Ledger Joker X Harley - Tumblr Posts

First Encounter

Ledger!Joker x Harley (what I think she’d be like in the Nolanverse)

Word Count: 1239

Warnings: Some swearing

Summary: Harleen Quinzel’s first time meeting the Joker. Chapter 1 this Harley series.

Author’s Note: My first writing on here! 💕 I’ll talk more about J and Harley’s relationship at a later time. But at least have this in mind, there is no abuse. I think it would still be considered an unhealthy relationship but J does not abuse her and he respects her. TDK Joker is like the only version of the Joker that I ship with Harley because the rest are extremely toxic and Harley Quinn hasn’t been created in the Nolanverse so I can headcanon their relationship to be however I think it should go 😌 I also want to write some Ledger!Joker x reader oneshots in the future for all my self shipping friends and myself included 🤭 Enjoy!

Harleen buried her face into her arms and sobbed. Why was her life going so wrong? She didn’t understand it. Suddenly a pair of hands jerked her up and ripped her bag out of her hands. The hands belonged to a group of men who Harleen guessed were street thugs. She would’ve stopped them but she was far too exhausted and everything else was already taken from her. What did her wallet matter? She simply lowered her eyes and continued to cry silently.

“Thanks lady.” one thug taunted. 

The group cackled to themselves and ran down the alleyway. The laughter stopped and was replaced by gasps. Harleen looked over and saw the thugs stop dead in their tracks with a terrified expression on their faces as a tall figure loomed over them. Harleen couldn’t really see the figure because it was so dark but whatever it was, it scared the shit out of the thugs. They were so afraid they dropped the bag and ran away.

The figure turned out to be a man. Harleen couldn’t really see his face but she did see him pick up the bag and walk over. She tensed. 

“I believe this is yours.” the man said as he handed her the bag. 

His voice was strange yet somewhat familiar. Harleen felt like she’d heard it before but she couldn’t figure out where. She took the bag from him and looked up. She gasped at who she saw.

It was the very man she was supposed to treat if she had gotten the job at Arkham. The same man who killed so many people and blew up buildings without thinking twice. The Joker. He was scary in his file (that she had to study frontwards and backwards before she could even be hired) but he was scarier in real life. 

“What’s the matter, sweetheart? I hope I didn’t scare ya.” Joker said with a small chuckle. 

Harleen was too scared to speak. 

“Got a name?” Joker asked her. 

Harleen felt herself back into the wall, trying to get away from him. 

“Can’t you speak? It’s rude to ignore people, ya know.” Joker muttered and yanked the bag away from Harleen. 

She jumped and he smirked at her reaction. He looked inside her wallet at her ID. 

“Harleen Quinzel. Ha. I like that. Rework it a bit and you get Harley Quinn.”

“Like a harlequin. I’ve heard it before.” Harleen said shakily. 

“So you do speak. Do you know who I am, Harley?”

“Yes, how could I not? You’re all over the news just about every week.” 

Joker chuckled to himself.

Harleen couldn’t help but stare at him. He wasn’t wearing his signature makeup, so it was easy for her to pick up on his features. He was gorgeous. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of brown she had ever seen. His jawline was perfect and there was something about his nose. But his mouth… 

The part of his face that most people grimaced at, Harleen was the most drawn to. She thought his scars were horrifying but at the same time strangely mesmerizing. His lips were so expressive and moved so fluidly. She did find the tongue thing a bit weird but she guessed it was just a habit he acquired after getting his scars. Similar to when someone has a sore inside their cheek.

“Take a picture, it'll last longer.”

Harleen snapped out of her trance.

“Sorry. I’ve just never seen-“

“Oh, these? You wanna know how I got ‘em?” Joker interrupted and pointed to his scars.

It caught Harleen off guard.

“Uh, no. You’ll just tell me some made up story like you do everyone else.”

Joker laughed. “Smart girl.”

Harleen flashed a smile nervously.

“So, what’s a pretty lady like you doing out here by yourself? It’s not safe, ya know.”

“I, um, don’t have anywhere else to go.” Harleen stammered. He called her pretty.

“You don’t? You look like you’re fresh out of college. Can’t you get a job?”

Harleen shrugged. She didn’t want to tell him. If she did, he might kill her.

“Ya know, your name sounds familiar. Not just cuz of a harlequin but I’ve seen it somewhere before. What did you go to school for?”

“Psychology.” Harleen answered quietly. 

Joker’s eyes lit up. “Did you happen to intern at Arkham?”

“N-No, but I applied for a job there.”

“So that’s where I’ve seen it before. I was told a few months ago that I would be seeing a new doctor. Someone hired specifically for me. How nice of them. Anyways, they didn’t tell me who it was but the morons left the folder open where I could see it and I saw the applicants’ names. Yours was there. I ended up with some prissy bitch who I scared shitless of course. She didn’t last two days.”

Harleen stifled a laugh and muttered, “Good.”

Joker grinned. “I take it you dislike her?”

“I hate her. That ‘prissy bitch’ is Madison Lancaster, daughter of one of the richest men in Gotham. He bribed the asylum to hire her even though she had no experience whatsoever and she did not even have a legit degree because her father bribed the college as well. But you know how underfunded they are. Of course they hired her.” 

“Why didn’t they just hire you after she quit?”

Harleen sighed. “I don’t know. I guess they didn’t need that position anymore. And you escaped a week later so they probably had bigger problems to worry about. I don’t really want to work there anyway. Given how corrupt it is. Gotham Psychiatric didn’t have any job openings so I just gave up.”

“How’d you get here?”

“I could never find a job so I couldn’t pay rent and I got evicted. Then I wandered the streets and found my way here. I know it’s dangerous at night but during the day it’s not that bad.”

“It’s very dangerous at night. You could’ve been killed by those guys earlier.”

I could be killed right now. Harley thought. 

“No offense, but you’re tiny. You wouldn’t stand a chance.” Joker told her. 

“Trust me, I can hold my own.”

“If you say so. Just be careful. I don’t wanna see you maimed on the sidewalk tomorrow.” 

Harleen grimaced. Joker stood up and produced a small knife from his pocket.

“Here. In case someone bothers you again.” 

“Uh, thanks.” Harleen mumbled and put the knife in her bag.

Joker nodded in response and walked towards the ladder hanging off the abandoned building’s outside staircase.

“Where are you going?” Harleen called out.

“I live here. The police never check this side of town.” He replied back. 

Harleen watched him climb up the ladder and then the stairs. He reached his floor and turned to wave at her. Then he disappeared through the window. 

Harleen couldn’t believe who she just had a whole conversation with. What was even more crazy was that he didn’t try to kill her. Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.

She shook off the thought. He was a sociopathic serial killer. She couldn’t let one nonviolent encounter cloud her judgment. His moods changed on a dime and the next time she saw him, she might not be so lucky. 

It was best to stay away as much as possible. Little did she know this wasn’t the only encounter she would have with the Joker.

Moving In

Ledger!Joker x Harley (what I think she'd be like in the Nolanverse)

Word Count: 1116

Warnings: Some swearing and violence

Summary: After Harleen is attacked and injured in the alleyway, J invites her to stay in his hideout. Chapter 2 of this series. Chapter 1 here.

Author's Note: I wanted to get some writing done over these few days off since December is gonna be so busy lmao. Anyway as always enjoy! 💕

Harleen was getting more familiar with the man. They saw each other almost every night and talked for hours. It was like they had known each other their whole lives and not just a few weeks. He also brought her food and various things she needed. Harleen appreciated the gesture but she didn’t understand why he was being so kind to her. More days passed and he still kept coming.

This time, it was getting really late and she guessed Joker was probably staying out because of a “job” or something. So Harleen buried herself under her blankets and tried to sleep on the hard concrete. Some time passed and she still couldn’t sleep. 

Suddenly she heard voices echoing down the alleyway. She tensed and tried to remain perfectly still. 

“There ain’t nothing out here! It’s the emptiest part of town!” One voice shouted.

“You know how many bums live around here? They probably got at least a little cash on them. It’ll be just enough to get a fix. Look over there. There’s one.” Another voice said.

Harleen heard footsteps coming towards her. A pair of hands ripped the blankets off of her. She gasped. A group of three men stood over her.

“Would ya look at this beauty, boys! We found something better than cash.” One man told the others.

“Yeah. Let’s get her.”

The men charged towards her. Harleen grabbed the knife that Joker had given her.

“Get away from me!” She shouted.

The men just laughed at her. They took out their knives and lunged. Harleen ducked. One man’s knife grazed her leg. She winced and tried to crawl away. She got about halfway down the alley but one of the men grabbed her leg. She tried to kick him off but it was no use.

Suddenly she heard one of them scream. She looked up and saw Joker kicking the hell out of them. He bashed them into the wall, punched them repeatedly, knocked their teeth out. Harleen thought for sure he’d kill them. He probably did because they were lying on the ground and not moving.

Joker walked over to Harleen and offered her a hand up. She took it and stood up on her wobbly, weak legs. Joker put his arm around her to keep her from falling.

“You, uh, okay?” He asked.

“Yeah. My leg is a little injured but I’ll be fine.”

“It’s not safe for ya out here. Come stay with me at my place. I don’t mind.”

Harleen considered the offer for a moment. She knew she shouldn’t. She would be staying in an extremely dangerous criminal’s hideout. There was no telling what could happen to her. But he had been very kind to her and he did rescue her twice. Besides, as much as she hated to admit it, she was starting to grow very fond of him. 

Oh, what the hell? I don’t have anything to lose anyway. So what if he kills me?

“Uh, sure. I’d love to. Thank you.” Harleen told him.

“It’s nothing. You’re gonna have trouble getting up the stairs. Here...” 

Joker picked her up and carried her in his arms. Harleen was startled.

“Uh, okay.” She muttered as Joker started up the stairs on the side of the building. 

He got to his floor and set Harleen down for a moment. He pried open the window as far as it would go and crawled through. Harleen followed him. He shut the window behind them.

Joker helped her up and led her through the apartment. It was dark, messy, and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned properly in a long time. He sat Harleen down on the grungy, tattered looking couch and cleared away some drawn on newspapers and stuff from the coffee table. 

“Sorry ‘bout the mess. I don’t usually get, uh, visitors.” He offered a small apology. 

Joker grabbed a box from a table across the room and sat down on the couch beside Harleen. He opened the box and inside were medical supplies. 

“I gotta treat your leg, otherwise it’ll get infected. Ya don’t want that. It can get, uh, pretty nasty.” Joker told her. 

Harleen nodded. She rolled up her pants and let him stitch her up. He was quick yet gentle at the same time. When he finished you could barely tell there was a wound. 

“How’d you learn how to do that?” Harleen asked him.

“I’ve had lots of practice.” Joker replied as he put away the medical stuff.

Harleen pulled her knees up to her chest and looked around the apartment. Behind the living area was an open kitchen that had dishes, pots, and pans scattered everywhere. Across the room to her right was a bed that wasn’t made and pushed into a corner. She noticed there weren’t any rooms in this place except one in the other corner that she guessed was a bathroom.

“Where do ya wanna sleep? I got a bed and a couch.” Joker asked.

“The couch is fine.” Harleen responded. 

She was not about to sleep in someone else’s bed. This was already weird enough.

“Why are there no rooms here?”

“I tore the walls down cause I needed the space and I like seeing what’s going on around me. If I slept in a bedroom, I couldn’t see if someone broke in. I sleep with a knife under my pillow just in case that happens. It's much more reliable than a gun because see, a knife can't jam or run out of ammo or fail on me like a gun could.”

“Oh. That makes sense I guess.” Harleen muttered uncomfortably.

Joker yawned. “I’m tired so I’m goin’ to bed. You can do whatever you want. Just don’t touch anything cause I do have weapons and stuff here.”

Harleen nodded. 

Joker slid out of his dress shoes, purple coat, green vest, and tie, leaving them on the floor. He crawled into bed, still wearing his dress shirt, pants, checkered socks, and of course his makeup. Harleen wished he’d wash it off so she could see his gorgeous face again. The first night they met was the only time she’d ever seen him without it.

“G’night.” He said.

“Goodnight Joker.” Harleen said back. It felt weird calling him that.

“Call me J.” He mumbled before drifting off. 

J. Harleen liked that a lot better. She guessed he must’ve been really tired because she’d read in his patient file before that he had trouble sleeping. It made sense. With his racing mind, it probably seemed impossible to get some rest.

Harleen laid down on the couch, propping her leg up on a pillow. She rested her head on another pillow and covered up with her jacket. She closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.

Some Harley doodles because I love her

Getting Closer

Ledger!Joker x Harley (what I think she’d be like in the Nolanverse)

Word Count: 1814

Warnings: Swearing, mention of sexual abuse and rape

Summary: Harleen is starting to get more comfortable living with the Joker. They eventually form a relationship without realizing it and things get carried away. Harleen reveals her tragic past. Chapter 3 of this series. Chapter 1 here and chapter 2 here.

Author’s Note: There is a content warning for this chapter. If the warnings above trigger you then please don’t read. It’s nothing too graphic but just to be safe. As I said, Harleen talks about some stuff that happened in her past and you can probably guess what that is.

Harleen woke up the next morning and sat up. She looked around at her surroundings. Nothing had changed except that there was a bit more light and she could see everything a lot better.  

Joker was still asleep. She didn’t know what to do and much to her annoyance, she had to use the bathroom. So she got up and tiptoed around the apartment, limping on her injured foot. She made it to the bathroom and closed the door quietly. 

She didn’t know what she was expecting but it wasn’t this. The bathroom was surprisingly clean and smelled nice. There was even a fluffy purple rug on the floor. The cabinets were messy but compared to everything else, this was the cleanest area in the apartment.

She did her business and got out. Just as she closed the door behind her, she walked right into Joker’s muscled chest and gasped.

“You shouldn’t be walking on that leg.” He told her bluntly.

“I know.”

“What were you doing in there?” 

Harleen huffed. “What do you think, Sherlock?” 

Joker smirked. “I was just gonna tell you that you can shower in there if ya want. I don’t care.”

“Are you sure?”

That sounded like a dream. She hadn’t had a proper shower in so long.

“Yeah. I don’t care. Honestly.”

Without any hesitation, Harleen went back into the bathroom and closed the door. Joker chuckled.

“Towels are under the sink.” He called out as he made his way over to the kitchen.

After Harleen washed up and changed into her extra pair of clothes she had in her bag, she walked back towards the living room but stopped when she saw Joker in the kitchen frying something. She watched him work with interest. 

It was as if he was just a normal guy, cooking breakfast on a Saturday morning and not a deranged mass murderer. 

A mass murderer with a nice ass- Ugh! Harleen! Seriously? Do not go there.

Joker noticed her staring at him out of the corner of his eye. 

“What? Never seen anybody fry an egg before?” He said without turning around.

Harleen blushed. “Sorry. You just surprised me.”

“Why?”

“You don’t seem like you actually take time to slow down and cook for yourself.”

“I usually don’t. But I’m not doing anything today and I won’t be for a while. That job last night should take care of things for now. And I, uh, figured you might be hungry.”

“Starving.” Harleen muttered.

“It’s almost ready.”

He finished up and cleared away some space on his kitchen table. Harleen sat in one of the chairs as he put the pan down. He put out two plates and sat down across from her. 

Joker fished out one of the eggs for her and then the other for himself. They ate in silence for a while. Harleen thought the egg was really good but she didn’t say anything. She was still very much intimidated by him. She could feel him watching her with those dark eyes.

“So, how is it?” Joker asked.

“It’s really good. I don’t normally eat eggs but I like this one.” 

“Mhm.”

“If this building is old and abandoned, then how come the plumbing and electrical stuff works?” 

“I have a guy for that. The rest of the stuff I fixed up myself.” 

“Really? Wow.” 

“Took us ‘bout a month but I think we got it straightened out.” 

They went quiet again, unsure of what to say to each other. Harleen broke the silence after a few moments.

“Um, thanks again for letting me stay here. I really appreciate it.” She said meekly.

Joker shrugged. “I really don’t mind. It gets kinda boring here. I’m glad I have someone to talk to.” 

He picked up the plates and tossed them into the sink.

—

Days passed and Harleen was getting more and more comfortable around Joker. He still scared her a bit but his kindness towards her drowned the fear out. When Harleen’s leg started to heal, she helped him clean up around the apartment.

Every day Joker would cook for the two of them and they would talk for hours. About life, Arkham, and sometimes even Batman. Sometimes about stupid things like which color of the rainbow was the best. Only the Joker would debate such nonsense. Harleen loved that about him. 

Then came the day before his next job. Joker was a little wary to leave Harleen by herself but he knew she would be fine. He had come to trust her over the past weeks.

“You’ll be fine here by yourself?” Joker asked her that evening as they ate dinner.

“Yeah. I’ll take care of the apartment while you’re gone. Um, how long will you be gone?”

“I don’t know. It could be just tomorrow or it could be a few days. It shouldn’t take longer than three or four days.” 

Harleen nodded. They finished their meal and moved into the living area. Joker sat down on the bed and motioned for Harleen to sit next to him. She obliged. Before either of them knew what was happening, they found themselves nestled close together, gazing out the window at the street lights and the bustling city not too far away.

Joker turned and looked at Harleen. She stared deep into Joker’s dark eyes as he gazed back into her brilliant blue. She could feel the two of them getting closer and closer together until finally their lips met. They kissed for a few seconds and then Harleen pulled away. She didn’t like where this was going. Her mind raced.

Harleen, you’re living with him! This was bound to happen sometime! 

Deep down she wanted a relationship with Joker but she didn’t want this to go any further. At least not yet. She wasn’t ready.

Joker shut the tattered curtains and laid back. He pulled Harleen down with him. She rested her head on his shoulder. They laid there peacefully for a few minutes. Harleen hoped he’d fall asleep but that wasn’t likely.

She felt his hand slide up from her stomach to her breasts. She cringed. He didn’t see her reaction. If he had he would have stopped but Harleen didn’t know that. 

She trembled as he got more handsy. She reached up and caressed his scarred cheek in an attempt to distract him. It gave Joker the impression that she was playing along or wanted more.

Joker could tell she was a bit nervous so he fed off of that. He grabbed her jaw playfully, wrapping his other arm around her and pinning her down. 

“Am I scaring ya, doll?”

“Yes.” Harleen whimpered.

“Aw. I don’t mean to. Relax.” He mumbled as he kissed her neck.

“Please stop...”

“Why?”

She wanted to scream. Why wasn’t this man taking the hint?

“I don’t want this right now.”

“Whyyy?”

Harleen couldn’t take it anymore. She jerked herself away from him and sat up.

“I was raped!” She shouted, tears in her eyes.

Joker went serious. His face softened. “What?”

Harleen sniffled. “Twice. By my step father when I was 12 and by my boyfriend when I was 17. I just…I can’t do this. I don’t want to.” 

She started sobbing. Joker attempted to calm her down.

“Hey hey hey. Don’t cry. I, uh, overstepped. I knew you were scared of me but I didn’t think you were being so timid because of that.” 

“Yeah? Well a lot of other guys didn’t either! Men take one look at me and think I’m some blonde bimbo slut. But I-” She choked over her tears.

Joker pulled her into his chest. Harleen gave up resisting him and just sobbed into his shirt. When she was calm, he spoke.

“Listen, I didn’t mean to trigger anything. Honest. If ya don’t wanna go through with whatever we have going on between us anymore, I get it. But if ya do, I promise I’ll take it slow.”

“Yes. I want to. I’ve never felt so strongly about anyone else before. But I just don’t want this. Not tonight. And not for a while at least.” 

Joker nodded. “Okay. I’ll respect that. Do you want to talk about it or…?” 

Harleen sighed. “Not really but I guess you need context. My biological father left my mom and I when I was two. I don’t remember him. I never understood why he left but now I do. My mom was impossible to live with. She was an alcoholic narcissistic asshole who remarried an even bigger asshole. From when I was small to when I was about 16, he and his brothers abused me. My mom knew and she did nothing. Then he raped me. I told my mom and she said I was just looking for attention. That hurt me more than anything. The only good that came from my step dad was my brother Barry. Well, half brother but it didn’t matter to me. Mom had him after she got remarried. He helped me get through everything. We were very close. But it was short lived. He overdosed just before I graduated. That destroyed me. He was so young.”

She rubbed her eyes. Just thinking about it made her cry.

“What about the boyfriend?” Joker asked. He seemed genuinely invested in her story.

“I should have never dated him in the first place. He was a real low life. I honestly don’t know what I saw in him. One night he took me out for a date in his car. We made out and all that stuff but then he took it too far. I told him no repeatedly. I hit him. I did everything I could but he did it anyway. He forced me down on the floorboard and had his way with me. When I finally got the chance, I pushed him off and ran out of the car and into the nearest building. I knew he wouldn’t follow me into a crowd. The next day I reported it. The police took one look at me and didn’t believe me. Stupid pigs.”

Joker shook his head and let out a small sigh. He clasped his hand with hers.

Harleen smiled softly. “I’m sorry for getting so upset. You didn’t know.”

“No. I should’ve asked ya first. I feel like an idiot.” 

“It’s okay. Really.” Harleen said and kissed his cheek.

Joker yawned. “Man, it's getting late. I should be asleep right now. I gotta get up early tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” Harleen murmured and started to go to the couch.

“You can stay if you want.” Joker told her, pulling the covers over himself. 

Harleen smiled and slid under the covers next to Joker. She wrapped her arms around his chest and snuggled close. Joker chuckled.

“G’night Harls.” He mumbled sleepily.

“Goodnight J.” Harleen replied.

She would miss his warm embrace in the morning.

I don’t need help

Ledger!Joker x Harley (what I think she’d be like in the Nolanverse)

Word Count: 2135

Warnings: Swearing, mention of violence

Summary: Joker comes back to the apartment injured and Harleen helps him patch up his wounds. In the aftermath, she analyzes their relationship and she gets an idea. Chapter 4 of this series. Chapters 1 2 and 3

Author’s Note: Longer chapter this time! I think there’s just one more chapter left and Harleen’s transformation will be complete 😈

It had been two days since Joker left. Harleen took care of the apartment while she waited patiently for him to return. Tonight she was in the kitchen sorting through the cabinets and the refrigerator. She threw out expired food and reorganized the food that was still good. 

This man is so damn messy.

Joker didn’t have much food as it was. Harleen was going to ask him for some money when he got back so she could go buy groceries. She knew he liked fruit loops and chicken nuggets. He ate like a little kid and she found it adorable. She wanted to get healthier stuff too and encourage him to eat more. The poor thing never took time to slow down and eat, except for those days he had cooked for her. 

Harleen wondered if they fed him well in Arkham. She remembered the behavioral section of his file had mentioned him being a light eater and would often refuse meals altogether unless he was forced to eat. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud crash at the window. The sudden noise startled her and caused her to drop the box of stale cereal she was holding. She stood up, grabbed a kitchen knife, and went over to the window to check out what made the noise.

A bloody hand reached up and forced open the window. Harleen jumped back in a fright. A head full of wild green curls appeared. The muscular figure tumbled through the window. Harleen relaxed. It was just Joker. Her relief didn’t last long.

Joker was bloody and gasping in pain. Harleen put the knife on the counter and rushed to Joker. She knelt down beside him.

“J! What happened?” 

Joker just laid there wincing in pain.

“Take off my…my, uh, coat. P-Please.” He finally managed to say, panting.

Harleen helped him out of his purple coat and his shoes. Now she could see the real damage. His side and his shoulder was extremely bloody, soaking his dress shirt.

Harleen thought for a moment. There was a first aid kit in the bathroom and she’d need somewhere to clean him up. She decided she had to move him there. She grabbed his hand and attempted to pull him up.

 “What are you doing?” Joker mumbled.

“I’m moving you into the bathroom. I can tend to the wounds there.” Harleen told him.

“No. Just let me lay here for a little while. I can handle it.” 

“You’ll bleed out. Just try and stand up, okay?”

Harleen managed to pull him up this time but he crashed into her in defiance. That didn’t stop her. She dragged him towards the bathroom as he kicked and screamed deliriously for her to stop.

“I’m trying to help you! Calm down!” Harleen shouted at him.

“I’m fine!” Joker roared.

“No wonder they have such a hard time treating you at Arkham! You’re so stubborn!”

“They make everything worse! Just like you are right now!”

“How am I making it worse? You’re going to bleed out if I don’t do something. Please J, just let me help.”

Joker thought for a moment. “Fine. Do what you have to.”

Harleen finally got him into the bathroom and laid him down on the floor, propping his head up with a towel. She grabbed a first aid kit and a warm wet washcloth. Then she removed his vest, tie, and dress shirt. She saw the wounds and breathed a sigh of relief. They weren’t as bad as she’d first thought but if she left them untreated they would definitely get infected.

Harleen took the wet washcloth and began cleaning away blood and debris from his wounds. Joker winced. She set the washcloth down and examined the wound on his side, trying to figure out what to do with it.

“Should I stitch this one up or bandage it?”

“I dunno. You’re the doctor, not me.”

Harleen glared at him. “Your attitude isn’t helping any.”

Joker rolled his eyes. He looked down at himself. 

“The shoulder wound should be fine, just bandage it well. The bullet barely touched me. But as for my, uh, side, I didn’t get so lucky. That’s a slash from a knife. So yeah, stitch that one up.”

Harleen nodded. She stitched up his side the best she could as Joker gritted his teeth and shot daggers at her with his eyes. She finished and cut off the remaining thread. 

“Took ya long enough. I could’ve done that in less than a minute.” Joker growled.

Harleen brushed his sweaty hair out of his face and kissed his forehead.

“You don’t have to be so hateful. I’m only trying to help.” 

“That’s what they all say. Then they pump you full of drugs and tie you to a bed. That’s sooo helpful. I just love straight jackets and needles.” Joker said bitterly.

Harleen sighed. “This is different. Don’t be such a drama queen.”

“Whatever.”

Harleen started to bandage his shoulder but stopped. He was filthy. A bath would do him some good. She could bandage him afterwards. 

“You need a bath.” She told him.

“Nope. Not gonna happen.” Joker snapped.

“Please. You’re all sweaty and bloody. It’ll make you feel better.”

“No.” 

“Fine. I’ll put you in the tub myself.”

“Dammit woman! Why can’t ya just leave me alone?”

“Because I care about you! Now are you going to get in the tub or do I have to make you?”

Joker groaned. “Alright fine.”

He took off his purple pants and boxers and then his checkered socks. Harleen blushed as she realized she’d never seen him naked before. She tried her best not to stare but she couldn’t help it. 

Joker noticed and giggled. “Like what ya see?”

Harleen looked away sheepishly. She did but she wouldn’t say it out loud. Joker was tall and slender yet had beautifully toned muscles. He was so gorgeous.

Joker climbed into the tub and laid back.

“I’m not doing anything. This was your idea.” He declared.

Harleen rolled her eyes. She turned on the water and set it to a good temperature. After the tub filled up halfway, she grabbed a clean washcloth and dipped it in the water.

“You want your makeup off?” She asked.

“Yeah.” Joker murmured.

The warm water felt good on his aching muscles. He closed his eyes and hummed softly. Harleen smirked. She knew a bath would relax him. 

She took the washcloth and gently washed his face. His makeup was already half gone to begin with so it came off easily. After a few more scrubs, his bare face she loved so much was visible again and she could see his pretty freckles.

Harleen set the washcloth down and moved on to his hair. She poured some water over his head and lathered his hair with shampoo. Then she rinsed it out and combed through his tangled hair with her fingers.

“Do you ever detangle your hair?” She asked him.

“Only when it gets really bad.” Joker answered.

Harleen shook her head. Clearly hygiene and eating were not at the top of his priorities.

“I’m gonna wash your body now. Just be still. I know you’re a little sore.” Harleen said calmly.

“Just get it over with already. Stop talking to me like I’m a child.” Joker grumbled.

“Why? You’ve been acting like one.”

Joker narrowed his eyes.

Harleen poured some body wash into her hand and began washing his body. When she got to his back, she gasped. It was covered in scars. Some older and some more recent. Some from the sharp edge of a knife and some from bullets fired at him. She had noticed a few dotted along his arms and his chest but she thought nothing of it. Now that she looked closer, his whole body was littered with them. 

“What?” Joker asked when he heard her gasp.

“Your back…” Harleen trailed off.

“Yeah I know. That’s what happens in my, uh, line of work, doll.” 

“You’re telling me you’ve gotten all of these injuries in the last two years?”

“Well no. I had some of them before I started all this.”

“What did you do before this?”

“That’s a secret.” 

“You’re impossible. Why does your past have to be so secretive?”

“I’d just rather keep it that way.”

“You know, people could actually help you if they knew what caused all this. Whatever happened to you must’ve been pretty bad.”

A dark look came over Joker’s face. Harleen gulped.

“It was. That’s partly why I’d rather it remain unknown. If you knew what was good for you, you’d stop trying to play therapist and shut up about it.” 

Harleen nodded. She decided to change the subject.

“I'm done now. Do you need help getting out?”

“I got it.” Joker huffed and swatted her away. 

He staggered out of the tub, grabbed a towel, dried off, and went back to the living room. Harleen drained the water and cleaned up the mess. She followed Joker out and sat down on the couch.

Joker tossed the towel on the floor and opened up a wooden chest next to the bed. He grabbed himself a shirt and a pair of boxers. He slid them on and collapsed onto the bed, sighing in relief. He glanced up at Harleen. 

“Are you gonna join me or what?” He said with a yawn.

“I didn’t think you wanted me to. I’ve made you mad all night.” Harleen said, standing up and stripping off into just a shirt and underwear. She climbed into bed with him. 

“No ya didn’t. I was just, uh, irritated. I do feel a lot better now. Still a little sore but better.”

“You’re welcome. Now go to bed. A good night’s rest will really help.”

Joker nodded. He gave Harleen a brief goodnight kiss. He laid his head on his pillow and closed his eyes. Within a few minutes he was asleep. Harleen watched his chest rise and fall and listened to his soft breathing. It was a beautiful sight to see. 

The poor thing must’ve been exhausted. Harleen wondered what he’d gotten himself into to come back that injured. She pictured him and his men in a shootout with the cops. Any normal person would have been repulsed by such violence but Harleen was growing more and more apathetic towards it. She didn’t completely agree with his methods but she applauded him for standing up to the big guys of society.

And just picturing him out there, laughing maniacally, guns blazing, clothes soaked in blood…turned her on something fierce. She’d always had a thing for bad boys. What attracted her more was the thought of joining him. It was a stupid thought. Throwing her life away for some psychotic clown. She was already halfway there. If the police were to discover the apartment, she would be arrested for technically harboring a fugitive.

The more she thought about it the more she realized. What life would she be throwing away? She had nothing left to lose anymore. She had no money, nowhere to live, no career, and no family. She could try to get a job at Arkham again but she wasn’t so sure she wanted to work there anymore. They treated patients like shit and the same could probably be said for the staff. The biggest issue with working at Arkham was her relationship with Joker. It would have to come to an end. Joker would probably end it for her. There was no way he’d love the same person that prescribed him his meds that he hated and analyzed him everyday.

Harleen was not ready to give it up yet. Over the course of the two months that she’d known him, she’d grown quite fond of him. No, she loved him. Fiercely. He’d been kind to her, took her in, rescued her, let her near his heart. No one else had ever had that privilege before. 

Joker never opened up to anyone but he opened up to her. He’d never shown anyone genuine physical affection but he gave some to her. He listened to her. He listened. She could vent to him. He understood her trauma. He respected her. He was nothing like the other men throughout her life that took advantage of her and made her feel worthless. 

Harleen felt like she owed him something in return. She could help him. She could be his partner in crime. She could be his Harley Quinn. She still hadn’t forgotten his take on her name. It rang in her ears constantly. She loved the sound and feel of it.

Harley Quinn… 

She knew Joker wouldn’t want her doing it because he didn’t want her to get hurt but maybe she could convince him otherwise. She began to formulate a plan…

Masterlist ✨

Ledger!Joker x Reader Oneshots

Just The Way You Are - Joker paired with a reader self conscious about their weight/body

Dress Shopping - After y/n orders a dress that doesn't fit, her insecurities about her body take over. Luckily Joker knows just what to do to help. Part 2 for Just The Way You Are

Exhaustion - J comes home from work tired and covered in blood. You help him relax and get some rest.

Curls - J and the reader bond over their shared hair type.

Home from the Psych Ward - Joker has been in Arkham for the past month. He escaped two days ago and after the horrible treatment comes home to you sick and miserable. You nurse him back to health.

My Everything - Y/n is killed by one of Joker’s many enemies and as we can all predict, J loses his everloving mind.

Your Scars Are Part of You - J comes home from work one night feeling unusually self conscious about his looks. You do everything you can to help him feel better - short fluff drabble

Ledger!Joker Headcanons

Miscellaneous

J x Artist!Reader

J x 18 yo Reader

Christmas Headcanons

Music Headcanons/Ask Game

Pregnant!Reader and J as a Dad

Crack A Smile and Cut Your Mouth - Joker Origin Story - In Progress

Chapter 1: Jack

Chapter 2: Feels Better In My Head

Chapter 3: Leaving Home

Chapter 4: Desert Sands

Chapter 5: Hell On Earth

Chapter 6: Injury

Chapter 7: Discharged

Chapter 8: Life's Full of Surprises

Chapter 9: Gotham

Chapter 10: Nothing Is The Same

Chapter 11: I'll Take A Quiet Life

Chapter 12: Calloused Heart

Chapter 13: There Ought To Be Clowns

Fire Meet Gasoline - Nolanverse!Harley Origin Story - Completed

Chapter 1: First Encounter

Chapter 2: Moving In

Chapter 3: Getting Closer

Chapter 4: I don’t need help

Chapter 5: Harlequinade

Red Silk - Ledger!Joker x Nolanverse!Harley Oneshot

Harlequinade

Ledger!Joker x Harley (what I think she’d be like in the Nolanverse)

Word Count: 2710

Warnings: None

Summary: Harleen assembles her costume and requests to join Joker in his mission to spread chaos, much to his horror.

Author’s Note: Woo! Last chapter of this fic is complete! I didn’t think I’d ever get it done. Harley has officially gone off the deep end. There’s no turning back now! Anyway, I renamed this fic on Ao3 to Fire Meet Gasoline in reference to a Sia song because it’s totally them. I’m probably also going to rename some of the chapter titles as well because they’re vague and not very creative. Coming up with titles is not my strong point. Anyways, as always enjoy! I really liked writing this. There will definitely be more to come.

Joker woke up to the sound of a loud crash. He sat straight up and scanned the apartment. He relaxed when he realized it was just Harleen. She was in the kitchen making something. Two metal pans had fallen on the floor.

Sighing, Joker stood up and stretched. He groggily walked into the kitchen.

“Whatcha doing?” He asked Harleen.

“Cooking breakfast.” She replied as she mixed something in a bowl.

Joker watched her work, admiring her curves in the dim morning light. 

“I found a pancake mix. It was in the back of one of those cabinets I cleaned out yesterday. You need to restock on food by the way.” Harleen told him.

“I don’t feel like going anywhere today.” 

“I could go later.” 

“How?”

“I’ll walk. Duh.”

“That’s not a very good idea.”

“There’s a Walmart three blocks from here. It’s not far. I’ll be fine.”

“If you say so.”

Joker sat down at the kitchen table. Harleen poured the mixture into a buttered pan on the stove and let it cook.

“How’s your side?” She asked.

“Sore.” 

“It should be. That cut was pretty deep.”

“Your bad stitching is part of it.” 

“It was good enough that you wouldn’t bleed out. Give me a break. I’m a psychiatrist not a surgeon.” 

Joker smirked. “Practicing psychiatrist?” 

Harleen shot him a look. “You love rubbing it in my face, don’t you?”

“Oh come on. Who would willingly want that job? It’d be so boring. Paperwork, phone calls, and sooo much sitting. That’s all those people know how to do! Every time I see my doctor he’s sitting down.”

Harleen laughed at his dramatics. “I would. And it’s not boring. Do you have any idea how fascinating the mind is?”

“Sure I do. I’m a prime example.” Joker said with a wide grin.

Harleen shook her head and flipped the pancakes in the pan over. Joker wasn’t done.

“You’re, uh, too pretty for that place, doll. They would’ve ruined you.”

Harleen smiled a little. It was getting ridiculous how much he kept calling her pretty.

She finished off the pancakes and brought them over to the table. Joker grabbed the syrup bottle and made a smiley face on his, making Harleen chuckle. He could be so adorable sometimes.

After they ate, Joker gave Harleeen some money for the groceries. 

“Here. Buy what you need to. Try not to get stuff that goes bad quickly. Don’t talk to anyone unless you have to and don’t draw attention to yourself.” He instructed.

Harleen nodded. She threw on one of his flannels to stay warm in the chilly October weather, pocketed the knife he gave her, and went on her way. 

She bought the food first, avoiding people and laying low just like Joker asked her too. The cashier gave her a weird look when she checked out and Harleen guessed it was the love bite Joker had given her a couple nights before. Embarrassed, she hid it with her hair, paid for the food, and left carrying two big brown bags.

As she rounded the corner on the way back, she made a second stop. This was why she really wanted to go out. If she wanted to join Joker, she had to look the part.

The second stop was a thrift store with clothes and other miscellaneous stuff. Being October, they had out their Halloween stuff which gave Harleen more options within the style she was looking for. 

She came across a sleeveless black crop top with a red rim on the bottom. It was a bit too revealing for her liking but she could cover up with the reddish purple flannel she stole borrowed from Joker. Then she found two pairs of jeggings. One black and one red. She couldn’t decide which one she liked the best so she got both. Next she needed some shoes. She saw a pair of black lace up boots and decided they were right for the job.

A black belt with a diamond shaped buckle caught her eye. It wasn’t necessary but added something to the look. She grabbed it as well. She already bought hair dye and makeup at Walmart so she was good there. 

Feeling satisfied, she went to check out. There was a sweet looking old lady at the counter. She rang up the items and chuckled.

“Are you gonna be a clown for Halloween or something?” She asked innocently.

Oh she has no idea.

“Um yeah… Me and my boyfriend actually.”

“How sweet. That’ll be fifteen fifty two.” 

Harleen used some of the leftover money to pay. Joker had given her a lot. The old lady handed her the bags and Harleen nodded her thanks. She left the store and started the route back to the apartment.

When she finally got there, she began the climb up the stairs. It was a struggle with the bags in her hands but eventually she made it to the right floor. She put the bags through the window and tumbled into the floor. She stood up and carried the bags to the table. 

Joker was sitting on the bed tinkering with something. Harleen hoped it wasn’t an explosive. He glanced up at her. 

“Need help?” 

“I’ve got it.”

Joker went back to focusing on the device and Harleen used the momentary distraction to hide her costume in the bathroom. She stashed it in the cabinet under the sink.

Then she went back to the table and started putting the groceries away. She looked over at Joker and tried to figure out what he was working on.

“What is that?” She asked him.

“It’s a bomb. But don’t worry, doll, this is just the wiring. I won’t hook up the explosive part until I need it.” He said with a wide grin. 

Harleen shook her head. She finished putting up the groceries and sat down at the table.

Joker stopped where he was at and stored the device in a box with all his other weapons and supplies. 

“I’ve got to go wash my suit. I’m going out tomorrow.” He announced and grabbed his clothes from the floor.

“Wash it where?”

“There’s a washer and dryer downstairs. How else do you think I washed your clothes the other day?”

“There's a downstairs?!” 

“Yeah. It’s just kinda eerie down there. You probably wouldn’t like it.” 

“Oh.”

“Need anything washed?” 

“No. You go ahead.” 

Joker opened a door in the kitchen that led down a staircase. Harleen had thought that it was just a closet. Joker disappeared down the stairs, carrying his clothes in a laundry basket.

The next day

Joker and Harleen sat at the kitchen table, eating an early dinner that Harleen had prepared.

“What time are you leaving tonight?” She asked.

“Uh, probably around six. Why?”

“I was just wondering.”

Actually she was just estimating how much time she had to get ready. Joker was going out tonight and she was going to join him.

Joker stood up and tossed his plate into the sink. 

“I’m not gonna get any sleep tonight so I should probably take a nap. I’ll be in bed if you need anything.” He said with a yawn.

He fell face first into bed and curled up under the covers. Harleen waited a few minutes before she made her move. Once she was certain that Joker was asleep, she went to the bathroom and shut the door, locking it.

Harleen took out her outfit and looked over it. It was so perfect. She remembered she couldn’t decide which color pants she wanted and got an idea. If she couldn’t decide on one color then why not attach them both together? It would match the idea she had for her hair and it made her look more clown-like. As a bonus she could have an extra pair of pants.

So she grabbed the sewing kit from the cabinet and got to work. She cut the two pants in half and sewed the red sides to the black sides. Her sewing skills were not the greatest but they managed to get the job done. After the pants were done she tried them on to make sure they fit properly.

Seeing that they did, she folded them and stored them under the sink along everything else. She left the bathroom to check on J. She glanced at the clock. It was 4:30. She had plenty of time to dye her hair and do her makeup.

Joker was sitting at the table dying his hair green again. His makeup was scattered across the table. He finished with the dye and put his hair up into a small ponytail.

Harleen chuckled at how silly he looked, causing him to look up at her.

“What? I look gorgeous. You’re just jealous.” Joker quipped, tossing a towel over his shoulders.

Harleen stifled her laughter. “Whatever.”

Joker moved on to his makeup and she watched his process. He dabbed on the white paint first and then slathered on the black paint around his eyes. Lastly, he took the tube of lipstick and smeared it over his lips and scars.

Inspired, Harleen went back into the bathroom.

“What’re ya doing in there?” Joker called from the kitchen.

“Shaving!” Harleen lied.

“Good to know.” Joker mumbled.

Harleen set the hair dye on the counter. There were two boxes. One was a red color and the other was a black color. She read the instructions and opened them.

She took the dye out and dipped the bottom of one section into the red dye. Once it had soaked in long enough, she wrapped the strands in foil and moved on to the other side. She dipped it in the black dye and repeated the process.

While she waited on the dye to fully seep in, she began to piece together her outfit.

She put on the crop top first, careful not to mess up her hair, and then the mix-matched pants. She fastened the belt around her waist.

Harleen admired her work so far. She hoped Joker would like it as much as she did. That was all that mattered.

She checked the small clock on the counter. 15 minutes left until the dye was ready.

She worked on her makeup next. First she applied mascara and black eyeliner, extending it out into wings. Then she took her eyeshadow palette and smeared the blackest shade around her eyes. It looked similar to Joker's black paint but more smudged and transparent. She used the eyeliner again to make a line down her eyebrows and cheekbones. This gave the look another clown-like effect.

Next it was time for her mouth. She grabbed her tube of lipstick and spread the bright red pigment on her lips. She purposely smeared it on the corners and around the edges to look more like Joker.

Harleen glanced back at the clock. The 15 minutes was up. She removed the foil from her hair and examined the coloration. It seemed good enough. She divided her hair into the two sections again and braided them. The black side on her left. The red side on her right. 

Lastly, she completed her look with the black boots and threw on the red flannel. She looked at the clock again. It was almost 5:30. She needed to approach Joker now. It would give him enough time to process this before he had to go. She turned the door handle cautiously and tiptoed out into the open. 

Joker was leaning against the counter in his entire 3 piece suit, a full face of makeup, and freshly dyed hair. He was reading the newspaper to pass the time.

Harleen gathered her courage and spoke.

“J…”

Joker looked up at her and his jaw dropped.

“I want to be your partner in crime. Your harlequin.” She said, looking him in the eyes unafraid.

Joker stared back at her in shock.

"What?"

"I want to join you." Harleen repeated firmly.

Joker was speechless at first. She looked hot. He was starting to get aroused just by looking at her. He shook off those thoughts and focused. He was touched by her enthusiasm but he couldn't let her do this.

"Harley... I, uh, appreciate the thought. Really, I do. But I can't ask you to do this. It's too dangerous first of all. And I don’t want you throwing everything away just for me. There’s more for you out there."

"But I want this. I want you. I'm not throwing anything away. You're all I have right now. I have no job, no home, no family..."

"You have a doctorate degree in psychology. You could get a job somewhere."

"I don't have money, J. I was flat broke when I came to Gotham and now I'm fully depleted. Where am I gonna go? Besides, I don't wanna leave you."

"You could just stay with me. I'll provide for us."

"No. I'd feel so useless. You’ve done enough for me. I owe you something."

"Harley, no. I can't let you do this. You wouldn't know the first thing about this kind of work."

"Please. I can learn. You can teach me."

Joker started to get aggravated.

"Harley, I said no. What's even keeping you here with me? You know the risks. Am I really worth it?”

"Yes! I would've left a long time ago if I didn't think this was worth it. I...I love you."

Joker looked stunned for a second.

"Ha! Love me? You barely know me." 

Harleen gasped. That was hurtful.

"We've known each other for two months!" She shouted.

"Exactly. Only two months. That's not nearly enough time."

"You didn't have this attitude the other night! You wanted us to be together as much as I did! This is just you being defensive. You're afraid.”

"Watch it."

"No! You're pushing me away because you don't want to deal with these feelings. Just talk it out. It's okay."

"Just stop! Stop it. Just let me...let me think." 

Joker paused and stared at the ground. Harleen went silent. After a few moments, he seemed to come to a solution.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I'll tell you what. You can come with me tonight just to see how things work. If I see that you can handle it, then I’ll let you help. That sound good?"

"Yes. Thank you." Harleen said and stepped forward to kiss him.

Joker put his hand up to stop her.

“Harleen, look at me. You know what will happen if you’re seen with me and even worse if you’re caught, right?”

“Yes. I’m prepared for it.” 

Joker exhaled loudly and threw his hands up.

“I just don’t get it! Explain to me why, out of all the ways you could help me, you choose this.” 

“While I don’t entirely agree with the way you’re going about it, I like your message. Your chaos monologues are starting to make sense to me. I get it now. I don’t wanna help from the sidelines. I wanna be there with you. Whether you’re robbing mob banks or blowing shit up.” 

“You have no idea what you’re signing up for. You will be in so much danger.”

“So be it. I don’t care. As long as I’m with you.” 

Joker sighed. “This is just…baffling. I don’t understand. Nobody’s ever…” 

“Nobody’s ever what? Use your words.” 

“Nobody has ever, uh, cared about me this much. What is so great about me? I’m such a monster. You’re the complete opposite. You’re just so radiant. In everything you do. I love that about you.” 

Joker gasped. He couldn’t believe what he’d just said. Those sappy, gushy words actually came out of his mouth. He felt better confessing to her how he felt but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to vomit at hearing himself swoon.

Harleen, however, was elated to hear him say that. She reached up and tenderly kissed his cheek.

“You’re no monster to me.” She whispered in his ear.

They stared romantically into each other’s eyes until Joker snapped himself out of the trance. He glanced at his watch.

“Enough of all this sentimental shit. We gotta go.”

He took Harleen’s hand.

“Come on my dear. Let’s go stir up some chaos.”

Red Silk

Ledger!Joker x Nolanverse!Harley - Oneshot

Warnings: Violence, murder, just J things, implied smut

Summary: Harleen makes her debut as Harley Quinn and now that they have officially declared themselves a couple, Joker starts to show her more and more of his romantic side. Takes place directly after Fire Meet Gasoline.

Author's Note: OH MY GOD. This was supposed to be done 3 weeks ago. The procrastination struggle is real. Anyway this is the oneshot that goes with this art I posted. I’ve had that specific scene in my head forever so I needed to write it out. As always enjoy! <3

Joker helped Harley down from the stairs and led her by the hand through the alleyway.

"What are we doing?" Harley asked him quietly.

"We're going to blow something up.”

Harley raised an eyebrow. Before Joker could respond, a car skidded to a halt in front of them. He ushered her into the back seat with him. The driver glanced into the mirror, making eye contact with Joker. He eyed Harley suspiciously.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it, Frost. She’s with me.”

The driver, Frost, nodded but still seemed wary of the newcomer. Harley eyed him right back, observing him. He had shaggy brown hair, sharp blue eyes, and a little stubble on his chin. He looked hardened and experienced, a lot like Joker sometimes did without his makeup.

After an awkward silence, Joker cleared his throat. “Uh, I guess I should introduce ya. Harley, this is Frost, my most trusted right hand man. Frost, this is Harley. She’s that girl I’ve been telling you about.” 

“Nice to meet ya.” Frost said gruffly as he started the car up.

They drove in silence for a while. Joker fidgeted with his knife, flicking open and closed. He seemed antsy, like he couldn’t wait to get where they were going. Harley still had no clue what was happening.

“J, what are we doing?” She finally asked.

“We are destroying a club owned by what’s left of that hot headed Gambol’s organization. After I killed the idiot, his whole operation went to shit and there’s been a power struggle since then. My guys took a hit a few weeks ago when they attacked us on our own turf. Time for some payback.” 

Frost grumbled in agreement. 

“So what’s the plan?”

“We’ll go inside and mess around with ‘em a little bit. Then attack and kill the goons and the leader. When we come out, the button gets pressed and the whole place goes up in smoke. I’ve already planted the explosives.” Joker explained in between gleeful giggles.

Harley’s eyes widened and she gulped. She didn’t know if she could stomach that or not. Joker seemed to catch on to her discomfort.

“Remember our deal, Harley. I warned you it was gonna be like this. You can stay in the car if you don’t want to do this anymore.”

Harley thought for a moment, took a deep breath, and confidently shook her head. This was her chance and she was not gonna blow it.

“No. I’ll be alright.”

“You sure?” 

“Yes, J. I’m sure.”

Just as she said that, Frost stopped the car in an alleyway across from an old looking building. Joker stepped out and grabbed Harley’s hand, helping her out of the vehicle. They approached the back door with Frost leading the way.

Joker leaned down and whispered to Harley, “Stay behind me. Just watch and learn. Oh and here…”

He reached into his pocket and produced the detonator. He handed it to Harley. 

“I want ya to press the button when we come out. Okay?”

Harley nodded. Frost kicked the door in and stepped aside. Joker waltzed right in like he owned the place with Harley following timidly behind. 

The usually lively club was closed for the night due to a meeting that was being held by the group’s leader, Little G, Gambol’s nephew. The men seated at the table looked up from their heated discussions in surprise. They drew their weapons instinctively and eyed the clown with disgust. Joker threw his hands up innocently and smiled.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, please. There’s no need for all that. I’m just here to talk.”

“Then talk, you fuckin’ psycho.” Little G spat. 

Harley saw a glint of irritation in Joker’s eyes at being called a psycho but he just brushed it off with another charming smile. 

“It’s, uh, my understanding that you took out a chunk of my guys a few weeks back. Why would you, uh, do such a thing?” 

Little G ignored his question and finally noticed Harley lingering behind Joker. 

“Who’s the little lady?”

Harley narrowed her eyes. Men. Always underestimating her.

“This is my new partner, Harley Quinn. She decided to join me for tonight’s little outing. Now, you didn’t answer my question.”

“I don’t know, man. Why you gotta come on my turf startin’ shit?”

“I could ask you the same thing.”

Joker started advancing towards the table with Frost close behind. The men with guns grew nervous and shifted uncomfortably. Suddenly, on the side closest to Frost, a younger guy’s finger slipped and fired a wild shot in the air. Then the chaos ensued. 

Harley ducked for cover. She watched in awe as Joker and Frost took out the slew of men in a matter of minutes, dodging swarms of bullets and shooting with such precision. 

One henchman dawdling in the back lunged at Harley with a knife. She dodged, knocked it out of his hand, and kicked him in the face forcefully with the hard toe of her boot, causing the man to fall backwards unconscious. Joker saw and smiled approvingly at Harley. 

Once all the goons were dead, Little G stood up with a snarl of rage and attempted to shoot but Joker was one step ahead and shot him in the neck. He fell back into his chair, blood spewing out everywhere. Joker and Frost bolted towards the door and Harley darted out behind them. The three climbed into the car and Frost sped away immediately.  

“Now Harley!” Joker shouted.

Harley pressed the button. The building instantly exploded. Joker and Harley whipped around to watch through the back windshield. Harley with wide eyes and Joker with manic glee. He cackled as he watched the flames consume the club in the distance. He didn’t turn around until the explosion couldn’t be seen anymore.

Harley’s heart was still racing. She’d never felt so alive. It was absolutely exhilarating.

Joker was so proud of his girl. He would never forget the fire he saw in her sapphire eyes as she knocked the goon on his ass. It meant there was some darker, aggressive side to her that he hadn’t seen until now. He did believe that she was as innocent and sweet as she always acted but that wasn’t entirely her. 

Bringing this other side out of her would be a challenge. She’d buried her real self for so long for the sake of normalcy and professionalism. It made Joker sick to think such potential had gone to waste. Why should Harley have to hide who she is? She was perfect and he wanted all of her. Every flaw, every quirk, everything.

Confessing his feelings to her was going to be another obstacle. Then he remembered their conversation before they left the apartment.

Oh no. Did I…? Shit.

He recalled his words from earlier and nodded to himself in reassurance. He only scratched the surface of how he truly felt. He never said that he loved her. He was talking about her personality and her beauty and he said he loved that about her. He breathed a sigh of relief. 

He did love Harley. He loved her so much it made his head spin. But those three little words had a lot of meaning. He had to wait for the perfect timing. Especially since he didn’t even know how he was going to do it. The emotions he was experiencing were something strange and foreign to him. It made him feel really good but uncomfortable at the same time. Like a burning sensation that wouldn’t go away. 

Yet he wanted to say it so bad, scream it from the rooftops even, but he couldn’t do it. Everytime he tried, his mouth betrayed him.

Joker made up his mind. Tonight was the night. Screw waiting until the time was right. He was going to make it the right time. He didn’t care how, he was getting it off his chest. He couldn’t wait any longer.

The car skidded to a halt as Frost pulled up to the abandoned apartment building. Joker nodded his thanks as he and Harley got out. Frost nodded back and sped off. 

Harley chuckled and glanced up at Joker. “He’s a man of few words, huh?” 

“Yeah. Frost keeps to himself. But I’m telling ya he’s a good one. He’s been with me since the start.” 

They climbed up the ladder back to the apartment and crawled through the window. Harley landed on the floor with a thud. 

“You really need to get a door.” She complained.

Joker smirked and scooped her up into his arms.

“Harley, you were…amazing!” He exclaimed as he carried her bridal style to the bed. 

Harley giggled. “Thanks.”

It was 1 in the morning but the two clowns were far from tired. The eventful night was just getting started.

Joker laid her down gently and sat next to her, staring lovingly. “I really liked the way you knocked out that guy. I’d like to see more of that spunk from you.”

Harley blushed. “It was nothing. I just got lucky.” 

“Nah. I saw you defend yourself against those thugs in the alley. You have what it takes, you just need more practice.”

“Really? If you say so.” 

Harley turned away and started undressing, taking off the different pieces of her outfit with care. When she got to the reddish flannel, she slid it off and threw it on the couch.

“Hey, that’s mine.” Joker noticed.

“Yeah, I kinda borrowed it. Sorry.” Harley said with a sheepish smile.

“Eh, you can have it. I never wear that one anyway. Not really my color.”

Joker undressed himself next, only leaving on his purple boxers. He curled up next to Harley, resting his hand on her belly and humming a random tune softly. She felt the vibrations on her shoulder. It reminded her of a cat purring.

Glancing down at her and once again admiring how beautiful she was, Joker felt something strong take hold of him. Mixed with that and the need to confess his feelings to her, he felt like he might explode. But he had to be gentle. If he wasn’t, all their progress would be undone. 

“Harley, sweet girl, I can’t keep myself together anymore. I need ya so bad. I know last week you said that you weren’t ready for anything more yet. But, uh, do you wanna give it a try tonight?” Joker asked, treading carefully.

Harley was quiet for a while, her blue eyes were swirling with thoughts Joker couldn’t read. He inwardly cringed and hoped he didn’t upset her. Finally she looked up at him thoughtfully.

“I-I guess I’m ready now. I trust you. It’s just that… I don’t think I’ll be good enough. This would be my first time when I, um, have a choice. And to be honest, I really don’t know what to do.”

Joker fully understood the assignment now. This would essentially be her first time so it had to be perfect. He slid his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek.

“That’s okay. I can guide you. And doll, don’t ever say you’re not good enough. You are.”

“Y-You don’t think I’m dirty? Or used up?” 

“No. Not at all. And I’m not kidding when I say you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Harley smiled to herself and rested her head on his chest. Joker’s heart raced knowing this was his moment. He had to tell her now.

“Harley, I couldn’t really articulate what I wanted to tell you before we left but um…you make me feel a certain way and I…I guess what I’m trying to say is…I love you.”

Harley looked up at him in shock. Did she hear him correctly?

“What? What did you say?” 

“I said, uh, I love you.”

Anybody else would just shrug off that statement. Those words were thrown around flippantly by people on the daily. Harley knew better. Joker was different. Emotions were a hard thing for him. For him to admit he loved someone was significant. She still couldn’t believe it.

“J…did you mean that?”

“Every word.”

Harley propped herself up and cupped Joker’s face, boring her blue eyes into his dark pools of brown. She kissed him softly and whispered, “I love you too.”

…

Groggily, Harley sat up and rubbed her eyes. The night before came back to her slowly. She blushed, realizing it was all real and not just a wonderful dream. She pulled the sheet up over her naked body and looked around. Joker slept peacefully next to her, also naked. She smiled as she stared at his unusually relaxed face. Sunlight streamed in through the curtains behind them, illuminating his now partially gone makeup.

Harley carefully got up from the bed and tiptoed to the bathroom for a shower. She caught sight of herself in the mirror and quietly gasped. Her hair was a wild, tangled mess and there were love bites and bruises lining her neck down to her abdomen. 

She thought back to last night fondly as she turned on the water. It was scary and reminded her way too much of her past experiences but in the moment Joker took it all away. She felt safe with him. He didn’t do anything without asking her first and made sure she was okay and that he wasn’t going too far. All while whispering encouragements and affections into her ear, with a gentleness that no one would expect from The Joker.

The water finally warmed up so Harley stepped into the tub and went to close the shower curtain but a hand stopped her. She peeked around the curtain and smiled softly when she saw Joker. He looked back at her with that boyish smirk of his, sending butterflies right to Harley’s stomach.

“Good mornin’.” Joker greeted her.

“Morning, J.” Harley replied sweetly.

“Mind if I join you?”

“No.” Harley said with a shrug and stepped aside so Joker could get in.

At first they stood with their backs to each other, quietly washing themselves and taking turns standing under the showerhead. Quickly growing bored, Joker decided to have some fun. He playfully spun Harley around to face him and lifted her chin, gazing into her eyes. He went in for a kiss and Harley returned the gesture, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling his hair, and clawing his skin. She bit his lower lip and swirled her tongue across the scar, making him moan faintly. She recently found out that he loved it when she did that. 

They rocked against the wall, kissing and gasping for air. They could’ve gone on like that for hours but suddenly Joker lost his footing and caused them both to fall down, hitting the tub with a splash. They stared at each other for a second and then burst out laughing.

“You idiot.” Harley teased him with a playful shove.

Joker snickered and shut off the water since it was getting cold. He helped Harley out of the tub and tossed her a towel. After they dried off, cleaned up the water in the floor, and got dressed, Joker went into the kitchen and Harley sat down at the table to braid her hair.

“Want some french toast?” Joker asked.

“Ooh, yeah. I haven’t had that in forever.” 

…

The next few days went by as another break period for Joker. He used the time to regroup his henchmen and plot and scheme. Today was different though. He was planning to do something with Harley he’d been meaning to do for a while.

Since she got evicted she’d lost all of her possessions except for that change of clothes and whatever was in her bag. Joker felt bad about her living with him without any other clothes and things of her own. So he decided to make it up to her.

When Joker told her they were going shopping, she practically squealed with delight. She was ready to go in an instant and before he could blink, she was dragging Joker down the ladder and into the alleyway. They would walk since the stores weren’t that far. Just as Harley was about to skip away, she paused and looked back at Joker.

“Hey, what about your face?” She asked.

 “Uh, what about it?” Joker retorted.

“Won’t you get recognized going out like that?”

Joker just smirked and fished a purple scarf out of his pocket. He fastened it around his neck and made it so it covered up his scars. “Tadaaa.” 

Harley felt dumb for questioning him. Of course he knew what he was doing. He lived with those scars long enough to know how to go out in public without being noticed. 

The two clasped hands and continued their walk down the sidewalk. Joker wasn’t very enthused about going shopping. He hated it intensely but he was doing this for Harley so he forced himself to tough it out. Besides, since they were officially a couple now, the apartment really needed to be upgraded. They needed a bigger bed, new sheets, new curtains, etc. Really they were both benefiting from this.

At the store Harley got the things she needed like hygiene stuff and new clothes. While they were at it they bought home essentials, including a whole new set of bedding that was a golden yellow color with a purple floral design. 

Harley pointed out they got a bigger size than the bed they had but Joker briefly explained that while they were away a few of his goons were moving a new bed into the apartment.

Once they got back to the apartment to unload everything, Harley remembered when she got evicted and the landlord had thrown everything out into the street, she hid some stuff behind the dumpster so she could come back for it. With everything that was happening lately she totally forgot. 

“J?” Harley called from the kitchen.

“Yeah?” Joker replied.

“If you don't mind, I wanna go back to my old place and check something out.”

“Anything for you, doll.”

One long taxi ride later, they were on the other side of Gotham outside Harley’s old apartment building. She walked around the side towards the alley. Joker followed her, watching their surroundings with a keen eye.

“It should be somewhere around… Ha! Right here.” Harley said as she pulled the dumpster away from the wall. 

Joker jumped in to help her. Miscellaneous things piled up behind it fell over and spilled out in front of them. Harley knelt beside the pile and started going through it.

“What exactly are you looking for?” Joker asked, leaning against the wall.

“I don’t know. I don’t remember what I hid. It was so long ago and I was in a rush.” 

“Take your time then.” 

Harley nodded, skimming through some papers and ripping a few up that had her information on them. Joker lit a cigarette while he waited for her to finish. 

After several minutes, Harley ended up with a few pieces of clothing that weren’t ruined from the elements, an envelope full of pictures, and a box of books. Joker carried the box for her since it was very heavy. They hailed another taxi and started back towards their apartment. Joker never told drivers to go to their exact location unless they were his. This time he told the driver a street across.

“I’m so happy I got my books back. Some of these I’ve had since I was a kid. I’ve always been a bookworm. I can read some to you if you want.” Harley suggested to Joker as they walked back to the apartment.

Joker hummed. “I’d love that.”

…

The next day

Harley was sitting on the new bed folding some laundry when Joker walked by all dressed up and it wasn’t his typical purple suit. He wore a lilac colored dress shirt with a black vest and black pants. He looked sharp.

“Where are you going?” Harley asked him. 

“Um, I was gonna ask you if you wanted to go with me to a place one of my guys owns. I need to scope it out anyway but I figured we could make a night out of it.” Joker said, shifting his feet anxiously.

Harley found his nervousness adorable. “Sooo like a date?”

“Yeah. A date. Unless you don’t wanna. I mean…” 

Harley rose to her feet and kissed him so he’d shut up. She pulled away with a warm smile.

“Yes, I’d love to. But what am I gonna wear? I don't have any nice clothes.”

“Don’t worry about that. I got you something while you were distracted yesterday. I just didn’t know when to give it to you.”

Joker grabbed a bag from underneath the bed and handed it to Harley. She opened it, gasping after seeing the contents. She held up a red halter dress and a pair of maroon heels.

“Oh J…it’s beautiful. I love it!” She exclaimed and gave him a big hug, practically knocking him over.

Joker chuckled. “I’m glad you like it, Harls. Now go get dressed. We need to get going soon.”

Harley ran to the bathroom with an excited noise, bag in hand. Joker rolled his eyes and sat down on the couch, waiting for her to get ready. When Harley came back out, playfully spinning in a circle, his jaw nearly dropped. He was so glad he picked that dress. It suited her so well. 

He ushered Harley towards the window so they could get going. Harley didn’t know how he expected her to climb down the ladder in heels. But she didn’t have to worry because Joker picked her up and carried her down like the gentleman he was.

There was a black car parked in the alleyway waiting on them. They got in the backseats and immediately the driver drove off. Joker didn’t even have to tell him where to go. Their destination wasn’t that far of a drive. Within 15 minutes they arrived.

The place Joker’s goon owned was to Harley’s dread a nightclub. She was bracing herself for a rowdy mob of people and loud obnoxious music. This was Joker’s idea of a date? When they got inside, Harley now saw that it was in fact a club but was actually pretty tame. There was a bar and something that resembled a dance floor but there were fewer people and the music was actually coherent songs and way quieter. This suited her much better.

As Joker went to find a place to sit down, he spotted Frost sitting at a table in the back corner. He led Harley over to a circle booth behind Frost’s table and the two of them sat down.

“I thought this was your night off, Frostie.” Joker said to the other man, looking across the room for something.

“Yeah. I’m spending it here. Can’t be too careful.” Frost replied, also scanning the room.

“Smart man.” 

Harley rolled her eyes. Something was up about this place but it didn’t matter to her. This was supposed to be a date. She hugged Joker’s arm, subtly hinting, hey, I’m still here.

Joker looked back at her and realized. “Oh, sorry Harls. I know, I know, I shouldn’t be working right now. I’ll let Frost handle it.”

Frost could be heard chuckling behind them.

“Whatcha want to eat, doll?” Joker asked, ignoring his wing man.

Harley shrugged. “I’ll eat whatever you will.”

Joker ordered some food and when it came, took off his scarf once all the wait staff was gone. They were seated in a dark back corner so no one would notice him. 

They ate the pizza and breadsticks he ordered quietly for a while. It was getting a bit awkward so Joker tried a little comedic relief. He folded a slice of pizza in half like a taco and got a laugh out of Harley.

Joker grinned. “What?”

“I’ve never seen anybody do that before. That’s kinda weird.” 

“Weird is my middle name. Wait ‘til you find out I dip pizza crust in soda.”

Harley giggled again as Joker dipped his crust into his glass of cola and took a bite. He was about to take another but saw the waitress coming in his peripheral and quickly slipped the scarf back on. She handed Joker the bill and told him where to pay. Joker nodded along but Harley knew better. As if he’d actually pay.

After the waitress left, Joker took off the scarf again. He put it in his pocket, clearly annoyed with having to keep changing.

Harley slid out of the booth. “I’ll be back. I’m going to the bathroom.”

Joker nodded. He watched Harley go and then turned to talk to Frost some more.

As Harley came out of the bathroom, she noticed decorative red silks dangling nearby. They weren’t quite aerial silks but because of her time as a gymnast, they certainly reminded her of them. She ran her fingers along the silk and got an idea. This would really get Joker’s attention. She kicked her heels off and began to climb.

Joker and Frost’s conversation was interrupted by gasps and murmurs that broke out in the club. Joker looked up to see what the deal was. He didn’t see a problem until Frost nudged him and pointed. He looked over in that direction and a smile stretched across his face. 

Oh. How could I miss that?

Harley was draped over the red silks near the dance floor, swinging gracefully along with the background music. Joker looked on, mesmerized by the beautiful sight. The red silks wrapped around her body were a brighter red than her dress and shimmered in the dim light. 

Joker forgot all about why he was at the club in the first place. His little stake out with Frost could wait. Right now his girl was begging for more of his attention. Multitasking on a date wasn’t a good idea anyway. 

He smirked and walked over, pulling his scarf back over his face. Harley hung upside down with a mischievous grin as Joker approached her.

“Hey pretty girl. How’d you learn how to do that?” Joker purred.

“I was a gymnast, remember?”

Joker nodded, remembering her telling him about her gymnastics all those nights ago when they would talk in the alleyway.

“You sure are causing a spectacle.”

“What? There weren’t any signs.” Harley said playfully.

Joker feigned a horrified gasp. “But you’re ruining the decor.”

“Pfft. I could care less. Wanna join me?”

“Uh, no. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be as graceful as you, darlin’.”

Joker lowered his scarf slightly and kissed Harley while she was still upside down. She giggled and unraveled herself from the silks, landing on her feet elegantly. 

“Let’s get out of here.” She said as she slid her heels back on.

“Yeah. This place smells of a rat.” Joker growled in a low voice.

They walked towards the exit, holding hands the whole way. Joker turned his head and gave Frost a quick glance as they passed by his table. Frost met his eyes and understood. They were totally blowing up the place later.

“Where do you wanna go now? It’s still early.” Joker asked Harley once they were back in the car.

“I don’t know. It’s really pretty out tonight. I’d love to just sit and stargaze.” Harley replied, looking out the window at the night sky.

“Okay... I know a place.” 

When the car came to a stop, Harley looked around and raised an eyebrow. “J, this is just the apartment.”

“I know. Follow me.”

Joker got out of the car and walked up to the ladder with Harley following behind. This time instead of stopping at the window, Joker kept going all the way up until they reached the roof. He plopped himself down and helped Harley up, making sure she didn’t fall. Harley wrapped her arms around his torso and held him close. She felt safer that way.

“You said you wanted to stargaze. Well, here ya go. It’s not the best view in Gotham but you can see the sky. I come up here a lot when I can't sleep. It’s a good place to think.” Joker said, putting his arm around Harley.

“It’s beautiful.” Harley responded, gazing upwards and admiring the sky.

They were quiet for a few moments, lost in thought and a sea of stars. 

“Did you like going out tonight?” Joker finally broke the silence.

“Yeah. It was fun. We should go out again sometime. Well, somewhere different since you’re gonna blow that place up.” Harley replied with a chuckle.

Joker snickered. “How did you know?”

“You and Frost kinda have this secret code where you’ll look at each other and know what it means. Plus I saw your phone in the car.” 

“Heh. You’re very observant. That’s good. In this line of work you have to pay close attention to things cause if ya don’t it could getcha killed. I got a scar to prove it.” 

“I think I can handle myself. I could fight Batman if I wanted to.” 

That made Joker really laugh. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, doll. You’re good but you still have lots more to learn. I haven’t even seen you use a gun yet.” 

“Hmph. I look forward to beating you in a shooting match then. I bet you can’t hit squat.” Harley teased, fully knowing Joker was an extremely good shot.

Joker grinned, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “Ohhh you’re on.”