Imagine- A One-shot Collection

You are no object- Oswald Cobblepot (Gotham)

Y/N grimaced as the cage door was opened by a burly man in a business suit and she was fitted with chains around her neck and wrists. The other women- her friends- in the cage protested loudly as Y/N was brought out onto the stage wearing nothing but her lacy black lingerie set that she had been fitted with.

"Next up for auction, we have Y/N, a sexy little devil with a spicy attitude but a submissive aftertaste," said the man who was holding her chains. "The bidding starts at $900."

As amounts began flying around the room, Y/N thought about how she had ended up in this mess. One moment, she had been a waitress working minimum wage at Gotham Grotto Bar, barely able to keep up with her rent, surviving off of Ramen Noodles and leftover pizza from a week ago. The next, she had been knocked out on her walk home to her apartment and was locked up in a cage with other girls her age. She'd lived in that cage for weeks, no one came looking for her at all, and she was starved practically to death. Her only comfort in her new life was from the other girls, who all stuck together even though their outcomes were bleak.

But now, Y/N was going to be shipped off to some pervert's home, where she could be used and abused, like a fucking toy. A literal fucking toy.

She watched, horrified, as two grotesque and dirty men fought each other in the bidding war, each going higher and higher until the bid was at $4,000.

If she hadn't been so repulsed and shocked at the idea of going home with either of them, Y/N would've been flattered that she was worth so much.

Suddenly, a voice rang out across the crowd. "$5,500!"

There was a collective gasp, and everyone turned to the back of the room where the bid had come from. Y/N looked too, and she watched as a man with messy black hair and a nice suit hobbled his way over to the stage.

"S-sold to Mr Cobblepot," said the auctioneer as the man climbed onstage. Before he even looked at Y/N, however, the man, Cobblepot, whispered something in the auctioneer's ear. The auctioneer nodded and ran off. Y/N realized the auctioneer had dropped her chain, and she was free to run away if she wanted. But something was keeping her glued to the spot.

"One moment dear. Mr Sidorio owes me a debt," Cobblepot explained, sending a smile her way.

Y/N frowned and examined Cobblepot. He was about her height, with captivating eyes and a charming smirk. She said nothing as Mr Sidorio came back with a bag of money for Oswald, as well as the key to her chains.

"Thank you," Oswald said, throwing the money to a man who appeared to be his bodyguard who had followed him to the stage. He tucked the key into his pocket. "Now, we best be off," he told Y/N, taking her hand instead of her chain and leading her out of the warehouse. She didn't protest. She felt strangely secure being with Mr Cobblepot.

He brought her to his limo and held the door open for her. She got in without hesitation as Cobblepot's bodyguard got in to drive. Cobblepot slid in next to her and closed the door, signalling the guard to start driving.

Y/N still said nothing as Cobblepot took out the key to her chains and freed her. She rubbed her wrists, confused. "What are you doing?"

"Your voice," he said, ignoring her question. "It's beautiful."

"Why did you free me? In fact, why did you buy me? I don't think I'm worth $5,500," Y/N whispered.

Cobblepot gasped. "You're right. You are priceless. You are no object. You are a woman, living and breathing. I hate Mr Sidorio and his nasty business. I may have done some terrible things, but none as bad as selling human beings."

"You still haven't answered my question," Y/N pointed out.

"Oh, yes, of course. As you know, I came to collect a debt from Mr Sidorio. But then I saw you up on that stage, frightened as could be. And I don't blame you, considering who was attempting to buy you." Cobblepot shuddered at the thought. "No one deserves to be sold like that."

Y/N nodded silently.

After a moment, Cobblepot spoke again. "What's your name?"

After a moment's hesitation, she answered, "Y/N."

"I'm Oswald. You have such a lovely name, Y/N. In fact, you deserve an outfit that is just as fitting. So, I'll give you a choice. You are free now, after all," Oswald said.

Y/N thought for a moment. "I'm listening."

"I can drop you off at your old place or with a friend if you'd rather, with a small donation to get your life started again," Oswald continued. "Or... you can stick with me and work at my club, doing whatever job you want there, no one to harass you plus you'll have my protection, and I'll take you shopping for new clothes. What do you say?" He looked hopefully at her.

Y/N smiled. "Well, I have always wanted to be a handyworker. There's just something about hard work that is so thrilling, especially when you get to see the fruits of your own labour."

"There are some things around the club that need fixing," Oswald offered.

"Well then I guess it's settled, isn't it? I'll stick with you, Oswald," Y/N told him. "On one condition," she added.

Oswald raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?"

"You free the other girls who are trapped with Mr Sidorio, and find them jobs and housing," Y/N insisted.

He nodded. "Is that all? I'll have him shut down by tomorrow morning."

Y/N's eyes gleamed with tears knowing that her friends would all be free to live how they wanted. "Thank you, thank you so much, Oswald."

Oswald grinned and took her hand in his. "May I?" he asked.

But instead of responding, Y/N leaned in and gave Oswald a small kiss on the lips. "You may," she whispered as she pulled away.

Oswald blushed and kissed her hand. "So, where to first? Chanel or Louis Vitton?"