Once Oswald’s father, Tucker Cobblepot, had died from pneumonia, he left his wife a widow. Esther, Oswald’s mother, wouldn’t last a widow for long, however. Esther had met you and found you to be suitable husband material. She asked you out and you said yes. Before you began dating, she hid Oswald from you, feeling like Oswald’s appearance would disgust you like it did so many others. Transitioning into dating, however, led you to being able to meet Oswald. You got well adjusted with Oswald. He clung to you. One of the very few people who weren’t immediately put off by his appearance and were nice to him.

You were sitting on the couch, giving yourself a well deserved rest for a bit. You heard the door open, only moments later and Oswald was in the doorway, sulking. Oswald just came inside from school. You could tell he didn’t have a good day. He never did. All the other kids made fun of him over something he couldn’t control. Oswald made his way over, setting down his bag as he came into the living room and towards you: his safe space. He needed comfort and someone to talk to, knowing you’d be able to give him both after his troubling day.

“Dad.” Oswald came to you, sitting beside you on the couch, a frown plastered over his face. “Am I really that ugly? Everyone keeps saying it.”