Shattered Pieces

Chapter 18

Joker stared blankly at the television, paying no attention to it as some random comedy show played. It has been three hours since Bruce is usually home, and he was getting worried. He knew multiple people who would want to harm Bruce Wayne. It didn't help that he had been having nightmares all day. Any time he tried to sleep he was greeted by the same old nightmare. His days consisted of sleeping, eating breakfast, lunch, then waiting for Bruce to get home by sleeping. He jumped as he heard the door open, sitting up on the couch. Carefully he left the living room to look downstairs. He glared down at the man Alfred was taking a coat from.
"Thank you, Alf-"
"Where were you!?"
Bruce spun around as he was cut off, staring at the stairwell where Joker stood. He walked over after kicking his shoes off.
"A meeting. It went on longer than I thought. I called but you were sleeping."
"Barely."
Joker grumbled.
"Is everything okay?"
"No."
Joker snapped and headed back upstairs, Bruce quickly following. He frowned as he watched Joker curl up in bed, pouting.
"Why are you so childish?"
"Why are you such an asshole?"
"Hey!"
Joker stuck his tongue out, Bruce glaring.
"Well, sorry that I was gone so long."
He began to strip his shirt and tie, making sure he was in Joker's sight. He hoped it would change his mood, it usually did. He frowned as the other turned away.
"Alright, I see you're upset. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No."
"Please?"
Bruce begged, climbing into bed behind Joker. It took a minute for him to answer.
"Fine."
Joker mumbled faintly. Bruce pulled him close, forcing him to snuggle.
"I keep having nightmares."
He mumbled into Bruce's chest, eyes focused anywhere else.
"About the ACE accident..."
He sighed, shutting his eyes. He watched as Batman got further and further away, his hope of being saved fleeting. He quickly opened his eyes again, knowing it had only been a few seconds, but it felt like a whole minute. One of the worst minutes of his life.
"Sometimes I do too. Batman felt horrible the night it happened, not coming out for weeks. Some nights I feel so guilty I can't even look at you."
Bruce sighed, rubbing circles in Joker's back.
"It wasn't his fault."
Joker said softly, looking up at Bruce. Green met by blue.
"Nor was it yours. You both know it was nobody's fault. The security was scared, and you were in the wrong crowd."
"I guess so..."
Bruce's hand slid up Joker's back to his hair, fingers running through it.
He frowned at how dirty it was.

"In the meantime, you need a bath."
"H-Huh?"
Joker was caught off guard by the sudden change in topic.
"You haven't bathed for almost two weeks. The psychiatrist is coming tomorrow as well. You need a bath, at least to look presentable."
"Fine..."
Joker grumbled. Bruce kissed his temple as he got up, going into the bathroom. Joker stayed still, listening to the movements in the other room.
"Do you want it hot or cold?"
"Hot."