A/N: I'm so so sorry I didn't update when we hit 125 guys, I had a horrible day yesterday which involved a very minor car accident and a whole heap of things just going wrong, please forgive me!
So, we're pretty much all caught up to Chapter 1 of Toxic Love from this chapter. No longer looking back into Arkham and Belle Reve, but moving forwards to what Joker and Harley will do to teach them all a lesson mwahahaha!
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Chapter 17 – Little Struggle
Night time after the drunkards had stopped trying to shout and beg their way into the club was always the quietest for the newly reunited Clown family. They'd remained closed even though the baby and Harley were well settled, they'd open soon, but Joker was taking this time to make sure that his family was safe. Frost and the boys had taken care of business and Joker had taken light duties. It seemed that their son was definitely more her son. He was a mommy's boy, but Joker took every moment he could get when the child wasn't attached to Harley in some way.
It had been a week since they'd gotten their baby back from Belle Reve and Harley had truly taken to motherhood like a psychopath to her mallet. She was totally absorbed and instinctual around the baby. She knew what his different cries and noises meant before the child had fully realised them. Most of her day was spent being surrounded by Bud and Lou and the baby in her arms. Even when Harleen had come forward to be with her son, the Hyenas had stayed and been loyal protectors if, for any reason, Harley left the child in his cot whilst she did something else. It didn't stop Joker having his son, but it definitely made things tense between them.
Joker took off his shirt, gun holsters and toed off his shoes. He saw Harley finishing feeding the baby and went to sit behind her to watch the last few minutes. The baby was much happier with Harley feeding him rather than a bottle and he'd put on some much needed weight and he was now healthier and happier. Joker occasionally had the opportunity to feed, but the baby's tolerance level was low and Joker just didn't have the patience. He smiled as she finished up, burped the baby and then took him to his cot after checking his nappy.
Harley made her way back over towards him and she pulled a vest top over her head. She crawled over his body and helped him remove his pants and socks. He watched as Harley moved to kiss him again and he cupped the back of her head, not allowing her to stop kissing him. She moved so easily against him, so much like she was supposed to be here and it made him doubt himself for a second. His hand smoothed up and down her back, massaging her spine and he felt her body getting heavier and he looked down at her. He watched as she wriggled back beneath the sheets and he held her against his side. Sometimes he just liked having a warm body against his. It wasn't that she was special. No. Not at all. Just a toy.
Who was he kidding? It wasn't even funny anymore. She was so important to him now and he couldn't keep on pretending that she wasn't. At least, not to himself. He would definitely keep her and everyone else guessing for sure. It'd at least keep things interesting. He smirked to himself and he looked over Harley's shoulder to see she was asleep again. He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and let out a long breath. He clenched his jaw and rolled his eyes before he tried to convince himself to sleep.
He'd had a few more hours than normal since the baby had been brought home. Something about having this strange, evil, little family unit had brought him at least some peace. Not that he appreciated it, he did his best plotting in the midst of insomniac mania. How was he meant to plan revenge on Arkham Asylum whilst the child demanded his attention? Or his brain commanded sleep? He guessed that looking after Harley and the baby had just drained his system. A piece of him that had long been hidden and forgotten had been awoken by the presence of his family and when it was just the three of them, he was almost gentle and kind.
In as much as the Joker could ever be.
But it was starting to annoy him that Harley was completely devoted to the child and didn't really have much time for him. They hadn't managed to name their son, every possible option had been rejected by one of them.
"Harley," Joker said quietly.
"Hmm?" Harley mumbled as she frowned in her dreams.
"Jack."
"What?"
"The baby," Joker prompted and shook her a little to wake her up. "Jack Isaac Quinn."
"Jack…" Harley muttered and she yawned a little. "I like it. Suits him. Jack-Jack. But why Isaac?"
"Isaac means laughter in Hebrew," Joker told her. Harley grinned and giggled before she rolled to face him. She kissed him gently and tucked herself against him. She closed her eyes and pressed a few kisses down his chest and fell back to sleep, a small smile on her face. The Clown tried to sleep for a couple of hours before he carefully extracted himself from their bed and went to the cot. He watched their son sleep for a few minutes before he tore himself away to his office.
Joker didn't notice that the sun had risen over the city until he heard the cries of the baby. It didn't last long, Harley was like a bolt of lightning when it came to the boy and she'd have him figured out and fed, changed or cuddled before the infant knew himself what it was that he wanted. He continued to work for another hour before his stomach began to hurt. It had been a week since they'd gotten Jack back and he felt it was high time that Harley come back down to Earth a little bit. He rolled up his papers and pushed away from his desk before he walked out of the room once again. He stood in the doorway and saw a half-dressed Harley laid on her front, the baby in front of her and her feet in the air.
"Oh you're so gorgeous, aren't ya?" Harley giggled and blew raspberries on her son's stomach which made excited squeaks come from the baby. "You look so much like your daddy, so handsome. But you gots your mommy's hair, ain't ya?"
"Thank god for that," Joker laughed and walked over to her. He slipped off his shoes and crawled over Harley. He could practically feel her maternal instinct kick in and he knew that she was fighting the mommy-monster inside. She was wearing just some panties, bra and a button up red top. She had been so caught up in him that she hadn't gotten any further with getting dressed.
"Just a sprinkle of white blonde hair, puddin'," Harley giggled and she kissed Jack's baby-chubby cheeks.
"You need to go and make breakfast, Harls," Joker told her and he felt her stiffen beneath him. He wasn't giving in, not today. "Come on."
"How can I leave him? He's just too cute," Harley replied quietly, though he could hear the tension in her voice.
"You need to eat," he replied sternly. "He's decided he doesn't like a bottle anymore so it's down to you to feed him, so you need to eat properly so he doesn't get sick."
"But-"
"I can always take him," Joker interrupted. He moved off her and picked the boy up as he sat down on the bed. Harley moved closer and rested her head on his knee. "Hello Jack. I'm afraid you're going to have to put up with dada, because mommy can't be bothered to take care of you."
"Mistah J, that ain't fair," Harley protested and went to take her son, but Joker blocked her and put the baby against his chest.
"Not fair? Not fair?" Joker chuckled. "I don't have to tell you what I think of the word 'fair' do I, Princess? Now, go and make something to eat. I can't have you and the baby sick. It's hard enough keeping both of you happy as it is right now." Harley met his eye and she wanted to tear her son from him. She was enraged that he would try and control her through their son. She touched Jack's back and head gently before she got up off the bed. She slipped on a pair of red and black diamond patterned leggings and went out to the kitchen.
"How dare he?" Harley growled under her voice as she started to cook pancakes.
"I told you to go with Sam and Ivy, Harley," Harleen said in her mind. "I told you this would happen."
"Shut up," Harley hissed. "Just let me do this."
"You can't trust him to be alone with Jack, you can't trust him."
"He wouldn't hurt our baby," Harley told the person in her head and finished making her stack of pancakes before she went to make Joker's. She topped hers with apple and a cinnamon caramel sauce and the Joker's had a mixture of blueberries, raspberries, chocolate sauce and banana slices. She made some coffee and called him when his was ready. She watched him walk out with baby Jack on his arm and her heart lifted. He looked so good with their child and she couldn't deny that she liked seeing him like this.
"Ah, pancakes, dada's favourite," Joker said to the baby and he sat down. He took a long gulp of his hot coffee and looked to Harley as she lifted her own. His eyes narrowed and he stood up again.
"Harley-"
"The doctor said I could have a cup a couple times a week," Harley said quickly, knowing exactly what he was going to say. "I've not had coffee since I found out I was pregnant and it's decaf, puddin'."
"Harley."
"It's not even strong-" Joker picked up the mug and threw it at the sink. It shattered into a million pieces and Harley thanked her lucky stars that he hadn't thrown it at her head.
"I told you!"
"Don't test me," he growled. "I mean it Harls. He doesn't take a bottle anymore, so you have to eat right and drink properly. No coffee, nothing that's bad for him. I've let you have a week to settle back in, but he's our prince, he has to be strong and well. Not sick and crying because you decided coffee was more important.
"I didn't-"
"Juice or water," Joker said and sat back down. He started to eat the pancakes she'd made and ignored her silent scurrying around to clean up the mess in the sink. Her breakfast was long cold, but it wasn't worth the argument if she made something new for herself. Once she'd cleaned up, she sat down and took a long drink of cold water before she started to eat.
"These pancakes are great, baby," Joker smiled. He reached over the table to stroke her cheek, but Harley flinched and moved away. His eyes narrowed and she closed hers, waiting for his reaction.
"I didn't hit you."
"This time. He didn't hit you this time."
"I thought you were still angry, Mistah J, I-I didn't m-mean to," Harley stammered. She felt nervous for the first time in a very long time and it worried her.
"I know I've been rough with you in the past, I know, but things are different now, Princess. I'm only angry because you didn't think about Jack. You only want what's best for him right?" Joker purred and tilted his head at her.
"Of course, Mistah J," Harley nodded.
"And I want the best for you, my dear," Joker smiled. "You've given me the greatest possible gift. I don't want my Queen, my Princess, my Goddess, getting sick too." He stroked her cheek gently and she leaned her head into his palm. Harley moved to him when he patted his lap and she perched on his knee. Joker put the baby in her arms and wrapped his around the both of them.
"Let daddy make it better." He kissed her neck and shoulder and occasionally Jack's head.
"Things will be good, won't they, Puddin'? With us?" Harley asked quietly.
"Of course, pumpkin pie," Joker purred. "Your job now is to make sure my-our son is happy and that makes both of us happy."
"Mistah J, you won't… you won't hit me, will you?" Harley asked softly. Her eyes and posture all screamed naivety and innocence. She looked like a lost little girl and he was the big bad wolf about to gobble her up for dinner.
"Princess, you know better than to ask that."
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Harleen was curled up on the couch, the Hyena's at her feet and her son in her arms. She'd pushed Harley aside in a rare moment of strength, although truth be told, Harley had let her push. They'd both lied to themselves about not wanting children and Harleen had been desperate to hold her baby boy.
"Mommy is so, so proud of you. You're so strong and so good and you're going to grow up so clever and smart," Harleen whispered to her baby as she cradled him on the couch in the lounge. "You're going to go to college and you're going to make something of your life. You're not gonna throw it away like mommy Harleen has. You're going to be something so special, my love, so special."
"He already is," Joker said lowly from the doorway. "Why are you here?"
"Harley let me," Harleen replied calmly, not looking from the boy. "Have you got a problem with me spending time with my son?"
"He's not yours, he's mine and Harley's."
"And I'm the body that Harley lives in," Harleen answered shortly. "You're not a stupid man, Joker, far from it. You're the most intelligent man I've ever met. Only competition is Crane, really. I'm allowed to hold my baby."
"What did you tell Samantha Drake that Harley doesn't know about?" Joker asked. He moved closer and Bud and Lou both sat up and bared their teeth at him before they laid back down. They could sense Harleen's unease and they wanted to defend their mistress.
"What makes you think Harley doesn't know?"
"Because Harley would've told me," Joker answered.
"Deep down I think she does, but it's buried beneath layers of pain and torture," Harleen replied. "The torture you've put her through. She would do anything for you and you put her so low on your list of priorities."
"You were the same once."
"I was," Harleen nodded. "But I've had a long time to sit and think about what you've put us both through. I loved you so much, no one had ever shown as much interest in my life before. I was young and naïve and stupid. You took full advantage of that."
"I took what you offered on a plate, Harleen," Joker smirked.
"I was a kid," Harleen snapped. "I was an intern, you picked me because of that."
"I picked you because you had a spark and that spark was my Harley," Joker replied and walked closer, ignoring the Hyenas quiet growling. "I picked you because all of the others were so boring. You at least had a smile, a good smile even, a rush of blonde hair and red shoes and such… hope. Oh yes, so much hope."
"I wanted to help people, I wanted to help you."
"I didn't need any more help, except to get out of Arkham," Joker chuckled. He reached forwards and stroked the white tuft of hair on the baby's head and he smiled as the baby gurgled and wriggled against his touch. "You were the bright shining light of the Asylum's future, the maverick, the alternative therapist. You bought food, gifts and kind words. Have you learned your lesson?"
"I loved you… so much," Harleen hissed.
"And I felt nothing for you."
"We both know that's a lie," Harleen smirked.
"What did you tell Drake that made its way to Waller?" Joker said loudly. The Hyenas jumped to their feet and the baby let out a startled cry. "You stabbed a woman without question. She must have touched a nerve. You're no Harley." Harleen adjusted how she was holding her son and settled him before she looked back to Joker.
"So many things, Jay," Harleen sighed. "You know what happened in Arkham, you didn't see what you did to me outside of that place. You ruined my life in every way."
"Stop waffling, just talk," Joker growled. "I'm trying really hard not to get angry. I don't want to shout around my son."
"I slept with another guy," Harleen admitted. "I had a week's rotation off and I come back to find you've taken to Leland, Arkham wants me to go back to the low-level crazies and you wouldn't even look at me. It drove me insane."
"You were half way there already," he replied through gritted teeth. The thought of another man touching any of Harley or Harleen's body was enough to make him violent, let alone the knowledge that it had actually happened.
"I lashed out, so what? You do it all the time," Harleen said
"Who was it? Cos he's a dead man," Joker told her.
"You're gonna be so happy," Harleen chuckled nervously. "I don't remember. It was a couple of times, nothing more and nothing less. Nothing special."
"The thing is, I don't believe you," Joker smirked. His vague amusement turned to anger and he looked back at her. "You're protecting someone, Harleen, you're not telling me who it is. You told Drake, but not me? There's something else. I could always read you like a book."
"She was my doctor and I wanted help. I want a life for my son, not this… existence," Harleen told him. "I don't want this for him. Anyone in their right mind would want so much better than this. Running from Batman? The cops? What happens when it all goes wrong and we both end up in Arkham? Huh? What then, Jay?"
"You think I don't have plans for that?" Joker laughed. "You were always stupid, Harleen. That brain far too big and too clever for your small mind. Let me open it back up for you."
"You don't scare me anymore," Harleen said tiredly. "You've done the worst you possibly could to me. What should I fear now? Huh? You wouldn't hurt our son, I know that. You're a monster, but you're not a monster that would hurt his own child. Not to just get to me."
"I so wish you weren't holding him right now," Joker replied. "Because you would be several shades of black and blue. What did you think Drake was going to do?"
"She cared for me, she wanted to help," Harleen snapped.
"She cared for what Harley told her," Joker laughed loudly and took the baby from her. "Drake cared for the fog of lies that Harley filled her mind with, she loves the ridiculous victim image that Harley conjured up. She doesn't love you, Harleen, she loves what she thinks. You've fallen for it again and it was your own head that did it. No one loves you. Not your family, not me, not Harley and definitely not Samantha Drake."
"That's not true. You're lying."
"Am I, Harleen? Now let Harley back until I figure out how I'm going to deal with you." He walked around the room with the baby and spoke softly to his son. He took the baby to the window and showed him a rain-drenched Gotham. He'd get used to the forever grizzly weather, he'd get used to having to use shadows for cover and he'd be the greatest life that Gotham had ever seen.
"This will all be yours, my boy," Joker said slowly. "All of those pretty… pretty lights, the scum, the buildings, all of it will be yours to play with and I cannot wait to see what you do. Ignore that nasty voice, it sounds like mommy, but it's not, it's her evil side. Mommy would never want you to be away from us. Don't listen to her. This is your life. You're my Prince, my heir, you're the future and it's going to be glorious."
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Can you believe at Chapter 17 of Young Gods, I was getting ready to wrap it all up? Nowhere near that yet for Toxic Love, blimey!
Please review!