TIMELINE WHAT TIMELINE?

disclaimer— i do not own these characters, all the credits with these characters belong to original creators.

— STARRY PAIN

"Be proud of that "

the one where the most comfort comes from the people you least expect it from, a tale of how sometimes the darkness does go away and you see people for who they actually are

dc comic/universe au

( harley quinn x bruce wayne )

GOTHAM CITY felt a glimmer of hope. A flicker of light in the midst of its eternal darkness. Although many are aware that it is a city of uncerantily of pain and suffering. Many things have taken up that Harleen Quinzel is much more than her past. Although the memories stay in her like a parasite. A tug of strings between her heart.

She did bad things. There is no denying that at all. But do those actions define a clear and hopeful future for her? She was stuck in a cycle of abuse for so long that it felt suffocating being on her own for the first time. The blonde sat in her old widdle apartment in Gotham as she pet her hyena; Bruce.

Things are complicated for her when trying to move on. Glancing at the little table she had a picture that she had no idea how it got captured but she is glad it was. It was her and Rick Flag. Her first good friend in years. Sure she had "friends" but she isn't sure they would have her back like he did. He was a good man. Yeah, she had been stuck in the darkness for so long but she knows the light enough to see the goodness in him.

Hearing a tap in the window, the blonde jester moves, opening the window as gotham's favorite hero crawls inside. Harley took a moment to look outside, although she knows the dark knight is not dumb enough to be followed but still she is paranoid. Sighing she turned around putting a plafuly smile on her face. "Bats! It has been awhile since you and I have gotten our freak on."

"Harely!" The blonde could see the slight amusement flick past his eyes. Hard to tell from the mask but his eyes shone a certain imbalance in them. Harley moved over to her home grabbing two water bottles and handing it to him. "Don't have much. Haven't had time to do grocery shopping."

"Is fine," he replied. Batman had glances at her as sometimes the way she looks at him makes him quiver if she knew his identity. But the reassurance alway stays as no doubt she would have a good time teasing him that billionaire Bruce Wayne goes out fighting crime; if she knew.

Harley took a moment to study him as there isn't much reading she could get on him. But still for him to risk his life like that out at night says enough for her to know the kind of person he is. Harley smiles as she sees his discomfort as he moves closer to her hyena but still had his guard up. "His name is Bruce."

"What?" Bruce took a moment to gather his thoughts for a moment as that caught him completely off balance. He tilts his head as Harley moves closer to him, grabbing his hand softly as she places it on her hyena. He brushes his fingers lightly as his eyes move to the blonde who claps with excitement busting through her.

Harley bumps his shoulder as she moves to the table where she had a picture of Rick and her, plus some with old friends. She can feel his presence behind her. "I name him after that Bruce Wayne guy."

"Why?" Bruce curses himself, but curiosity got the best of him. It has been awhile since the blonde has caused trouble and he has heard about the good things she has done. But it still got him wondering what caused her to name a hyena after him? Well his day self.

Harley opens a drawer taking out a picture and handing it to Batman. "Well, he was one of my first friends that I had in medical school. He dropped out and he is all famous now but I'll never forget his soft emo era. I miss him."

"And the one good friend I had left is gone, so," Harley stopped talking as she looked at a picture of Rick. This was too much emotion for her to share. Quickly letting out a small forced chuckle. "Anyways, what could I do for ya?"

Bruce didn't reply but studied the way she looks at the pictures. He felt slight sadness thinking how she lost a good freind that no doubt did her some good. He couldn't help but feel a certain intensity emanating from her gaze, as he looks down at the picture of her and him during medical school. He forgtten about that for some time given the drastic change she had from the girl that was his friend.

He guesses that's why everytime they would fight he would always try to look out for her. Deep down he knew she was still the same as the busting chaotic yet loving energy in her never change. She was just trapped waiting for the right moment to let go. Putting the picture down as he could feel her gaze on him as if she were scrutinizing him just as keenly as he was studying her.

Her piercing, bright blue eyes seemed to search his unmasked features, searching for something hidden within. He reminded himself that she had once been a talented psychologist, albeit inexperienced. With that in mind, he decided to delve a little deeper, aiming to gauge her current state of mind. He ignored her question and asked his own. "How are you doing?" he inquired, his tone measured and cautious.

She shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. "Pretty decent. Haven't robbed anyone yet," she replied with a smirk, clearly intending it as a jest. "Joking bats. Eh, alright saved the world twice you know. Uh, started a shelter for women who are seeking for help. But I bet you already knew that."

And indeed he did. Some twisted feelings flooded into him as he was proud of all the things she had overcame. He could see some emotions swirl through her. Porbarly bits of annoyance as he was in her apartment and no doubt probably thinking he was there to throw some accusation at her. "I need your help."

Before the blonde replied he handed her a note. It was an address, he started telling her information that she wanted him to go investigate as he will wait for her outside. She felt hurricane pledge in her as she wasn't sure if she wanted to do that. Joker would be there.

And she isn't sure if she is ready to see his stupid punchable face.

Harley looks at him as he looks at her, almost waiting for her to answer. Halrey nods at him, "I'll help, if you buy me hair dye."

Her red and black tips hair was fading and she was thinking redoing it the same color but isn't sure yet. Maybe she should completely change it up. He nodded at her moving to the window giving her a spare glance. "I'll pick you tomorrow."

He jumped out, leaving the blonde jester clenching a certain confused emotion in her.

—————————

Harley Quinn, driven by her own past heartbreak and a burning desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Against all odds, she established a shelter specifically tailored to cater to the needs of vulnerable women who sought refuge from the harrowing darkness that had once consumed her.

Did she ever think of this at any point in her life? No, she did not. But when has anything that she had planned in her life gone the way she would have liked? Putting down a box and exiting the closet storage. Glancing at the warmth space she created for many that were in or still in position of lost, pain, and slightly cracked but not completely broken yet.

She never thought many would trust her, an ex-villain but like she used to think, she may have been a bad guy but never a bad person. It was an evening like any other, with the shelter's common area bathed in the warm, flickering glow of candlelight. Harley moves to the front seeing Batman sit side by side, to a young girl who seems to be telling him a story.

She moves to the side grabbing a bag as she moves to Batman who excuse himself. They move to the exit as they both could feel the room exuded an atmosphere of solace and camaraderie, providing a stark contrast to the shattered lives that the shelter's inhabitants had once known. Once they reached outside cursioity filled the dark knight.

Batman, his voice laced with genuine curiosity and a newfound vulnerability, turned to Harley and posed a question that had lingered within him for quite some time. "Harley," he began, his tone softened, "What drove you to embark on this? This shelter—it's unlike anything I've ever seen before."

Harley's gaze shifted, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and lingering pain. She took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts before she met Batman's unwavering gaze. "Bats, there's so much pain in this world which is funny coming from me. It's not just physical scars; it's the wounds that go unseen." she began, her voice trembling with emotion.

"I've known heartbreak, loneliness, and the feeling of being abandoned. I don't want others to go through what I did. Sometimes you realize that you need to leave and you do but somehow you are suck back in. I need space that women are not judge if they leave and come back. Is hard to completely leave."

As Batman absorbed her words, a glimmer of understanding illuminated his face. "You believe in second chances, don't you? That people can change, find redemption," he remarked, a hint of admiration seeping into his tone.

Harley's lips curved into a bittersweet smile, her voice imbued with unwavering conviction. "Yeah, that's the thing, Bats. Maybe there isn't just pain. I've seen it here, in this shelter, hope. Broken souls find peace, they discover hope. It's a place where they can rebuild their lives," she expressed, her voice brimming with a mixture of vulnerability and strength.

In that profound moment, something shifted between them. Unbeknownst to either of them, the seed of a deeper connection had been planted, nurtured by empathy, shared experiences, and an unwavering commitment to their respective causes. As they continued their conversations, side by side in the embrace of the moonlight.

The women within the shelter, initially uncertain of Batman's presence more like Bruce Wayne will be back, gradually warmed up to his unwavering support and compassion. His stoic exterior gave way to a more empathetic nature.

Harley quickly shook those emotions and excused herself to change at some public bathroom. She turned around when her forearm was caught looking up and she confused written in his eyes.

The blonde tickled her tongue against her mouth. "Look batsy is a club and you need to dress to impress. Unless you are asking for a show but just so you know, a gal would feel better if you ask her out on a date, first."

Harley smiled brightly as he immediately let her go and a tint of flushness passed through him. Moving inside, she entered to change. Wearing a tight yet losen light pink silk dress. The blonde took deep breaths as she headed out. She was too nervous to see the slight admiration glances that the infamous dark knight was giving her.

Bruce had gripped her waist as they landed two buildings away. Harley took a deep breath as she looked at him. Surprising Bruce as all the playfulness, teasing that is normaly in her is gone, instead replaced with sorrowness and fear. He knew in that moment he didn't like that look on her.

"You better have my back B-man," starts off Harley as she breathes heavily. She points a finger in his chest. "I mean it. If I feel wrong, I'm backing out and-"

Harley's ramble is cut off when Bruce had put his covered hand around her mouth. Looking down at the blue pierce eyes, that no doubt has done this before but this time it was different for her. She didn't live that life any more. "I got your back. If you feel uncomfortable then you back out. Okay?"

"Okay." Harley let out a shaky breath pasting a smile on her and turned around entering the club. You have done this before, Harely, just breathe; she thought to herself.

She walks around smiling at certain familiar faces, the blonde jester sat upon teasing her target. She had no idea who he was or what he did; only that B-man needed his phone and her ears to pick up the familiarity of planning that goes on with these parties.

Luckily she still has it to be a flirt as she easily slips her hand in and grabs his phone. Chuckling as she placed her free hand on his chest. "Ah, sweet boy, I'll be back."

Harley quickly moves around as she does everything right until a familiar laugh that huants her mind is welcomed. Harley quickly went outside as her breathing got heavy. She shuts her eyes thinking how she used to see him all the time without breaking down, but now every fear that she had for him is coming out.

How did her old-self do it? Maybe because the old her was trapped and needed to get her shit tgether to realize that the old sick baster like him is far from loving. He used her, he broke her, he ruined her, he abused her to the point that she didn't even remember what her favorite color was.

The cold air hit her pale milky skin, she looked up hoping to see him in the shadows but couldn't spot him. Harley sighs as she walks away when she hears that voice that huants her. She's engrossed in her thoughts. "Hello Harley."

Her entire body tenses up. That voice, she knows it too well. With a scowl etched on her face, she refrains from turning around and retorts seeing him move a girl next to him, pushing her to head inside. "See you managed to find some other poor girl to abuse."

Harley looks up, spotting Batman on the roof giving her a nod. Harely sighs in relief keeping her eyes on the Joker, trying to keep her demanor cold. Is hard, she won't lie to herself, as she needs her bat with her and able to smash him across the floor. But she couldn't think of violent thoughts, right now.

Bruce looks at Harley from above and in that moment he knew she was officially done with the Joker. Yes, it has been a certain time that she made her break-up public but he wasn't sure if she actually meant it. He approaches the edge of the roof, Bruce pauses. He was too busy with his thoughts that the sight infront of him spread some ignited flame waiting to spark chaos.

The Joker has trapped Harley against the wall, invading her personal space. Bruce's hand instinctively hovers over the batarang, but for now, he holds back, observing. His jaw clenching but he stayed put seeing the fire and anger in the Harley.

"Remember puddin," the Joker whispers in Harley's ear, "No one will ever love you as much as I do."

Bruce's blood boils at the audacity of those words. He knows the amount of pain and suffering it has taken Harley to finally break free from that cycle of abuse that he inflicted on her. He refuses to let this maniac clown undo all of her progress.

Before Bruce can make his appearance known, Harley unleashes a primal yell, "Fuck you!"

Her fist connects with the Joker's face, blood spurting from his nose. A deranged grin spreads across his lips, accompanied by a twisted laughter. Enough is enough.

"Oh, fuck that," Bruce mutters, his determination solidifying. He won't allow this madness to continue. Jumping down as he quickly scoops Harley away. He had time later in the night to go back and he would deal with the clown himself later.

The cold breeze hits their bodies, like a soft wave as they moved away from the darkness into the lightness. Bruce had used his free hand to unlock Harley's window, gently moving her inside. He didn't say anything as emotions are not something he is good at. But all he could offer her was a slight hug as the blonde let out angry tears.

Harley tighten her hold on him. No doubt the suit was bit rough just like she certain he is. But he was here offering her comfort, something she needed. A hug to help her think and gives her reassurance that she is here in the present. She is okay and is away from that stupid clown.

Harley pulls back looking away as she takes out the phone giving it to him. "Sorry bats but couldn't do much more than this."

"Is perfect," he replied, grabbing the phone but his eyes stayed locked with hers. He could see her tiredness reflected all over her.

Moving to exit the home but he paused turning to her. "You are brave. You got through all that pain by yourself. You stood up for yourself. Be proud of that."

"Thanks bats," she replied softly. Harley's blue eyes glisten with tears seeing him give her one last nod as he left her alone in the apartment. Harley shuts the window and didn't care much to change as she jumps onto her couch with her hyena cluster next to her.

The next morning Harley woke up to a box filled with multiple colors of hair dye. But what caught her attention was a red velvet box. Inside is a collar with letter B crusted with diamonds. She immediately called out for hyena putting the collar on. She smiled at how good it looks. She frowned as she missed a note on the side. Picking up the note, she read it.

Thanks for everything. Did not know what color you were going for, so I chose everything. Also about your friend, Bruce, you should reach out to him. I think he might miss having his friend, too.

— Love, Bats

notes—

i hope i wrote them good as it is my first time writing these characters. also, im completely new with dc comic but i have read fics and seen comic post about batman and harley and their dynamic in particular which is so cute!!

im more into the live action and the animations but totally getting into the comic aspect!!

yes i add some of the headcannons because why not !

also originally i was going to end it here but i thought maybe writing bruce meeting up with harley and share lots of agsnt and comfort !

i do have to figure how i want bruce and harley to reunite but i'll figure it out…. i think