Harley: Little Mind, Big Heart 🌈🧸💕

Chapter 23: A Quiet Morning with Big Harley 💖

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the living room. Harley Quinn, no longer in her little space, sat curled up on the couch, her legs tucked under her and her chin resting on her knees. She hadn't slept much last night after the encounter with Joker. The fear still lingered in her chest, but today, she wasn't retreating into her little space. Today, she wanted to be herself—strong, but still needing the comfort of her family.

Kate and Sophie were in the kitchen, quietly preparing breakfast. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling eggs wafted through the air. Harley could hear the soft clinking of plates and the quiet hum of conversation between her two moms. It was a peaceful sound, something normal and grounding after all the chaos of the previous day.

Harley sighed softly and hugged her knees a little tighter, trying to focus on the familiar noises and the sense of safety they brought her. No pacifier in her mouth, no sensory toys in her hands—just Harley, raw and real.

Kate walked into the living room with two plates in hand, setting them down on the coffee table before sitting beside Harley. She glanced over at her daughter with a soft smile, noticing the quiet tension in Harley's posture.

"Hey, kiddo," Kate said gently, nudging Harley's shoulder. "How are you feeling today?"

Harley shrugged, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Better, I guess," she mumbled, though her voice was still a bit shaky. "But... it was scary, Mama."

"I know," Kate said softly, her heart aching at the vulnerability in Harley's voice. She reached out and pulled her into a side hug, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "But you're safe now. We won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

Harley nodded, leaning into the hug for a moment before sitting up straight again. "I know... I just—I hate that I felt so scared. I'm not supposed to be scared anymore."

Kate's eyes softened, and she shook her head. "Being scared doesn't make you weak, Harley. It makes you human. You went through a lot yesterday, and it's okay to feel that way."

Sophie came over with a mug of tea, setting it in front of Harley with a comforting smile. "Here, honey, something warm to help you relax."

Harley smiled faintly and took the mug, the heat from the ceramic comforting in her hands. She blew on the tea before taking a small sip, the warmth spreading through her chest and easing some of the tension she felt.

"Thanks, Mommie," Harley murmured, glancing between both Kate and Sophie. She appreciated how they always seemed to know what she needed, even when she wasn't in little space.

Sophie sat down on the other side of Harley, sandwiching her between the two of them. "You don't have to be strong all the time, Harley," she said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind Harley's ear. "It's okay to lean on us, even when you're not regressed. We're here for you, no matter what."

Harley's eyes flicked down to the tea in her hands. She knew they were right, but it was hard to admit that she still felt vulnerable, even when she wasn't in her little space. Sometimes, it felt like she had to choose between being big Harley—the strong, independent woman—and little Harley, who needed constant care and reassurance. But today, she was somewhere in between, and she wasn't sure how to balance it.

"I guess I'm just... I dunno, stuck in the middle," Harley admitted quietly. "I don't want to be little right now, but I don't feel like I'm all the way okay either."

Kate exchanged a look with Sophie, and they both nodded in understanding.

"You don't have to be one or the other," Sophie said gently, resting her hand on Harley's knee. "There's no rule that says you have to be 'big Harley' all the time. If you need support, we're here for you, no matter what space you're in."

"Exactly," Kate added, her voice full of warmth. "We're your moms. We're not going anywhere, and we'll help you through this however you need."

Harley felt a lump form in her throat, and she blinked rapidly to keep the tears from falling. She wasn't used to feeling so emotionally exposed outside of her regression, but her moms' gentle reassurance was starting to ease the knot in her chest.

"I love you guys," Harley whispered, her voice barely audible.

"We love you too, sweetheart," Sophie said softly, leaning over to kiss the top of her head.

For the next few minutes, they sat in comfortable silence, Harley sipping her tea while Kate and Sophie gently rubbed her back and legs, just providing her with their presence and love. It wasn't overbearing, just... there. Exactly what Harley needed.

After a while, Harley set down her mug and looked up at them with a small smile. "Can we, um, maybe do something fun today? Just to get my mind off everything?"

"Of course!" Sophie said, her eyes lighting up. "What do you have in mind?"

Harley thought for a moment. "I dunno... maybe go to the movies or something? Just something normal."

Kate grinned. "I think that sounds like a great idea. How about we get out of the house for a bit and just enjoy the day?"

Harley nodded, her smile growing a little wider. "Yeah, that sounds good."

As they got ready to head out, Harley felt a little lighter. She wasn't completely back to her old self yet, but with Kate and Sophie by her side, she knew she was getting there. It didn't matter if she was in little space or not—what mattered was that her moms loved her unconditionally, and that gave her the strength to keep moving forward.

They headed out to the movies, stopping by a cute café afterward for lunch. Harley laughed for the first time in what felt like days, her tension melting away as they shared jokes and stories. By the end of the day, Harley felt like she was ready to take on whatever came next—whether that meant facing her fears or just enjoying more moments like this with her family.

And as they returned home, Harley leaned against Sophie, her head resting on her shoulder as they walked through the front door. She wasn't in little space, but she felt just as safe and loved as ever.

And that was all she needed.