Chapter Text
College wasn’t exactly a place Harvey ever thought he’d get to. Graduating high school was hard enough. It wasn’t that Harvey wasn’t smart enough to do that, he was actually quite intellectually gifted, it’s just that Harvey refused to put up with his classmates' taunts and sneering which led to some less favorable outcomes on their part. But even with all of that he managed to graduate and be admitted to Gotham University's premier law program on some freakish stroke of luck. But let's be honest, it might’ve just been because he was Bruce Wayne’s best friend, loyal court advisor to the crown prince of Gotham.
The first week of college was exhausting for Harvey. Icebreaker after icebreaker after icebreaker. Bruce seemed to excel at them with all his high society elegance as opposed to himself who oftentimes just gave one word answers. He could turn on the charm for sure but it was a bit more difficult to do so. But nevertheless he and Bruce found themselves taking part in yet another activity meant to bring the entering college freshmen together against their will. And much to his chagrin Harvey had been separated from his best friend, Bruce was two groups over charming the shit out of anybody who would listen, perpetually surrounded by a crowd of admirers. Harvey stuck his hands in his pockets and fished around for his coin. Fiddling and flipping it was a compulsion he carried with him throughout his day, it soothed the constant anxious chatter in his head.
He grabbed the silver dollar from his pocket and rested it in his palm, the coin brought a familiar cooling sensation to his otherwise clammy hands. Harvey traced the lettering on the coin as he surveyed his assigned group, a medium sized boy slouching against the wall, a plump girl with large cat eye glasses, and a spindly kid with by far the brightest red hair he had ever seen. Harvey listened to the girl drone on about
how she was a transplant for New York City, how she’d moved to Gotham with her parents in 8th grade, what her favorite movie was, what her number one pet peeve was. She seemed to be dominating the entire conversation and he honestly didn’t mind, he was definitely starting to tune out of the conversation when she cleared her throat
“Hey man it’s your turn-“
“Oh, um oh yeah-“ Harvey muttered, shaking his head lightly. “I’m Harvey, Harvey Dent. I’m 19 and I’m gonna be majoring in law once classes start and stuff. I’m from North Gotham.” He finished trying to pull his best and least awkward smile.
“You’re supposed to give a fun fact too.” The slouching boy spoke up “Listen I know it’s boring as hell but the faster we introduce ourselves the faster we can finish this thing. I don’t exactly want to be here either.” He huffed impatiently tapping his foot
“Yeah-“ Harvey nodded, combing his fingers through his hair “I guess I like Rubik’s Cubes? I can solve one in about 15 minutes.” He spoke as nonchalantly as he could but Harvey was getting restless. As he glanced around the room looking for Bruce he caught the eye of the spindly kid standing next to him. He was at least 6’4”, much taller than Harvey’s own 5’8”, with vibrant chin length red hair, freckles and soft green bespectacled eyes that were staring right at him. The boy's face looked lit up staring at him, he was definitely excited about something had said.
“Hi?” he croaked, making eye contact with the kid “Um, do you need something?”
“Oh, yeah it’s just that you said you liked Rubik’s Cubes and well I mean, I really like puzzles and word searches and riddles-Really anything that gives me a challenge y’know?” The kid explained. He definitely had a lower sounding voice than Harvey had expected.
“Well thanks I guess-“ He stared up at the lanky boys name tag “Edward?”
“You can call me Ed-“ He said “Or Eddie, or Edward or whatever you want really.” Edward offered the smaller boy his hand and Harvey took it trying his most impressive and firm handshake. One that said ‘I’m an important person don’t mess with me’. Something similar to how Bruce would shake hands.
“Cool, nice to meet you Ed, I’m Harvey but honestly you probably already heard my introduction.” He snorted in a way that definitely seemed like he was half embarrassed, half relieved that someone had finally spoken more than 5 words to him. “I think I tuned out for most of the introductions so, mind telling me what you’re studying here?”
“Forensics and mortuary science!” Ed chirped, he’d fixed his posture so that he was standing more upright and he seemed more comfortable and at ease than before.
“Huh, that’s a new one. Didn’t know anybody wanted to work in that type of field-“ Harvey mused absentmindedly tracing the familiar lettering on the coin resting in his palm “y’know with all the…”
“I guess I just have a different reaction to that sort of stuff? Even if it weren’t me, someone has to take that sort of job anyway. Plus it’d let me solve mysteries. On some levels it’s not all that different from being a lawyer.” The tall redhead expressed continuing his eye contact with Harvey
As the two boys continued talking they both started loosening up. Harvey was enjoying his time which had been a rare occurrence considering the stressful week had been for him and Ed seemed to be having satisfactory time chatting with the other boy too. Harvey found Ed was an endless wealth of tongue twisters and riddles as well as knowledge of books and literature. It seemed as if it was definitely the beginning of the first close friendship either would make in their college days, both were at ease with one another. And while Ed was in the middle of a perplexing yet fascinating rant about the history of game shows Harvey heard a faint whistle coming from the staffer he assumed was in charge of the event.
“Five minutes left-“ the staffer boomed his voice echoing throughout the room
“Shit-“ Harvey sighed “it feels like I just started talking to you.”
Ed gave an awkwardly sympathetic smile “Well there’s always next time I guess.”
“Wait, me and a friend of mine are gonna go get something to eat after this ends if you want to keep the conversation rolling. You’re welcome to tag along if you’re feeling up to it, no pressure.” Harvey offered
“Yeah, yeah, that’d be nice. I’m getting hungry anyway so food couldn’t really hurt.” Edward responded rubbing his arm and giving Harvey a charmingly crooked half smile.
Harvey patted him on the back gently “You wanna just grab your stuff and meet us at the entrance? We’ll meet you out there, you’re not gonna get ditched.” He nodded reassuringly, going to grab the things he’d brought with him.
Once he was out of the building he sighed grinning to himself. He’d managed to actually break the ice with someone at one of these things, to make something along the lines of a friend. He was proud of himself and feeling perfectly content. Things were looking up for Harvey Dent.