perfectly understood, leaving with a smile. Then again, considering the trio she lived with, this was almost certainly not the first time she'd seen someone have one.

"Well, I guess I should get out of your hair." Edward smirked. "No more annoying questions tonight, I'm afraid."

"Too bad." Harvey answered much too honestly. He felt a lot better than he had all day. Maybe even good enough to...

You know, I've never actually watched Beetlejuice. Harvey thought slowly. Aren't there two movies?

Ugh, you bastard. Harv grumbled, but he didn't even try to reach for the Coin, instead just pushing past Edward while muttering about how his favorite spot on the couch better as Hell be available.

Edward followed them to the living-room, a look of happy confusion on his face completely missed considering their back was facing him.