Between Stripes

E I G H T E E N

"I don't think that you're the boss." I stated, jumping onto my bed. Jerome turned round. His brows were knit together and a light frown was sculpted onto his face.

"What?"

"I said, I don't think that you're the boss." I stretched out on the bed, a small yawn escaped my mouth.

"Honestly Georgy, don't try me." He grumbled and ran his fingers through his hair. He did that a lot recently. It was always pushed back.

"Only saying my opinion buddy. We all know that Galavan gives the orders."

"Oh just fucking shut up." Jerome whipped round, his hand caught the wardrobe door that he'd been facing. It slammed shut.

"No need to spit out your fucking dummy!" I sat up and glared at him. And this was why I shouldn't tease him... I had forgotten about that. Whoops.

"Georgia just shut it." Jerome muttered, shrugging the ruby robe and slinging it into the wardrobe.

"Whatever." I muttered in reply.

Keep at it. He'll find it funny eventually.

It was funny. I couldn't take Jerome seriously when he was angry.

"You've not got the balls to be the boss. Wouldn't dare stand up to silly old Galavan ." I said in a singsong voice. Push him to his limits. That was the plan.

"Don't lie, you know that I've got 'the balls'." His voice was dark and testing. Testing me to tease him more. Which I did.

"Fine then, you're shit scared of Galavan cause ya think he's gonna steal way your precious freedom. Lock you away again." I pushed. "Naw, you're not good enough-"

"Don't you dare say I'm not good enough." Jerome whipped round. His eyes were full of fire and insane anger. His voice was raspy, like earlier.

"Prove it. Let's go have a little fun in Gotham." I grinned and slid off the silky covers.

"Let me get changed princess, then we'll have fun."

I grinned devilishly in anticipation. This was going to be fun. Time with my J.

Jerome slid onto the motorbike easily, I grinned and sat myself behind him. My arms found his waist as he revved the humming engine.

It was a monstrous machine. Jet black. Tall. Slim and powerful. Shiny too.

"Let's go to a place that everyone talks about." Jerome snickered before pulling out the dark alleyway and into the maze of traffic.

After snaking through the city for a solid ten minutes we found wherever Jerome wanted to go.

It was a dark building. The only light outside was a luminous purple umbrella.

I slid off the motorbike, running my fingers through my hair. Jerome propped the bike up against the sidewalk and took my hand.

"What's this place J?" I asked, my eyes trying to look at the building in the dim lighting.

"A lovely nightclub. Full of lovely entertainment. Lovely drinks. It's lovely." Jerome began to snicker as he repeated the word. I rolled my eyes as we walked inside.

It was pretty good. Not exactly lovely, the vibes it radiated were more dark and thrilling. But sure. Lovely could work.

All the furniture was black with cold accents like navy or plum. Booths were arranged at the edges of the room; tables scattered the floor; mismatched chairs were slotted in the gaps; the only large, clear space was the dance floor in front of the stage. Another purple umbrella hung form the wall, this one was by far much larger than the one outside.

"Welcome to Oswald's, doll face." Jerome whispered into my ear. A grin grew on my face. It was a menacing grin.

"Where's the blood at then?" I whispered back, Jerome let out a low chuckle.

"Well, I heard from someone that Mr Cobblepot wants a couple o' bozos dead. We've got them reserved." Jerome replied and my eyes light up. Like a child on Christmas morning.

"I do love ya, J!" I squealed, throwing my arms round his neck. He shook a little with laughter. Then, his hot breath was next to my ear again. Tickling my skin.

"I love you too babygirl."

A loud clearing of someone's throat made us move apart, but Jerome kept holding my hand. What a gentleman, eh?

"Evening Oswald." Jerome said to a man who was only just a little taller than me. He had pitch black hair which was styled funnily, two long bits laid across his forehead. The man called Oswald looked a little strange. His skin was bright, like Jerome's, but tinted pink. His nose was shaped funnily. Like a beak.

"Hello Mr Valeska. Who may this lovely lady be?" Oswald looked me up and down, smiling happily. He seemed innocent, too innocent.

"This is my gorgeous partner in crime, Georgia Fishwick." Jerome smirked. I followed his lead and smirked too.

"So you're the infamous Georgia. It's a pleasure to meet you, I've heard a lot about you."

"I'll hope you didn't hear it all from J, he praises me too much." I said with a glance at Jerome who hadn't stopped grinning.

"It's not all from him, however Jerome does indeed praise you. Nearly more than himself."
Oswald smiled cheerfully, with a hint of darkness.

"I love to hear my name coming from other people's mouths." I purred, glancing at Jerome again. His cheeks tinted red for a few seconds.

"That may have an underlying meaning but let's look past it." Oswald chirped, I let out a small laugh. "So, yes, it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Fishwick. I'm Oswald Copplepot, the owner of this divine nightclub and crime lord of the underground, in Gotham."

When he said underground, I got the idea that he didn't mean the subway. More like the crime families which were the heart and soul of the city.

"No need to call me Miss, just call me Georgia. Or Georgy." I grinned and Oswald smiled.

"Now, I heard that you've got some goons for us to have fun with." Jerome said darkly and Oswald's smile sweetened. It was kinda twisted but seemingly normal.

"Just follow Victor, here. He'll show you to the back." Oswald gestured to the tall, bald man who was stood next to him.

"C'mon beautiful, I'll show you a good time." Victor smirked walking past us. I rolled my eyes and followed him, Jerome let out a low growl but went with us.

Time to have a little fun.