Henchman (JOKER X READER) ✅

chapter 17: parallels

you're my guiding lightning strike... i can't find the words to say, they're overdue. i traveled half the world to say, "i belong to you"

—-

Mikey didn't even turn to look at Dent, just waved the other thugs on the steps away. Joker and Dent went inside, and that left you and Mikey to your own devices. He took the opportunity to hop up on one of the concrete railings that bracketed the courthouse's steps.

"Haven't seen you around here before," he remarked. "Usually it's that Frost guy that comes with the Joker. Who are you?"

"Y/N L/N," you introduced yourself.

"Michael Roberts. Sorry about the stuff at the warehouse- had a job to do, and all that."

You shrugged. "You didn't tell us anything we couldn't have already guessed."

He kicked his heels lightly against the wall. "That was the goal," he said. "To make you think a little more about it. And it worked, didn't it? It got you here."

"It did," you conceded. After a few minutes of silence, you turned to him and asked, "What's it like, working for Two-Face? I've heard he's really hard to work with."

"Hell yes. They really are," Mikey agreed with a smile. His tone was almost wistful. "Real sons of bitches. Temperamental, prone to outbursts of rage, always using that fucking coin to make the most basic decisions..." he trailed off. "Yeah. Not exactly easy to get on with. But I manage."

"Are they..." you searched for the right words, "Separate people? Or is it just, you know, a nickname or something?"

Mikey's smile got wider. "Oh, they're two different people, alright. Harvey's the damaged former DA, and Two-Face is just murderous. Murderous and really, really angry. That's what makes them so hard to predict." He sat back then, saying, "But what about you? The Joker's whole thing is unpredictability. If he brought you along, you must be important. How have you managed to stay alive?"

"I could ask you the same thing," you said, but started to explain anyway. You did leave out some crucial details, though- like the fact that you were pretty sure you were in love with the Joker.

At the end of your story, he let out a long whistle. "Hell, you might even make it here," he said, grinning. "Me, I joined up because I was broke and desperately needed cash. Not as dramatic as you. But when I joined, there weren't too many of us- Dent had just turned to crime. I was one of his first guys."

"It'd be scary enough to be in the same building. How can you be in the same room with him?" You asked.

Mikey made some vague gesture. "Time, I guess. Plus, he's not exactly a chore to look at on that one side, is he?"

You conceded that one. "Before the attack, sure."

"The burned side sort of grows on you," Mikey said. "Like Joker's metal teeth have probably grown on you. Me, I think they're creepy."

"But you don't find your boss's burned off face creepy," you said dryly, smirking at him.

His smile was wry. "Like I said, it's been a long time."

Behind you, the double doors slammed open with a bang.

"Y/N!" You heard Joker call. "Get over here. We're leaving."

"See you around," Mikey said. "And hey, try to stay alive, would you? You're more fun to talk to than Frost."

You couldn't help smiling back. "I'll do my best."

As you were leaving, you could hear Mikey and Dent talking.

"How'd it go, boss?" Mikey asked.

A beat of silence, then, in a more normal-sounding voice, Dent replied, "We'll need to keep an eye on that clown."

"Sure," Mikey agreed easily. "But don't worry about it right now. C'mon inside, let's get a drink."

Whatever Dent replied with, you didn't hear it, already in the car. Joker had forfeited the driver's seat to you, instead leaning his head against the window. You could practically hear him thinking, so you left him alone.

This left you alone to your own thoughts. The way Mikey had spoken to Harvey Dent was baffling to you- quiet and even gentle. And there was no justification for it, none at all, except-

Except maybe one. And because you were experiencing it firsthand- being in love with your insane boss- you were becoming well-versed in it.

But that was almost unthinkable. Roberts, too? How crazy, how stupid was he to let that happen?

You almost laughed out loud. How stupid were you both?

—

hey all! this chapter wasn't too heavy on plot but i felt it was lowkey important for character development. anyways, hope you enjoyed it <3