Reader x Joker

Part 1: Mundane Madness

"I'm not exactly sure how to feel, I.." The voice of a woman paused for a moment. "I feel nothing, and everything." She continued in a low, raspy tone. "Simultaneously." The woman was outstretched on a green leather sofa placed in the middle of a well-kept, elegant room. The lighting was faint, a soft white, to stimulate easiness. She faced the ceiling tiles above with a blank expression. Only parting her lips to exhale deeply. "Can you give me an example of what you mean?" Another voice questioned. "My brother came to the studio recently. It was after hours, everyone was gone. As you know, I like to stay late and get lost in the moment of solitude. Anyway, he knocked on the door and told me to grab my things. Surprise! Double date, no exceptions. It's what normal people do after all. Have relationships. So I went. Feeling as empty as ever and wanting to give anything to connect. We played pool, shot some darts down on the strip. I didn't say much, sometimes my cheeks flushed hotly at all the missed opportunities for some decent conversation. Had some good lines developed in the back of my mind and that's where they stayed for the rest of the night. Mr. Bro's-Bro drove me home, he followed me to my door, hinting at this and that. He was kind, very patient with me. I was grateful but... felt nothing." Again silence. "It's normal to reject any romantic intent from someone you're simply not interested in." The second voice added. "The right one will come along, huh? That's what I always end up telling myself. For as long as I can remember." The woman sat up from the comfort of the cushions. The material squeaked to the pressure of touch and the readjustment of her position. She wore a fashionable black skirt-suit, crossing her bare legs and letting a heel slip somewhat off of her foot as she dangled it in the air by her toes.

"I just don't understand how these sessions are supposed to help me." The woman finally stood and like clockwork, the gentle ringing of a timer pulled her toward the exit of the room. "Miss [ Y/N ], let us continue the session on Monday. Please, try not to think that these meetings won't do you any good. We need time together, to get everything out in the open and onto the table for us to work with. Small steps." A man seated at a bold oak desk closed a vanilla folder and stood from his office chair with a smile. [ Y/N ] smiled back for showmanship but doubt was already deeply rooted.

[ Y/N ] made for a nearby bank, she climbed the marble steps much to her feets exhaustion, passed the revolving door and into the cool air of the busy industry. Getting in line, she bit her lip and checked her watch when suddenly a buzzing came from within her jacket pocket. 

{{ Brother }} 

The caller ID read, she was hesitant but answered on the seventh ring. "Hey, are you busy tonight?" "Why do I get the feeling that Mark is the one behind the question to that?" "Ah, you know me too well, sis. How about it? Want to get some pizza at Luigi's? They got a killer jazz band that's going to perform. I know you like Jaaazz." He played out the last word humorously, trying to convince her. A pause, things ran through her mind and she looked for a way out. "You still there?" The voice drew her back to a simple conclusion. "Hmm, I don't know." " [ Y/N ], come on! Mark is good for you, I've known him all my life. He's been a true friend. You should give him a chance, you know? I just hate seeing you in that little apartment. Making cup noodles and talking to Benji like he's gonna- not be a dog and answer you." She laughed a bit "Okay, first of all, I love cup-noodles and secondly; Benji is going to have some seriously hurt feelings when I tell him you no longer think of him as family." They both shared a laugh. "NEXT?" The clerk at the desk called out, "Oh, gotta run." "Will you at least think about tonight?" "Maybe- I'll think about tonight." She hung up, crossing the Wait Here line. She held a paper in her hand. Which, at her core, excited her. "How can I help you today?" The clerk politely asked. "Yes, I need something notarized for my art studio. I'm looking to sell my work at local vendors through the showcasing community." She placed the contract on the countertop.