RELAPSE - Arthur Fleck | Joker FANFIC/LOVE STORY

Chapter 17: Next Step

Anon's POV:

I woke up to a gentle shake on my arm. I opened my eyes and Arthur was standing over me, "I'm sorry to wake you, but Mom is about to make her way in here. I though y--"

I looked down at myself and saw I was still just in my bra and panties. I quickly sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, "Yeah, you're right. I better go."

I stood up to get dressed, but Arthur placed his hands on my waist and pulled me towards him, "You don't have to go. I just woke you so you could get dressed."

I shook my head at him, "No, I don't want your mom to see me, first thing in the morning, in the same clothes I was wearing last night."

He let out a small laugh, "Doubt she would even notice it."

I kissed him on the cheek, "I'm just going to go to Sophie's, take a shower, change and then I'll come back. Okay?"

He pretended to pout for a moment, but then he smile, "Okay." He removed his hands from me so I could fetch my dress and put it on.

I slipped on my jacket as I quietly made my way out his apartment and walked towards Sophie's. I didn't even think to look at what time it was, so I wasn't sure to expect Sophie to be up or not. I bit my lip as I unlocked the apartment door and opened it. I peaked inside and Sophie was sitting on the couch with her daughter watching tv, but the sound of the door opening made her look towards the door. Her face flashed with worry before she realized it was me. She whispered something to her daughter as she got up and walked towards me as I entered the apartment and closed the door.

"Well, well. Where were you?" She was now standing in front of me and she leaned herself against the wall, waiting for me to spill the beans.

"I, uh, well... I stayed at Arthur's last night."

She looked me up and down, "I see. So, you two really are getting serious. Aren't you?"

I gave her a confused look because I honestly was. I wasn't sure what she was trying to get at. Was she happy about it? Did she still think it was odd? I just wasn't sure. "Yeah, we are. Is there a problem with that?"

I walked past her to get to the kitchen to get something to drink. I inspected the fridge as she answered, "I don't know. I just wouldn't picture Arthur as a guy you would date." She sighed in frustration, "God, I don't want to make you mad at me or anything. I mean, Arthur is a sweet enough guy, but I just don't really see this working out. Ya know, long term."

I was sipping on orange juice by the time she finished. I leaned myself against the counter, thinking about what she said. Why were all of these people doubting Arthur and my relationship with him. First the counselor, then Sam (not a big surprise there though), and now Sophie. I finally decided to drop the conversation completely. I pulled out an envelope that was in my jacket pocket, opened it and took out the money I received from cashing my check yesterday - minus what I spent to pay for food last night. I counted out a decent chunk of it and held it out towards Sophie, "Here, I know this doesn't pay you back completely for everything you have done for me, but I need the rest to get me until next pay day. I'll get you some more then."

Sophie shook her head, "I keep telling you that I'm not expecting you to pay me back."

I placed the cash on the kitchen counter, "But I am anyways. I might go searching for my own apartment today. Maybe I can find something."