an: on a03 i have twitter post that i made that goes with the story but i can't post the image here that goes with the story so im do my best to describe it!
harley quinn: when i feel down, i just remember that i got my phd and the infamous billionaire bruce wayne didnt. @bthomaswayne
replies —
bruce wayne: glad to know my failures, give you boost of motivation
IN THE PERPETUAL shadows of Gotham City, a delicate balance teetered between hope and darkness. As the enigmatic figure known as Harley Quinn maneuvered through its treacherous streets, her resilient spirit refused to be extinguished. Through the veil of chaos and uncertainty, her voice echoed with a unique blend of playfulness and defiance.
Amidst the chaos, Harley found solace in her own unconventional way. Halrey pressured her wounded arm as the attack caught her off guard. Perched upon her worn-out couch, her hyena companion Bruce nestled beside her, she contemplated the challenges that lay before her. The scars of her past lingered like shadows, an ever-present reminder of the pain and abuse she had endured.
As the city streets pulsed with a symphony of sirens and distant cries. Harley holds on to a bunch of bags as groceries with her free arm. Heading inside her apartment she let her loving hyena roam the apartment as she set the bags down. Harley frowns seeing the blood trickle down her forearm from a deep gash, staining her fingers and pooling onto the floor.
With a determined look in her eyes, Harley knew she had to take matters into her own hands. She glanced at the small first-aid kit on the coffee table, but it wouldn't be enough to handle this type of injury. Instead, she reached for a bottle of sterilizing solution and a clean cloth, preparing to cleanse the wound.
Grimacing as she poured the solution over the deep cut, Harley winced at the stinging sensation. She clenched her teeth, as the burn was electrical. Once she had cleaned the wound, she reached for a needle and thread, mentally preparing herself for the task ahead.
Taking a deep breath, Harley grasped the nettle firmly between her fingers, her hands trembling slightly. She knew she had to remain steady; one wrong move could worsen the injury or leave her with an unclean closure. Placing the tip of the needle near one end of the wound, she carefully pushed it through the skin, wincing at the resistance.
Finishing up stitching the wound, she had cleaned up the mess she made. Exiting the bathroom she pauses at the table. Frowning, she looked at the many box of hair dye that bats had given her but she wasn't sure what color to go for.
She could either re-dye it red and black but that seems useless as she had bleached the tips so whatever color she reapplies next will stay vibrant. Maybe she could stick to bright pink at the ends, mixed with red, to create a bright pop of color that would stand out from her already bleach blonde hair.
Sighing, the blonde jester changed into a raggy old oversized white shirt, that stopped mid thigh. It had been very hot recently in gotham and since she was not sure how she was going to dye her hair again with an injured arm, it was best to avoid any of her other clothes from getting messy. Her thoughts paused as she heard knocking on the door.
The blonde frown as she wasn't sure who it could be. Harley moved her hyena towards the end because she didn't want to think about the possibility of the damage to deal with if her hyena lost control. Opening the door she was too shocked to register that billionaire, Bruce Wayne was in-front of her, having a huge smile on him. Too shock to even gesture the words that came out of him. "Can I come in?"
Harley took a step side as he entered her tiny apartment. She winced as she may have taken Bats words to consideration and reached out on twitter but she instead she called him out for not having phd. As she shuts the door she frowns, how did he know this was her apartment?
Turning around to face him she greeted him with a soft smile as he observed her apartment. "Guess you didn't take the teasing lightly."
Bruce had chuckle as he moved around the apartment even though his alternate self, had already studied the layout. He lowered his voice as he meant in a joking way. "You are my punishment for dropping out of medical school."
Harley moves to cover her wounded arm, but pauses as her blue cornflower blue eyes widen in realaztion. Her mind racing as she puts the pieces together. "Holy shit! Bats?"
Bruce quickly turns around trying to cover his face and focusing on being shocked but it was hard as Harley kept ranting about how it all made sense. The blonde smiles brightly, slightly slapping his arm. "I never saw that coming from you, Brucie."
"Neither did I see you, becoming a criminal," murmurs Bruce, as he undefeated it'll admits her confirmation. There time in medical school was one of a kind. The two had helped each other in so many ways and they always pushed each other to be better. Yet things have changed.
Harley had moved to grab him a drink but he just frowned as his eyes stayed on her wounded arm. The blonde sits down avoiding his gaze as her eyes shut tight, she breathed heavily until a familiar yet brooding voice reached her ears, making her heart swell in pain yet relief. "Harley?"
Lifting her eyes, she looked up to see his eye had flicker in worried His jaw tightened at the sight of the bruises marrying her neck. She offered him a small, trembling smile greeting him as the change of persona was obvious. "Hey, Batsy."
Bruce took a seat next to her, his fists clenched at the sight of the fractured vision before him. He wonders what has happened. No doubt with news of Gotham's chaos spreading, he had to ensure her safety, as he knew that Joker was out to make her, his again.
Harley's gaze fell upon his clenched fists wondering what he as Bruce Wayne wanted from her. With a resigned sigh, she nudged him, "What brings you here, Bat?"
Bruce didn't respond, standing up to give himself a moment to think— a funny notion given their present situation. But Harley knew him well enough to let it slide. Bruce felt an urge to reach out to her as his hands instinctively wrapped around her arms. It was probably because she knew who he was and deep down they had this sort of understanding with each other. "What happened, Harley?"
His voice was low and cold, not directed at her but at the sight of her usually vibrant complexion now blotched with purple and yellow discoloration. When she remained silent, a restrained growl escaped his lips. His grip tightened, "What happened, Harley?"
Pulling her arms away, Harley narrowed her eyes, her patience wearing thin and her desire to avoid his questioning growing stronger. Even though she understood his concern, she had every right not to answer, as this was her problem not his. Gritting her teeth, she dismissed him, "It doesn't matter."
"It doesn't matter? Harley, you're covered in bruises and have huge cut in your arm!" Bruce's anger was evident, directed at everything around them. He knew she was headstrong, but this disregard for her safety was simply unacceptable. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying not to lash out.
Biting her tongue and avoiding his gaze, Harley murmured to herself, "I've had worse."
Bruce clenched his fist, his sorrowful gaze turned to the window, seeing the sky, which seemed to carry a certain delicate allure. He could feel his rage simmering within him, ready to explode. He shifted his attention back to Harley who was now staring at the box of hair dye he had gotten for her.
His lips tightened and he gritted his teeth, though whether it was due to the hear or his frustration, he couldn't tell, "What the hell happened, Harley?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Harley contemplated the larger question. What would come next? She knew this was only the beginning of the end. Everything that had happened since she parted ways with Joker was coming to a cataclysmic head.
Seeing the anger etched across Bruce's face and the way he clenched his fists, she knew he was barely restraining his wrath. But, he didn't unleash it on her. She choked back her tears, "A lot, but it doesn't matter now. I've got it figured out."
Bruce took a step forward, jaw clenched, his dark gaze scanning her. He could see the flicker of fear in her eyes, but she adamantly refused to let it show. She was as stubborn as he was. It was this shared stubbornness that made them understand each other in ways no one else could.
He nudged her, "It doesn't seem like you do."
"I survived this far without you," she retorted, her eyes shut tight. All she yearned for was to reach out and touch him, hoping that the chaos that followed them would finally end. But deep down, she knew that the respite in their lives wouldn't last. And it wouldn't be his fault, but hers.
Bruce did not reply. He could see how she was slowly tearing herself apart. His thoughts wandered to her words; what had transpired to her to become this? He knew the Joker had hurt her in ways he didn't even want to think about. But the way that she still fears him, even with all the bravery acts she did as her own person.
The bravery hadn't reached her mind yet but it was certainly in her heart already.
Yet, she lingered in his mind like a sweet, persistent memory. Her blonde hair, her sparkling eyes, her fiery spirit— all invaded his thoughts. But it was her reckless behavior that upset him the most at the time. He didn't understand that relationship and he started to realize that she herself is learning the reality of it.
He always wondered why she went back to him all the time. Didn't she care for her own well-being? But deep down he knows it was more than that. She has proved it with her heart by starting a shelter for women that have been in similar situations like her. He sighs, trying to reach out to her. "Harley?"
He watched as she grappled for words. They were in different places in their lives, but she couldn't help reminiscing about the times before the chaos, when it was just them. The only worries were about passing their midterm exam.
They were both fighting for their own causes, and their conflict seemed almost enjoyable rather than a chaotic struggle along a twisted path. The guilt they felt served as fuel to push past every obstacle in their way.
Reaching out gently, Harley placed her hand on his forearm. His skin felt warm compared to her cold, trembling fingers. Her mind wondered why he cared but maybe deep down he had miss her like she did before everything changed when their lives drifted apart. "I'm fine. Okay?"
"Okay," Bruce responded, struggling to accept her words. His gaze swept over her, and he refused to believe that anything was okay at the moment. But he knew Harley. She was stubborn and courageous, and for now, he would take her word for it.
Acting on impulse, Harley wrapped her arms around his neck, seeking his warmth. She felt him stiffen momentarily until his arms encircled her waist, drawing her closer. Unbidden, tears welled up in her eyes. Her tears flowed freely as he held her close. She felt safe in his arms, safe enough to let go and let her sorrow seep out. For once, she felt warm and accepted.
She had cried before, but this time she allowed herself to grieve until she was drained. His arms felt like a sanctuary, like the biggest blanket on a cold day. Drawing back, she wiped her tears, her voice cracking as she apologized, "Sorry."
Bruce shook his head, taking her cold hands in his. "Is okay, Harls."
The nickname he had for her, slipped out of his tongue as if the years of the never seeing each other, didn't happen. Harley smiles brightly pulling away from the hug as she moves to grabbing the box hair dye. "Want to help me dye my hair?"
Bruce nodded as the smile on her face stayed on engraved in his mind. She excitedly grabbed his arm moving him to the bathroom as she sat on the floor while Bruce washes his hand. As Harley had placed down the pink box hair dye and explains the process. The dark knight may have done many things but this is something he never saw himself doing.
"So, this," Bruce held up a tube of vibrant pink colorant recalling to her instructions, "goes into this?" He questioned, raising a small bottle of developer, his hands donned in plastic gloves.
"Exactly like that, Batsy!" Harley affirmed, sitting in the heart of her bathroom floor. He was going to tell her that he needed a better position but she looked so comfortable so he just crouched down instead. As he fixes the towel draped around her shoulders.
"Well, alright then," he exhaled, feeling an unfamiliar nervousness tugging at his resolve. But this was for Harley, so if he did mess up he knows she would say it looks good, and probably fix it up herself later on.
He took the developer bottle, unsealing the tip, and steadily mixed in the colorant and shakes the bottle, holding a section of her hair; that she had divided into with many hair clips. His hands were trembling slightly, a feeling he hadn't experienced even during the most intense battles.
He felt nervous which the blonde jester could feel. "Come on, bats you fight crime for a living. All you gotta do is apply from the previous dye ends and message between your hands so each hair strand is covered."
"Alright," he sighed. He had thwarted multiple threats to Gotham city—surely, he could manage dyeing her hair. To his surprise, it was easy. He took his time carefully with each part as Harley had ranted about some adventure she had with poison ivy, before she was arrested for road rage.
He did the same process with red dye and doing his best in the middle section to blend the pink with it. When he was done, Bruce decided to clean up. They hade moved to living room catching up, when a timer went off they moved to the kitchen sink to rinse it off. Bruce handled her hair with care, washing out the dye gently as the pink and red-tinged water disappeared down the drain.
Once the dye was rinsed off and her hair conditioned. Harley moved back to the bathroom as Bruce stayed in the living room. She gently squeezed out the excess water before wrapping it in the towel. The vibrant pink and red hues of her hair were as vibrant as ever.
Her excitement could be felt through the entire small apartment that felt suffocating but in good way. When she saw her reflection, she had the biggest smile that, it made her realize how she hasn't had a happy moment in long time. Rushing back, she threw her arms around Bruce, exclaiming, "You nailed it, Bats!"
Returning the hug, he replied, "I'm glad it came out well."
The two moved to sit in the couch as Bruce; the hyena moved between the two of them as Harley comb through her hair. She played a random movie as way to fill in the awkward silence between them. Not much talking happened as the blonde jester ends up slowly dozing off, her head hitting Bruce's shoulder.
With a careful adjustment, he shifted Harley onto his chest, continuing to comb through her hair while his other hand rested lightly on her back. Drifting in and out of sleep, she murmured, "You never told me why you came to see me?"
"I missed my friend too," he murmurs back thinking as all the memories rush between them. Harley smiles brightly, "Aww bats. Don't worry I won't fight you, anymore. That clown will be gone, soon enough."
He didn't question her on what she meant as she quickly dozed off to complete heavy sleep. Things always seem to surpirse him as never imagines himself in this position, sitting in a small apartment in Gotham with Harley Quinn sleeping against his shoulder as some random movie played in the background.
He didn't see it coming but he didn't mind it happening.
notes—
ahhh this is it!!
i got the idea of harley figuring out it was bruce from tumblr, as in the exact post mentions, when batman tells harley that she was his punishment from dropping out of medical school and our blonde girl figures out here with bruce repeating the words to her!!
so i totally had to add that into here!
also i got the inspiration of adding bruce doing harley's hair from this fanfic which is rick flag x harley and is so cute! Is call "I'm Dyeing Over Here" by @Mezo_Phane !
anyways I was thinking of doing social media batquinn fic, but the plot im trying to bring together is kind of hard so if you have any ideas please share!!
HAVE AN AMAZING DAY 33