The room was dark — lit only by the faint red glow of the city bleeding in through the penthouse windows. Joker lay beside you, sprawled across silk sheets, tattoos on full display, silver chains catching the soft light. He looked almost peaceful, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His face, usually twisted in a grin or a snarl, was relaxed now. Beautiful in a way most people never got to see.
But you were wide awake.
Your mind raced. You couldn't breathe under his attention sometimes — not his love, not his obsession. You just needed some air. Just a few minutes out. A walk. Alone.
You watched him carefully, heart pounding.
He didn't move.
So you moved in silence.
Slipped one leg out from under the sheets.
He didn't stir.
You crept toward the edge of the bed, step by step, barely daring to breathe. Your shoes were by the door. Your phone in your pocket. You could be gone and back before he even noticed.
You made it to the door.
Your hand was on the knob.
Click.
"Where ya goin', dollface?"
His voice cut through the dark like a blade. Low. Sleep-rough. Dangerous.
You froze.
Slowly, you turned around.
He was sitting up in bed now, hair messy, shadows casting jagged lines across his face. One eyebrow arched. A slow smile curled at the corner of his mouth — but there was no warmth in it.
"You tryna sneak out on me, hmm?" he asked, tilting his head like a curious animal. "Without saying goodbye? That hurt my feelings."
"I just needed some air," you said carefully, your hand still on the knob.
"You need air?" He stood, slow and shirtless, every step deliberate. "I'll buy you a fuckin' mountain. You don't leave me."
He was in front of you now, his presence swallowing the room whole.
"Next time you try to run off while I'm sleeping, baby... you better be sure I don't wake up. 'Cause if I do..."
He leaned in close, lips brushing your ear.
"I'm not tucking you back into bed. I'm chaining you to it."
He pressed a kiss to your temple, mockingly soft. Then he opened the door for you.
"Go on then. Get your air," he said, grinning. "But I'll be waitin'. And I don't like waiting."
