This is my first bat/joker story in so long and boy have i missed it.

Bruce pulled on his mask, a frown frozen to his face, so much of his effort usually put into psychologically preparing himself for his rounds was now going into ignoring the glares of his son.

"Father you've got to listen to me one of these days," Damian whined in that commanding tone that was so much like Bruce's. "Richard told me what the doctor said and now you can't deny it. If you keep going like this your heart will give out."

Damian let out a huff as his pleas went unnoticed, "Father…" he said again, "Think of your grandchildren, what would Shane and Dylan do without you? They need you too. Please just take a rest for fucks sake."

His head rolled back in anger as Bruce continued to get ready.

"I'll meet you back here," Bruce said dismissively as he walked towards the batmobile, hopping in, clenching the steering wheel and driving off at top speed.

He hated when Damian did that, talked to him like he was a stupid old man.

How dare he try to use his grandchildren against him in that argument, did he ask Damian and Richard to go and get married and have kids? No. Infact he had spoken against it.

Just because he was getting old didn't mean he couldn't still do good. He'd already sacrificed his time as Batman enough, now they were asking him to give up all together? He couldn't. There was no way. He'd given up enough already. This was who he was...

As the beautiful scenery of outer Gotham changed to the dirty bustling city Batman forced himself to calm down, to get into the right frame of mind.

He as much as anyone knew how important it was to be in the right frame of mind. To put all the rest of the shit out of your head and focus.

This was who he really was…

He sped through the streets, gaining speed. He pressed the eject button, tensing as he was thrown into the sky, he let out a soft exhale as he reached optimum altitude, opening his wings and beginning to glide.

After almost 40 years this was still the best feeling in the world. Nothing could beat this. Soaring through the black sky, weightless.

He focused himself as he landed on the roof of a building, holding his hand to his ear and clicking onto the police radio, searching around for any tell tail signs of distress.

There was a robbery in progress about 10 minutes away. Didn't seem to be a hard job from what he could tell, but as far as he could tell there was nothing else going on at the moment.

Around half way there he heard it.

Laughter.

That sickening sound.

Batman did a u turn towards the source of the voice. Gaining speed.

This was one thing he knew he could do.

Joker's efforts against him were as strong as ever, or so Bruce told himself. They were just as hard for him to deal with, however… time was taking its toll on both of them.

They were still evenly matched. He still posed a significant threat to the lives of the people of Gotham.

He landed around the corner from the event, taking a moment to gage the situation before taking action.

The Joker was hooting loudly inbetween laughs.

"Come on is that all you got?" someone shouted.

… Something was wrong…

Batman peered round at them, his stomach dropping.

Joker was on the floor, the men surrounding him were kicking him mercilessly.

Joker's laughter was fading fast.

Batman stepped out, his fists clenched, he took a few steps forward and opened his mouth to talk, but the second he did… they scattered.

He took off after one of them, managing to send them to the floor, knocking him out with one hit.

The others had disappeared, Bruce cursed himself; if this had been only a few years ago there's no way they would have gotten away…

He turned to walk back to Joker, readying himself for a fight.

But he was just laying there, if Bruce didn't know what had just happened he'd day he were lounging, sunbathing or something similar.

As he got closer he could see the damage, the cuts and bruises.

The way the light hit him made his age obvious, time had not been kind to his skin, though neither had anything.

"Hey buddy," the clown said nonchalantly, propping his head up with his hand.

"Hey," Batman replied, deciding to go along with the charade if just for a moment.

"How's your day going?" Joker enquired, his voice straining to sound friendly through the pain.

Bruce raised an eyebrow, "That's none of your business."

Joker nodded, "Well ok then…"

They stared at each other for a moment, an awkward knot forming in Bruce's gut. Joker was just laying there…

Was he ok?

Was he so badly hurt that he couldn't get up or just biding his time?

"Mind helping an old guy up?" the clown finally asked with a chuckle, holding out a hand.

Batman looked down at him, walking to his side but pausing rather than holding out his hand. "Why were those men attacking you."

Joker shrugged, "I have literally no idea babe. Man can't even walk out to get a McDonald's without being mugged nowadays it's horrendous, don't you think?"

Bruce continued staring down at him, waiting for the real answer.

Eventually, after almost a minute, Joker let out a huff, the smile on his face fading… time had made him a little more surly, it was a little harder now to play pretend if he was in pain.

"I was mugged, ok Batman? Is that what you want to hear? I tried to mug them but then what's this I'm being kicked to the damn floor."

Batman continued looking down at him. How could he just accept what had happened? had this happened before?

"Help me up Batman," Joker said loudly, waving his hand and groping out towards him. "My hip hurts like fuck is that what you want to hear? Why are you humiliating me like this?"

Bruce blinked as he snapped back into himself. He held out his hand and slowly helped Joker to his feet.

"Are you ok?" he asked, trying not to sound too invested.

Joker began to shake his head but caught himself and gave a small nod, "I'll be fine, don't worry about little ol' me."

It was a lie, the man could barely stand…

Bruce let out a sigh as he watched him. His stomach turning in discomfort.

"You're coming with me," he said after a moment, reaching out to take Joker by the waist.

Joke struggled and protested, "But I didn't do anything!" He stilled as Batman pulled him close, swallowing hard and letting his smile come back to his face.

With one swift motion the pair landed on the tall roof of a nearby storage building. One of Batman's regular spots.

They'd been up here numerous times together over the years, usually fighting or negotiating something.

Never like this.

But there was a first time for everything.

Batman eased Joker down to sit on one of the vents that covered the rooftop.

"Are you ok?" he asked, letting some emotion through, namely concern.

Joker smirked, "That's none of your business now is it."

"I want to help," Bruce said flatly, sitting down opposite him.

"Well that's a first," the clown sneered.

It was obvious he was in pain, he wouldn't act like this otherwise.

"Is this a first?" Bruce asked, gesturing to Joker's wounds.

Joker shook his head, seeming oddly relaxed about the whole situation.

They sat in silence again, Joker picking at his nails and Batman watching him. Joker seemed to be… holding something back.

Suddenly he let out a soft, long chuckle, grinning and looking up at his lifelong nemesis.

"I'm getting too old, Bruce," he finally said.

Were those tears in his eyes?

"I'm used to think that we were going to kill each other, but I think if we don't do it soon something else will."

"I'm won't kill you Joker," Batman stated. "We barely even…" he frowned softly as he looked at the older man, "We barely fight anymore."

Joker smiled, "I kinda miss the good old days," he smirked, "Back when you were hot."

Bruce raised an eyebrow, swallowing back a smile.

"You used to be such a hunk. I swear, the things I would have done to you."

"Shut up Joker," Bruce said firmly.

Seemingly not firmly enough.

"You know you love it," Joker responded, a soft coo to his voice.

He shifted slightly and winced in pain. Bruce wasn't sure exactly what was wrong but it was clear Joker wouldn't be going anywhere for a while.

"Why did you do this?" he asked bluntly.

"I didn't do this," Joker scoffed, "You saw it, or was those fucking kids," he chuckled, "Good I really am old, listen to me, 'kids these days with their apple phones and their loud music!'... as if our generation was really any better eh?"

Bruce stared at him frowning, again waiting for the answer he wanted.

After a moment, when Joker realised he wasn't going to get a response, he shrugged and shook his head, talking slowly and deliberately, "I dont know… I guess I… I liked you and you were always there when I wanted you… and I knew we could never be more than this."

Bruce shifted uncomfortably, the idea of 'more than this' stirred something unpleasant in him.

It must have shown in his face because a second after Joker was laughing.

"Maybe we could be but I have never known anyone to be as in denial about their sexuality as you."

Bruce frowned, "What are you talking about? I've been in plenty of relationships."

Joker snorted, "Ok kid, look, you going out with some model and then standing her up at dinner to come play with me is not being comfortable with your sexuality. Have you ever even had sex without going 'ew icky'?" he raised his eyebrows and shook his head.

Bruce frowned, "I'm not against gay people Joker, both my sons are gay."

"I'm not saying you're against gay people sweetie," Joker said, oddly calm, "I'm saying you are gay, I'm saying you are gay and you're in denial."

Bruce frowned, unsure how to respond to being told this. As if he didn't know his own sexuality.

"I'm… I'm not gay, Joker. I just don't like that kind of thing, I never have."

"See? Denial."

Bruce frowned, feeling his fists clench softly.

Joker smiled, leaning back a little, his hands on his knees, "But this isn't about you, is it Batsy? It's about me."

Bruce swallowed hard, shifting a little and glancing down at Joker's hands, watching as they moved. "You like me in a… sexual way?" he said slowly.

Joker scoffed and began to laugh, "Only for the last 30 years," his laugh grew louder, tipping his head back slightly in effort, "It's no biggy."

"30-"

Bruce paused, his suspicions suddenly piqued, he looked the clown up and down. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked.

Joker leaned forward slightly, his laughter gone and a soft smile on his lips. "Well, I thought you should know… I want to spend my last night reminiscing with my best friend."

He felt his throat turn dry.

Last night?

"What do you mean last night?" Bruce snapped, his eyes wide and unblinking.

Joker raised a hand to his lips, "Woopsey!" he said loudly, "Did I let my big plan slip?"

Bruce felt his heart sink, he shook his head firmly, anger filling him quickly, feeling immensely protective all of a sudden.

"I won't let you," he almost shouted.

Joker leaned forward, his chin resting in his hand, "You gunna stop me?"

"If I have to."

"How you gunna do that?" Joker enquired, a sly tone to his voice.

Batman felt his heart in his throat. He suddenly felt so powerless, but how was he meant to stop him?

There was no way he could keep an eye on him 24/7, he could put him in Arkham but who knew how long he'd last in there.

"I don't want to lose you," he said quietly, at a loss for what to do. He couldn't imagine Joker not being there.

Joker looked up towards him, the smile gone from his face, the tone of the dark knights voice seem to have cut into him. "You really don't want me to go..?" he almost whispered.

Bruce gave a tiny shake of his head, the realisation that there was nothing he could do had shaken him to his core. The intense emotions he felt for Joker churning in his chest.

What was this feeling? This tension between them…

"Kiss me," Joker said quietly, a breathy yet commanding tone to his voice.

Bruce covered the ground between them in one step, cupping Joker's chin with his hand and easing them closer.

The kiss was slow, deliberate and passionate. It lasted what felt like a lifetime. Bruce could feel Joker's breath on him, warm and fast against his skin. It felt… almost perfect.

He opened his mouth slightly, dipping his tongue into Joker's mouth slowly, soft moans beginning to leave both of them.

This was so different. Bruce had kissed people before but it had never felt like this, before now moaning had only meant he was doing it right, they hadn't made his head spin they, never set his blood on fire like this.

Joker pulled away, Batman's hand still cupped to his face. He looked up at his dear dark knight, his mouth agape.

They were both panting softly, Bruce wanted nothing more than to continue.

"Come back with me."

i got 3 chapters for thus and im halfway through writing the second. please leave a review!