You Took Me By Surprise (Joker Fanfic)

6 ~ I Wouldn't be Surprised if She Liked You Back

For the whole evening Arthur seemed more nervous now that we were basically on a date together. We decided on a cosy, low-key little café; I felt that he wasn't a fan of overly-crowded, loud places. He offered to pay for my cappuccino and raspberry muffin, but I insisted paying for myself.
So here we were, sitting across from each other at this small table. I knew he didn't go on dates, so I tried to make sure the conversation kept going. Though, honestly, I didn't even have to because we got along so well. It did seem, however, that he had some kind of wall up. Whenever the topic of conversation edged into more personal territory, it felt like he would change the subject, or kind of shrug it off. I didn't know what I was doing in life, but one thing I knew I did want to do is open this man's heart. I wanted to make him feel appreciated, and all of the other good feelings that I felt he was deprived of.
He was a really handsome man. Sure, his hair was unwashed and slick with grease. Sure, he had dark, deep bags under his eyes, and lines creasing his forehead which made him look like he was always worried about something. I didn't feel that any of those things took away from his attractiveness, he just needed to look after himself a bit better.
I blushed suddenly and looked down at my half-drank cappuccino, realising I had been gazing into his green eyes while he was speaking. He had a funny expression on his face that I couldn't quite figure out.
"So, Arthur, you like Sophie huh? At least, she told me you used to". I said it jokingly, but really I was trying to figure out whether he still liked her and this was not necessarily the date I thought it was, or whether he did have a thing for me now.
"Hey! Okay, okay, it's true. She's beautiful, and such a nice person..."
"So you do like her", I intervened.
"I did like her. But I've gotten over that now. Don't think she was too interested in me". Surprisingly he didn't sound disappointed, but amused, when he said this.
I was content with this much information for now, I didn't want to pry too much. So I changed the topic to the past two boyfriends I had had in the past. He seemed interested in hearing about them. Perhaps he'd never had a girlfriend.
After an hour and a half passed by very quickly, we decided to leave. We strolled back leisurely to our apartment complex, and when we got to my door I asked Arthur if he wanted to come in for dinner. He politely declined though, saying he had to go see how his mom was and to give her her dinner.
"Thanks for taking me out Arthur. To be honest, I think I enjoyed that little date more than I would've if that other numbskull bothered to show up" I giggled.
"No problem" he replied softly. "I really enjoyed it too".
The shy way he had muttered that last part melted my heart a bit.
"Yayyyy, so I must not be a terrible date after all" I laughed. "Well I'll see you again soon, okay?"
"Yeah. Um okay well bye for now" he turned to go, but then, taking a deep breath, spun around quickly to face me again before I closed the door.
"Wait!"
"Yeah?"
"You know how I said I didn't like Sophie anymore? Well I think that's because this other new girl came along not so long ago, and I like her even more".
I was not expecting this but I presumed (I hoped) it was me.
"Oh really? You know, I wouldn't be surprised at all if she liked you back".
And with that, out of nowhere, a smirk spread towards the corner of his mouth, and he walked off.