Smile...With Teeth

Chapter 12

~Call me stupid, call me sad

You're the best I've ever had

You're the worst I've ever had

And that keeps fucking with my head~

~YungBlud and Halsey~

Joker cleaned his knife on the man's shirt. He stowed the knife away in his pocket and turned back to Peach, his hands flexing, working out the adrenaline that had been pumping through him. She was standing to the right of him, her eyes locked on the man's face.

He watched her, waiting for any type of reaction. He wanted to see if that spark he'd seen before was still there.

"Ready princess?" he said.

She cut her eyes up to him, the flash of hate vanished when she focused on his face. She righted herself. He watched as she engaged the safety on her gun and slowly slid it back into her thigh holster. He'd never seen a more erotic sight in his life. He frowned heavily when she looked back up at him.

"Let's go." She said.

She reached for his hand, her soft skin felt good against his calloused fingers. Not that he'd tell her that. He wrapped her small hand in his and he allowed her to pull him along. When the apartment building was in view he pulled his hand from hers. He hurried inside to his place and got a bottled water, not caring if she followed. He drank the cold liquid as quick as he could.

His head cleared slightly, he tossed the bottle into the trash bin and moved into his tidy room. He stood there, clearing his mind as best he could. Her voice, once again, pulled him from his reveries.

"Are you mad at me?" She asked, her voice sounding small and hurt.

His shoulder slumped, He didn't turn to look at her. This was not how he envisioned his night.

"Why does it matter so much to you?" He asked, partly to sate his curiosity, partly to try to piss her off.

He listened as she stepped closer to his back still refusing to look at her. He wasn't 100% sure she'd answer.

"I think you know why." She said.

Her words set him on fire, he felt something in him snap. He spun around, his hand moved straight to her delicate neck. He squeezed hard enough to shut her up, without doing too much damage. Her eyes were locked on him. He watched as her face started to turn red and her eyes watered.

He moved his face close to hers. Their noses touching. "Enlighten me dear, what exactly do you think I know?" He loosened his grip slightly, noticing she wasn't fighting him.

He let her suck in a small breath, her eyes still shiny with tears, but she didn't let them fall. Was she crazy? Or did she think he wouldn't hurt her. Had he been too lenient on her before? Too soft on her because she had amused him. Maybe he'd have to show her. Just because he didn't want to hurt her, doesn't mean he wouldn't.

She still hadn't answered him.

"What? No smart mouth remarks? Where did all that bravado go? All talk are we?" He goaded her.

Still no reaction. He frowned. He locked eyes with her, his face still touching hers. He could feel her small breaths brush across his face. He let go of her. It wasn't fun if she just took it. He was disappointed, where had her fight gone? He looked away in disgust, wanting her to just leave. He put his hand on her face, pushing her back roughly.