and i drove you crazy [jerome valeska x reader]

chapter one

he was beautiful.

freckles, messy red hair, and a grin that could kill.

bright eyes filled with mischief that darted around, drinking in the sights around him. he was smart and cunning and reminded you of a fox.

and the day you met him, your world broke in two.

it was dark, and he was sitting alone. you were one of the few people allowed in the cafeteria at the asylum, and while you sat at one end of the table, he sat at the other. a man was mumbling behind you. your striped dress was draped over the plastic seat, and jerome was the only person you were looking at. he was staring down at the table, and frowning. if only you were brave enough to comfort him.

his head darted upwards and you flicked your gaze away from him and to the wall in front of you.

you saw him stand from the corner of your eye.

you then watched him strut over to you and sit on the table in front of you with a grin. he pushed a chair away from him and set his feet on it. his back was facing you but he was looking at you, his head resting on his shoulder.

"hello, sweetheart." he rasped. your heart was beating quickly.

"jerome." you replied softly. he smiled and his face lit up. freckles spilled over his nose and cheeks, as well as his hands, which were splayed out in front of you. you looked down at your own hands and tapped your fingers on the plastic table. he laughed softly.

"saw you eyeing me from over here." he said coolly. you blushed.

"i was simply zoning out." you replied, and he shook his head. you looked up at him.

"why the blush, then? hm, doll?" he smiled and tilted his head to the side. you stood and pushed in your chair. leggings - ripped ones - and a sweater covered your arms and legs, protecting the world from your scars. jerome frowned and you hugged your arms to your chest.

"why do you get a sweater?" he asked. you shuddered and turned around, walking away from him. he jumped up and followed, and you heard his footsteps on the ground behind you.

you walked faster.

he did too.

"go away." you grunted. embarrassed, you kept your back turned from him.

"come on, gorgeous." your face flushed even redder. "tell me one thing."

"fine." you said, and he cleared his throat.

"what are you in for?" he asked. the one question you never wanted to answer.

"i don't want to answer." you replied bitterly. he scoffed.

"oh, doll face, tell me. please?" he said.

you turned around and he smirked.

"no." you said. he continued to smirk.

"c'mon, sweetheart." he said in a sing song voice. you had a feeling he already knew.

"isn't it obvious? sweater and leggings." you said through gritted teeth. he rolled his eyes.

"alright, alright." he said. you did have a small crush on him; yet since he acted like this, you decided maybe that was a bad idea.

"there. you got it." you grunted. he shrugged, still smiling like an idiot. you turned away from him once more and began walking away, towards a blonde girl. you sat in front of her and she raised an eyebrow, looking at you over a newspaper.