Harley sat at Ivy's side all night, just watching her. She watched her chest rise and fall steadily, as she slept. Harley pulled her knees to her chest resting her chin against them as she watched Ivy. The scene and events from the night before played over and over in her head terrifying her even more each time. Tears welled up in the blonde's eyes and fell against her cheeks.
The sun was beginning to rise in the distance streaking through the windows into the room. She stood from the bed and walked over to the window pulling the curtains closed as to not disturb Ivy. Harley's head began to droop as her eyes fell, she snapped her head up rubbing her eyes. Time ticked away and no matter how hard she tried to force her eyes open she couldn't fight sleep any longer.
She curled up next to the redhead and drifted into a light sleep. Ivy was the first to wake up, when she moved to sit up she winced as she remembered the nightmare that had unfolded in her living room. She looked around the room, it was quiet, the night life outside the cabin was wide awake.
Ivy looked over at the alarm clock on the bedside table, it read 2:15 in the morning. Harley was curled up beside her, obviously exhausted, she reached over carefully and grabbed her phone. She read the date on the screen and she ran her fingers through her hair, they had been asleep for a whole day. Being held hostage butchered like an animal and pretty much dying will do that too someone.
She lifted herself onto her elbows and looked down at her body. She lifted one of the tapped gauze covering a gash. It was bright pink and slightly closed, thank god for her quickened ability to heal. She sighed softly looking at the multiple gauze patches taped to her, a few of them were soaked in blood, especially the wounds Harley had to stitch up.
She pushed herself up further, wincing with each movement of her body. Finally, she could swing her legs over the edge of the bed. She let out the breath she had been holding in, she sat there for a minute as she felt her heartbeat in her multiple wounds. Everything hurt, every muscle tensed.
The redhead stood slowly, her whole body was so stiff. She held in the groan that so desperately wanted to escape, she took a step towards the bathroom and winced again. She grit her teeth and finally made it to the bathroom. She reached her hands out and gripped the sink steadying herself. She turned on the cold water running her hands underneath then splashing some one her face.
She looked at herself in the mirror, her reflection was almost like a ghost of who she really was. Her face was paled, her hair matted and in dismay and her eyes were still erratic, with dark purple circles underneath. Ivy didn't recognize the figure she saw, she didn't like this weak looking back at her. She turned her head to the side inspecting her cheek.
The cut had healed slightly, it was pink and closing nicely. Ivy touched her cheek gently, then brought her finger tips to the piece of bloody gauze on her chest. She pulled back the tape slightly and inspected the cut on her chest. She pulled off the shirt she was wearing and took in the full extent of her injuries. Her brow furrowed, and pain flashed across her face.
She quickly pulled her shirt back on, she finished in the bathroom. Ivy shuffled out of the room, her arm wrapped around her waist. She walked by the living room. There was still a huge blood stain on the floor. She stared at it, her eyes burned as the tears prickled when she saw the large pool of her blood. Her breath caught in her throat as all her feelings came rushing back, bubbling up from the place she'd shoved them down into.
She shook off the tears and continued into the kitchen. She grabbed a glass of water and downed it quickly, she didn't even fully realize how dehydrated she was. She finished in the kitchen then walked back to the sleeping Harley. She climbed onto the bed and curled up behind Harley pulling her hair away from her shoulder. Ivy leaned in and pressed a few light kisses against the blonde's neck before wrapping her arms around her.
Harley felt Ivy's skin against her own, her eyes fluttered open as she woke from her slumber. She shifted and turned around to face Ivy.
"Well hello" Ivy said gently.
"Hi Red," Harley reached up and touched Ivy's cheek.
The blonde sat up and turned toward the redhead looking at her. "Are you in pain? Do you need anything?"
She shook her head as she shifted on the bed, the redhead winced as the stitches pulled. Harley frowned and sat up on her knees lifting Ivy's t-shirt to check the bandages. She tilted her head to the side and reached down touching them.
Ivy winced again letting out a small breath, the blonde slid off the bed and went to grab some things. When she returned she had fresh gauze, some peroxide and the paste Ivy had made last night.
"Lay on your back for me." She crawled back onto the bed propping up some pillows.
Ivy shifted down onto her back laying her head down, she lifted her shirt up to give Harley the access she needed. The blonde tended to Ivy's wounds cleaning them and putting the paste on the wounds before replacing the gauze then taping them up.
"It's your turn to patch me up huh?" Ivy commented.
Harley raised her eyebrow confused. "What do you mean?"
"Don't you remember? The night of the earthquake in Gotham. The clown left you within an inch of your life amongst the rubble. I nursed you back into tip top shape" Ivy stared up at Harley.
"Ahh yes, your Utopia in the park." She smiled as the memory flooded her head. "That's when we got really close."
Harley propped up some pillows and leaned against them then patted the bed in front of her. Ivy crawled into her lap pulling the blondes arms around her as she rested her head against her shoulder. Harley laced their fingers tightly and kissed the side of Ivy's head. The two cuddled together, as they both reminisced the night they were reunited in Gotham.
After an earthquake devastated Gotham City, Ivy decided to stay out of the commotion that was the constant fighting over territory and took over Robinson Park. She turned it into an oasis, it mirrored almost the paradise she had made on the island years ago. Until it was brutally destroyed.
She turned it almost into a biodome. It acted as a green house for the plants and vegetables, but Ivy had designed it to be able to sustain life with a climate and weather. She made it into this perfect hideaway from the devastation not to far outside the borders of the park. Everything was vibrant and full of life; all types of trees and flowers bloomed all around. It was beautiful.
Everyone had a job, there were the farmers, and builders as well as those who cooked. The older of the children would take care of the younger ones. Everything and everyone flowed nicely. It was a way for the children to temporarily forget that their homes and parents had perished in the earthquake.
Ivy knew that she couldn't just leave the children to their own devices. Her maternal instincts kicked in and she took care of them the best she could. She cared for the children as if they were her own. Ivy and a few of the orphans were in the fields tending to the fruits and vegetables when one of the regular search parties returned with something. Or rather someone.
"Miss Ivy! Miss Ivy!" One of the children called.
Ivy stood and dusted the dirt from her hands, she made her way to the gates of the park. Her eyes went wide in horror as the children carried in a nearly lifeless Harley Quinn. She hadn't seen her in years. Ivy had been in the Caribbean for a while trying to escape the city, and even had a long stint in Arkham. She rushed to the limp body of the blonde girl pulling her arm around her shoulder.
Ivy pulled her up into her arms and carried her towards her little hut. She lay the blonde on her bed, her brain in a whirl of panic. She ran her fingers through her hair then covered her face. She stood still for moment collecting her thoughts. She called out to the children.
"Get me as many med kits as you can, bring them quick." Ivy shouted.
She ripped Harley's ratty torn clothes off her body and began her work. She checked for a pulse on the girl, it was so weak that it was barely there. She ran to her work table and shuffled through some of her many vials, she scrambled as her hands trembled. She found one toxin she knew would help the bruising and kill any bacteria she may have gotten from being in the rubble. She injected the toxin into her neck and waited for it to run through her veins.
The blonde's face was swollen and bruised. One of her eyes was so swollen it was completely shut. She had cuts varying in severity, there were lashing marks all over her. Ivy turned over Harley's wrist and saw Jokers brand. He branded her?! What a sick psychopath! The Redhead shook her head as the anger bubbled inside her. She stitched her wounds up the best she could. A few of her bones were broken, and she had bruises up and down her body. Her shoulder had been dislocated. Ivy set it back into place, thank goodness Harley was out because it would have been a painful one.
The toxin needed time to work its way through the blonde's body, so it was just about waiting at this point. Harley would have to be strong if she was going to pull through. Ivy didn't have any doubts, but there was this very small voice in the back of her head screaming at her, saying Harley wouldn't wake up. Harley was out for almost a week; most of the swelling had finally gone down and the toxin helped with the bruising as well as accelerated the bone healing process. When she finally woke up Ivy was by her side.
"Hey there Harls." Ivy smiled softly.
She blinked and looked around confused. "Whe…Where am I?"
Ivy ran her fingers through Harley's hair slowly. "It's okay you're safe with me."
Harley's eyes flickered around the room panicked, she pushed up onto her elbows. "Wh-What happened?"
Ivy frowned placing her hand against her cheek softly. "We found you in the rubble, you were beaten up pretty bad."
The blonde found Ivy's eyes then leaned into her hand, she sat up slowly feeling the full extent of her injuries. She lifted her hand to her face tracing her swollen cheeks and lip, Harley stood and limped towards a mirror she gawked at her reflection. Her memories were coming back in bits and pieces.
Being strapped to the chair, the electrocution, Joker punching her over and over with various objects. Slicing her skin, burning her…the branding. She turned away from the mirror and covered her face with her hands as tear began to fall against her cheeks. Ivy was behind her instantly wrapping her arms around her. Harley fell into the redhead, as sobs thundered through her body.
Ivy frowned and rested her chin against the blonde's shoulder. "I got you Harls… I'm here."
She brought the blonde back to the bed and helped her down into it. She sat beside her and traced her thumb against the blonde's cheek. Harley wiped the tears away then looked up at the redhead.
"It's good to see ya Red." Harley's lips turned up a hint.
Ivy smiled down at her nodding her head. "Yeah it's been too long Harls."
"I didn't know you were back in Gotham." Harley rested her head against the pillow.
"I've been in Gotham for a while actually. I was in Arkham for a bit before Woodrue broke me out. I was working with him for a while but then he pissed me off, so I let the Bat have em." Ivy chuckled.
Harley giggled tucking her hair behind her ear. "Well I really am glad to see you."
Ivy leaned in and gave Harley a kiss on the forehead. "I'm really happy to see you too Harls."
A few weeks had passed, and Ivy was still nursing Harley back to health. The blonde had been helping as much as she could around camp. Her shoulder was still in a sling from the dislocation, her ribs bandaged up as they healed. She got along well with the children and was good with them.
The two got to spend every waking minute with each other and they got close. Ivy and Harley had always been friends, they would do the odd crime together in Gotham, but they were never really attached at the hip. It pained Ivy since her feelings were so strong for the blonde.
Ivy had always been in love with Harley since the day they met many years ago. The two had bumped into each other at the Gotham museum. Harley was stealing some the Harlequin diamond that was on display and Ivy was stealing plant toxins the museum lab was storing.
Ivy had tripped the alarm which had alerted the police. When she tried to run out the front door Gotham PD had already arrived. Ivy turned on her heels quickly and Harley was right behind her. She was in her classic costume, red and black spandex body suit, her blonde hair tucked into the jester like head gear. Harley pulled her behind a wall
"Way to go butter fingers! Why don't you turn on the bat signal while you're at it!" Harley whispered harshly.
"Hey! It wasn't like I was trying to get caught!" Ivy responded irritated.
Harley tilted her head to the side. "Aren't you that new baddie in town? Poison Oakie or something?"
Ivy grumbled and rolled her eyes. "Poison Ivy! My name is Poison Ivy!"
"Sheesh! Sorry, the names Harley Quinn, pleasure to meet your acquaintance." Harley bowed in front of Ivy.
That day was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. They had pulled so many stunts, started riots at Arkham together. But Harley's heart had always belonged to that stupid clown, and being her friend was painful at times. So many nights Harley would be banging on the redhead's door trying to escape the wrath of the Joker. So many beatings, being tortured repeatedly.
Every time he hurt her, she would come running to Ivy and each time she would go back to him. Claiming she loved him and what they had was special. It killed the redhead each time, tearing her to pieces. It was one of the reason Ivy fled Gotham the first time, she fled to the Caribbean and then to Seattle before finally returning to the city.
She hoped this time would be different, maybe this time Harley would stay with her. Ivy walked over to where Harley and a few children were playing.
"Hello, my darlings, are you having fun with Miss Quinn?" Ivy mused.
"Yes!" The children sang in unison.
"Good, now go and wash up dinner will be ready soon."
The children's faces beamed, they hugged Harley then ran towards their huts. The blonde stood and looped her arm with Ivy's as they began to walk towards the cooking area.
"How are you feeling Harls?" Ivy asked.
"Better, still a little sore but it's not as bad today, thanks to you Red." Harley turned and gave Ivy a pearly white grin.
Ivy's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she pat the blondes hand. "Anything for my bestest friend."
Harley chuckled and rested her head against the redhead's shoulder. The two walked to the cooking area and began to serve the children. After the children were fed and put to bed for the night, the girls had finished cleaning up and made their way to Ivy's hut. Ivy plopped down on her bed crossing her legs, Harley taking a seat beside her.
"This place is amazing Red. Almost like an Eden." Harley gushed.
Ivy flushed but smiled "Well thank you Harls, I just wanted to make a home for these children. They deserve better."
Harley tucked some hair behind the redhead's ear. "You are truly amazing Red."
She stood and extended her good arm out stretching her shoulder and her back. She walked over to Ivy's little dresser and pulled out one of her fresh shirts. The blonde gripped the hem of her t-shirt and pulled it over her head. She tried to pull it over her sling, but it got stuck.
Ivy blinked gently, her eyes scanned the blondes bare back, there was a little peak of Harley's breasts. Ivy shook her head of the dirty thoughts and stood helping the blonde pull the shirt over her head. Once she had it off she took the fresh shirt and helped her slide it on.
Ivy tried to hide her cheeks that were deepening in colour. She chewed against her lip as she ran her fingers through her natural red hair. Harley peeled out of her shorts and walked back to the bed crossing her legs beside Ivy. The redhead shook off her blush and turned to the blonde.
"Its been amazing spending all this time with you Harls." Ivy's lips pulled up in a small smile.
"Oh Red! Its been so incredible being here with you, and the children!" Harley clapped her hands.
Ivy wanted to just tell Harley right then how much she cared. How much she loved her. She played with her fingers, so many thoughts running through her head it was distracting. Harley was twirling her hair between her fingers, she tilted her head to the side gently.
"What is it Red?" Harley asked.
Ivy glanced up nervously "I-I um… Harley we've been friends for so long, and I just…"
"You just what Red?" Harley shuffled closer looking Ivy in the eye.
"I love you Harls." Ivy blurted out.
"Awe, Red! I love you too! You're my best friend" The blonde wrapped her arms around the redhead's neck hugging her close.
Ivy blinked in awe. She didn't get it. She teared up a little but wrapped her arms around the blonde closing her eyes to hide her tears. Harley kissed Ivy's cheek, the redhead gave her a small smile. Ivy decided to just shove her feelings for Harley down the best she could. It would be better to have her as a friend then not to have her at all.
A few more days past and everything was right in the little biodome oasis. The children were happy and safe, Harley and Ivy were reliving some of the glory days, and the stunts they pulled. But of course, it couldn't last long. And before they knew it, it all turned to shit.
BANG! BANG! It came from the front gates, Ivy's head snapped up as some of the children came running towards her.
"Hide my darlings!" Ivy yelled.
"What's going on!" Harley panicked.
Ivy didn't answer her, she fisted her hands at her side and made a run for the front gates. Another loud BANG! Came as the front gates blasted open, Ivy pulled her arms up to shield her face from the debris. Harley was soon at her side as she awaited to see who the intruder was. As the smoke cleared the clown and his goons walked through the now destroyed gates.
"Well, well! There's my Harley Girl!" The clown lips turned up in his trademark wicked grin.
Harley blinked shaking her head slowly. "M-Mista J! wh-what are you doin here!"
"I came for you pumpkin!" Joker smiled darkly "Come let's go my darling!"
Ivy scoffed crossing her arms. "She's not going anywhere with you! You left her dead buried in rubble!"
"Tisk tisk Mrs. Ivy, so naive. This is MY Harley, I love her! And she loves me!" he laughed wickedly.
Harley chewed on her lip, she knew if she didn't go with mista J right now he would destroy everything Ivy built here. Plus, mista J was the only person that had ever really loved her.
"Come along Harley! It's time to have some fun!" Joker yelled excitedly opening his arms.
Ivy stepped in front of her "No way I'm letting her leave, so you can beat her and dump her."
"Oh, come now! We were just having a little fight, weren't we pumpkin?" The clown mocked sadness.
Harley closed her eyes then stepped from behind Ivy and walked over to the Joker. She walked into his embrace wrapping her arms around his neck.
"That's my Harls. I've missed you pumpkin." He wrapped his arms around her breathing in her scent.
Ivy stood in shock, gapping at Harley, tears welled up in her eyes. "H-Harls! Wh-What are you doing!"
"I'm sorry Red…but I love him! I'll always love him. He won't hurt me again." Harley said slowly.
Ivy shook her head then clenched her fists. "Leave then! Get out of here! Get Out!"
The redhead threw her hands in the air her eyes blazing in anger, vines and roots ripped from the ground. She grabbed Jokers goons within her vines throwing them out of the destroyed gates. Ivy turned her attention to Harley.
"Get! Out!" Ivy cried out, pain laced in her voice.
Harley teared up then turned into the Joker as they retreated through the demolished gates. Once they were gone Ivy grew her vines over the entrance creating a new gate out of roots and poison ivy. That night was the last straw, she couldn't take it anymore. Harley leaving with that clown had absolutely destroyed her. That was the night she made a deal with the Bat and escaped Gotham.
Harley wrapped her arms tighter around Ivy. "I-I hate that I'm the reason you left Gotham." Harley teared up covering her face. "I'm so sorry Red."
Ivy wiped the tears that fell on Harley's cheeks. "You just showed me that I didn't belong there. I loved you Harls, I tried to tell you the night before the clown came."
"I can't believe I was so blind. I just…didn't realize that I loved you." Harley sighed softly.
"Hey, we are here, together now. That's all that matters." Ivy traced the blonde's lips.
Harley nodded slowly, she cupped the redhead's cheek and placed a sweet kiss against her lips. Ivy turned in the blonde's arms wrapping around her, kissing her back slowly. Harley tightened her arms around Ivy, she winced slightly, and the blonde released her arms.
"I'm sorry, I got caught up." Harley held the redhead's cheeks in her hands. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, I love you so much Harls." Ivy smiled lovingly.
Harley shifted Ivy onto the bed, then slid off. "I'm going to make you something to eat."
Ivy nodded and lay back down against the bed gripping her pillow. Harley walked down the hall towards the kitchen, she ignored the living room completely. Once in the kitchen she decided on making Ivy a sandwich. She grabbed a few things from the fridge and started to layer a few things on bread.
Harley had chosen that stupid clown once before and it broke Ivy into a million pieces. She was never going to do that again. She knew that she would never hurt her. She had finally found somewhere she could feel safe and loved. She didn't have to worry about being beaten or doing things to please that sadistic lunatic. If the choice ever came up again Harley knew with out a doubt she would never choose the clown again.
She sliced the sandwich in half, cleaned up in the kitchen and walked back into the bedroom. Ivy was sitting up in the bed braiding her hair. Harley crawled back onto the bed and slid the plate into the redhead's lap.
"Eat up, I'm sure you're starving." The blonde insisted.
Ivy nodded gently and took one half and munched on it. She rested her head against the blonde's shoulder.
"I'll never hurt you again Red. I swear." Harley whispered.
Ivy swallowed her bite then lifted her hand tilting the blonde's face toward her own. She watched her eyes for a moment, she gazed into them as if looking into her soul.
"I know you won't, I trust you." Ivy noted.
The tears welled up in Harley's eyes again and she pressed her face into the redhead's neck. She wrapped her arms around her and sobbed gently. Ivy snaked her arms around the blonde and held onto her tightly.