At hearing the familiar sound, Bruce's blood ran cold. There was no way. There was no way in hell that the Joker was truly here. He supposed in hindsight it made sense- after all, the Joker did love to antagonize Gotham's elite. He took a breath, then another, willing himself to calm down, to deal with the situation rationally. His instincts were urging him to fight, but he quickly suppressed them, silently ushering his guests back towards the wall of the ballroom as the panicked screams began.

Never once did his eyes leave the white skinned man at the entrance.

"What a lovely night for a party! All you're missing is some entertainment, aren't you fortunate I happened along!" Another wicked cackle, fingers pushing jade locks back out of his face.

His eyes slowly scanned the room, as one long, graceful finger tapped at his pale chin, as though in thought. "Ah, but what is a party without a host? Tell me…." He took a menacing step forward, flipping open a switchblade and running it under a woman's chin threateningly. "Where is Bruce Wayne?"

There it was again. That feeling of Bruce's very blood freezing in his veins as he stilled, turning to look at the clown over his shoulder.

He knew.

He had to! That was the only explanation, he knew who Bruce was and had come to humiliate and expose him. Squaring his shoulders, the billionaire took a breath and placed a calm smile on his lips as he turned more fully to look at the criminal.

"I'm right here, you can leave her alone." He called out calmly, taking a step forward to separate himself from the others. After all, he didn't doubt that Joker would willingly go through them. Already his mind was racing, trying to figure out the best way to handle this situation without anyone getting harmed, even as those acid green eyes he was so familiar with turned and locked on him once more.

He felt naked without the suit.

Licking his lips, the clown prince took a step forward, a wicked smile on his face even as those eyes lit up. "Brucey-baby, there you are! I was looking everywhere for you, sugar!" A pout tugged at his lips as he flitted towards the raven haired man, ignoring the evident look of confusion on Bruce's face.

Brucey-baby? Oh dear God, nothing after that could possibly be good. "Have you? I'm not sure we've met before, but I'm sure that if you let these fine people go, we can discuss whatever you wish-" He was interrupted by a pair of long, violet clad legs latching onto his waist, as thin but strong arms rested on his shoulders, a deep crimson burning to his face as his brain quickly tried to process what was going on. There was no gunfire, no death threats, and Joker was… latched rather awkwardly onto him?

Bruce coughed quickly in an attempt to catch his breath, cobalt blue catching those emeralds once more. For a moment, he almost lost himself in them, he'd never seen them as clearly as he did right now, their foreheads rested calmly against one another.

All around them, the whispers began, rumours and speculations about the strange scene in front of them, fear giving way to a morbid curiosity.

"W-What are you doing?" The billionaire questioned, silently cursing himself for the small stutter. After all, this was the Joker, there was no one he was more familiar with. Fear was far from his mind, leaving him in a state of confusion as he continued to try to make sense of the situation. And yet, his heart hammered roughly in his chest, arms instinctively wrapping around the smaller man's lower back to prevent him from falling, tugging the villain that bit closer without much realizing it.

Leaning back in the bigger man's arms, Joker cackled, letting his fingers idly brush across the other's nape playfully. "What am I doing? Oh dear, I suppose that is a good question, isn't it, Brucey-baby? You see, it seems my darling Batsy and I are having a little bit of a tiff. Just a lover's quarrel, nothing we haven't had before. He's been taking me for granted, spending all his time with that catwhore, a terribly mean thing of him to do, wouldn't you agree? So I decided I'd show him just what he's missing out on, and who better than Gotham's most beloved son to teach my mean ole Batsy a lesson?"

Bruce breathed out a sigh of relief, grateful that at least the Joker didn't seem to know just who he was, however that relief was short lived as the full impact of the other's words sank in. If there were gasps or reactions from those around, Bruce didn't hear them, his full attention on the man in his arms. Just what the hell sort of game was the clown playing, anyhow? The raven haired man remained silent a moment, carefully mulling over in his head the best way to handle this when he was pulled from his thoughts by a chin resting on his shoulder. God, he could practically hear the pout in the Clown Prince's voice when he spoke again.

"Come on, Brucey-babe, don't you know it's rude to keep a girl waiting? You'll break my poor little heart!"

"And if I do this…" The words were slow, hesitant. Bruce was careful to take his time, not to say the wrong thing and set the psychopath in his arms off. "You'll let my friends here go, right? Because of course, if you harmed them, it would make me quite upset… if we're together, you don't want to upset me right?" He flashed the man a charming smile, allowing himself to slip into the playboy act he had so perfected. God help him. Never in a million years had he expected to need to use it on the Joker. No, his fists were reserved for that job, but it seemed he had no choice but to negotiate.

"Yes, yes, of course, darling. You have my word, and I'm a man of my word."

It was revolting, even the idea of it. Every fibre of Bruce's skin crawled at the thought and yet- had he not sworn himself to Gotham? Sworn to protect her no matter the cost to himself?

"And just what would this little arrangement entail?" He questioned, voice smooth and silken as he tried to avoid the looks of horror from the others in the room. He could almost hear their thoughts- surely there was no way he was going through with this!

Ah, but for Gotham he would.

"Oh dear, I heard you were a playboy, Brucey-baby, but surely you know what being in a relationship means! I'm not asking much, cupcake. Just a mite of normalcy, is that so bad?"

There it was again, that faux innocence lacing the others tone. He'd heard it before, too many times.

"As long as you promise not to hurt anyone, we have an agreement… Darling." Oh how that word made him ache to vomit, to lose control! Even still, his smile remained as he moved one hand from under the clowns back to cradle that pale face. "Now, how about we let my friends go home, hmm? Seems they've had enough for one night."

The painted man giggled, tapping his lip in thought even as he pressed his cheek into the billionaires palm. Yes, this would work quite well. "From Gotham's knight to its Prince, I dare say that's an upgrade. Does that make me Gotham's Princess?" The joker mused, before waving his hand dismissively. "Yes yes, of course. They can go. Giggles, Punch. Lead em out. And play nice, hear me?" He ordered his men, voice turning serious.

Bruce watched intently as they were led out, relaxing fully only when the last had left. Carefully, he eased the others legs off his waist, opting to take the villains hand instead. "Thank you. I just need a moment to speak to my butler, and then we'll go somewhere and further discuss this, alright?"

Giving a nod, the clown released his hand, licking his lips. "Do hurry back, Brucey, or I might get bored without you."

"Of course, darling." With all the tender care Bruce could force himself to muster, he pressed a sweet kiss to the smaller man's head, before turning and approaching the anxious looking Alfred.

"Master Bruce… What are you doing?" He questioned in a hushed whisper. "This is a bad idea, you know it as well as I do. Please…"

"I'm doing what has to be done, Alfred." The billionaire said firmly. "Please go make some coffee. It's going to be a long night."

Taking the Joker's hand cautiously, Bruce led him through the winding corridors of the manor until they reached his bedroom, guiding him inside and towards the bed. Trembling hands undid his tie and eased off his suit jacket, before he moved to sit beside the clown on the bed, hesitantly turning to face him. "So… Joker darling…"

"Jack." The joker interrupted. "Sounds a bit better, wouldn't you agree?" His voice was amused and dreamy, and if Bruce didn't know better, he would have doubted the other capable of the things he so often did.

"Jack…" He repeated, unsettled by how easily it slid from his lips. "I think we need to make a few stipulations, alright? No killing as long as we are together. It'd make me very upset, you understand?"

Once more, a pout returned to those sinful red lips, as the man- no, Jack, he reminded himself- curled his fingers into his shirt. "Fine, no killing. But don't even think of running around because I will break that rule." Joker told him firmly.

After all, what good was trying to make his Bat jealous of his new toy did the same thing? No, he was certain that wouldn't be the case. Oh, and wouldn't Batman be enraged to hear the news! It would be a delight, one Joker was counting on.

"Deal. I told you I would be with you as long as you behave yourself, and that means you're the only one who gets my attention." The more Bruce thought about it, the more the situation struck him as an opportunity. Perhaps he could rehabilitate the Joker. There was no harm in trying it, even if he doubted the success of it.

"It's getting late, darling." He murmured, wary feet forcing themselves up and moving towards the dresser, rummaging before pulling out a pair of purple sleep pants and a white t-shirt, handing them to the villain. "We should get some sleep, wouldn't you agree?"

Damn, this Wayne kid was surprisingly sweet, the Joker mused as he took the offered clothes, changing silently. He wasn't his Bats… But the dark haired man was certainly a step up from the loneliness he had been feeling for so long. Maybe this really wouldn't be so bad.

The Clown Prince watched intently as Bruce undressed, eyes shamelessly tracing every inch of the other man's body as the billionaire stripped down to his black silk boxers.

Oh God, how Bruce wanted those eyes off of him! The raven haired man was careful to leave a shirt on, lest the Joker see his scars and figure it out, before slipping under the covers and tugging his new lover to rest against his chest. He didn't even want to know what would happen if Joker really did figure out his secret identity. His skin crawled once more as he wrapped his arms around his arch nemesis, kissing his head and murmuring a goodnight before allowing his exhaustion to take over.

Wrapped up in his arms, cheek resting to his chest, the Jokers heart gave a solitary thump.