Arthur Fleck Archive, 2019

Safe Spaces

Request for you to write about the reader cutting/trimming Arthur's hair. I imagine they'd be all giggly and it'd probably take awhile bc Arthur can't sit still 😢 my heart

A/N: This came out a tad angsty, but i just wanted to keep it interesting. its mostly fluff. Also I've daydreamed about this scenario like 40 times so its nice to actually write it out lmaoo. Also i am melting at this gif rip

Length: 1,924

Arthur's hair was truly something else. It was almost an art; it always looked so perfect, so intentionally and marvelously placed that it often looked sculpted. His curls beautifully cascaded down his face, circles perfectly placed in all the right areas around his face as they fell down in gentle curls and artistic waves.You stroked it back out of his face at night while you two watched television together, unwinding from your day. The tv was often kept on low, you two preferring the company of each other and gentle murmured conversations more than the actual shows playing. For the first time in Arthur's adult life, he had something to look forward to besides Murray Franklin reruns-although he would have his nose practically pushed up against the tv when there was a new episode on. Arthur adored the sensation of your delicate fingertips against his scalp. He was addicted to any type of touches you granted him, but he especially loved your gentle fingertips caressing his head and hair, gentle fingers easing themselves through the hairs, nails perfectly scraping his head just so in a way that sent shivers through his whole body and into his core. He could have sworn in those moments that every problem or negative thought that he had ever had before then didn't matter, now protected under a hard layer of your love and sweet touches.His hair was starting to go past his shoulders, and you noticed as much as you set about your nightly routine. Your fingers started at the top of his head and didn't stop until they were almost halfway to his mid back. You also couldn't help but noticed his hair was flopping in front of his face when he bounced into bed-his favorite thing to do. It fell in front of his face, the curls forming a small circle around his head, almost like a river. You would lie there as you gazed at him, taking in the entirely of his sweet presence. He seemed so peaceful and serene tonight, and he made you feel so as well. As you reached out to brush some of the hairs out of his face to see him better, Arthur snatched his own hand out and embraced your hand into his. He brought your hand to his lips and kissed each finger every so gently-you would have loved it, save for the fact that you could hardly see him as he did so-his face was so covered in his curly waves."Baby," you giggled softly. "How can you see?"Arthur snorted softly as he spoiled your pinkie in kisses. "Just can.""We need to cut your hair," you said playfully but sternly. "You need to be able to see, sweetheart."You thought you almost saw Arthur roll his eyes, but you could hardly tell because, of, well, the hair. You reached out and brushed some of the hairs softly with your other hand, and finally Arthur's sweet and boyish face greeted you."There you are," you hummed warmly. "I missed you. I feel like I haven't seen that face in weeks. You're always hiding behind your hair now."Arthur shook his head. He was still holding your hand to his lips as if it was a teddy bear. "Not hiding.""Well, I would like to try and cut your hair. Can I do that, baby?" You saw a flash of fear in his eyes.Scissors. He hated scissors. There was something so...sharp and unforgiving about them. If angry enough he sometimes thought of using them as a weapon, but thats exactly why he was so scared of them. He didn't want to put you in even the slightest danger, even though he knew he would never hurt you. He felt like, somehow, you would hurt yourself with them, or that someone would break in and hurt you, or that some horrible accident would happen. It was an irrational fear, but he couldn't stop his heart from pounding whenever he saw you in the slightest area of what he deemed danger. You saw the fear in his eyes, and cooed gently as Arthur nuzzled himself further into your hand. "Baby, it'll be fine. I promise." You leaned forward and kissed his temple, wrinkled with worry, gently. Arthur sighed, but was too tired to argue further. The next day, his heart was pounding in his chest, feeling as if it would burst out of his ribcage. Throughout his entire day he was nervous beyond what he could express, and you picked up on as much as he made his way into your apartment that night. He was fidgeting, rubbing his face, pacing back and forth as you finished making dinner. He knew what was coming as soon as you both were done eating.You recognized the signs, and, knowing that the only way to get it over with would be to just do it, you decided not to bring it up until you both were bathed and cleaned up. You were doing your daily routine of sitting Arthur, naked save for a towel over him, on the couch and gently brushing his wet hair back into a slick mesh. Arthur was humming and smiling gently to himself, as happy as could be, thinking maybe you had forgotten about it entirely. You were mid conversation, talking about how funny certain clouds looked sometimes-such was the innocent nature of your conversations-when you heaved a sigh, deciding it was time."Alright, baby, I'm going to get the scissors out, ok? It's best to do it now while you're hair is damp and brushed."You felt Arthur tense up under your fingers, which were currently threading themselves through his hair. He had gone from melted puddle of happiness to tensed up wreck within half a second."It'll be fine, sweetheart," you reassured softly and you pressed your lips to the back of his head. "I would never put you in a situation that put you in danger, ok? Everything will be fine." Arthur didn't relax, however. Rather, he continued to tense up and and even went so far to pull is legs up to his chin, burying his face between his legs. You sighed and went to get the scissors; it was best to just get it done fast and over with. He needed his hair cut; it was so long it was effecting his way to see. Arthur was an amazing caretaker of others, but he hardly knew how to care for himself.You came up behind him and almost set to it; but you just couldn't bring yourself to with the way he was hunched into himself. He looked like a scared child, and your heart gave out in sympathy."Arthur," you said gently. You walked around to the other side of the couch where there was a space to sit, and sat next to him. You put a hand on his knees, stroking him gently with your thumb. "Baby, why does this scare you so much?"Arthur's face was buried in his knees, so his voice was slightly muffled as he rasped out, "It's like a weapon, Y/N. It reminds me of....out there. I don't like you being around things that are dangerous."Understanding came over you, and you put the scissors down and kissed both knees, and then settled for stroking his arms when he didn't respond. "Darling, I promise you it will be all right. There's nothing in here that can hurt you or me, ok? Our apartment is safe. I love you, and you love me, and I promise I'll do everything I can to make sure everything is quick and safe. Ok?"Arthur dared to lift his face up a bit, and your heart melted at how vulnerable and helpless he looked. "You promise?" he whispered.You leaned forward and kissed the tip of his nose. "I absolutely promise."Arthur let a shy smile gradually grace his features. "Ok." he said softly.You stroked his knees one more time and then leapt up, determined to make this a good experience for him. You stood behind him and told him to lean himself up. He did as much, and you set straight to trimming his lower curls. Arthur tensed slightly as you did so, but still kept himself straightened up so you could get easy access to his curls, cutting them evenly. Arthur tensed further whenever there was a loud noise through the open window, but he seemed to be determind now to trust you with this task. "I got the curls that are past your shoulders. I'm just going to trim the hair until its shorter and less in your face, ok, baby?"Arthur nodded slowly in response, seeming to be stuck in a unswerving concentration. You set about cutting the hairs closer to his head, Arthur seeming to almost be shaking with how close they were to his skin. "I'm almost done, baby," you reassured him softly as you cut the curls.Finally you finished, and stepped back to look at your work proudly."Darling, you look incredible!" You ran around to the other side of the couch to see his face. It looked even better from the front; his high cheekbones, thick brows and long, romantic eyelashes were shining for the first time in weeks. You could really see him now. Arthur still had a pensive, strained look on his face as his seagreen eyes looked up at you."Really?" he asked softly. You nodded eagerly."Come on, baby, let me take you to the bathroom and show you."Arthur let you take his hand and you lead him into the bathroom. He stared at himself in the mirror for a moment, taking himself in. His expression was unreadable."I don't know about you," you whispered as you pressed your lips against his thin bare shoulder. "But that is the most handsome man I've ever seen in my life."Arthur's bleak face broke down and he laughed abruptly, burying his face in his hands."Is this good laughter or bad?" you asked in concern. Normally you could tell by his expression, but it was currently buried beneath two worn hands.Arthur shook his head. "I'm just-" cackling-"I'm just so happy you take care of me, Y/N." His shoulders were hunched up in laughter. You stroked his back until he came down from it a bit.He looked up into your eyes then, eyes as soft as the soul that honed them. "Thank you, baby," he muttered as he looked into your eyes.You smiled your own smiled back at him, and leaned forward and pressed your lips to his every so softly."I'm sorry I'm so scared all the time," Arthur mumbled between your lips.You shook your head. "Arthur you're the bravest man I've ever met in my life. You go through so much, and you still get up every day and do all that you do. I couldn't be more proud of you."Arthurs eyes lit up, almost daring to be proud of himself. '"Really?" he whispered."Really."Arthur gradually let a crooked smile grace his features, and you hummed happily and you leaned into him and pressed your lips against his cheeks."You're always safe with me Arthur, and I'm always, always going safe with you, because you protect me so well."Arthur may never believe it, but it would reign try and true, as long as you two had the other.His worn hand intertwined with yours.Always.--------------------------