Behind His Mask

Breakfast

I hastily dug through my closet for something to wear. What are you suppose to wear for an outing with the Joker? Where were we going exactly? I gave up and decided to wear something comfortable, yet chic. Skinny jeans with a simple top. I threw on a blazer for an added touch of business flair.

Quickly, I touched up my makeup and fixed my hair. I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. This would have to do. I was out of time.

I exited my bedroom and walked cautiously through my apartment. I found the Joker peering into my refrigerator. He was bent down, thoughtfully staring at it's contents. I cleared my throat to make him aware of my presence.

"Not a uh, homemaker I'm guessing? What do you even eat for breakfast?", the Joker curiously asked as he stood up straighter and shut the door to the fridge. He must've noticed how empty it was. I spent too much of my time chasing stories that I rarely had time to cook.

"Um coffee?" I admitted. I rarely had that, but I didn't want to take the chance of making him mad by saying I didn't usually have anything at all. I wasn't sure what would set him off. He pursed his painted lips together and comically rubbed his chin.

"That isn't going to cut it, sweetheart. I need you focused today. Top of your game!" Joker threw his hands wildly up in the air. I panicked and tried to think of something to eat. When was the last time I even went to the grocery store?

"I think I might have some granola bars in the cabinet!" I hurriedly suggested. I walked towards the kitchen. The cabinet holding the suspected granola bars was directly beside the Joker. These small city apartments weren't generous with floor space. I'd have to slide past him to open the cabinet. He remained where he was, unmoving. I kept my eyes lowered as I neared him.

"Excuse me." I muttered as I turned to slip by in front of him. I could smell that familiar scent of paint and gunpowder as turned to face him. Things seemed to move in slow motion as I took a sideways step to slide past him. I raised my hand at the same time towards the cabinet.

Suddenly his hand shot up and grabbed my wrist. It was sudden and rough and he held it tightly. I jumped back only to run into the countertop behind me. Surprised, I looked up to him to see him staring back at me. His expression serious. My heart hammered against my chest. This was it. He was going to kill me right here in my apartment.

I stared into his cold, dark eyes. The black face paint surrounding his eyes made them look wickedly evil. He held my gaze for no longer than a couple seconds before his expression changed. He let out a chuckle and loosened his hold on my wrist before completely letting go of it. I let my arm drop to my side.

"Allow me." He stepped away from me and turned towards the cabinet. He opened it quickly as if he were a magician revealing a trick. His eyes quickly searched the shelves. He tilted his head as he peered into it. It shouldn't have taken him more than a moment to spot the granola bars. I stood there quietly watching him. That one look from him had put me on edge.

"You'll understand my caution. You see we uh, are just getting to know each other." He smacked his lips as he pulled two granola bars from the second shelf of the cabinet. He turned and smirked. Did he think I had some kind of weapon stashed in that cabinet? That I'd have the courage to actually pull a weapon from there and go head to head with him? The thought almost made me laugh, but I kept my cool and remained silent. He paused for a moment after his words and when I didn't respond he handed me the bars and continued.

"You see it's not that I don't trust you. It's simply well... I don't know you, (Y/N)." Joker leaned back against the countertop across from me. We were still close to each other, but at this distance I could at least breath easier.