Who's Joking? (Stylinson)

8: Schemes of a schizophrenic

Hi again :)

"Your little show yesterday was...admirable."

Louis always seems to hear him before he sees him. He doesn't turn around this time, just keeps walking.

"The silent treatment, sweetheart?" The Joker called after him. "I thought we were past that."

The streets were not yet dark and Louis hadn't expected to see Harry at this time in the evening. He'd just finished a job for Liam, taking a statement from one of the witnesses of last week's bank robbery committed by none other than The Joker himself. Liam was sure they'd be able to get one of his accomplices to crack the information on where The Joker was hiding.

The plan was to take him by surprise in his own home. He controlled the streets, especially at night, but rumour has it that no one had ever been to The Joker's lair before; thus, he would be unprotected and alone.

The Joker caught up with Louis, grabbing the boy's arm and spinning him around so that they were facing.

Louis pulled from his grip but Harry was stronger, more insistent. His face hardened when he looked at Louis this time.

"It's rude to ignore people," The Joker said firmly. "Didn't Batman ever teach you that?"

Louis hadn't seen this side of him in a while, the side of him that looked as though every bit of emotion had been drained out. His face was like stone; cold and heartless.

Louis swallowed. "Sorry."

The Joker reached out to touch Louis' face and the boy tried not to flinch as the cool metal of Harry's rings grazed his cheek.

"Did you think about what I asked you?" Harry slowly let go of him.

Louis blinked at him. "What you asked me?"

"My proposition. You, me, working together," he said. "All the things I could teach you."

Louis shook his head. "My answer is the same as before," he replied. "You're ridiculous."

Harry's eyes fluttered shut for a moment. When they opened again, his stare was cold. "I saw you yesterday on stage. Stood behind him, like you always are," he said. "Why was no one chanting for Robin?"

"You were there?"

"I'm everywhere."

"I don't mind being in the background," Louis said finally.

Harry smiled at this, some warmth coming back to his eyes. "Sweetheart, you're too pretty not to be the star of the show." Louis felt his cheeks heat up. "They should have your picture hung up in galleries."

Louis didn't say anything.

"Let me help you." 

Louis shook his head. "I don't want it. Any of it."

The Joker laughed at this, sharp and vicious. "No?"

Louis stepped back. "No."

"You have such potential," The Joker told him. "I could make you into the greatest hero the world has ever seen."

"And what could you teach me that he couldn't?"

Harry grinned. "I can think of a hundred things."

"Name one."

Harry licked his lips. "I could teach you how to be free."

Robin furrowed his brows, searching Harry's eyes for answers. "Free?"

"Free," The Joker repeated. "We could have so much fun together."

Louis almost laughed. "I don't believe that you and I have the same ideas of fun."