A/N:: This is to be set right after the episode Harlequinade from the animated series, though I kind of took liberties in their characters - kind of a mix of a more serious, more intense, less corny 1992 cartoon-y with the original thing. I think these two needed a more serious dynamic, at least sometimes. And yes, I know, I'm late to the party - Suicide Squad pulled me into the DC world for the first time.

Not to be seen as pro Harley/Joker; Harley needed more reason to forgive him rather than a simple "you did good". It's that he is manipulative, not that she is stupid.

Pulling Her In

It had been moments since the explosion; moments since his plane had fallen and moments since he had nearly died at the hands of his own. Joker hugged Harley tightly, and the girl felt his hands warm and rough through her body suit. He was still hers, and she knew that, but something was wrong - He had almost left her, left the closest thing to family the two had, had almost left their friends - He was going to leave them all for dead to save himself. She had almost killed him for that. Why had she stopped?

"Puddin'..." She whispered, a slight hitch in her breath as reality came crashing down. This wasn't love, or even romance. This wasn't where she should be. "Why'd you almost leave me?"

Her voice was so tiny. It was just loud enough for Joker to hear, but she made sure it was quiet so as not to alert Batman standing ten feet away. That, and she was trying hard not let her crying be heard.

"Oh, Harley, my Harley..." Joker cooed, his hands traveling down her back as he petted and soothed her. He hated how he had fallen for this girl before, and hated how her looks and devotion pulled him back in every once and a while - hated how she could make him like her for even a split second. But she could.

"You love me, don'tcha?" She sniffed, pulling out of the hug just enough to see his pale, blood stained face. "Don'tcha, Puddin'? Don'tcha need me?"

He didn't. No, there was no real love, not really, just attraction - and even then it was faint. But she was right. He did need her, if he was being completely honest with himself. She was cunning, and skilled, and behind all that 'crazy' humor, she really was a smart and sneaky woman. Without her, most of his recent victories would be recent failures.

"Of course I need you, my love. Of course I do. Come now, don't cry..." Harley winced slightly, expecting something quite different than a soft hand when he wiped the tears from her face. "Where's that smile I love so dearly?"

Harley giggled a little through the mucus and tears dripping down her face and cupped the hand he had placed on her face in her own.

"There it is." Joker grinned himself, and leaned in to kiss the lips before him, his tongue travelling across the wet and salty skin. He had to admit, no matter how angry this child could make him, she was a quite excellent kisser, and she could be very tempting...

She leaned into him and whispered through their interlocked lips a sweet "I love you," before kissing him again, and internally, Joker smirked.

Once again, he had reeled her in, and she had forgiven him. And for that victory, he allowed himself to fall in love with her lips once more.