NOT CRAZY
Chapter 7

I'm so sorry, my lovely readers, for such a ridiculously long delay D:
Life has not been easy on me as of late.
School and work have limited the amount of time I can put into this, which disappoints me quite a bit.
But anyhoo, this chapter is much longer than the previous ones, and therefore took a bit longer to write and type up.
So as always, enjoy and don't forget to review~

ALSO: Would anyone like to be my editor? That would be positively lovely x3

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Bruce didn't sleep at all. His mind was racked with thoughts of the Joker, all unpleasant. From the hospital to earlier that night, his mind wouldn't stop to give him a moment's peace. At first he would only run over the questions Joker had presented, but eventually they ran into the most recent events. Joker's strange behavior earlier made Batman uneasy. He was used to the usual Joker, running amuck trying to take over Gotham. But a Joker that tried to take over his body…that was unnerving. He didn't know how to react from such gentle, sensual touches from the clown. He tried to make himself believe it was the drugs still taking their toll, but something told him that wasn't it. He sighed, his head aching from thinking too long and too hard. He glanced over to the clock, not being able to see the sun in the cave. It read 6:17 AM. No sleep would only make him more irritable, especially with Joker around. He rolled over and curled up in the blankets. A few minutes would be better than none at all. Using the relaxing techniques as best he could, it wasn't long before he was asleep.

Although he slept, he didn't sleep well. Joker kept running into awkward dreams of unknown thoughts, possibly log lost memories. They were gruesome and dark, some taking place in dungeon type sells. Flashes filled his mind occasionally, blinding and confusing him more; eventually his dream self ended up in a dark corner, shivering, bleeding, and cold. And if the nightmare could possibly be any worse, a tall, dark figure swallowed his vision. The frightened clown was hysteric, kicking and screaming to get the other creature away from him. Claw-like nails scratched and dug into the black figure before it snatched his hands at the wrists. Joker only went more insane. Screaming louder, kicking harder, and now practically trying to break his arms to get away. The figure stood and pressed him to the wall, keeping him immobile now. In between raged cries, Joker heard a faintly familiar voice. A welcome scent invaded his nostrils. His eyes finally adjusted, sliding open now. Ice cold blue eyes captured his. Releasing him wrists, Joker threw himself forward, his arms wrapping around the scent and feel of Batman. The clown's body trembled uncontrollably against Bat's.

"Joker…" Bruce growled softly, not sure if Joker was awake yet.

The clown said nothing. He only pressed harder into his chest, unable to stop his body's shaking. Brice held Joker to him, his protective instinct taking over his logical thinking. The harlequin had succeeded in sending his mind racing yet again. He was awake for barely an hour before he noticed Joker's hysterics. What was it that Joker was so afraid of? The moment Bruce walked into the room Joker screamed and his in a corner. He sounded as if there were someone brutally torturing him, tearing him apart from every angle. Why? Batman's mind couldn't stop thinking. Last time Joker was sleeping he had hallucinated again, not as violently as this, but he had nonetheless.

"Joker…answer me." He murmured.

Joker stirred slightly before sitting up. That terrified look in his eyes had disappeared. The usual mischievous sparkle had returned.

"What's this Batty?" he purred, cracking his neck, "Can't keep your hands off me long enough to let me sleep?"

Bruce couldn't believe his ears. The clown's extreme mood swing had winded him.

"Excuse me?!" he growled, "Did you not see what you just did?!"

Joker's eyes narrowed at the accusation.

"What I did? Says the man coming in here and trying to break something else." He seethed, glaring daggers at Batman.

He couldn't take it anymore. Bruce stood and dragged the clown out of the cave, barely allowing him time to stand. He forced the pale man to face a monitor; an image of the cell filled the screen. Pushing a few buttons, the feed rewound until a fuzzy image of Joker sleeping came into view. Batman pushed play and held Joker in front of the screen.

"See for yourself. This was half an hour ago." He growled.

Joker tensed as he saw his image roll around on the screen. Bat pushed a couple more buttons and a volume came up. Joker's helpless whimpers and cries could be heard over the intercom.

'What are these…? This isn't me…" his thoughts were screaming at the video, telling him it was all wrong.

"Joker…you're trying to say you don't remember any of this? Batman muttered, appalled at Joker's reaction.

Joker wriggled free of Batman's grasp, turning to face him. Without warning, a hard punch connected with Bat's exposed jaw. His chest heaved with frustration as he stood over Batman, fully asserting himself.

"I don't know how you got that, or how you made it. But I think I'd remember myself acting like that," his words dripped with acid, his body shaking with anger.

He couldn't stand it anymore. If Bats was set to humiliate him then he would set to make his life miserable. He lunged into Bat's chest, straddling his hips and setting a furious round of punches and scratches to his face and chest. Bruce, taken by surprise, simply held his arms up until Joker was done. It wasn't long before Joker's injured body failed him, pushed over the limit. Landing one last scratch to Bat's cheek, he slid off him and onto the stone floor. Bruce stood, wiping the blood from his face and leaning to help Joker. His hands were feebly swatted away.

"Don't…Don't touch me…" he whimpered, "You've done…enough."

"You're ridiculous." He muttered and scooped the lightly struggling clown off the floor.

"Can't you just stop Batman? …leave me be, it's not like I can go anywhere…" he gave up struggling and fell limp against the other's chest.

"Can't you?" Bruce stated, "Don't preach what you can't follow, Joker."

He sighed and booted open the door to another long hallway, an industrial washroom at the end.

"You need to clean your wounds." He said flatly.

Joker's struggles were set back aflame, some inhuman burst of energy coming forth and spewing out in the form of a violent fight.

"BACK OFF." He cried, pushing against Bat's chest, "I DON'T NEED CLEANED."

He finally broke loose of Batman's grip, falling to the floor and scurrying to stand and dash away to hide.

"JOKER." Batman boomed after him. Once he was within reach, he grabbed for him, eventually succeeding in getting a hand around Joker's skinny neck. Barely without strangling him, he held the frantic man against his chest, holding strong enough to him that he couldn't move only twitch vigorously.

"NO." a muffled scream leaked out between the fingers crushing his windpipe.

Batman pressed just hard enough to send him unconscious. He barely was able to keep him up as he fell limp in his grasp. He lowered Joker to the floor and sat beside him. He was out of breath now, and his face and chest stung from another round of punches and scratches. He glanced over to the other; he was nothing but an embodiment of hysteria. First the video, now this; why the hell had Joker reacted so violently to both? Batman figured someone could remember something like that, but then again, Joker wasn't a normal person to begin with.

Bruce sighed and brought his hands to his face, his fingers slipping under the edges of the cowl and pushing it away from his skin. The cool air of the cave was welcoming. He breathed deeply, sighing faintly. He set the cowl down on the ground and stood, looking over Joker to figure out how to clean him without waking him up or hurting him more. He bent and picked him up, cradling him against his chest. A tiny sigh was pushed form his lungs as they were pressed. Bruce carried him into the bathroom and laid him on the floor. He took a quick glance about the room. Gathering the items he needed, he set them on the edge of the tub and started the water, testing it every now and then to keep it a decent temperature. While it finished filling, Bruce set to removing the bandages from the unconscious clown. He was glad he decided to clean it now; the bandages were already sticking to the new forming skin in some areas. He pulled gently on each, trying not to pull to hard and end up pulling off new scabs or stitches. Soon the tub was filled and Joker was completely bare of his previous bandages. Bruce carefully picked him up and placed him gently in the water, submersing him to his shoulders. He hoped the water wouldn't wake him.

Taking up a clean washrag, he gave a few squirts of soap onto it and began gently rubbing the bloodied scabs and stitches. The rag was soon dirty with blood and dirt from the clown's body. He seemed to not have bathed in months. The clown was looking more and more animal than man as they were around each other more. He sighed and soaped up the green mess of hair, not noticing Joker's slight movements of waking up. Using a cup, he poured water over his head to rinse, but stopped abruptly when Joker thrashed momentarily before going onto cover in the corner farthest from Batman. His breathing was heavy and ragged as the room stood silent. His breathing and drips from his hair were the only sounds coming from the room. Batman tried to near the clown, putting a hand out to show no intention of harm.

"Joker…" he said softly, not sure what to do with this frightened clown.

Joker pressed himself even closer to the wall, his naked body shivering now from being exposed to the chilled cave air.

"Don't…touch me…" he growled, trying to pull himself in, away from view, "Get out…you're no right to be here. You're…been long gone."

'Long gone?' What meaning was there in that? Joker was mistaking him for someone else.

"Joker…who exactly do you think I am?" he said blatantly.

That though brought forth a nervous giggle from the man.

"Don't be ridiculous…" he muttered, his bottom lip quivering now from the cold, "I killed you. Slashed you so many times over, made sure you were dear. But I guess wasn't enough for you." His voice was soft but filled with utter hatred for whoever Joker was talking to.

"I see…" he mumbled, trying to figure out how to calm him down. He needed to get the clown out of the tub before he contracted hypothermia or a cold…

"Come on Joker, let's get you out…" Bruce's voice was soft, s if he were talking to a child.

The shivering man was reluctant at first, but soon gave in. He figured going with the man was the lesser of two evils. He bit his bottom lip, trying to stop himself from shivering. He clung tightly to him, only releasing a moment to be covered with a warm towel. He buried his face in Bat's chest, not wanting to look at him, but not wanting to be put down either.

Eventually they came back into the holding cell. Bruce laid him on the bed and kept him covered in the towel. He brushed a few stray green hairs out of his eyes.

"Stay here, I'll get you some clothes." His voice was still soft, his own mind still running over whoever Joker was mistaking him for.

He exited the room, not shutting the door behind him. He had a feeling Joker wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon. He gathered a pair of old pajama pants and one of his plain white t-shirts, along with a new roll of bandages, antibiotic cream, and the bottle of pills the doctor gave him.

'One a day or the clown dies.' He thought. That one wasn't pleasant either.

Slipping back into the cell, he closed the door behind him to cut off most of the colder cave air. Joker didn't move even in the slightest, not even to look up at his captor.

"Joker…" he nudged his shoulders just enough to catch his attention, "Sit up and I'll put your bandages back on, then you can get dressed."

Joker sighed softly, almost inaudible, and sat up. A few of the sutures were bleeding slightly, nothing too serious though. Unwrapping the roll of gauze bandages, he tapped Joker's arms for him to raise them and reached behind him to start the wrap. He wrapped it tightly; adjusting every so often to make sure it wasn't too tight. Joker sat in silence, not saying a word, making a noise, pr even making eye contact. He stayed blank, staring straight ahead to the opposite wall of the room. His normally bright eyes were now a dull, almost black green. The man's silence made Bruce uneasy. After he was covered, Bruce just sat and watched the clown a moment. Even though he seemed to be looking right at him, there were no emotions at all. Bruce gathered the clothes and carefully clothed him without stretching covered wounds. Joker was as obedient as putty in his hand, again making no sound or eye contact. Bruce was a bit worried now; he didn't know how to deal with this. He could work with a violent, crazed Joker, but not this.

He reached out and set his hand against the clown's cheek, trying to get any sort of reaction from him.

"Joker…look at me." He said softly compared to the usual harsh voice.

Finally, Joker at last made eye contact with him. Although the gaze was distant, he had acknowledged him.

"Joker…" he mumbled.

Joker raised his own hands and covered Bruce's nuzzling against it. What was left of the smeared paint came off on Bruce's hand. He knew he couldn't wash Joker's face paint completely, but what water and soap ran down, stripped most of the colour off. A few white and black streaks were all that was left. Bruce whipped them off with the other hand. Joker flinched slightly, not wanting to be unmasked. He set Batman's hand back on his lap, twitching slightly. This wasn't fair…He suddenly lunged at Batman, knocking him backwards and off the chair. Instantly he set to clawing at the cowl. He snarled and leaned into him.

"If you're going to take off my mask, I get to take off yours." He growled, still scratching at his face.

Bruce tried to get him off, but restrained himself from shoving him off again.

"Joker!" he growled right back.

"SHUT UP!" one last swipe and the cowl flopped to the floor.

Joker stopped mid-motion, gawking at the exposed face. For some reason he was a bit less surprised at whom the Batman really was. He couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Bruce Wayne!?" he giggled madly, "Ridiculous! Now I know I'm crazy for sure."

He rolled off the man under him and went back to the bed.

"Good night Brucie. Maybe when I wake up things will be back to normal and Bats will be back to strangling me as I sleep." He purred and covered himself back up.

Bruce sat up, a bit dazed at Joker's reaction. That was unexpected to say the least. The cowl lay between them like some odd talisman.

"Joker…" he murmured.

The clown scoffed over his shoulder.

"Don't you think you've startled me enough? What are you going to do next? Reveal that Batman and Bruce Wayne are really both a woman?" he huffed and curled up into himself.

Bruce's mouth still hung agape in amazement. He'd love to know just what was going on in that clown's mind. He stood and stepped to the edge of the bed. He briefly thought the scene was quite ironic, Batman trying to comfort the clown about his secret identity. The whole idea just confused him more. He sat on the edge, his back to Joker. He sighed and rubbed his temples. He needed to go back to sleep…

"Joker, I-"

He was cut off abruptly as the other man's arms came around his waist. His hands curled around the other's, alarmed, but not wanting to hurt him. He felt the clown press against his back.

"Joker, stop…" he mumbled weakly, there wasn't as much hardness in his voice as usual.

"No." Joker whispered back, his arms tightening around him a bit more, "Not now."

"Then what Joker? Is this even you or are you being hysteric again?" he mumbled bitterly.

Joker sat up on his knees to gain some height on the unmasked Bat. He wanted to get a better look at Bruce's face, but not just yet.

"No, I'm the goddamn Joker, Bruce." He whispered gently into his ear. His hands slipped out of Bruce's and rested on his shoulders, squeezing lightly.

Bruce raised a brow, Joker's answer sounding a bit ridiculous. But then again, the whole ordeal was ridiculous. He moved slightly to stand, but was abruptly pushed back down.

"You're not running away again." He said harshly.

"Joker that's enough," He protested softly, pushing back on Joker's hands, trying to remove them from his shoulders.

The clown squeezed his shoulder, his nails digging under the plates.

"Get out of this," he mumbled, "I want to see all of Batman's identity."

He shoved Bruce lightly off the bed, forcing him to stand. The strap of the much-too-big tank top was beginning to slide off his shoulder, leaving one pale and scarred area bare. The man was a sight to see, tangled green hair in softer curls now that it was washed. His features revealing a much younger age than what he portrayed, the makeup being gone left the scars uncovered. Bruce was slightly uncomfortable with Joker's current state. He felt as if the man before him was just a troubled sociopath, for without his makeup and flashy costume, he looked just like any other person. It made him uneasy to feel that he wasn't keeping the clown he'd known for years, but just another man like him. He made note to buy face paint later on to keep the clown in character.

"If you'll stay put, I'll change." Bruce said matter-of-factly.

Joker nodded and waved Bat off, and sat back down on the bed. He crossed his legs and glanced around the room, surveying its internal parts while Bruce left to change.

Bruce was actually a bit relieved that he could finally take the suit off. He peeled off each layer and placed it back on its holder. From a small closet he pulled a leisure outfit of black slacks and a black t-shirt. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing he felt he should be more worried that Joker knew who he was now, but there was something in him telling him to ignore that feeling.

"Well…there's not much he can do in his current state…" he assured himself.

He took one last look at himself in the mirror. For some reason, he didn't feel like he was looking at himself, but some other man. The feeling irked him a bit, but he returned to Joker's cell anyway.

Joker hurriedly sat up once he heard the door open. He wasn't sure if he was nervous or excited. Either way, his heart was racing a million miles an hour. He sat back up on his knees, fingers jittering against his thighs. Bruce shit the door behind him, standing before the clown with his hands on his hips.

"Well, you wanted me. Here I am." he said quietly.

Joker's eyes were full of excitement and mischief. He reached forward and grasped the man's belt loops, pulling him closer. Bruce's eyes widened slightly, surprised at Joker's reaction. Joker nuzzled into Bruce's stomach, relishing in the feeling of the other man's natural hardness rather than the Kevlar plates of the Batsuit.

"Joker…?" he mumbled softly, resting his hands on the harlequin's shoulders.

"Just leave me be Bat. Can't you let a man enjoy his prize?" he spoke half into the fabric of Bruce's shirt.

Prize? What did Joker think he had won? Was that all he needed; to see Batman's real face? If that was all, then this could've been over long ago. He subconsciously ran his hand through the green mess of hair, stroking gently as he thought. There was something in his mind telling him he needed this man, while another was screaming to shove this man off and walk away. Soon he blocked the latter out and concentrated on just feeling.

"What do you want Joker?" he said softly and sincerely. If he could just figure what he wanted, everything would be so much easier.

Joker wasn't sure how to answer that. He knew what he wanted, but he didn't know how to obtain it. As well as the fact that he didn't want to make Bats leave him. He needed to have this man here for the to pick at himself to find that answer later.

"I don't know Bat," he said gently, glancing up at Bruce and nuzzling against the hand on him head, "I mean…I do, but you wouldn't understand."

The glint in his eyes as dimmed as he felt the other man searching him for some kind of lie; it was an odd feeling, letting him see through him.

"Try me." He snorted, a tiny smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth.

The expression on his face was a tiny bit frightening. It was a night sight to see though, even the smallest smile on his face. Perhaps he could tell him. He didn't look like he wanted to run anywhere anytime soon. He averted his gaze, nuzzling back into Bruce' shirt.

"I want you Bruce." he said softly, barely audible.

The soothing hands in his hair stilled, making Joker cringe and sling tighter to Bruce. It made him almost hysteric again as he thought about losing this newly acquired closeness.

Bruce sat in silence a moment while Joker thought; he though for himself about Joker's response. He wasn't sure if he had expected it or not. The answer didn't seem too surprising to him, but then again he wasn't expecting something so simple and innocent. It wasn't like the man to ask for what he wanted, he normally just took it. Bruce supposed it was harder to just take the Batman than it was to make him cave in.

"You'll have to earn that Joker." Bruce purred sternly.

Joker's fingers tightened around the other's shirt.

"Yeah…I figured as much…" he said softly, barely audible.

Bruce went back to gently stroking the other man's tangled green mane.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, although the silence was welcomed. Bruce didn't feel he needed, nor wanted, to talk at the moment. His mind was running so fast it was tripping and falling on itself. He couldn't think straight, so he decided to just not think at all, just absent-mindedly ran his fingers through the green mass.

Joker didn't let his grip loosen. He nuzzled his head into Bruce's abdomen, he held tight and pulled Bruce down on to him. Bruce stumbled and fell on the bed next to Joker. He went ridged momentarily, not quite sure what to do now, but Joker lay atop him not a second after.

"Just relax Bruce." He whispered softly, "Don't think…just feel."

Joker slid up to face the other, glancing to his eyes a moment before capturing his lips, enveloping them in a surprisingly soft kiss. He couldn't stay this gentle for much longer, the natural psychopath in him was slowly bubbling back up after a full week of no use.

Bruce stiffened again, not expecting the gesture in the slightest. Soon, though, he melted into him, his arms wrapping around his waist and back. He felt Joker relax into him as their kiss gradually deepened. His mind lost any thought that was previously there as Joker began to rub lightly against him, the clown was moving like a hungry animal rather than an injured man, his hands gripping and releasing his shoulders and his tongue lapping greedily at Bruce's. Bruce returned his motions with an equal fervor, his hands wandered under his shirt, nails digging up and down his back. It wasn't much longer before Joker was clawing at Bruce's shirt and pants, wanted to see and feel the warm hardened flesh.

"Slow, Joker…" he warned.

"I can't…icanticanticant…" he hummed as he pulled off Bruce's shirt.

"Then I'll make you." He growled.

He grabbed Joker by the shoulders and flipped him over so that he was underneath him, pinning him down with his wrists pinned.

"We go my speed or you get nothing." He purred dangerously.

Joker whined and writher under the hands on his wrists, tugging at them in attempt to release himself. He bared his yellowed shark teeth at Bruce, not wanting to be cornered. He snapped at him before Bruce lowered himself onto the feral man, locking his lips over the scared pair below. Joker leaned into the kiss, nipping at Bruce's lower lip.

What was this? Some sort of transformation? Bruce just reveled himself to Joker, but now they were at each other's throats in a whole new way. It was the emblem of irony.

"Bruce…" his voice was raspy and thick with lust.

Bruce met the longing voice with a deep growl and a bite to his shoulder. Joker cried out and arched him back into Bruce. Backwards nerves had their perks. A silvery strand of saliva connected him to the already bruising bite mark. Bruce had a fleeting thought; it would be incredulously easy to turn this man on. Although it would be like abuse rather than sex. Bites, cutes, bruises, all of them were just another stimulant for that dirty clown. Bruce dragged his nails along Joker's sides, bunching up the fabric around his shoulders, letting his tongue travel the warming flesh around his chest. The gentle tongue mixed with his clawing nails was sending the blood rushing to his groin. Bruce noticed this and parted his legs with his knee, rubbing gently on his growing erection hiding underneath the fabric of his pants. Joker let out a muffled cry, a daring grin pulling at his lips. The clown's cries sent tremors down Bruce's spine. He suddenly felt the need to drag more from the smaller man, enjoying the honest moans and cries. Articulating his movements skillfully, trying to pull those sweet sounds from his throat. He slid his hand under the elastic waistband, slowly encasing the hard column in his hand. Joker's hips lifted to meet the teasing hand.

"Aaaaah…Bruce…" he purred, twisting his fingers in his assailant's hair.

The teasing was melting his nerves. Being much used to pain, the gently and warm touches were making him lose himself; well, more than usual.

Bruce was stroking gently at the clown, his thumb rolling over the tip. Soon he pushed the fabric down to his thighs. Bruce ran his tongue down his abdomen, sucking lightly around his navel. Joker was trembling furiously, the sweet grin never leaving his face. Bruce enveloped him in this mouth, sucking lightly. Joker whimpered and pulled a bit harder on Bruce's hair, holding tight and pushing himself into Bruce's mouth. He couldn't take much more of this. Bruce sucked harder as he felt Joker stiffen, readying his release. He held his hips down and braced himself as the screaming clown came in his throat. His head was throbbing from Joker tugging on his hair. He shook his hand loose from his hair. Looking over the man before him, Bruce felt awkward. His green curls were tangled and messy, his shirt bunched around his shoulders. His pants were amiss and his skin was red with scratches and bites. Joker's chest rose and fell slowly and his limps were limp, signaling the man was asleep.

Bruce sighed and ran his hand through his hair, licking his lips of the salty fluid. This was too much. Somehow it was all extremely insane, yet made so much sense for the time being. He slid off the bed and covered Joker back up. Putting his shirt back on, he slipped back out of the cell and set the locks on the door. He rested his head on the door, taking a long breath before heading off. He went straight to the bathroom, flicking on the light and starting the shower. His body felt dirty and sticky.

After a quick shower, Bruce hurried out of the cave and into the front room. Not much of a surprise, Alfred was sitting there with a basket of clean laundry, folding them into nice, neat, little piles.

"Good evening, Master Bruce." He said monotonously.

Bruce gave him a tiny smile, a bit disappointed that Alfred was still upset with him. He had expected him to be nicer for some reason.

"Hello Alfred…" he sighed.

"I take it your friend is asleep?" Alfred gave him a sideways glance.

Bruce nodded and flopped down on the sofa across from Alfred, putting his feet up on the armrest. He was exhausted now. Bruce glanced over to Alfred. Should Alfred know that Joker now knows Batman's identity?

"Alfred…"

"Yes sir?" Alfred set the shirt he was folding on his lap.

"Joker knows who I am; Who Batman is." His voice was quiet, not sure how Alfred would take that bit of information.

Alfred's eyes widened a bit at that.

"And how was this found out, Master Bruce?" he said cautiously.

"He pulled the cowl off. Pinned me and took it off." he said somewhat nonchalantly.

"…Ah…" Alfred was at a loss of words, he wasn't expecting to hear such a 'not caring' tone of voice from the younger man, "Well Master Bruce, I'm quite sure you know what my opinion is on that. Now if you don't mind, I've got clothes to put away."

Bruce sighed and watched as Alfred disappointed out of the front room and up the stairs. He rubbed his temples, that headache returning at full force.

"Not even funny…" he mumbled, "God damn clown…"