Harry stared out of the small window of his room to watch the snow slowly trickle down before turning towards the pad of paper before him and let out a noise of annoyance as he crumpled up a piece of paper he had been writing on and tossing it away. 'What is the matter?' "I'm trying to figure out what Joker would like for Christmas, but nothing sounds right!" He sighed before standing up and pulling on his mask and straitjacket, making sure the clasps and buckles securing it to his body were fastened. 'Going out?' "Yeah, I need to clear my head and maybe play in the snow a bit." He made sure to tell Harley he was going out, Joker was locked in his room either planning future schemes or how to mess with Batman, or both since they usually went hand-in-hand. He smiled as he watched the snowflakes before setting off at a pace slower than usual, Harley would not like it if he accidentally slipped and hurt himself. She would most likely confine him to his room for a few days to keep him out of trouble, but like the Joker when he was at Arkham, he could leave whenever he wished. 'Snow hides everything…' "What do you mean?" 'Snow covers everything; it hides an object's true self from others. Take Gotham for example: normally it is very bleak and dangerous, but when covered in snow, it appears peaceful and safe.' "Is it like how I hide behind the goggles, mask, and a straitjacket?" 'Maybe, maybe not because you seem more at ease while in costume than when you are wearing regular clothing.' "Maybe because most of the people I know go around like this, so it's natural to me?" 'That could be true.'
Several minutes later, Harry halted when he noticed a snow-covered park. He smiled as he made his way over to it, flopped onto the ground and quickly made a snow angel. "Maybe I should've brought mum along." 'That would have been ill advised, especially if she were in costume.' "But what about out of costume?" 'I am not sure in that regard.'
"Who're you talking to?" a voice broke in.
Harry jumped and found the source of the sound: a person, a bit shorter than himself meaning they were most likely a child, standing near him. The only feature he could make out distinctly, since most of their features were obscured by the clothing they wore, was the person's silver colored eyes, "I was talking to no one."
"Then who's that?" the person asked, pointing over Harry's shoulder where Prank's spiritual form was floating, causing both Prank's and Harry's eyes to widen in surprise.
Harry looked from the person to Prank and back, "You can see him?"
"Yes, am I not supposed to?" The person asked, head tilted to the side slightly.
"Well, no one else has," Harry replied honestly. "Introductions, Harry." "Oh yeah, I'm Harry and this is Prank, he's like me but he's a bit annoying." "And here I thought you enjoyed my company."
The person laughed, "You can call me Luna."
"That's a unique name," Harry commented, "I think it means moon or something, right?"
"That's right," Luna smiled and asked, "Are you visiting from overseas?"
"No, why do you ask?" Harry inquired.
"Your accent isn't American," Luna replied simply, "How long have you been living here, then?"
"Almost a year now, minus a few months," Harry answered.
"Then why do you still have an accent?" Luna responded, tilting her head again.
Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, maybe it's because Prank took the American one?"
Luna smiled, "I have to go back to my parents, but we'll be around here at least until New Years, we're trying to find something. Maybe we'll meet up again?"
"You never know," Harry replied before the two parted ways. '…you like her.' "She's nice." 'I meant that you like her in a thinned version of how your mother likes Joker.' "Wait, what? No way! Ew, eww!" Harry traveled along a bit longer before stopping again; he looked around and noticed the zoo when an idea popped into his head of the best gift that he could possibly get Joker. He most likely would have to get some help to accomplish what he had just thought up, but it would be worth it to see what Joker's reaction would be.
—HJH—
Harry tried not to laugh as he felt a wet sensation across his cheek, "Cut that out, I don't want to accidentally give you away before Joker sees you guys." A series of low chuckles responded.
'Are you sure that this was a wise idea?'
"No, but they're fairly appropriate, aren't they?"
'Harry, look-' Harry suddenly pitched forward as he was suddenly tackled by two bodies, their owners proceeding to lick the exposed skin on his forehead and around his neck. "Stop, ha-ha, that tickles!"
"Hun, you okay?" Harley called through the door.
"I'm, stop that, just having a bit of trouble with Joker's gift, but I'm okay!" Harry answered, pushing the bodies away, "Is he ready?"
"Yeah, he's got the blindfold and earmuffs on, just like you asked," Harley replied.
"Bring him in then," Harry pushed one of the bodies back when it tried to get closer, "Seriously, stop that. You can have more fun when you see who I got you for."
Harley led Joker in the room, his hands in front of himself to make sure he did not bump into anything, "What did you guys get me that I have to put this stuff on me?"
"It's special, and it was Harry's idea to get it," Harley explained.
"What?" Joker replied, "I had no idea what you just said."
"Just take those off him mum, I can't wait to see how he reacts…stop licking my neck!" Harry laughed.
Harley pulled off the blindfold and earmuffs and Joker blinked slightly to get used to the light before fixing his gaze onto Harry and to what was next to him, "Are those…?"
"Hyenas, we got them from the zoo. Do you like them? …stop licking me already!" Harry said, to which the creatures laughed at him, "They laugh almost as much as you do, at least." The two hyenas looked at each other before bounding over and tackling Joker to the floor, all of them cackling with laughter.
"I think they like him," Harley commented with a smile. Harry nodded his head in agreement, laughing as well.
"I'll call them Bud and Lou," Joker remarked, scratching them behind the ears, "How did you get them exactly?"
"It's a bit of a confusing plan but it involved some really big fish, Joker Gas, spray-paint, mum helping out a bit, and a couple of rubber chickens…remind me to tell you the whole story later," Harry explained before asking, "Why did you choose those names?"
"Because of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, the comedians!" Joker answered as if it should have been obvious, causing Harry and Harley to smile. Gifts were passed out soon after. From Harley, Joker got a black and purple jesters outfit that he quickly put on under threats from both her Harry, "This thing's giving me a wedgie."
"Me and mum wear them all the time and you don't hear us complaining," Harry stated, receiving a look from Joker.
"Just shut up," Joker grumbled, pulling on the outfit while handing a box to Harley.
Harley ripped off the purple wrapping paper, which had little bombs on it, opened the box and let out a squeal of delight, bowling over Joker in a rough hug, "I love it!"
Harry looked into the box and let out a small laugh, Harley had received a plushy doll of Joker as well as a few different outfits to change him into, "Looks like you made a good choice."
"Didn't he?" Harley smiled and handed Harry a box that was haphazardly wrapped in green and red paper as Joker handed over one decorated in the same purple and bomb laden paper.
Harry happily opened the gifts to reveal some toys, and realized that he did not really care about them. He remembered that he used to be jealous seeing all the toys that Dudley would receive in the past, but now, he could not care less, "They're great, thanks."
Harley noted the lack of enthusiasm in his voice, "What's the matter, hun? Be honest about it."
"Before I met you guys, I would've been happy about getting toys for myself, but…" Harry started before trailing off.
"But what, kiddo?" Joker asked.
"I'm happy with what I already have, you guys. I'm fine with the fact that I finally have what I always wanted: a mum and dad you love me," Harry smiled widely before realizing that he had called Joker 'dad' and quickly grew embarrassed.
Harley hugged Harry gently, "Not need to act like that, hun. I love being your mom."
"I know that, but I didn't really mean to say the last part out loud," Harry admitted, blushing.
Joker sat silently for a moment before reaching out and patting Harry on the head, "I guess you can call me that, but it doesn't mean I'll get used to it right away."
Harry smiled, "If you don't mind it…"
"Will just take some time for me to get comfortable getting called that," Joker admitted. The mood was abruptly broken by Bud and Lou jumping onto them, cackling and licking anything they could reach.
'I still think getting those was a bad idea…'
"Shut it Prank!"
