Joker x The Riddler

Chapter 2

The two were obscured by the midnight clouds, the darkness hiding them well. Joker's lair was not far away, and they quickly made it inside. Once they were, they were almost immediately greeted by Joker's henchmen, who seemed glad to see him well again. Despite their attempts to help, Joker led The Riddler down the halls, which were just barely illuminated by light.

The Riddler kept his head down, hardly listening to Joker's giddy words over the buzzing in his head, repeating all the words that made him up. Weak. Helpless. Stupid. Idiotic. Inferior. Less-than. Sick. Unwell. Crazy. Liar. Imbecile. Nothing.

He just wanted out. He couldn't imagine what Joker might do to him now that he was in his control. But he knew for certain Joker would never give him death. Not easily, that is.

He was eventually brought into an ever darker room, Joker saying something to him, yet still muffled by his own brain fog. He was sat onto the ground, his eyes drying with unblinking depression.

Joker seemed to notice his soulless, empty eyes, hazy and covered with a thin film. He was hardly keeping himself alive, just going through life as it was, as if he had given up on everything. This wasn't The Riddler her knew. Where was his confidence? His wit? His personality?

Joker got onto his knees instead, attempting to look at The Riddler's face as it was. He didn't even blink, just a soulless rag-doll now.

"...Riddler, can I see you, please?" He asked gently, attempting to grab one of The Riddler's hands, which hardly changed at the touch. "I know you're in there."

The Riddler seemed dead in his skin, but soon lifted his pupils to get a glance. Still, he did not speak a word.

"...Are the lights out upstairs? Where's my good friend in that head of yours?" Joker tried to smile, though his eyes were crescents with concern for him.

The Riddler kept his eyes on him for a moment, then eventually looked down to the ground. He looked broken, torn down and terrible, which made Joker's heart ache for some reason.

"...I...Do like your...Riddles." Joker's smile fell, and he tried to be sincere as he spoke. "...They're really...Clever."

The Riddler finally shook his head, showing he was still there. "...No..."

"No? What do you mean, no? You're brilliant!" Joker looked shocked when he spoke, grabbing The Riddler's hand more firmly.

"...I...Ruined it...M-My plan...Failed...And we...Went back to Arkham..." The Riddler mumbled weakly, his voice weak and shaky as he attempted to speak.

Joker paused for a moment, a bit stumped at how to comfort his friend. This wasn't The Riddler he knew for sure. He never had any episode like this that he knew of. It made him frustrated, but at the same time, he wanted to comfort him.

After a quiet moment of watching him still, he got onto his knees, and moving to instead wrap both of his arms around The Riddler's body, feeling the smaller man flinch and squirm uncomfortably under him.

"You didn't mess it up. You did it just right."

"No...I did..! I wasn't...Thinking it through..."

"Yes you were, you always think it through. How else would you trick the bat with your riddles? Your plans are...Are good as mine. You're doing so well."

"...Why do you toy with me? Just do your worst and throw me out. I know it's your game to play."

"I'm not! I see how distressed you are. You never act like a sore loser baby after loosing. If you want to wallow in pity, I can leave you to it! But look, I'm trying to help, don't you see? Just tell me if you don't want it."

The Riddler narrowed his eyes, though he showed more shame than anger. He was quiet for a few moments, speaking in a low voice as he looked away. "...I...Would like help..."

"That's like it!" Joker's smile curled up again, bringing his hands to hold The Riddler's warm face. "Don't worry, Eddie boy! We'll get you out of that tacky outfit and cuffs soon enough!"

As Joker stood up and bounced away, The Riddler stayed where he was, once again turning to look at the ground instead. He just couldn't seem to accept the fact Joker would like him. It just couldn't be true.

"...I'm going home after this..."

"Oh? How come?" Joker turned back to face him with a shocked expression.

"...I have things to do, and I don't plan on staying here."

"But tonight was so eventful, you must be tired!"

"I am, but I'd rather feel safe at home than here with you and your people." The Riddler tilted his head up to glance at him with narrowed eyes.

"But you live so far away, the least I could do is let you stay the night!"

"I know, but I don't...Feel comfortable with it. I would like to go home."

"...What can I do to make it better for you then? I don't want you going out there and hurting yourself so soon." Joker turned to face him completely, his expression more soft than it had been. He wasn't smiling. He was serious.

"...If you're so insistent, fine. But I am sleeping by an exit. I'm leaving early in the morning." He stated to him more firmly, keeping his emotions under wraps for now.

"I can make that happen. Would you mind sleeping on a couch? It's as close to where you came in, so you can see yourself out."

"That's fine."

"Alright. But at least let me get you in something that doesn't stand out as much. And we'll get those cuffs off as well, you must be dying in those!"

"...Yeah..." The Riddler sighed quietly as he looked to his hands, stuck together with the firm metal. He should be used to these by now, but he never seemed to be.