Batjokes You Complete Me

Chapter Twenty

Normal POV

Later that night, after Lucy had gone to bed, it was about midnight and Dick had asked Bruce if he could speak to both him and the Joker. Joker and Bruce sat next to each other on the couch as Dick stood in front of them almost scolding them like a parent.

"What do you want that's so important bird brain?" Joker hissed while crossing his arms.

"I need to talk to both of you about your relationship, your home life, and especially about Lucy. Everything is going to end up a total trainwreck and everything needs to get it's shit together." Dick said sternly.

"You and what Army?" Joker raised an eyebrow.

"Alfred is on my side." Dick pointed out.

Joker lightly smack Bruce on the arm, "I told you that damn butler was going to conspire against us one day!"

"Joker, I actually think Dick is right," Bruce admitted, "Things are obviously bad and getting worse so let's just hear what he has to say."

"What the hell is he going to know? He doesn't live our lives." Joker argued with Bruce.

Dick interrupted to get his words out again, "You two clearly need some sort of couples counseling because you two seem to not be able to make it work long term like you're trying to and believe it or not but I would like to see this relationship with you both be happy than to end up in flames. As for Lucy, it's not fair to have her in the middle like this. Both of her parents fighting, trying to balance school work with a stressful life, wishing she met her mom, one parent gone most of the time, etc. It's ridiculous for someone so young, you should want her to have the most normal life that's best for her. I think it's best to get her out of here and please let her stay with me and away from the toxic behaviors..."

Joker cut him off from speaking right there, "And what makes you think that her living with you would be any better?! That's OUR kid, not yours! Don't you think she'll miss us and want us!" He practically yelled.

"I'm not saying I would lock her away, of course she would come visit whenever she wants to and I'd be glad to bring her. Earlier today before coming home she opened up to me in front of her mother's grave and I'd hate myself if I didn't try to help her!" Dick was beginning to also yell.

"Woah Wait!" Bruce interjected, "You took her to see her mom's grave? why? She has never been there before."

"She found out where she was buried from Joker which I guess he never told you about. After I picked her up earlier she asked me if I would take her and I said yes and while we were there she opened up to me about how she feels." Dick explained.

Bruce looked over at Joker, "Maybe we need to talk in private. Lucy comes first, it doesn't matter what happens with us, but it matters what happens with her from now on."

Joker's face was sour from frustration but managed to agree for Lucy's sake. Dick allowed them to walk up to their room to discuss what would be best.

Joker sat on the bed facing away from Bruce as Bruce began to speak, "Joker... I know you don't want Lucy to go or for me to go, but maybe her being with Dick wouldn't so bad after all. It seems to be what she wants according to him."

"She's too young to know what she wants! When you're gone she's all I have and if she was gone too... There's no doubt I would go back to my old self in a heartbeat most likely." Joker looked distraught.

"Having her stay with Dick won't be that bad and you can always visit me at the Hall of Justice at any time. It's better to let her be happy and normal than to drag her down with us." Bruce was being calm and gentle.

"...Fine." Joker said, "But what about us?... Everything is falling apart. Maybe we need a break."

Bruce was taken back in surprise of what he said, "What?... You don't wanna be with me anymore?.."

"Of course I wanna be with you Bats but I just can't keep doing this. I can't keep having the same arguments over and over in a circle. Maybe we don't have to actually break up but maybe just separate lives for awhile and see how we feel apart from the relationship." Joker sighed and stood up in front of him.

"... I love you..." Bruce said.

"... I miss you..." Joker hugged him tightly.