How the Joker Fell in Love Part 20
The Joker stood up quickly and walked over to where Danger sat on the bed.
Danger started shaking despite herself; the look in his eyes frightened her. It looked like he wanted to kill her! She tried to push herself away from him, but it wasn't long before she hit the wall. She went cold the second she felt the cold wood at her back; it was like this place was trying to kill her.
The Joker grabbed her arms and pulled her onto her feet in front of him.
Danger couldn't control her shaking; she was so afraid. And for once, the Joker didn't smile or laugh at her fear. He just had that same serious face on, and it seemed to be even scarier than anything else she'd ever seen him do.
Now, the Joker is known for being unexpected. Danger knew this. But nothing he had ever done could be more unpredictable than what he did next.
He kissed her.
Danger froze, her eyes as wide as basketballs. He was... kissing her? The thought didn't even seem to be able to register in her mind. It didn't sound right. He kissed her. What kind of demented, twisted sentence was that?
And yet it seemed to make sense.
The Joker put his arm around her waist, bringing her closer to him, his other hand tangled in her hair, already knotty from tossing and turning all night.
Danger shivered. Why was he always so cold?
He pulled her closer and kissed her harder, an edge coming into his hands, his nails practically digging into her back. It didn't hurt, though; it actually seemed to make it better...
Danger couldn't explain it. All she knew was that her eyes closed slowly, and soon enough, she relaxed and kissed him back. She wasn't sure what came over her then. Half of her, the sensible part at least, was screaming at her to kick him where he didn't want to ever be kicked and run away screaming bloody murder. But another part of her...
It was weird. It wasn't saying anything at all, but that silence seemed to be overpowering the screaming voice of her sensiblities.
And then, like always, the moment was ruined.
The Joker pulled away, and before Danger had time to breathe, he slapped her across the face so hard that she fell to the ground. "You fucking bitch!" he roared.
Danger hit her head on the floorboards, her vision going blurry for a few seconds. When it cleared, she pushed herself up just enough to look him in the eyes.
She expected him to look angry. Furious would be a better word. She expected to see that scary glint in his eyes that made her shake, and that frightening scowl on his lips that made her soul go cold.
But instead, he looked... pained. That was probably the only word to describe it with. It looked like he'd just finished crying his eyes out, and was just starting to get a little mad about it.
It was like the look he had when he was telling her about Pepper; it was breaking her heart just to look at him.
"You fucking bitch," he repeated, covering his eyes with his hand.
"What?" Danger asked, completely confused, not aware that she was speaking out loud. She didn't understand; one minute he was kissing her, then the next he was hitting her and calling her a bitch.
She knew he had problems, but she didn't know he had ridiculous mood swings to go along with them.
"You're just like her!" the Joker accused. "You fucking whore! Both of you! Cheaters and liars and fakes!"
"What are you talking about?" Danger asked. Who was she? Who was her?
"What do you think I'm talking about?" he asked, pinning her with a patronizing glare.
Danger narrowed her eyes in consternation. She waited for the Joker to continue, but when he stayed silent, she realized he was asking a serious question.
Danger thought for a moment. That look he had, such a heartbreakingly sad look... And looking at him, she suddenly knew what he meant.
"Pepper?" she asked.
"Pepper!" the Joker roared, confirming her thoughts. He growled her name through his teeth, grinding them together in anger.
Danger jumped at the anger in his voice. She could feel butterflies in her stomach, and she wasn't sure if it was because she was scared or if they were still there from the kiss.
No. It was because she was scared. She wouldn't let them be because of the kiss. That kiss meant nothing to her. Nothing.
"You're just like that disgusting whore!" The Joker grabbed her by the front of the dress she was still wearing. "Who'd you wear this for, huh? Wayne?!" He spit the name out and threw her against the wall.
Danger yelped as her head hit the edge of the window frame. She rubbed the back of her head, and her eyes widened, her stomach turning in disgust.
Her head was bleeding.
The Joker clenched his teeth together, his lips stretching across them. He looked like a rabid rottweiler(sp?), and the way he looked at her...
It was enough to make her wish she dead.
He grabbed her by her throat and slammed her head into the wall again.
Danger could swear she saw stars.
The Joker let go of her suddenly and walked to the other side of the room. He stopped a good ways away from her, leaning his weight on his left foot. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
Danger watched him a long moment, daring to take a few steps forward. "Joker?" she asked quietly, tentatively stepping forward one more time.
"Get out," he whispered, so low that she had to strain herself to hear him.
Danger furrowed her brow. "What?" she asked, puzzled. She was hardly even sure of what he was asking her to do.
"Get out!" the Joker exclaimed, turning around so fast that Danger jumped.
The look in his eyes scared Danger to her core, and he did as he said. She ran to the door, threw it open, and sprinted out of the building, hardly aware that she was crying.