Gotham Imagines and One Shots

Death at the circus - Part 1 - Jerome x Reader

(Y/n) made her way through the caravans, as the others continued to erect the big top and the rest of the fairground attractions that would hopefully draw the residence of Gotham to spend their hard-earned money. She had taken a break from helping Alphonse and John, having grown a little tired of Alphonse's current, not so subtle innuendos about him being able to erect other things for her. John placing a sympathetic arm on her shoulder, before telling her that he and his brother could deal with the rest of it. Saying that Mary and Owen might be happy for some help. (Y/n) nodding and giving John a kiss on the cheek, before leaving the tent.

Admittedly (Y/n) liked Mary. She had been delighted when it had been announced that the female clown and the Flying Grayson were to be engaged. But in truth, there was only one person that she wanted to see; one person that she hadn't seen all day. The one person that would understand her annoyance at Alphonse, and that was Jerome.

She and Jerome had always known one another; the pair of them had grown up together. He the son of the snake dancer, and she, a child that had been abandoned at the circus when she was a baby. The ringmaster, Horace, taking her under his wing, and treating her as if she were his own. (Y/n) had always done her best to be there for Jerome when he was hurt by his mother, or one of her latest men. To be there when he felt alone, after his twin brother, Jeremiah, had disappeared. She was their when Jerome's uncle, Zachary Trumble, had plunged his hand into a pot of boiling chicken stock because he tried to steal a snickerdoodle, of all things. In fact, it sometimes felt as though she were the only one that really cared about the red head. And she did really care.

Finally, she got to the caravan of Lila, (Y/n) well aware that if Jerome wasn't with his mother, she might at least know where he was. A smile coming to her lips, as she saw Sheba, who was resting in her own little enclosure in front of the van. The young woman always having felt sorry for the snake. Though she had to admit that Sheba was treated better by Lila than Jerome ever seemed to be.

She didn't like Lila, not at all. Jerome would tell her things. The others would whisper about what the snake charmer would get up to. (Y/n) not blind to the men that would disappear into the caravan. Not blind to the fact that Alphonse, as well as Owen, were two men that took advantage of the woman that Horace would describe as a 'party girl', that would come home the next morning with her knickers in her handbag. But she was still Jerome's mother, and if (Y/n) wanted to find him, the best place to start, was with her.

Slowly, she reached up her hand and knocked on the van's door. (Y/n) knew of the reaction she would get from the older woman. Lila, sober or drunk, having no qualms about telling her what she though about her. The younger woman always putting it down to the fact that Alphonse would pay her attention; would go out of his way to flirt with her. That, and Lila was just vile. A woman that seemed to take delight in hurting others, especially her son.

"What do you want.........?" Lila asked indignantly, as the door of the van flew open. It obvious that she had already been drinking. The bleary look in her eyes, and the strong odour on her breath, speaking volumes.

"I am looking for Jerome............."

"What for..............?"

"I want to speak to him.............."

"I know what you want, and its not to speak to my son." Lila interrupted, as she almost fell down the step.

"I've seen the way you look at him, you little whore. You aren't to go anywhere near my son. You aren't good enough for him. No one wants you, not even your own mother wanted you. She left you like you were rubbish, for someone else to clear up..........." The older woman continued, stepping in front of (Y/n) and poking her in the chest.

"You are no good, and don't think I haven't heard about you and Alphonse............"

"Al? Has the booze finally rotted your last braincell. I wouldn't touch Alphonse, even he were the last man in the world; especially not when he's desperate enough to sleep with you..........." (Y/n) retorted angrily. Her hand going to her cheek, as Lila slapped her across the face.

"Get out of here, you little bitch. And stay away from Jerome........." The older woman shouted out, before taking of her shoe and hitting (Y/n) with it. The younger woman allowing her anger to get the better of her, as her hand balled up into a fist and she struck. Lila toppling backwards to the floor. (Y/n) just glaring at the prone, inebriated woman, before quickly turning and making her way through the caravans.

                                                             >>--------------------------------<<

Jerome made his way back through the caravans. He had been keeping himself to himself for most of the day; but as the light was beginning to fall, he thought it better to at least have his face seen. To see if his mother had already drunk herself into a stupor. Yet as he got closer to Lila's caravan, he saw someone quickly making his way towards him. He saw (Y/n), her hand holding her cheek; Jerome quickly guessing that she had been to see his mother. The red-head well aware that only the snake charmer would hurt the pretty girl. That it was only his mother that could put that look of anger in her eyes.

"(Y/n)..........!" Jerome called out, taking her into his arms as she rushed over to him. His fingers combing through her hair, as he felt her tremble against him.

"(Y/n), what.............?"

"I hate your mother............." She simply replied, before she gripped onto Jerome tighter. A small smile pulling at the corners of his lips, at her words. The girl that had always been there for him; the girl that was the only one that hadn't believed what his brother had said about him. The girl that seemed to be the only person in the world that felt anything for him, Jerome was sure would be the only one that wouldn't abandon him, when he finally did what he had been dreaming about for so long.

"I know. Come on, lets go and talk..........." Jerome finally replied, before leading (Y/n) back through the caravans. The young woman merely nodding in agreement, not caring where Jerome was taking her, just caring that she was with him.