It was only after Bruce had fallen asleep, his breathing shallow and steady, that the Joker slipped from the bed, sliding his arm from around his lover's waist. It would be easier than he had expected to simply stay in the cozy bed, curled up in those strong arms that wanted to hold him close, offering more affection than he'd had in years. But he knew. He had the real prize to focus on, he couldn't allow himself to be caught up in the game.
Not him.
Still, he found himself leaning down, pressing a gentle kiss to Bruce's head, before slipping out of the room.
Bruce listened to him go. He waited until the footsteps had retreated down the hall, before following suite, padding to the grandfather clock that served as a hidden entrance to the batcave. All he could do was pray that whatever the Joker had planned, he'd remember their agreement. No killing.
He'd take his time and wait. The last thing he wanted to do was act too quickly and give away who he really was. Besides, it would do no good to catch the other man before he'd even done anything wrong.
It was an hour before something finally came across the scanners. A bank robbery in process, courtesy of none other than his clown. Sixteen hostages, some children. The Joker was demanding he come, swearing to see no others but Batman.
As if he didn't know the bat would comply.
Ten minutes later, Batman was staring the villain down coldly, fists clenched at his sides. "Let them go, Joker. You've got me here, and they've served their purpose."
A wicked, slow smile slid across the clown prince's lips, tongue darting out to run across his lips in a tic that sent shivers down the vigilante's spine. "Tsk, tsk, darling, you don't have to be so cold. The children will think Daddy doesn't love mommy anymore." He teased, before turning his attention to the clown masked men around the room. "You heard Daddy, boys. Let em go. Then make yourself scarce."
"But boss-"
"Did I stutter?!" The low growl was enough to illicit whimpers from both the hostages and the henchman, who quickly complied, seeming just as surprised as Batman himself did with Jokers strange behaviour.
Sharp blue eyes watched until the last hostage was safely out, before turning his attention back to his nemesis, staring in blatant shock. "You actually let them go."
"Course I did, sweetums." A mischievous giggle escaped the smaller man's lips as he pressed his lithe body against a Kevlar encased one much bigger than his own, letting his fingers walk across broad shoulders.
"I promised my new man I wouldn't kill anybody."
"New man…?" Batman echoed. It'd be best to play dumb, to let the clown do whatever it was he was planning here. Especially since he'd managed to keep his promise. Deep down, buried inside the suit, Bruce's chest swelled with reluctant pride in his lover. He hadn't truly thought him capable of resisting. Still, he forced that back down. Now was not the time. "And who would that be?"
The smile only grew. "Bruce Wayne. Jealous, Batsy? Oh, don't worry, I still love you plenty, cupcake, but you've been oh so mean lately." Pouting slightly, he gave a little huff. "Why, you've made me feel like you don't love me at all! That simply won't do- a girl has needs, you know. Oh and darling Brucie is such a dear!" Emerald eyes remained locked on blue, taking in every detail of the others reaction, from the way his eyes narrowed to the slight twitch at his lips.
"Funny," Batman replied, voice hardening without him even realizing. "I've never pinned you for the type to want to be some airhead billionaire's arm candy. Why Wayne though? Why go through all the trouble of kidnapping him?" He questioned. Not that he had truly been kidnapped, but still- it was a valid question, one Bruce had been wondering as well, even as he cradled the clown in the darkness, nose buried in emerald curls.
"I didn't kidnap him!" The Joker scowled, stabbing through his hair in an attempt to settle himself. "He agreed to be my man if I don't kill anybody. God, Bats, is it really so hard to believe someone might want me?"
He tried hard to hide the edge of hurt that crept into his voice, but the vigilante still heard it, biting back a wince of remorse. Perhaps that was unnecessarily cruel, he had agreed after all.
"Besides, he's good to me. Unlike you. Takes me to dinner and everything. But don't worry, Batsy, I'm still willing to forgive you. After all, we all make mistakes, right?" Joker's voice was almost pleading, slowly walking his fingers up the others chest to wrap around his neck. "Where would I be without my other half, after all?"
"I'm not your other half!" The vigilante hissed. A dark feeling bubbled up inside of him as he removed the clown from his chest, coiling and clenching in his stomach. Fingers lingered for only a moment before pulling away as though scalded. "What is your endgame here?" He demanded with a scowl.
"Nothing… Going home to Bruce…" The green haired man muttered as he pulled back, face scowling. "At least there is someone waiting for me there."
With that, he turned, disappearing into the night and leaving Batman staring after him, confusion clouding his mind.
The Joker was as quiet as possible as he slipped into Wayne Manor, feet padding silently down the halls. He didn't want to wake the billionaire up, he knew he was tired lately, and he imagined the Butler that clearly was disgusted by him- Alfred, Bruce had said his name was- wouldn't hesitate to believe he was robbing them if he was found wandering about. A sigh tumbled from his lips, delicate fingers running roughly through emerald locks and giving a small tug, as though it would calm his thoughts.
He wasn't sure he'd ever felt an ache quite like the one he felt now. What? What would it take for Batman to understand that everything he did, he did for him. To give him purpose, to be near him. Batman had been the reason from day one.
A small groan greeted him as he slipped open the bedroom door, the handsome man in the bed shifting to hide his face from the small amount of light, even as he slid over and held his arms out for the other.
It was an invitation the Joker was all too glad to take, craving the affection and care. It wasn't real. But damn, it felt real enough to pretend. Slipping off his coat and shirt and sliding into purple pajama pants, the Joker crawled into the bed, resting his cheek against his lover's chest.
Strong arms wrapped around him, as Bruce nuzzled into his hair lightly, peppering sweet kisses across his temple. A tired smile tugged at his lips as he cradled the other close, tonight truly had taken a lot out of him, and he was all too happy to forget who it was in his arms, to forget their conversation and just savor the warmth of another body. "Nobody's dead right?" He questioned with a yawn, blue eyes growing heavy.
"No, cupcake. No one is dead. I made sure of that, just for you." The man soothed, pressing a soft kiss to the chiselled jaw. "I only held up a bank. Didn't even take the money. It ah- it didn't go as I planned. Go back to bed, Brucie. I didn't mean to wake you." He murmured.
It was a hours before the Joker got to sleep, staring at the ceiling as he tried to make sense of what was happening, as he tried to talk himself through the pain in his chest. Finally, he shut his eyes, rolling closer into Bruce's protective hold. All those thoughts could wait until morning.