Henchman (JOKER X READER) ✅

chapter 15: whispers

i asked her, "why would you want to be a hollywood wife?" "because i don't wanna end up living in a dive on vine"

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It was as if Joker had been waiting for you to admit that you were attracted to him so he could spring this on you. This being a bunch of brand new missions for you and Frost.

Frost had always been the Joker's right hand man. He was the one trusted to go to important meetings and make deals for Joker, a privilege granted to just about nobody else. Nobody except you, now.

After the promotion (was that the right word?), Frost took you aside and gave you the CliffsNotes version of who controlled what in Gotham City. You learned that most of the city was split between Joker and Harvey Dent, the city's former district attorney.

You'd heard of Dent- with half of his body badly burned and scarred, he was second on the list of terrifying people in Gotham by sheer appearance alone. He and Two-Face, the other guy who took the body out for spins, flipped their silver coin to decide pretty much everything.

Things had been tense for a while, but business had been good, and a gang war would ruin that. But now, things were getting ramped up enough that one or the other of them, Joker or Two-Face, had to tip the scales. And Dent, surprisingly enough, was the one to do it.

It started on a cold Monday morning, when you and Frost were double-checking shipments of weapons from Oswald Cobblepot, better known as the Penguin. The Penguin himself was there, having scheduled a meeting with Joker.

One of Penguin's men sidled up to the two of you as soon as his employer was out of sight. He was a pale, ginger man who looked to be in his late twenties, perhaps early thirties. When he spoke, it was in a drawling New York accent.

"Don't worry, we didn't shortchange ya," he grinned.

"Trust but verify," Frost said shortly, scanning the receipt on one crate.

"That's not how trust works," the ginger man pointed out. "'Sides, it's not Cobblepot you oughta worry about. Word on the street says Dent's up to no good again."

You and Frost exchanged quick looks. "Dent?" You asked.

"I don't know everything," the man said, "But it ain't exactly a secret that Dent and Cobblepot don't get on. They do well enough to do business, though. And now that Cobblepot's dealing with Joker, Dent isn't best pleased. Doesn't like double-dealing."

"We figured that," Frost said. Then he frowned. "Why are you telling us this?"

"Because I'd like to keep this job," he shrugged his shoulders. "Can't do that if Dent kills my boss, can I?"

"Nelson!" Another of Penguin's men shouted from across the yard. "Wheels up!"

"Gotcha," the man, Nelson, called back. He nodded to the two of you, said, "Good luck," then jogged back to the rest of the guys.

You watched them drive away, then grabbed Frost's arm and steered him away from the thugs taking the guns into the warehouse.

"Do we tell the boss?" You asked.

Frost nodded. "If he's dealing with Penguin, then he's probably already guessed this might happen. But it's evidence." Smirking, he patted you on the back. "I'm gonna let you tell him, though."

You spluttered with indignation. "We both heard it! Why not both of us?"

"Because he likes you, so I don't think he'll kill you if you give him bad news."

"You're a dick."

"Doing my best," he replied with a grin.

You went inside, up the stairs to where Joker was holed up for the day. He was sitting at a rickety wooden desk, random papers strewn all over.

"What," he snapped when you opened the door. Accustomed to his moods by now, you just stepped into the room and shut the door behind you.

"Just heard something down there, while we were unloading the guns," you said. "Apparently, Dent's not too happy that Cobblepot's dealing with you. He might use that as an excuse to start something."

"Who told you that?"

"One of Penguin's guys."

Joker leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head. You looked- you still couldn't help yourself. He noticed, smirking.

"I thought Harvey might do that," he said smoothly. "Keep your eyes open, Y/N. I want to know if you hear something like that again."

"Always, sir."

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holy hell, this book blew up! hi, new readers! sorry this took so long, i've been super focused on school lately. but i still have plans for this, don't worry <3

what's your favorite part of this so far? and if you can't decide, who's your favorite character (besides J 😂)?