FREAKS || Jerome Valeska¹

48 || The Big Finish

"Yeah, we all know why we're here!" One of the many followers exclaimed loudly at the edge of the ring. The cheers from the crowd filled the air of the small arena. "Here comes Jerome and Reese, everybody!"

Jerome and I grinned, making our entrance hand in hand. My boyfriend wielded a megaphone in his free hand. The cult members erupted in cheers over the lively circus music. Once we reached the center of the stage, we bowed in unison. Jerome let go of my hand and swiftly twirled around before bending over to stick his butt out to the horde of people. I giggled and playfully smacked his ass, eliciting more laughter.

A cackle escaped Jerome's lips as he straightened up, turning to me and leaning closer to my ear. "Doll, I think I found my kink," He growled jokingly with a wide smirk etched on his lips. He winked. "We could try it tonight."

I laughed, knowing he was fooling around, and smirked. "Anytime, troublemaker," I responded with a wink, making a toothy grin appear.

Jerome kissed my cheek before leading me to the front of the stage. He pressed the button on the megaphone, causing it to squeal. "Hear ye, hear ye, gather round. The show is about to begin!" He exclaimed, provoking the multitude to cheer. He pantomimed as if he 'couldn't' hear the people, further amplifying their excitement. We grinned at each other widely.

After a few seconds, Jerome signaled everyone to quiet down. The crowd hushed... except for a random man who continued whooping.

"Let me hear," The man cackled while dancing, sounding beyond inebriated. Jerome and I exchanged puzzled and annoyed glances. Jerome sighed, pulling a revolver from his sparkly red jacket and disengaging the safety pin. "Come on, now!"

BOOM!

All that resonated was a gurgle as the disruptive man crumpled to the ground with a thud. The person in front of the annoying man attempted to catch him but couldn't, which I thought was hilarious. Alarmed gasps echoed through the crowd.

My boyfriend raised the megaphone to his lips. "Shut up!" He snapped before cackling into the cone. Laughter erupted from the crowd and me. "Better," He chuckled croakily before striding back to the center of the stage with me at his side.

"Well, I think we can all agree tonight was a rousing success," He declared, causing another round of cheers. Jerome's gaze grew dark. "We brought this miserable city to its knees," He growled with delight, receiving a response in cheers. I grinned. "So, how to thank the best darn cult of fanatics a messiah like myself and the queen of my broken soul could ever hope for?" He trailed off, making me blush darkly. I hated how easily he could make me blush.

"I give you...!" Jerome shouted, pointing dramatically behind him as the 'ta-da' fanfare played loud. The two cult members assigned to the task stood there in front of the red drapes, casually conversing with each other. Jerome and I exchanged raised eyebrows. The two continued laughing, and I could see J was getting pissed.

"Oh, for fucks sake," I muttered, snatching the megaphone from J's hand and creating a blaring noise resembling an ambulance. Both members jumped in panic, looking at us. I gestured to the crowd before turning on the speaker and yelling into the microphone, "Cue!"

They became wide-eyed, apologized, and hurriedly opened the drapes.

Jerome scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Fucking bastards," He muttered to himself, then looked at me with a smile. "Thanks, doll."

I beamed and watched as they wheeled out a platform with a pole in the middle. Bruce Wayne was cuffed to it, his hands raised above his head. He squinted and blinked from the bright lights reflecting over his eyes, appearing genuinely scared to be standing there.