Warnings: Fluff overload. Sorry but you'll probably get diabetes from this first one.
A/N: So I have some smaller ideas for the Arthur/Jennifer pairing created in The Cat, which I finished recently on here, and I thought I'd turn them into some bite-sized one-shots for y'all to…enjoy? Maybe? I donno…. I just sort of like the otp I made and wanted to write them some more occasionally. I also might have stol-borrowed a joke/gag from the Simpsons for this.. whoops.
This one involves their daughter's first word. Two guesses what it is.
...
Jennifer hadn't really adapted to their new apartment yet. Much less to her husband's sudden appearances through the hidden door in their bedroom wall.
"We can't install a doorbell or something into that Super Secret Door?" They hugged; he kissed her on the forehead, leaving a bit of red there. "Or better yet, maybe fit you with a bell?"
Joker chuckled. "That won't exactly do much for my menacing image, Dear."
"I know, that's partly why I suggested it."
Joker rolled his eyes, but continued to chuckle. "Yeah, yeah…." He headed for their bathroom, and Jennifer casually followed. Watched as he turned the handles on their marble sink and started washing his hands. "All this will be off and gone in a bit. I know how much it bothers you."
Jennifer shrugged, before leaning against the doorway, hands clasped behind her. She continued to watch as he gathered up a washcloth and some of her—well, it was more theirs now, since he used it just as much—cold cream.
"Ya know, um, Bernie spoke her first word today."
Joker stopped what he was doing. Grasped the edge of their marble sink as he leaned forward a bit. "She did?" he asked after a moment, trying to sound aloof, but Jennifer could see through it.
She nodded. "Yeah. You'll never guess what it was."
"What," Joker asked sullenly. He picked up the washcloth and squeezed it hard, despite the fact that he hadn't run it under any water yet. He was angry; how could he not be around for his child's first word? Sure, sometimes parents weren't fortunate enough to witness their offspring's first utterance, but—
"Joker."
"What?" He asked again, a bit more annoyed as he glanced at his wife in the mirror.
"No, goofy. Your name, your…other name," she shrugged. "She said 'Joker.'"
Joker turned off the water, turned around, and faced Jennifer upon realizing what she was saying. A big, toothy grin spread on his face. "Really? How?"
Jennifer rolled her eyes at herself. "I may have left the news on inadvertently, earlier today, and she may or may not have seen a story about you. I went to shut it off, and she said it to me."
"Huh." Joker couldn't believe it. He never let their daughter see him in the make-up and suit. She only ever saw her daddy, Arthur. The girl was so young, she probably wouldn't understand what or who she was looking at if he did appear as his alter ego in front of her, but he hadn't wanted to risk scaring her or anything.
Joker had an idea. He moved past Jennifer, into their bedroom, then out into the hallway.
"Wha—where are you going?"
"Where's Bernie? Bedroom or living room?" He turned back and asked as he continued walking.
"Living room, but what are you doing?"
Before Jennifer could stop him, Joker stepped up to the double doors of the living room and slid them open. Bernadette was there, sitting on the floor, playing with her bricks, carefully arranging them into something resembling a house or similar structure. She was so focused on what she was doing, she didn't look up when he entered the room.
"Bernie? Angel?"
To Jennifer's relief, their daughter looked up, and her eyes lit up at the sight of Joker. She smiled and giggled, as she clapped her hands.
"Hi Darling," he said to her.
She pointed a chubby finger at her father. "Jokah!"
Joker and Jennifer exchanged big, disbelieving smiles. He turned back to Bernie. "What was that, Angel?"
"Jo…Jo—ker!"
Joker was on cloud nine.
He swooped down and scooped up his precious girl into his arms. Hugged her close as he spun around the room, which elicited more giggling from his daughter.
Jennifer stood by, hands held together before her face, a little overwhelmed by how adorable this whole sight was and the love she felt for both people in front of her, temporarily forgetting all the issues she had with her husband's…profession.
Joker stopped in front of Jennifer. He booped Bernie on the nose. "Who loves you Angel, hmm?"
"Jooookeeerr!"
God, he thought he might cry.
"Angel, can you say, "'Daddy'?"
The girl sucked on her thumb for a bit, remained quiet.
"'Daddy?'" Jennifer repeated. "Can you say that sweetheart?"
"Joker!"
"Yes, Angel, but can you say 'Daddy'?" Arthur asked her.
"Joker," the girl repeated.
"Daddy."
"Joker!"
"Dadda."
"Joker!"
"Papa?"
"Joker! Joker!"
Joker shrugged. "Ehh, close enough." He kissed his girl on her cheek, again leaving a bit of red paint there, which he rubbed off with a saliva-wetted thumb. He pulled Jennifer in for a family hug, the two of them probably never feeling so content in their lives.