DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own The Dark Knight or any of its characters. I do NOT gain any profit from this fan-fiction. It is strictly for my entertainment and anyone who enjoys reading it!
CLAIMER: I OWN my OMC Harper Abernathy.
WARNING: This is a SLASH / MALE x MALE / YAOI fan-fiction. If you do NOT like same-sex relationships, then this story is NOT for you. Dark themes. Violence.
BETA READER: None, so there will be some mistakes that I miss.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I wrote this with actors from the Dark Knight in mind, but added Jonny Frost from Suicide Squad into the mix. He is only mentioned briefly. I wanted to write something with both Bruce and the Joker knowing the OMC at one point in time. This is what happened. Rachel is only mentioned, but she does not make an appearance.
.:oOo:.
"Don't worry, Jackie, I'll be back."
Hazel orbs blinked back tears, the seven year old refusing to acknowledge the urge to cry as a hand patted dirty blonde waves.
"You promise, Bun-Bun?"
The brunette, taller by half an inch and older by a year, sighed in exasperation at his unfortunate nickname. His two front teeth had finally grown in from when he had lost them, that day being the day he met his best friend and gained the nickname 'Bun-Bun'.
"Of course, Jackie, you're my best friend. I'll be back and make everything better for The Narrows so you won't have to worry about whether it's safe to sleep at night or not," Green eyes locked onto hazel, those sea-glass orbs filled with determination and promise.
'Jackie' sniffled and 'Bun-Bun' hugged him tight.
"Don't forget about me, Bun-Bun."
"Never, Jackie."
.:oOo:.
Time passed. Days faded into weeks and months burned away into years. Decades passed without any sign of the eight years old brunette returning all grown up. As time drew out, details of his best friend began to blur. At thirty-two, Jack Napier has made a name for himself within The Narrows and the whole of Gotham. The Joker was a terror raising, unpredictable villain whose main goal was whatever happened to suit him that day…mostly to infuriate Gotham's self-proclaimed Dark Knight and any attempt to somewhat kill the vigilante menace.
"Boss."
At the sound of his right-hand man joining him out on the rooftop of the warehouse, Jack turned around in all of his Joker glory. Green party spray covered his dirty blonde waves, matting the strands together and causing them to appear stringy. White grease paint covered the majority of his face, hiding some features while accenting others. Black grease paint circled his eyes, the edges blended into the white and smearing slightly downwards. Red grease paint, faded into pink along the sides gave way to an enhanced smile even when Jack frowned. His scared cheeks pulled as a gleam entered dark hazel eyes.
"What is it, Jonny-Boy?"
Jonny Frost passed over a manila folder and Jack flipped the cover open. The man in the photograph stared up at him, his short brunette locks styled back and sea-form green orbs framed by wire rimmed glasses. The man was in a suit…expensive if Jack had a guess. Another photograph showed the man standing beside one of Gotham's elites, Bruce Wayne during one of those galas the rich loved to host as a means of measuring their sticks.
"He's the one making waves in the city, stating he's going to re-develop The Narrows while creating jobs and better living conditions," Jonny informed his boss, carefully eyeing Jack's left pointer finger that had begun to tap, tap, tap against the picture.
"Name," Jack demanded, his voice husky.
Jonny withheld the urge to step back and out of the line of reach in case his boss pulled out his favorite switchblade.
"Harper Abernathy."
Jack tilted his head back, closing his eyes as green eyes filled with determination and promise came to mind. Although most features were blurred, Jack remembered the name. Oh how he remembered that name. Exhaling through his nose, Jack peered back down at the photograph and practically soaked up the adult vision of his childhood friend. It seems his Bun-Bun was back and failed to inform him.
"Get dressed, Jonny-Boy, we're going to a party," Jack ordered, stalking past his right-hand man before storming to his private area within the warehouse.
Red clouded the edges of his sight, anger fueling his quick movements in undressing and getting into the shower to wash away his Joker personal. A growl vibrated his chest as Jack exited the bathroom to get dressed in a customary waiter's uniform. Bun-Bun has a lot of explaining to do.
.:oOo:.
"How are your plans of development coming along," Bruce asked his friend and business associate as he joined him at the buffet bar filled with an assortment of tiny treats.
Harper smiled, but Bruce noticed how the pleased emotion did not reach his friend's eyes. Understanding washed over the raven and Bruce clapped a hand on Harper's shoulder with a comforting squeeze.
"Your friend, the one you mentioned being a main cause behind your plans with The Narrows…," Bruce trailed off, seeing the pained regret flash through green eyes.
"I left him alone with a promise to come back and change everything for the better," Harper murmured just loud enough for Bruce to hear him over the excited chatter of the partygoers.
"But you did come back, Harper, and by the way things are going, you are doing exactly what you promised," Bruce stated in an attempt to ease the guilt in his friend's gaze.
Harper took a sip of the expensive wine and held back a wince at the taste. He would rather have a beer than this bubbly sweet water. He had even asked the bartender only to receive a sigh and a slight shake of their head at only being able to serve the elegant brews.
"He's not around to see it," Harper stated, picking up a prosciutto wrapped shrimp skewer and turning to face the partygoers.
Harper shook his head as a waiter offered another flute of wine or was it champagne? Either way, Harper was set on finishing his currently still half-full glass and missed the sharp hazel gaze scanning him. Bruce shifted closer to Harper as the music levels rose.
"Would he want you to be sad knowing you are fulfilling your promise to him?" Bruce asked gently and Harper's lips twitched into a soft smile that finally, finally reached his eyes and Bruce grinned at the accomplishment.
"I suppose you're right. Whether he is here now or not, I'm doing all of this for Jackie," Harper agreed, raising the horderves to his month.
Something bumped into him, causing Harper to drop the horderves before he could take a bite. Bruce caught Harper to prevent the brunette from tumbling into the table as the waiter's gruff apology met their ears without meeting the men's gazes.
"Careful," Bruce huffed, watching the waiter scurry off without a backwards glance.
.:oOo:.
Jack pressed his back up against the bathroom stall, his chest heaving up and down with every breath. Fisted hands pushed against closed eyes and teeth gritted together until they risked breaking.
'Doing it all for you? He left. He left and didn't come back when you needed him most! Where was he when you needed him?! When those men held you down and carved up your face, where was your Bun-Bun? He didn't save you! I DID!' Jack shook his head back and forth, his fingers now tangled in dirty blonde waves, the action tugging strands painfully out of the low ponytail he used for the gig.
The prosthesis made his scars itched, but he did not want to raise suspicion on him being here tonight. Those rich fools may not have been able to connect him to his Joker persona, but it would have prevented him from getting into the party. It would have prevented him from seeing his Bun-Bun again. IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED HIM FROM LEARNING SOMETHING NEW ABOUT HIS BUN-BUN!
Jack inhaled shakily and then exhaled. Straightening up, he fixed his hair and stepped out of the bathroom stall. Jack's eyes met Bruce Wayne's through the reflection of the bathroom mirror, the billionaire washing his hands. Moving to one of the sinks, Jack turned on the water while keeping Bruce in his peripheral vision. The raven turned the water off and proceeded in drying his hands off on one of those cloth napkins the high-end place used in place of tissue paper. When Bruce continued watching him, Jack finally turned his head.
"Got a problem?" Jack demanded dully, tilting his head slightly as their eyes locked.
"You seem to be interested in my friend tonight. I noticed you hovering nearby, barely taking your eyes off of him," Bruce stated bluntly. "May I know why?"
Jack turned the rest of his body, ignoring his wet hands dripping onto the floor and the sink still running. He smirked at Bruce, catching the muscle twitch in the raven's jaw.
"Can't a man admire another?" Jack questioned humorously while pushing back his irritation.
Bruce's frown deepened and he seemed to tower over the blonde as he took a step closer.
"Sure, but that look in your eyes isn't something I want aimed at my friend," Bruce stated seriously. "The party is drawing to an end. I think it's time for you to leave."
"Oh, I'll be leaving soon enough," Jack assured the man, his eyes narrowing and refusing to back down.
The bathroom door opened and a huff of exasperation sounded. Jack tensed. Bruce's gaze flickered over Jack's shoulder and seemed to soften.
"Bruce, I can feel you being annoying. Hurry up," Harper voiced, just ready to get home despite being in attendance for the chance to raise money for his plans.
Jack caught sight of Harper out of the corner of his eye and noticed how Bruce moved around him to block his sight of the new arrival. He stayed where he was as Bruce ushered Harper out of the bathroom and away from Jack.
.:oOo:.
"What was that all about?" Harper asked as his friend lead him towards the elevator that would take them down to the lobby.
Bruce shrugged with a playful grin, draping an arm over Harper's shoulders in the privacy of the elevator.
"Just some friendly chatter," Bruce stated nonchalantly.
Harper's brow rose.
"Sure. It looked as though I walked in on an unspoken challenge," Harper voiced, the two exiting the elevator and walking out of the building where Alfred waited with the car.
The two slid inside the back of the black car and Alfred pulled away from the curb.
"Come home with me tonight."
Harper blinked at Bruce's words, eyes widening as his friend cupped his face. Bruce's thumb traced over Harper's lower lip without breaking eye contact.
"You shouldn't be alone," Bruce answered quietly and Harper's brows furrowed.
"Bruce—."
"You can stay in the guest room. I'll even keep my hands to myself," Bruce said, his mouth tugging into a small grin that faltered. "Please come home with me, Harper."
Harper sighed and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest as Bruce's hand fell away.
"How could I refuse when you're all but begging me," Harper muttered and Bruce chuckled, shifting back in his seat to get comfortable. "Fine."
.:oOo:.
He was not here. Why was he not here? Jack stalked through the apartment located in one of Gotham's moderately safe neighborhoods. It was nowhere near type of upper class high-rises or the dirt-laced alleys of The Narrows, but it was nice and gleamed of money. Jack bit the inside of his cheek until iron coated his tongue. Jack had every intention of confronting Harper alone in the privacy of the brunette's home, but he was not HERE!
Entering the bedroom, Jack left the lights off and stood at the foot of the pristinely made bed. He reached out and trailed the tips of his fingers over the top. He hissed as he felt silk. Striping down to nothing, Jack rounded the bed and yanked down the silk duvet and matching sheets. Slipping into the bed, he closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of something lightly flora and herby. It was Harper's unique scent. Jack rolled over and pressed his face against the pillows. The cool sheets drifted over his naked form and Jack groaned as parts of him twitched and thoughts of tonight drifted through his mind. He inhaled deeply as he reached downwards.
.:oOo:.
"Tea, sir?" Alfred asked as he peered into the open doorway leading into Harper's designated room within Wayne manor.
Tonight was not the first time he stayed over with Bruce, the two having met during their college days and seemingly hit it off within moments. It was Bruce that Harper first confided in about his childhood promise and the death of his friend Jackie. As such, he had a room that was practically his own and some of his development plans were spread out on the room's desk.
"Thank you, Alfred," Harper voiced, accepting the warm tea from the man with a smile.
Harper thought back to when he learned of Jackie's death. His parents had seemed strange that day during breakfast, but it was not until he was coming home from the academy did they inform him of a fire raging in Gotham's Narrows that killed a family of three and their next door neighbor's young son. Jackie's name was listed, but the papers did not include pictures as items such as that were not considered as important to keep track of in The Narrows.
"Sir, maybe an early lie down is in order," Alfred offered, seeing the faraway look in Harper's eyes.
"I got it from here, Alfred," Bruce whispered to his confidant and butler.
Alfred nodded and left the room. With Harper still lost in memories, he jumped when arms came around his shoulders from behind and a chin nuzzled the top of his head.
"So much for keeping your hands to yourself," Harper huffed jokingly, glancing up and meeting Bruce's amused eyes.
"I couldn't help myself," Bruce stated and Harper rolled his eyes.
Harper had already showered and changed into spare clothes, the black muscle shirt and matching track pants being items left from his last visit. Bruce, surprisingly, was also changed from his suit to a pair of sweats and a white t-shirt. His raven locks were still neatly styled as opposed to Harper's now disheveled brown locks. Bruce brushed some of those brunette strands away from Harper's green eyes.
"Bruce…," Harper sighed.
"I know." Bruce murmured, stepping away and settling on a settee by the window.
Bruce stared out the window, the dark atmosphere trying to swallow up Gotham as the city's lights fought back the drowning darkness. He only looked away when Harper slid onto the cushion across from him.
"You love Rachel," Harper stated, frowning.
Bruce nodded.
"I love you as well," Bruce voiced just as truthfully.
Harper smiled sadly and reached out for Bruce's hand. Bruce did not hesitate in taking Harper's hand in both of his and bringing it up to his lips.
"Yes, you love both of us, but the love you feel for Rachel and the love you feel for me is different," Harper pointed out and it was Bruce's turn to frown.
"Agreed, but I think you misunderstand. No, wait let me finish," Bruce said, holding Harper's hand to prevent the brunette from moving away. "Yes, I love Rachel, but the love I feel for her is more of a brotherly love. I don't want to kiss Rachel every time I'm in the same room as her. Rachel isn't the one I wake up thinking about or going to sleep at night dreaming about. She's not the one I have plans of the future with."
Slowly with every word leaving Bruce's month, Harper's eyes widened. Keeping Harper's hand in one of his, Bruce reached out with his other and cupped Harper's face.
"I really do love you, Harper. I love you and have been in love with you for years," Bruce admitted to the stunned male.
Bruce moved his hand until his fingers were trailing through Harper's hair.
"But all those women," Harper voiced, confused.
Bruce grinned.
"A front for the media," Bruce explained. "Everyone underestimates a playboy."
Harper shook his head even as Bruce slowly drew the male closer by the hand tangled in brown locks. Harper gripped Bruce's shoulder with his other hand to balance himself.
"I'm not…You can't…," Harper started, biting his lip and adverting his eyes. "There are others…better options—."
"No," Bruce said, his tone firm and the grip in Harper's hair tightened. "You're everything."
Harper's gaze shot back to Bruce's just as the raven kissed him. Harper exhaled shakily, his eyes drifting closed as Bruce deepened the kiss. Arms wrapped around him and Harper suddenly felt himself being stood up and moved to the bed. His eyes flew open when his back met the bed's surface and Bruce's weight settled over him.
"Is this okay?" Bruce whispered, his mouth brushing Harper's as he spoke.
Harper nodded, unable to speak and Bruce was kissing him breathless.
.:oOo:.
Sunlight filtered in through the window, its rays washing over the two men and waking up one. Opening his eyes, Bruce stared at the sight of Harper still sleeping. The brunette was on his stomach with one arm curled over Bruce's abdomen and their legs tangled together. Bruce smiled, lifting his hand to trace the side of Harper's shoulder blade and up the line of his throat. Harper's lips parted in a sigh. Nuzzling the curve of Harper's throat, Bruce nipped gently as his hand moved down Harper's toned back and over the curve of warm flesh.
"Bruce…," Harper moaned, finally drifting awake as Bruce's hand ran down the inside of his thigh, before moving back up to his backside.
Bruce turned them over and settled his weight between Harper's legs, his mouth molding over Harper's and swallowing the brunette's shaky moan. His moves were slow, much like the night before. Bruce took him time filling Harper, kissing the man with every ounce of passion he felt for him. Blunt fingernails dug crescents into Bruce's shoulders and Bruce sucked Harper's tongue before speeding up.
"Master Bruce, are you and Mr. Abernathy awake? You were not in your room this morning and I have prepared breakfast," Alfred's voice sounded from the other side of the room door.
Harper's eyes fluttered open, his body tensing as Bruce's thrusting faltered. Their eyes locked and Harper caught sight of love and mischief swirling in blue pools. Bruce sped up even as he called out.
"Yes, Alfred. We'll…," Bruce had to muffle his groan against Harper's throat when the brunette flexed his inner walls. "We'll be down in a moment!"
The last statement was said quickly and as steadily as Bruce possibly could in that single moment. Grabbing a handful of raven locks, Harper tugged Bruce's head back down.
"You jerk," Harper hissed, his words lacking any bite and his moan echoed in Bruce's ear.
Bruce chuckled breathlessly.
.:oOo:.
Ignoring the heat dusting his cheeks at the knowing smile aimed at him from Alfred, Harper sat down for breakfast with Bruce settling down beside him. Of course Alfred would know what he and Bruce had done. You could not think about doing something without Alfred knowing. They spent the morning having breakfast with soft chatter about their plans for that day.
"I need to stop by at my place to change and grab a few things before heading into the office," Harper voiced, finishing up his coffee and standing up.
"No problem. I can drop you off on my way in. Do you want me to wait?" Bruce offered, grabbing his coat to go over his navy blue suit.
Harper shook his head.
"I don't know how long I'll be and Alfred mentioned you having a ten-thirty meeting," Harper stated and stepped lightly down the front steps towards Bruce's car. "Stop it."
Bruce chuckled, brushing his hand over Harper's lower back.
"Stop what?" Bruce whispered, his warm breath drifting over Harper's ear.
He grunted as Harper elbowed him in the gut, sending Bruce an annoyed look despite his lips twitching in amusement.
"That smug look of yours," Harper stated.
Bruce could only smirk.
.:oOo:.
Waving Bruce away at the front of his apartment building, Harper waited until Bruce was carefully merging with traffic before heading inside. It took a few moments to reach the fifth floor which housed his apartment. Unlocking the door and stepping inside, Harper was taken by surprise at the harsh grip on his arm that jerked him the rest of the way inside his apartment and slung him onto the floor. He barely heard the door slamming shut behind him before an unfamiliar weight was on top of him. Hands curled around Harper's throat, his eyes flinching as he dug his fingers into the other's wrists in an effort to loosen the grip. Harper brought his knee up and a grunt of pain sounded when he struck ribs.
A slightly broken laugh echoed around the room and the person on top of him released one hand only to draw back and connect hard knuckles to Harper's jaw. Harper fought back, clawing at the person's face and going for the eyes before the person leaned out of reach. Another punch clipped the side of Harper's head and he saw stars before forcing him and his attacker into a roll. On top, Harper kneed the person in the side and aimed a hit to the person's throat. An elbow caught him under his chin and he fell to the side. His attacker climbed on top of him and grabbed a fist full of Harper's hair before slamming his head onto the tiled floor. Dazed, Harper felt his attacked lifting his head by his hair and hot breath fanned over the side of his face.
"You uh…give a good fight," The man on top of him hissed, the fingers gripping his hair painfully giving another yank that had Harper groan. "Now….be a good boy and go to SLEEP!"
Harper's attacker slammed his head against the tiled floor a second time and darkness greeted him.
.:oOo:.
Bruce walked into his company building whistling a happy tune and greeting everyone with a smile. He simply could not contain just how happy he was at that moment in time. His best friend finally accepted his feelings after years of flirting and obvious intents of wanting to further their relationship to something more. Bruce really only had himself to blame with how he acted around the media; throwing glamorous parties, acting recklessly, and all of models the paparazzi photographed him spending time with. Glancing down at his watch, he saw that he could just make it to his meeting. He paused at his secretary's desk and shared a smile with the woman who reminded him of a female version of Alfred, especially with how the woman tended to mother him on occasion.
"Florence, could you block off my lunch hour. I'll be out during that time and I don't want any meetings to merge into that time," Bruce asked and she was already typing the information into her calendar. "Thank you, Florence."
"It's my pleasure, Mr. Wayne, now hop to it young man. You're meeting is starting," Florence told him while peering over the top rim of her glasses.
He found himself listening without hesitation. Her soft laughter followed him.
.:oOo:.
Pain throbbed inside Harper's skull with every beat of his heart. He grunted in pain as he slowly came back to consciousness. A stinging slap to his cheek had green eyes squeeze shut, before Harper blinked. Dark hazel orbs stared straight into his eyes and Harper jerked back, the action causing pain to burst behind his eyes and stars to blind him. That hand was back and jerking Harper's head back by his hair, while the other grabbed his jaw. Harper reached up to dislodge the man's hands, but found his arms bound behind his back. Something sticky ran down the side of his face and being smeared by the hand gripping his face.
"You have a lot of explaining to do," His attacker hissed, spittle flying with the fierceness of the man's tone.
"Who…who are…you?" Harper whispered, unable to completely focus with the pounding in his head. "…you want?"
A growl vibrated against his chest with how close the man was to Harper. It took a moment to realize there was a weight straddling his lap and he grimaced. The hand gripping his hair yanked again and the other squeezing his jaw moved away. Something clicked and cold steel touched the side of his face. Green eyes widened.
"You have a lot of nerve, Bun-Bun. I waited for you and YOU DIDN'T SHOW!" The man screamed in his face.
"Ja..ckie?" Harper breathed in disbelief, his eyes taking in as much of the man's face as he could with off of the grease paint covering the man's skin.
It was the first time Harper managed to get a somewhat decent look of his attacker. If he focused and squinted his eyes a bit, the green sprayed hair could be a shade of blonde and the man's hazel gaze held a hint of familiarity. It was that familiar arch of his eyebrows, the line of his cheek bones, and that cupid's bow even as it was twisted in a snarl. Tears pooled in green eyes and Harper squeezed his eyes shut. A single tear spilled down Harper's cheek and mixed with his blood.
"N-no," Harper started in denial. "You're…de-dead."
Jack chuckled darkly, inhaling deeply against Harper's face even as his grip tightening in brown locks.
"No more than you…at the moment," Jack growled before jerking up and away from Harper. "You left ME!"
The words were shouted and Jack slung his arms out, the blade of his knife flashing in the light coming through the partially closed window blinds.
"YOU DIED!" Harper yelled back, his ears ringing as his vision swam.
Jack froze and slowly turned around to face Harper, having turned away for a moment in his rage.
"How?" Jack demanded, quickly stepping forward and pressing his blade against the side of Harper's face.
Harper stared up at Jack's face, his eyes moving quickly as if trying to save every tiny detail to memory. Jack's knife clattered to the floor and he grabbed fists full of Harper's shirt, forcing the brunette onto his feet from the chair he was originally placed. Harper gasped as he was practically thrown against his coffee table, the corner catching him in the side and knocking the breath out of him. Jack hovered over him, his feet inches away from Harper's face as the brunette gasped for air. Pain radiated from his arms as he was unable to get them loose from whatever secured them behind his back. Slowly, Jack placed his boot on Harper's chest and began to add pressure. Harper tried to wiggle around from under Jack's foot, panic shining in his glassy eyes.
"I asked you…a question," Jack sneered, the weight of his foot pressing onto Harper's chest preventing the man from drawing in a decent breath.
.:oOo:.
Exiting the meeting, Bruce rolled his shoulders and they gave a satisfying crack. The meeting had gone over longer than was expected and if he hurried, he could catch Harper for lunch before the man left his office. Slipping out his cell phone, Bruce dialed Harper's phone number. The call going straight to voicemail was not altogether alarming as Harper, so he left a message about lunch before heading out to his car.
Bruce arrived at the building housing Harper's office about fifteen minutes later after having to fight through lunch hour traffic. His smile still present, Bruce strolled into the building only to frown. Gretchen, Harper's assistant was pacing around her desk while speaking to someone of her office phone. Stuart, Harper's chosen architect for his re-development plans stood nearby with a concerned expression. Upon seeing Bruce, both Gretchen and Stuart started speaking at once.
"Is Mr. Abernathy with you?"
"Missed our meeting to go over—."
"Hasn't been in yet—."
"Whoa, whoa, calm down and one of you please explain what is going on," Bruce demanded, holding his hands up.
Gretchen exhaled and spoke first.
"Mr. Abernathy has not come in yet. He had a scheduled meeting with Mr. Mills at eleven and he hasn't been answering any of my calls."
Bruce's frown deepened.
"I dropped him off at his place this morning. I'll run by and see if he's there," Bruce stated, already hurrying towards the exit.
"I called the police. They said they would check his place too," Gretchen called out, but Bruce was already gone.
.:oOo:.
Harper woke up being dragged through his apartment. He blearily noticed a small trail of blood leading out of the living room. Angry mutters met his ears, but Harper could not understand what Jack was saying. They stopped just inside the bathroom. Jack released Harper's legs, letting them fall limply to the floor before stepping over to the claw foot bathtub. Harper groaned in pain, vaguely aware of being pulled up into a sitting position before lifted upwards and dropped unceremoniously into the tub.
"I sent you letters," Jack started with a hiss, pushing the drain plug securely in place and turning on the cold water. "You sent them back."
Harper shook his head weakly, the cold water causing him to shiver as it filled the tub.
"Stop it, Jackie," Harper voiced hoarsely, trying to maneuver himself up to at least have his head above the rim of the tub.
Something sharp pierced his forearm trapped behind him and Harper froze.
"I saw you at that party last night," Jack breathed, pressing his blade deeper. "You never even acknowledged me."
"That's not—ack!" Harper cried out as Jack's blade sliced a line alone his arm.
Jack chuckled. The cold water pooled around his hips.
"I needed you…even dropped by to say hello, but you weren't HERE!"
The knife sliced deeper, then was suddenly gone. The cold water turned a light pink. Steady hands gripped onto Harper's shoulders, forcing the brunette further down into the quickly filling tub. Harper jerked away, trying to sit up and those arms wrapped around his throat from behind.
"You were with him, weren't you?" Jack hissed in Harper's ear, his arms tightening almost to the point of preventing Harper from breathing. "Don't worry. He's next."
Cold water reached his chest and Harper was suddenly plunged downward. Water ran over his head, Jack's steady grip keeping him under. Harper's chest burned and just as his thought his chest would burst, Jack pulled his head back up. Harper gasped for air, his lips blue and his body shivering from. Water pooled over the rim of the tub and splashed onto the floor.
"Ja—!"
.:oOo:.
Bruce quietly pushed open the door leading into Harper's apartment, his eyes narrowing at the sight of blood and what appeared to be a struggle. Heart racing as he hurried inside, he scanned the area for Harper. A muffled sound caught his attention and Bruce silently made his way down the short hallway. Bruce's blood ran cold at he found them in the bathroom. Bleeding and bound, Harper was being held down under water by The Joker. Without further hesitation, Bruce burst through the door and tackled Joker away from Harper.
The two fell onto the floor, one trying to overpower the other. Taking advantage of his surprise, Bruce punched Joker as hard as he could. Red clouded his vision as he reined punch after punch on that smirking face of The Joker, ignoring or not even feeling the other man's own hits connecting. Only once The Joker appeared unconscious did Bruce come back into awareness. He quickly moved to the tub. Bruce's breath caught in his chest as he reached into the water and gathered Harper into his arms, pulling him up and out of the tub. They slid to the floor and Bruce quickly unbound Harper's wrists. Carefully laying the brunette onto his back, Bruce pressed his ear to Harper's chest. He could not afford to panic, not while Harper needed him. Dull green orbs stared up at him without seeing and Harper's chest was not raising with breath.
"Harper!" Bruce cried out, positioning his hands on Harper's chest to begin CPR.
Bruce tilted Harper's face up and pressed his mouth over him, breathing life into the brunette.
"Stay with me! Please, Harper, breathe!" Bruce shouted, pumping Harper's chest.
A shuffling of clothes sounded from behind him, but Bruce ignored it in favor of slanting his mouth over Harper's again for more air. A broke laugh escaped bloody lips and pain jolted through his side as he leaned up. Glancing down, Bruce saw the switchblade stabbing him.
"You can't save him…if you can't save yourself," The hoarse voice growled in Bruce's ear and The Joker went to snatch the knife back out.
Bruce twisted around and caught The Joker right in the throat with a chop, before shoving the bastard away from him. Putting his pain aside, Bruce's head whipped back around as Harper began to choke. Bruce quickly moved Harper onto his side and Harper gasped in some much needed air. Lips blue and body shivering, Harper's eyes blinked. In those few seconds, The Joker made his escaped.
"Jac…kie…," Harper breathed, his eyes drifting shut.
Bruce tensed up. Carefully removing the knife from his side, Bruce picked Harper up and practically ran out of the apartment to his car where two patrol cars were parking. Ignoring them with thoughts of getting Harper to the hospital, Bruce made sure Harper was settled before speeding off.
.:oOo:.
"…drowning him, Alfred. If I were a moment later…," Bruce trailed off as Harper's eyes fluttered.
Giving Harper's hand a squeeze, Bruce waiting until green eyes focused on him. The heart monitor attached to Harper sped up, but the hand in his squeezed back.
"Hey," Bruce greeted softly, brushing a few brown locks off of Harper's forehead and being careful of the bandage wrapped around it.
"…alive," Harper breathed, his throat sore.
Bruce pursed his lips and nodded, reaching for the cup of water Alfred passed to him to keep himself from choking up. He helped Harper take for few shallow swallows of the water.
"Jackie is alive," Harper voiced again, his words coming out completely this time.
Bruce's brows furrowed in confusion for a split second and then his eyes widened.
"The Joker," Bruce stated and Harper nodded with a grimace. "Did he realize who you are?"
Harper nodded slowly, his head still hurting. He was pretty sure he had a concussion.
"He thinks I betrayed him," Harper told him.
Harper had no plans on stopping his re-development of The Narrows, but having one of Gotham's most notorious villains out for his blood put a halt on things. Bruce seemed to be thinking along the same lines, if for a different reason.
"I won't let him get you," Bruce whispered, his voice taking on a gravely undertone. "I promise."
"Bruce—."
Gunshots echoed throughout the hospital and screams erupted as doctors and patients alike made an effort to hide or escape.
"Perhaps we shall leave, Master Bruce, Mr. Abernathy," Alfred offered, already grabbing the plastic bag filled with Harper's clothes.
Bruce was already disconnecting the wires and helping Harper off of the hospital bed. Green met blue and Bruce laced his fingers with Harper's. They would be leaving this place together, that was their promise.