Author's Note: One thing I forgot to mention in chapter 9 I got the idea for Joker's dream, if you couldn't see already, from the joke he tells Batman in The Killing Joke about the two guys in the insane asylum and I believe Shadow of the Bat #37 where Joker talks about a dream he has about the world in a dark haze. They also included that in the Joker teaser trailer (who is portrayed by my fave Joker cosplayer Anthony Misiano) for a web series called The Batman Chronicles. I thought those two instances together helped illustrate a point that will come up at some point in the story. Also they happen to be two of my favorite Joker quotes. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy.
Bruce fled the scene as fast as he was able to. He made his way to the computer and shed his mask off. Again, he found himself torn from his actions. What came over him this time? He came home after chasing Scarecrow for six hours to find him hold up in an abandoned warehouse trying to get his operation up and running. After taking the ex-psychiatrist back to Arkham he returned to the cave about three in the morning to find the security feed still running on the computer screen displaying Joker screaming as he tossed and turned in the cot. Had it not been for those cameras Bruce would've never known about the jester's agony for the room was soundproof. Instinctively, he rushed in to see what was wrong and again he found himself holding onto his nemesis. Though this time it was Joker seeking comfort from whatever horrible nightmare he was having, that moment still held the duality of being good and wrong at the same time.
"Batsy, I know you're still there," spoke Joker aloud so the cameras could pick up his voice. Bruce found himself staring at the video and saw the clown was staring elsewhere but completely aware that he was being watched. "It's frustrating you know, being left alone after what happened. Tell me, I know you can hear me dearest, why did you leave?" he asked. Bruce was well capable of answering by using the intercom connection to the room, but didn't. He just remained silent as he stared at the rather lonely pale man who was sitting on the cot. That sad face was overtaken by a happy façade as he, at this point, turned to face the camera directly. "So you're not gonna answer me. That's fine by me; I think I already know the answer anyways. I just wanted to hear it from you I suppose," he smiled. The vigilante was too tired to deal with this, without making it known he left the cave. But before he was gone completely, it was almost as if Joker was psychic, he called out to him. "Good night Bruce."
Morning finally came and the billionaire was enjoying his day away from Bruce Wayne's business life by sleeping in. Usually, he was up and out of the house by eight, but today his CEO Lucius let him take a day off away from all the tedious but necessary aspects of Wayne Enterprises. Out of habit he found himself opening his eyes at around nine and thinking about the clown in the cave. Last night surely was a weird one, it was one thing for Bruce wanting to calm his adversary the first time they embraced but for Joker to seek security in another was both unheard of and shocking. It was weird seeing the madman in such a manner, almost disturbing. Afterwards, how he was calling out to him, asking why he had fled, Joker seemed genuinely hurt. All this wasn't making sense, Joker wasn't supposed to be like this so… vulnerable. He couldn't help but to wonder if it had all been a trick. Joker was known for displaying weakness in the form of fake pasts only to laugh about it later. That is how he got the up and coming psychiatrist Harleen Quinzel to abandon her life and become Harley Quinn. Since then she's been practically putty in his hands. Who's to say that the Clown Prince of Crime wasn't trying to pull something similar on the detective? Though the physical abuse on his body was enough evidence to support his story about Arkham, his episodes or his displays of weakness could all be an act. In all honesty Bruce didn't want to think it true, but his alternate persona knew better than to trust the madman.
In that moment Alfred opened his master's bedroom door to find him awake. "Oh good, you're awake. I thought I was going to have to drag you out of bed, being it your day off," commented the butler as he entered.
"What's wrong Alfred?" asked Bruce as he got himself up from his comfy bed.
"It's your guest, Master Bruce. He seems to be refusing to eat now. I supposed he didn't like being tricked yesterday," stated Alfred.
"Fine, I'll get him to eat," muttered Bruce as he got up. Before he left for the cave, Alfred stopped him.
"Master Bruce, may I have a word with you. You know the Joker seemed rather forlorn when I entered, is something going on that I'm not aware of?" asked Alfred.
"I wouldn't know about that," merely replied Bruce as he left for the cave.
Before Bruce entered the cell he noted that Joker was in the same place he had left him hours ago, still in that same position and with a face that just seemed so vacant of life. If this was just a ruse then Joker should get an Oscar for how convincing he was. As he entered he saw the lunatic's acidic eyes come to life and stared. A small grin spread on his lips as he saw the billionaire in nothing more than some light blue pajamas. "Nice pajamas, did you come to snuggle sweetheart?" asked coyly Joker as he pulled a bit on his own pajama collar to show a bit of skin. Bruce did his best to ignore that comment and looked to the tray of food. Maybe Alfred liked cooking for Joker a little too much, as he noted the plate of French toast with fresh berries and syrup scattered on top and a glass of milk that seemed to be like a snapshot from a food magazine.
"Alfred says you refuse to eat," said Bruce as he took a seat at the foot of the bed. The clown looked incredulously at the billionaire. Well what did he expect? That he'd trust him to eat his food after being drugged the last time.
"No offense to Alfie and his delicious cooking, but I find it hard to believe you didn't tell him to slip me something again," responded Joker as he crossed his arms and pouted like a child refusing to eat his broccoli.
"Look I only told him to drug you yesterday because you haven't slept in hours and that's bad for your recovery," defended Bruce.
"Did it ever occur to you that I can't sleep," replied the jester quietly. Bruce didn't know how to respond to that statement. Sensing his bat's loss of words he continued. "I don't sleep at all really. Only thing that seems to put me down is drugs they pump in my system at Arkham or that brick wall of a fist of yours but even then I'm not unconscious for long," he added. Bruce merely sighed and began to feel a bit guilty for resorting to the same methods the corrupted asylum used to keep the clown quiet, also for all the times he used more force than necessary to shut him up.
"Sorry for that, but I assure there's no drugs in your food or drink Please just trust me," said the philanthropist showing remorse for his actions.
"Why should I when you refuse to trust me," stated Joker as he stared deeply into his bat's blue eyes. "You keep me locked up in a cage, have cameras on me, drug me and refuse to talk to me about what happened. Yeah, way to show trust there Brucey."
Without notice Bruce took the fork and cut himself a piece of French toast and ate it. He then took a small sip from the glass of milk and continued to meet Joker's fixated green eyes. "See, now eat," he said.
Joker waited a moment to see if the effects would come but was relieved to see nothing happened. He did admit that the breakfast did look irresistibly delectable. He grabbed the fork and began to eat, that butler really knew how to make good food. The jester savored each bite as if it would be his last. Once finished he drank the entire glass of milk showing the detective that he was willing to comply and trust him wholeheartedly, whether or not his bat would reciprocate that trust. Bruce then put the tray aside and continued to stare the madman down, trying to find any signs of deception. "What's wrong Batsy, I can tell when you're thinking you know," said Joker breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.
"You talk about trust, but how can I trust you after everything that's happened between us over the years," replied Bruce.
"I had a feeling…" he sighed. "Do you think I'm lying now?"
"Yes," replied the detective simply. Joker wasn't smiling, he wasn't frowning; he just seemed so empty and hard to read. He positioned himself closer to Bruce and reached for his hand. Before he could back off, Joker placed Bruce's hand over his chest so he could feel his heartbeat. Bruce was surprised to feel how fast it was thumping against his palm. Their eyes locked, striking blues ones meeting with fluorescent green.
"This is what you do to me Bruce; I'm not lying to you. Not this time," said Joker, the words coming faintly almost a whisper. Bruce was honestly taken aback by all this but he didn't respond. Joker took the initiative and came closer and wrapped his pale arms around the firm and muscular body of his Batman. Bruce's limp arms found their way around the smaller man. Joker could feel Bruce's heart beat as fast as his. He placed his head on the crook of Bruce's neck and remained there. Bruce didn't push him away nor told him to let go, he just eased into this moment. Confusion, contentment and peace he never thought this could ever be brought by just contact, especially coming from his deadliest enemy. "Do you feel ashamed for enjoying this? I've wanted to be closer to you for a long time," spoke the prince to his knight. In that moment Joker raised his head and drew himself closer to the handsome and chiseled face of his bat. Seconds passed as he inched himself closer to the man's lips and pressed his own blood red lips against them. Joker managed to breach Bruce's defenses as he let out a gasp of disbelief. The maple syrup from the breakfast tasted even sweeter as Joker savored their kiss. To Bruce it felt wrong but so pleasurable. Their kiss was raw and primal but Joker's skin was like ice against his. All this seemed like too much, why was this man so cold? It was like kissing death itself, so cold and devoid of life!
Eventually, Bruce's reason forced him to push the jester away. He was left breathless by that kiss but managed to stare down the hurt clown. He merely looked away as if he'd done something he never wanted to do, or at least without having the feeling reciprocated. Bruce just left, rushed out of the cell without any word. Joker took a deep breath and placed shaking hands through his green locks. "Smooth move, God I'm such a fucking idiot," cursed silently the clown to himself for being so forceful on his bat.