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Jim Gordon
Well, he would've enjoyed making you feel safe without actually having to protect you, but if all it takes to make you less scared is to not watch a movie, count him in. 😚
He's also glad that he doesn't have to watch something scary. His life is full enough of alarming experiences.You're sitting next to him on the sofa, when the movie suddenly goes from calm to horrifying in a matter of seconds and you startle. Okay, calm down, this is probably nothing for Jim.
He notices your distress and wraps an arm around you, looking a little more awake than before too.
"Everything okay?"
You think about it. "The movie isn't exactly my thing."
"Wanna turn it off?"
"Y-yeah, if it's okay."
He does so and gives you one of his careless grins, pulls you close and kisses you. "I've been waiting for you to say that the whole evening." Fish Mooney
is coddling you. The crime boss knows that you shouldn't be afraid of fiction when your reality can be much worse, but she can't help it. You're one of the only people she cares about, what can she do?"Aww, poor baby can't handle scary movies, huh? Come here."
She lets you rest your head on her lap or chest and gently pats you on the back, already planning how she's gonna keep you save.Victor Zsasz
knows all too well that you'd be horrified at some of his weekly tasks, so he tries to distract you with humour.You press your body closer into his, wanting this movie to end every new minute when the image freezes and he gives you a nudge.
"Hey, you wanna turn this thing off? You already have a scary man right here."
Relieved that he noticed your horror, you nod and cuddle up to him, enjoying the peaceful lack of spookiness.
"Yes, a wonderfully comforting scary man." Nathaniel Barnes
is such a busy Captain and still he tries to come home as much as possible.
Which is what brought you into this position, fiddling with the blanket he gave you, and trying not to show how much you dislike your current situation or to be precise: the movie that's scaring you. You aren't even that far in yet.Another distressing thing happens on screen and you wince.
Maybe you could wait a few more minutes and then say you're tired so he can still enjoy the movie. No. If you did that, you couln't spend the rest of the evening with him."Hey, sweatheart," Nathaniel's hand goes to the small of your back, "what do you think of the movie so far?"
After all, perhaps you like being scared. He knows enough people who throw themselves into danger and this one isn't even real.
"I...not very much." You know you can tell him the truth. "Not at all, to be honest."
"Then my surmise was correct. I'm sorry you had to watch this far."
"I'm sorry I ruined tonight's activity."He shakes his head. "There's still plenty of things we can do."
You turn fully away from the television and towards him, resting your head on his chest. "Sounds infinitely better." Barbara Kean
is ready for every occasion, and what's more: she'll make them fun.While the stakes on screen are rising along with your stress levels, she's sitting there all relaxed and eating ice cream. It's astounding how unbothered she seems, the only indication that she might be spare appearances of the smile you've seen her put up in stressful situations."What do you think of it so far?" you ask.
"Pretty good. Could be scarier." She shrugs, humming. "Okay, maybe I'm a little scared. What do you think?"
"It's a bit much, yes."
"Too much?"
"Uh...maybe."
"Baby," she warns, raising a finger, "be honest. Do you want to continue watching?"
"No. Don't get me wrong, watching something a bit spooky wasn't a horrible idea, but this one is already way out of my comfort zone."
Her face lights up. "Good! Thanks for bein' honest. We can watch something else. Let me see..." She gets up and goes through a bunch of movies from her collection. "Wholesome witchy stuff, rom-com where he's a werewolf and she's a magician, and...a school for the dead. All tested by my humble self."
"Wow. You're amazing. Those sounds much better than this movie."
She grins and kisses your cheek, whispering, "And next time you'll know that you can tell me earlier." Jerome Valeska
might make things worse for you at first. He thinks the movie is interesting but could use a few more jump scares.

The current scene isn't even that bad, you think, but still, maybe you should—
"Boo!"
"Aah!"
"Sorry, sweetheart. Thought this movie was a little too boring."
"Boring?"
"Like not scary enough?"
He nods. "Oh, definitely."
Not for him of course.
"I find it a bit too much."
He grins at you. "Then let's stop. I can be your entertainment for the night."

Butch Gilzean
is so considerate. While he loves to be the tough guy who you can cling to, he dislikes seeing you scared.

You jerk back the second time since the damn thing started, already wanting to bury your head in his chest. Maybe you should. He definitely wouldn't mind.
"Hey, baby, you ok?"
You sigh. "This isn't my type of movie."
"Too scary?" Before you can respond, he adds, "I'm not judgin' you."
You nod slowly. "Yes, that's exactly why."
"Do you want me to switch it off?"
"Yes, I think I need that, thank you."
He shakes his head. "No problem, babe. I'm here if you need me."
You let yourself sink into his embrace, hearing him sigh, happy to have you this close. Hugging him without being scared is way better anyways.

Alfred Pennyworth
knows people, how they show or hide thoughts and emotions. He also knows that Wayne Manor is not cold enough for you to have goosebumps like this.

When the film surprises you, you startle a little and soon feel Alfred's hands move over your arms.
Sensing your low temperature, he stops abruptly to look at you.
"Goodness, you're shivering, dear. Are you alright? Is the film scaring you too much?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Well, then let's stop. There's no need to force yourself to watch it. Let me go grab a blanket for you and then we can decide what we'll do instead."Oswald Cobblepot
is the only one who gets angry — but only because he cares about you.
Your reaction has him insulting the people who didn't put enough warnings on the movie, in true Gertrud Kapelput style! 😌😠
He also questions whether he does you good...You're glad that you have someone to cling to as the movie gets scarier. No doubt Oswald would frighten the villains.
Ah! Why does this movie have to be that scary?
Oswald notices right away that you aren't fully enjoying yourself. He knows how strongly you usually hug him and this is harder than usual.
You too realize that you're almost sinking your nails into him, and try to relax.He pauses the movie and diverts his attention to you. "Are okay, dear?" Oswald looks you over, his sea-green eyes mirroring a fracture of the TV's light.
You try to smile. "I'm just more easily frightened than you are."
"Do you want to stop watching?"
"Yes, if it's alright for you—"
"We'll stop right away."He presses few buttons until the TV is off and then tosses the remote control to the other side of the sofa.."Why wouldn't they put warnings before this?! Now you had to suffer! Not to mention: no doubt lots of children will be watching this too, allowed or not. Whoever's responsible should be fired, incompetent fools!"
He makes a wild gesture, furious in an endearing way, and catches your look.
"What?"
"You can be so cute when you're protective, even if you're angry."
"I—" he feels warmth spread in his chest, "I'm glad you feel safe with me."Perhaps you shouldn't: what scared you on screen is often his reality. If this was already hard to watch for you, then—
You give him a kiss. "Now I know who I can turn to to fight off movie inspectors."
He chuckles. "That you do, my dear." Renee Montoya
has seen her fair share of horrible things but watching something spooky around Halloween or autumn is such a classic date idea that she really wanted to try it.
Having her arms around you, bringing you a mug full of tea or hot chocolate or another beverage of your choice, and leaning back to for once get frightened by something fictional seems like a perfect pastime...Until she finds out how you feel about it.The evening starts getting uncomfortable for you when the story picks up its pace, the vibe becoming creepier and creepier. At first it's bearable, Renee leaning towards you and giving you some warmth, but then she gets up to bring you something to drink, insisting that you can continue watching, and now you're shivering in front of the television."There you go," she announces, and hands you a warm cup, which you take with quivering hands.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm scared."
"Of the movie?"
"Mhm."
"We can stop watching. You don't have to do this to yourself."
You sigh. "Thanks, that's best decision, I think."
She strokes your back and kisses you. "It is." Carmine Falcone
doesn't want you to feel as if you were the odd one for being scared. He knows how resistant he's become to horrific occurrences because of his position, and wants to preserve your justified reactions to these things where he can.You're trying to be patient, wait a little. Maybe the movie turns out to be less scary than you think. But right now it is definitely scary.
Suddenly the film pauses and you feel his hand on your shoulder. "Let's stop here. There are classier movies, my dear."
You're sure he means less frightening, but nod regardless, glad that he took the initiative. Lee Thompkins
probably really enjoys the movie. No, correct that: she definitely likes it, trashy or serious.
To be honest, she might be a bit disappointed at first, but your well-being matters so much more and her instincts to keep you save are way too strong for her to consider continuing watching.

Woah, this scene alone is scarier than you thought the whole thing would be! You glance at Lee, maybe she's feeling the same and you can stop watching—
Nope, on the contrary: she's almost spell-bound, staring at the screen in fascination. You decide to just look at her for some time, and soon realize that she's enjoying this a lot, making little gasps but leaning forward nontheless.
If you weren't so frightened of the movie, you'd let her do so forever, but you can't continue and you're sure she wouldn't want you to if she knew how you felt..

"Hey, Lee?"
"Mhm?" She's immersed in the story.
"This movie is too much for me."
"What?" She presses pause.
You gesture towards the source of your distress. "I'm sorry, I know how much you love the movie but it is way too scary for me."
"Oh." She eyes you carefully, not liking your current posture, and sighs. "Let's stop then."
"Are you sure? I can go to another room."
Lee shakes her head. "You're sweet. But I can watch the rest another time."
"Really?"
She pretends to think, leaning close to you. "What will I do with all that free time?" A mischevious expression spreads on her face.
You play along, "I know, right?" You kiss her. "What will we do?"

Lucius Fox
is honest from early on about how scary he finds what the two of you are watching. He may even bring it up before you do.
Though whether he's frightened or not doesn't matter when you are. He sees no use in pushing you or himself to do something you're not enjoying.

The creepier the movie's atmosphere gets, the closer you inch towards Lucius, until something particularly surprises you and you nearly cling to him in shock, too stunned to move.
"Hey, babe," he starts, "Am I the only one who finds this movie too scary?" He looks at you and finds that you don't seem happy either, so he presses pause. "Because right now I just want it to end."
"Oh, thank you! I've been feeling the same. Yes, can we just stop watching now? I don't need to know who gets killed." You laugh.
He breaths a sigh of relief. "Exactly."

While he turns the TV off, you put the lights on again, still a little tense. You sit down close to him. "I think I need a lot of cuddling after this, what do you say?"
He grinns. "I'd say the movie did us some  good after all."
In a matter of seconds his arms are around you and you let his kiss shoo away your fear.

Harvey Bullock
is one of the best people to have around when you're scared. His comic relief levels spike when someone he cares about is afraid and what's more, he dislikes getting scared anyways.

You're glad that your detective is finally home, away from the dangers of his job. Hopefully you'll soon finish this movie and get to spend some—

The main character falls down, their face twisting, and notices that the antagonist is on his tracks. He finally manages to get up again, and runs into an abandoned building, hastily moving upstairs until, after a long minute of dramatic shots and sounds, he reaches the attic and decides to move onto the roof.

Goodness, what if Harvey ever has to do that?
The chase continues, bricks fall down and suddenly the main guy is hanging off the building.
You tense, the previous scary scenes only making you more tense. Harvey places his palm on on your shoulder.

"Easy there. That chase wouldn't happen like this. I mean, did you see how many stairs that was?" He laughs. "No need to be afraid of the bad guy when there's stairs."
You laugh a little, still concerned for him. "Yeah, but what if the bad guy has more energy than you?"
At the word "you", his gaze softens and he beckons you closer. "Come here, sweetheart."
You let your head rest close to his.
"I promise you I'll always be careful. I swear to God." He kisses you and holds you until you've calmed down, then jokes, "Now, whether Jim is careful or not..." He makes a face, "Ahh?"
You're in more of a mood to joke now, "Good, then all I gotta hear is the same from Jim and I'm happy."
He laughs and listens to your much less frightened words, "After I'm done with him, he'll dream of stairs."
Harvey's laughter chases some of the leftover tension away. Valerie Vale
is a rational person. Most "sightings" of supernatural beings like ghosts are likely attempts of gaining attention, not real.
However, she's also covered cases which science, at least public scientists, can't explain.
But she's never been afraid of a little lying, especially if it helps you.

Valerie's stretched out next to you, gently drumming a pattern resembling the flashes of light on screen onto your skin. "What do you think, honey?"
You're glad for the distraction, for not having to concentrate on the movie anymore. "I think it's shocking. How accurate do you think it is?"
"Hm," she murmurs and locks eyes with you, her brows furrowing a little from concern. She changes her mind. Half-truths are alright, given that knowing the truth wouldn't help you in this case. You don't need to know what sources told her, especially when she hasn't verified all of them yet.

"You don't need to be afraid." She strokes your face and kisses your cheek, smiling. "At least not more than usually."
"Can we..." You pause the movie. "Can we still stop watching? This is a bit much, fictional or not."
Valerie nods, loving how easily you can admit the truth where others try to conceal it with means that ensure she has to spend months on one story.

She grabs the remote control and switches off the TV. "All done," she declares, and immediately takes the opportunity to hold your face and kiss you, a welcoming warmth compared to the movie's frightening coldness.
When you separate, she takes a new position and shrugs. "I didn't find this movie intellectually stimulating enough anyways."

Edward Nygma
treasures you getting close to him. It makes him feel loved, and confident in his masculinity. Ed doesn't "just" hold you, but tries to rationalize the things you're afraid of.
He has a wide set of skills and is ready to use them all to comfort you if need be.

You're sure your boyfriend really tried to pick a movie you'd enjoy and yet as time progresses, you find yourself tense and grow more anxious, despite the fun facts he's been sharing with you along the way. Hopefully he'll tell you another one soon. Until then, you run your fingers over the smooth blanket he put on the sofa to make this date cozy, relying on it and his presence next to you to distract you.

"Did you—" he starts, and is interrupted by your shock, "Ah!"

Ed bites his lip guiltily, looking surprised too, and you begin to run your fingers down his arms in a soothing manner.
"Sorry. I'm okay, you just spooked me a little. What did you wanna say?"

Ed isn't so sure whether you really are, but you encouraged him to continue.
"Did you know that theatrical blood is often made out of edible liquids such as different types of syrups and sauces? And sometimes they use more savory sauces like ketchup to add to the texture."
He eyes you suspiciously, how distracted you are by the movie still playing, instead giving him your full attention. "Should I pause?"
"Yes, that way I can concentrate on your facts." And have a break from the scariness.

He moves away from you, making you realize how much you depended on his body to ground you, but is quick to sit back again and pause the film.
"Alright," he says to himself, then turns towards you. "Is something going on that I don't know about? You seem...nervous. Do you not enjoy the film I picked?"
Exactly that is the problem: Ed handpicked the movie you dislike and you don't want to let him down.
"It's not that I think it's a bad one." You take his hands to reassure him. "In fact, I can imagine what you like about it: the foreshadowing, the symbolism... But it's too scary for me. As simple as that."
"Does that mean you want to stop watching?"
"If it's okay for you, then yes."
"Of course it is!"

For a moment you watch the cogs in Ed's brain turn, then he turns off the TV and comes back to put the blanket over you and him and scoots closer.
"Did you know that in order to derive pleasure from scary things there needs to be a safety frame? Something that makes us aware that the dangers on screen — or in a book — pose no real threat to us?"

He strokes your arm and quickly grabs your hands again, his brown eyes fixed on you. "I-I never meant for you to get uncomfortable. I thought that the post-horror relaxation that can occur after the consumption of scary media might be positive for you too, but I see now that is not the case, and you have my deepest apologies. I'll strike scary movies from my list of ones I wanted to watch with you. Or...or ones as scary as this one or scarier."

Ed's face comes closer, he's waiting for you to correct him, but you just say, "Thanks" and kiss him, soon feeling his hand on your cheek and the other one move over your back.
He'll protect you, is right now, already calming you down.
"Would you say—" he interrupts himself.
"Yes? Would I say what?" You give him a smile and he decides that he won't make you think about the movie now that you've calmed down a bit. "It can wait."

The following day, you notice Ed muster you for a minute or more, before he approaches you and askes how you're doing today.
"Oh, good, what about you?"
"Yes, good as well. I was wondering: how scary did you think the movie we watched would've been, say, without the last scene you saw?"
"Do you mean without the elements in it? Knowing your boyfriend well, you added, "And do you want it in numbers?"
He nods enthusiastically. "Yes!"
You think about it, then gave him a number.

"Thanks." Still, Ed seems to be waiting for something. He's probably holding back his curiosity to be polite.
"Anything else, handsome?"
He looks down bashfully. "If it's not too much of a bother for you..." He produces a sheet of paper, on it multiple scales.
"I tried to operationalize what's too scary for you because as a forensic scientist I likely have different reactions than you do. You don't need to fill it out, if you don't wanna think about it."
He gives you a thumbs up.
Gosh, it's utterly adorable how much he cares about you.
"Thank you so much for trying to understand me, Ed."
"Of course."
"Seriously, it makes me feel safe."
"This isn't weird?"
"Unusual? Yes. But also very much appreciated."
You lean in and he breaches the rest of the distance between you, smiling into your kiss and wrapping his long arms around you.
When you part, he's beaming.
"You make me feel horrifically comfortable in your presence too", Ed says.
"I love you," you say, and his next words don't contain a pun, "I love you too."