Who You Really Are - Batjokes

VII

The hour Joker was transferred to his quarters, it was like someone had torn open the roof of the manor on a hot summers day. The light shined so bright within the hallways, birds could be heard singing and the snow outside sparkled like in Winter Wonderland and yet, it was like all the heat was trapped inside, making the air thick and heavy as if it would drag one down. Bruce held his gadgets closer to himself as he led the green haired man along the corridors, his hands merely cuffed, he's come too far for the straight jacket, Bruce had reasoned with Alfred.
The transfer went without complications, Joker made a few flirting attempts, Bruce more or less ignored them and eventually, they reached his quarters. He had a complex of his own with a bedroom, bathroom and a few smaller rooms like a library and an office. All in all easy to keep an eye on as he remained constantly observed.
At first Joker started nagging about the furniture, broke Bruce's heart describing it as 'old', yet the moment he laid eyes on the provided package of Makeup and clothing, he was all over the moon.
"Oh Batsy, you charmer! How did you know this was my favourite brand?", the clown asked enthusiastically, holding up a bright red lipstick which however still seemed pale in front of Joker's bright grin. Bruce would never admit he stood in the makeup section totally clueless and just bought the exact shade he remembered Joker's lips had the night they kissed. He'd never forget that image.
"I guess I just knew", he eventually said and rubbed the back of his neck innocently.
"Oh and this!", Joker almost screamed as he opened the drawer and found his old suit hanging in there with all its flaws and cuts.
"This- this..", he grabbed it, held it against his face and took a long sniff.
"This smells like home", he sighed content and gave Batman a huge smile.
"You've just made the ever laughing clown very happy, Bats"
Bruce felt his own heart melt within his chest looking at the scene in front of him and knew, he too felt home.

Nevertheless, achievements with Gotham's most dangerous psychopath did not mean the rest of the underworld was sleeping, ever since their clown prince of crime left, it was seething.
Only a few days after the incident with Bane, weeks before Alfred would have let him, Bruce already found himself back on the streets of the never resting city.
Bane was the one who stole the acid he had found at all involved crime scenes, that much was clear. The only question left now was what he was going to do with it and that was an urgent matter. He beat up a load of thugs that night, not getting any information on Bane or the acid. What he was confronted with however, were the 'Fallen' as they liked to call themselves. Thugs left behind by Joker's sudden disappearance and yet they stayed true to him. They refused to believe Joker would be gone forever so they decided to keep his place warm and defend his name until he'd return. A heartbreaking view to Bruce who knew they'd spend their lifetimes waiting but perhaps sooner or later, they'll know their prince has given up his throne.
He faced them, still hoping to get information on Bane and even managed to squeeze something out of the fourth guy.
"I- I don't know much about the toxin! But what I know is that he's using it for human experiments! I've seen him mix it with other chemicals and pouring it over people, complaining he'll never form an army with such weak progress! That's all I know, I swear!"
"Thank you", Batman spoke before he knocked the guy out and turned to the last one.
He grabbed him by his throat and squeezed it tight.
"Now it's your turn to talk, what do you know about-"
"What happened to Joker?"
Bruce froze, his eyes indistinctly widening underneath the cowl.
"I know it's not like the others say, that he's just been captured and already on his way outta Arkham again. This time it's different, he didn't contact us yet, we haven't heard of any riots or even any sign at all of him inside the Asylum so he's either dead or you've done something to him. Either way, I know he won't come back."
The shockingly young man let his head sink in defeat.
"Just tell me what happened so I can tell the others, I've been the youngest member but these guys are like family, Joker was like our father, I just- I just owe them this much, the truth."
Bruce was surprised by the heartfelt speech given by the young man, he clearly had great potential for rehabilitation, an even less drastic one than Joker's.
"Look", he began to speak and the man rose his head with hope in his eyes.
"For Joker's own safety I cannot tell you what exactly is going on or where he is but he's alive, that much I can say."
The room went silent, the only sound audible was a deep sigh from the young thug.
"Thank you", he sniffed.
"Please take good care of him, I know this must sound weird considering your guys' history. I've only heard the stories so far but.. he's a good guy deep inside so please don't do him any harm."
Bruce thought of Joker swirling around his office, playing dress up parties with his suits and drawing all over the walls and knew he didn't have to feel bad about the way he treated the retired criminal.
"I won't hurt him if he doesn't hurt me", he then gave an acceptable answer that wouldn't give away too much about the whole situation. He let go off the man and made his way out when he heard him speak again.
"Would you please tell Mister J, Theo said hi? Would that be possible?"
Without turning back, Bruce kept going but told him: "I'll think about it."