This new 'happy' gas was going to be a blast and Joker was sure of it.
Batsy wasn't going to know what hit him!
"Puddin'?"
BANG BANG BANG.
Joker could have cried at that moment, head on the desk, chemicals bubbling in their various test tubes.
"Puddin'?" The door creaked open as Harley made her way in, "I think we need to- "
"- Put that brat out of our misery? Couldn't agree more!" He snapped, knowing that was exactly why Harley had dared interrupt him.
"No!" She glared at him, "I think we should start including him properly in our plans!"
"OUR plans?"
Harley flushed, "Sorry Puddin'… YOUR plans. Include him more in YOUR plans."
"We tried that, and the brat ruined everything! Remember?!"
"Just give him another chance!" Harley pleaded, "He's talking about wanting a normal family and everything! What if he runs away?!"
"LET HIM!"
Harley glared at him for a few moments, before clapping her hands together, "Ooo, what if I make him a mini version of your suit?! Think about how cute he'll be!"
Joker had to admit… the idea had appeal.
A mini Joker to keep the Bats distracted.
Maybe, he could create some mini bombs for him… the kid would like that, right? It was nearly Halloween.
A little bit of TRICK or treating?
"Harley… you may be onto something there."
….
"It's a suit."
Harley nodded eagerly, "Just like your Daddy's!"
Jesse did not look impressed.
"Think about how good you're going to look."
"… I'm going to look like Dad."
No… definitely not impressed.
Hearing the Joker enter the room, Harley winced, "That's a good look, right? Who wouldn't want to look like Mista J?"
Jesse raised a hand.
"Listen brat." Joker thankfully, seemed to be taking it in good humour, "Wear the outfit, and we'll let you go trick or treating." He held up a bucket, before Jesse could protest, "With these."
Jesse's curiosity won over, pulling the bucket down as he grabbed a small handful of glass capsules, with smiley faces drawn on. "What are they?"
"My new and improved happy glass pills." Joker smirked, "Throw them on the ground and you've got yourself a little fun."
Jesse glanced between the miniature bombs and the outfit for a few moments, before a wicked smile appeared on his face.
"Deal!"
…
With Jesse all hyped up on sugar, Joker set him loose on the world.
He had to admit, his son did suit purple.
"We'll have to make him a costume of his own." Harley chattered, slipping into her Harlequin outfit, "Something with bells on! Like a Jester!"
"That's great for sneaking up on people… "Joker paused, "… Creepy though."
Huh, maybe the idea had merit.
…
Jesse was having the time of his life.
He'd managed to sprain two kid's ankles, steal a few bars of chocolate, and he hadn't even been out for five minutes.
Grabbing a handful of the mini bombs, a wicked smirk appeared on his face, fitting into his costume perfectly.
This was going to be so much fun.
…..
"Parents all over Gotham are heartbroken as dozens of children are having to be transported to Gotham General for an unknown poison. Many suspect, this is a Joker or a Poison Ivy attack."
Ivy scoffed. It was far too cold outside for her plants right now.
No… it seemed as though Jesse and his parents had made back up.
She almost felt sorry for Gotham.
…..
The sound of sirens filled the air as Jesse ducked into a nearby alleyway.
The bombs were almost all gone now, most of them replaced with stolen candy and chocolate.
And with the bombs gone, so was most of his fun.
Rushing home, he felt like king of the world, a proper superstar, bursting in through the door and spreading his arms out wide.
"The conquering hero has returned!"
Silence.
"Oh… you're not back yet then…. that's fine." Jumping onto the sofa, he dumped his hoard of sugar onto the cushions, "More for me!"
…
Really, the fact that he'd had such a good day, was probably a hint that something was going to go wrong.
First the door slammed open, followed the sound of his mother screaming and begging. Abandoning his sugar, Jesse raced over to the door, only to jump back as his Father stormed into the room, dragging Harley behind her by one pigtail as she scrambled along the floor.
"HEY!" Jesse tried to grab his Father's arm, only to be thrown back to the ground, head hitting the wooden floor with a THUD.
"Stay out of this brat." Joker started to drag her to the bedroom, "Go to bed or something."
"Get off her! Get off her!"
The door slammed shut in his face and the screaming started.
Jesse ran to his room, covering his ears with his pillow in an attempt to drown out the noise.
It didn't work.
….
The next morning, when the screaming had stopped, Jesse emerged from his room to see his mother pottering around the run-down apartment as though nothing had happened.
"Why do we stay here?" Was the first thing out of his mouth, prompting Harley to spin around, forcing a smile onto her face, despite the bruises on her face.
"Your Daddy loves us!" She protested, "I messed up his plans, that's all. He's allowed to be mad!"
"Not mad enough that he hits you!"
"Ssshh, sshh, sshh." Harley gently patted him on the head, "It's okay. How about some pancakes? With a smiley face!"
"No!" Jesse stamped his foot, "I want to leave, I want to go!"
"Jesse- "
Batting away her attempts at concern, Jesse ran back into his room, locking the door behind him and burying his face into his pillow.
He hated it here.
He wanted to leave.