Shattered Pieces

Chapter 13

Bruce woke up with a groan, feeling something heavy on top of him. It took him a moment to realize what, or who, it was. He smiled down at Joker who was sound asleep, curled up on his chest. He smiled, carefully moving him onto the bed.
"Batsy... Don't go..."
He heard him whine. He sighed, feeling selfish for wishing he said "Bruce". He shut the door, leaving it unlocked before heading downstairs.

"Sir, do you know where the medication is?"
Alfred asked, looking through the kitchen drawers.
"No, why?"
"They aren't here. I went to put the new prescription away and all of them are gone. Including yours."
They stared at each other for a moment, both of them not looking pleased. They knew what happened, it wasn't the first time.

The elevator came to a stop, Bruce and Alfred walking out, heading straight for the Batcave computer.
"I knew the camera would be good for something."
Bruce mumbled, checking last night's footage, frowned when there was a gap. He sighed as he saw himself climb out of the bed, leaving the room.
"Let us hope that is just a bad case of sleepwalking."
"It's him, Alfred... He's back."
Bruce looked at the Batsuit displayed so proudly, a frown on his face.
"And I don't think he's happy about being gone so long."

Bruce and Alfred searched around the manor for the medication, Bruce heading upstairs to look. Four floors plus the Batcave, not to mention endless corridors of rooms, they would never find them. Not that they were hopeful in the first place. He checked his room first, unable to find anything. With a sigh, he went to check on Joker. Joker woke up to the sound of the door, rolling over tiredly.
"Hey, Jay."
He said softly, sitting with him.
"Morning."
Joker mumbled in return. Bruce smiled down at him, playing with his hair.
"Can I ask you something?"
Joker nodded.
"How would you word our relationship?"
He sounded as if he was questioning a child, which wasn't too off. Joker was still drowsy from his sleeping pills.
"Y-You like me and... I... Like you."
Bruce smiled as Joker sunk in the blanket, face dusted with pink.
"Listen... I have to tell you something. It's about Batman.
"Is he hurt?"
Joker sat up, worried. He ignored how the action made him lightheaded. If Batman was injured he had to be by his side. He would beg if he had to.
"No, he's fine. It's just... I'm him. Kinda."
Joker only looked confused.
"Kinda?"
"I have DID... Dissociative identity disorder. My parents... The trauma from their death made me feel so weak. Batman took over as my other identity. I had gaps in my memory where Alfred described me acting strange."
Bruce looked down at Joker, smiling softly at the arms tightly wrapped around him.
"He has been gone lately so I've taken the mantle of Batman. Sadly, he seems to be back."
"So you two share a body?"
"Pretty much."
"Two for the price of one."
"Except one stole the medication and hid it away. Mine and yours."
"Oh..."
Joker went quiet, frowning as his stomach growled.
"Let's get you some breakfast."