"This isn't a crush, it's obsession.You are never not in my thoughts. Your scent carries across a room and paralyzes me with longing. I don't want to hold your hand. Part of me wants to set you on fire and hold you while the flame consumes us both, to eat your heart so I know that only I possess it entirely."
—Gwen Hayes

|•|•|•|

The fourth of April rolled around, and Michelle and Horton found themselves planted outside Joker's purple door.

"Ready?" Michelle whispered, several giggles tumbling from her red painted lips as Horton nodded curtly.

"I just hope they're not naked." Horton murmured, lacing his fingers around the cool metal of the circular door handle as he hastily twisted.

Joker and Ember lay entrapped beneath the thick plum duvet, every single limb concealed in the fabric as Michelle tip-toed over towards the blackout curtains. With a simple nod of his head, Horton signalled for her to rip them open.

Michelle took the curtains between both hands, prying them open with ease as sunlight immediately flooded the room.

Joker stirred awake at the sudden brightness, eyes heavily squinting as he raised his head slightly from the pillow. Several strands of green curls sat in his eyes, a perplexed expression plastered on his features as Ember buried herself further into his bare collarbone.

"Happy birthday to you," Horton and Michelle gleefully sung. Thirty-one candles on the chocolate frosted cake gleamed brightly as the dessert sat balanced on a circular plate atop the blonde boys palms.

Ember groggily lifted her head, squinting to view the sudden disturbance as she cuddled further into Joker.

"Oh God–"

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Ember and Joker, happy birthday to you!"

Ember tugged the duvet closer to her neck, concealing her bare chest as her lips curled into a questionable grin.

"Mom." Joker groaned, shrugging out of Ember's desperate grip as he sat upwards in the bed, wincing in discomfort at the twinge in his side.

"Yes, baby?" Michelle teased, her fingers grazing against Horton's bicep as she encouraged the man to extend the cake further in Joker's direction.

Joker shuffled slowly to the foot of the bed, hand gripping tightly onto the blanket to ensure that neither Horty nor his mother would get an unexpected peek at the goods.

"Make a wish." Horton toothily grinned, lowering the pastry to Joker's level as the madman scowled.

"I wish you fuckers would've let me sleep in." He muttered, lips curling into an "o" shape as he promptly extinguished all thirty-one candles atop the frosted cake.

Ember sat near the headboard, a hesitant grin plastered on her features as she stirred beneath the thick comforter.

"Happy birthday, sweet pea." Michelle cooed, lacing her elegantly manicured fingers in Joker's matted curls as she tugged his forehead forward to meet her lips.

Joker sleepily grinned in response, nodding curtly before glancing over his shoulder to view a groggy Ember hidden beneath the duvet.

"No-t to be rude, or anything," Joker began, tongue lapping out to meet his scars. "But can you guys-uh, scram, so I can ea-t my breakfast?"

Horton raised a perplexed brow, thrusting the cake in Joker's direction once again as the madman chuckled in response.

"That's-uh, not what I had in mind, bud." He delivered a wink to the henchman, who immediately grew rigid at Joker's response.

Michelle and Horton exchanged timid glances, a growing sense of discomfort rising between the duo as they bid Joker and Ember a goodbye before promptly leaving the room.

"Well," Joker began the moment the door snapped shut. "That was incredibly awkward."

A giggle fell from Ember's lips in response, her index finger toying with her pale bottom lip as her eyes sat glued upon Joker's form.

"Happy birthday, baby." He grinned, shuffling backwards to meet the cheery woman once more. Her fingers unlaced from the duvet, the thick material slipping down the slopes of her breasts as Joker became eye-level with the woman.

Her hands immediately met his cheeks, the pads of her thumbs grazing his deep lacerations as he dipped his face downward to meet hers.

Their lips molded swiftly together, lacing in perfect unison as a breathless sigh emerged from Ember's parted lips. She latched onto loose strands of his viridescent curls, tugging him even closer, (if that were even remotely possible at this point). Joker lazily slung his leg over her hips, half-straddling the woman as he effortlessly explored her mouth. God, he'd never quite get over the way she tasted... the way she naturally molded into his body the moment their lips met...

Ember tugged away slightly, a bit out of breath as the statement "happy birthday to you too, old man" fell from her swollen lips.

"We're the same age, dork." Joker pressed, cupping her left cheek with his palm as the pad of his thumb traced circles against her skin.

"You look older though." Ember swiftly countered, prompting Joker's eyes to widen in offense as his lips parted. Her heart fluttered in her chest when the glorious sound of a genuine laugh emerged from him, the corners of his eyes creasing with every chuckle.

"Wow." He mocked, slamming his lips to hers once more with a forceful peck before climbing from the comfort of the bed.

"Where are you going?" Ember whined, propping her head up on her palm as her elbow rest on the pillow.

Joker ran a hand through his hair, ruffling the curls that stuck together as the muscles in his bare back flexed. Ember's glare trailed down to his left side, lips tugging into a frown when she viewed the cremé colored bandage taped to his skin.

"M'taking a shower." He muttered, poking and prodding at the bandage as he contemplated whether or not to remove it or keep it secure.

"Keep it on. You don't want soap getting into the wound." Ember ordered, climbing from the bed to join the nude man in the bathroom.

Her arms laced around his broad shoulders, nose nuzzling into the crook of his neck as she felt him go lax under her touch. Paint-stained fingers met the flesh of her arm, curling around the skin as they applied pressure in a light squeeze. His head rolled back in response to her presence, nose brushing against her brow as she let out an involuntary giggle.

"Someone's a bit cuddly today." She teased, placing a soft kiss on his neck before pulling away.

"Y'know," Joker rasped, inching towards the shower. His arm weaved inside the muted plastic yellow curtain, emitting a steady stream to emerge from the shower head as he glanced in Ember's direction. "This is the first birthday we've spent together in fifteen years."

The woman loudly gulped in response, realisation dawning upon her at the simple fact as she merely nodded.

"Yeah."

Joker's lips sealed, eyes trailing over Ember's bare figure as his heart innocently fluttered in his chest.

By God, she was fucking perfect.

"Care to join, lovebug?" The man taunted, a smirk claiming the features of his face as he ripped the curtain open.

Ember blushed in reply, scurrying towards the warm, inviting cubicle as Joker outstretched an arm, offering her access to the comforting abyss first.

She stepped over the threshold, entering the steamy shower as water immediately drenched her face and hair, slicking it down the slope of her back as Joker climbed in behind her. The curtain closed with a shing, enveloping the pair in the dimly lit space as Joker's palms met her shoulders.

A shiver ran down Ember's spine at the sensation of Joker's nose tickling her jaw, an involuntary moan slipping through her lips as a chuckle vibrated against her skin.

"I wan-t to take you to dinner." Joker stated, his scarred lips grazing against the woman's ticklish neck as she instinctively cowered away from his miniscule touch. "For our birthday."

"How?" Ember breathed, craning her neck to meet his gaze.

"Have you-uh, ever heard of the Iceberg Lounge?"

|•|•|•|

Grim trudged up the split sidewalk, careful not to twist his ankle on the flawed concrete as he approached the Joker's hideout.

Although he did not live there, he would spend a good three or four days a month in the disheveled building, assisting both Horton and Joker with whatever mischievous plan they had in the works. However, according to Horton, Joker had recently been injured in a recent excursion, so he was unsure of when the next plan of action would occur.

The tall, beady-eyed man filed into the building, eyes widening in curiosity when they settled upon an unfamiliar woman seated at the kitchen island.

"Er," Grim began, exchanging puzzled glances between Horton and the woman. "Whose this?"

Horton's lips parted as he struggled to formulate a response. Michelle, however, had taken the liberty to introduce herself to the man with the buzz cut.

"Hello," She chirped, hopping down from the stool as she approached the unfamiliar henchman with an outstretched arm. "I'm Michelle, the Joker's Mom."

Grim took the wilting woman's hand in his, brows raised in wonder as his jaw fell ajar.

"Mom?" He practically gawked.
"The boss has a mother?"

Michelle simply giggled at his peculiar response, tugging her bottom lip tightly between her teeth before nodding.

"Of course. What, did you think the devil rose up from the pits of hell and spat him out?" She dryly joked, earning a stifled chuckle from Horton across the room.

"No." Grim swiftly defended.
"I just figured that any woman in her right mind would immediately disown their child if they acted like—that."

Michelle stiffened at his answer, appalled at the fact that one of Joker's men would even dare to insult her like that.

"Anywho, have you seen the boss? Is he here?" Grim awkwardly continued, stuffing his hands deeply into his leather pants.

"Him and his lady are on their way to dinner." Horton replied, shuffling through the discarded items on the kitchen counter.

"Oh? Some type of special event, I assume?" Grim pried.

"It's their birthday." Michelle revealed, taking her spot at the island counter once more as she dug into a thick slice of cake.

"Their?" Grim inquired.
"They have the same birthday?"

"Yep." Michelle blandly replied, her lips popping together to enunciate the "p".

"They were born six hours apart."

Grim nodded, absorbing the interesting amount of information Michelle willingly provided as he glanced in Horton's direction.

"I assume there won't be any planning tonight then? Should I stick around?"

"Not unless you want to hear Joker's name being screamed all night." Horton countered, earning a grimace from the other henchman as he quickly shook his head.

"I'll pass. See you later, Horton. Nice to meet you, Michelle." Grim dismissed, nodding curtly before turning on his heel and exiting the home.

|•|•|•|

"Ready, love?" Joker questioned, lacing his fingers in hers as they stood in front of the front doors of the Iceberg Lounge.

"Is this a restaurant?" Ember innocently wondered, squeezing Joker's hand a bit too tightly as she brought her bottom lip between her teeth. The foreign taste of lipstick filled her senses as she suddenly remembered that she'd finally worn makeup for the first time since January.

"No-t entirely." Joker murmured.
"More of a nightclub, but they have-uh, food."

It was exhilarating to be out in public with the Joker, clad in his usual, purple attire. Horton had managed to rid his overcoat of the bit of blood that had seeped onto the fabric, and apparently, Joker owned several hexagon-patterned purple shirts, as the bloodied one had been promptly discarded. His features were concealed by a fresh application of white, red and black greasepaint.

His ungloved fingers laced with hers tightly, leading the woman through the front doors of the building as Ember audibly gasped.

The lounge was surprisingly large, standing two stories tall. The comforting sound of live jazz tunes filled her senses, a groan of content falling from her lips as she curled her arm around Joker's elbow.

"Holy shit." She gawked.

"What'cha think?" Joker delivered a wink, his painted nose brushing against her temple as he failed to conceal his stupid grin.

"It's so nice." She cheered, urging the man to continue forward as they weaved inbetween questionable guests dressed in their Sunday best.

"How are you able to walk in here without getting immediately arrested?" Ember wondered, eyes peeled to absorb every single aspect of the glorious building.

"The-uh, Penguin — er — Oswald Cobblepot — owns the join-t. You'll probably see quite a few er-criminals in here." Joker patiently explained, leading Ember in the direction of the restaurant portion of the Lounge.

"Ah, Joker!" A voice called from behind the couple.

Joker twirled on his heel, painted lips curling into a smirk as he met the Penguin's glare.

Ember frowned when he tugged his arm from her grasp, taking the mysterious mans hand in his as he firmly shook it. A sly, half-smile sat plastered on Joker's features, several of his teeth on display as he greeted the man who Ember did not know.

"Haven't seen you since your little escape from Arkham." Penguin chuckled, eyes diverting to meet Ember's awkward stance.

"Been laying low." Joker confirmed.

"I wouldn't necessarily consider blowing up the stock exchange laying low." Penguin cheerfully mocked, enunciating the last two words with his fingers as he mimicked air quotes. "And whose the lovely lady?"

"Ah," Joker beamed, stepping back to snake his left arm around Ember's tiny waist.
"My girl. Ember, this is Penguin."

Ember outstretched an arm, weakly smiling in the strangers direction as she took her hand in his.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mister Penguin, sir." She stammered.

"Likewise." He grinned, dropping her hand a bit too quickly as his gaze diverted to Joker once again.

"Try not to cause an uproar, will you?" Penguin's tone suddenly shifted, eyes contorting into slits as he glared in Joker's direction.

"Tonight is a special night, bud, so there'll be no funny business." Joker genuinely promised, patting Penguin on the shoulder before tugging Ember in the opposite direction towards a vacant table.

Ember sat in awe at the seemingly large pool in the center of the dining area, accompanied by—penguins?

"This place is truly something else." The woman giggled, taking a seat across from Joker at a petite table in the corner as he thrust a laminated menu into her hands.

"I was hoping you wouldn't hate it." Joker replied, dark eyes glued to the menu. "It's the only place I can take you on a proper date."

Ember's neck snapped up, jaw falling agape as her heart hammered thickly in her chest.

"Date?"

Joker's gaze swiftly met hers, a chuckle falling from his lips as he nodded.

"Date." He confirmed.

Ember struggled to meet his eyes, which were darkened even further by the dull lighting of the gianormous room. Plus, the black rings circling his welcoming orbs didn't help either...

"I love you." Ember spilled, the confession leaving her lips before she could stop them.

Three days prior, Ember was almost certain that she was going to lose him. She'd watched him fall unconcious in the back of the van, bleeding steadily from the wound in his side as the color in his face drained beneath his sloppy paint.

She was almost positive he was going to die that night.

The tip of Joker's tongue poked and prodded at the side of his cheek, pressing the skin outward as he studied Ember's features.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Ember quickly defended, stirring in her seat as visuals of Joker bleeding out on the SUV floor flooded her mind.

"I can't say that I love you without something being wrong?" She nervously added, tapping her foot irritably against the wood floor.

"Em," Joker scolded, his tone firm.
"I know you. I know when something is wrong."

Ember bit her trembling lip, holding back a mess of tears as she claimed Joker's colorant-tinted hand in hers.

"Spill."

"I thought you were going to die the other night." She revealed.

Joker fidgeted in his chair, clearly remembering waking up with stitches in his side and vomiting his brains out several mornings ago.

"Dollface," Joker mused, applying pressure to her dainty fingers reassuringly. "I'm okay."

"You weren't." Ember argued.
"You weren't even concious. You were bleeding all over the place–"

"Ember." Joker growled, jaw clenching as she immediately silenced.

"I'm fine. I'm alive. Stop-ah, dwelling on the past." He snipped, dropping her hand as a lanky blonde approached their table.

"I'm sorry." Ember lowly murmured, but he hadn't even heard her.

"Hello!" The blonde chirped, wiping the palms of her hands against her olive tinted apron as she gently smiled. She didn't even look shocked to see the fucking Joker sitting at the table. "I'm Raven, and I'll be helping you guys tonight! Can I start you off with anything to drink?"

"Water with lemon?" Ember squeaked, avoiding Joker's piercing gaze as Raven simply nodded.

"Same for me." Joker dismissed, diverting his gaze from a cheery Raven back to his beautiful lady on the opposite side of the table.

The woman scurried away, isolating the couple as Ember slyly smiled.

"I do love you, though." She muttered.
"A lot."

"I love you too, sugar plum." Joker smiled, claiming the palm of her hand as he brought it to his lips. He placed a peck against her knuckles, leaving behind a smear of blood red paint before placing her hand back onto the table.

"Thirty-one." He stated, chuckling lowly as he shook his head. Several loose curls slapped the corners of his eyes as they met Ember's stare.

"We're fucking old." Ember joked, earning a sincere chuckle from the clown.

"Old as dirt."

Ember raised a brow amusingly, struggling to contain her giggles as Raven returned with their waters.

"That was so fucking lame." Ember pressed, nodding curtly in the waitresses direction as she thrust her jet black straw into the cool glass of ice water.

"Are you two ready to order?" Raven smiled.

The duo gave the waitress their orders, returning to cheerful conversation as Joker toyed with Ember's fingers atop the table.

Two hours later and bellies full of food, Ember and Joker sat silently across from one another, her foot gliding against the top of his as she admired the man sitting before her.

"If I could go back in time to the day you kidnapped me and tell myself that I'd feel this way about you, I'd never believe it." Ember blushed, picking at the loose skin on her fingers.

"I can't even begin to describe the shit tha-t went through my head when I saw that fucking necklace around your neck." Joker replied, eyes trailing down to meet the silver chain the peeked out from Ember's flowy top.

Ember licked her lips, unsure of how to even respond as Joker smacked his.

"I thought I'd never see you again."

"Same."

"So-uh, when are you going to go shoo-t Batsy in the face, hm?" Joker taunted, fiddling with the straw in his drink. "Considering it's been well over twenty-four hours-ah."

Ember merely shrugged.

"I'll give him some more time, I guess. It's a big thing, revealing himself." Ember muttered, leaning forward to take a sip from her water. Her chest met the tablecloth, eyes fluttering in Joker's direction as he stirred in his seat.

"Your-uh, shirt." He croaked, desperately attempting to divert his gaze from the obscene amount of cleavage currently on display.

Ember glanced downward, her chin meeting the base of her neck as she merely snickered.

"Oops." She teased, lounging back in her seat once more as Joker's hand met his face. He took his lip between two fingers, tugging aimlessly at the skin as he struggled to tame his naughty thoughts.

"I think it's time to leave." Ember whispered, toying with a strand of pitifully dyed hair as Joker nearly combust in his chair.

"Let's go." He urged, snatching her hand from her hair as he tugged her from the chair and lead her out the door, discarding a fifty onto the table before exiting the premises.

|•|•|•|

A/N: Did anyone notice when Joker & Ember's birthday is? ;)

No..?

♥️

ALSO, for my fellow "Gotham" fans... what did you think of Oswald's little cameo?! (gah, I adore him and Ed so much omfg).

Only 4 chapters remain. Please be patient as my updates are going to be less frequent. I'd like to finish off this story strong, so I'm going to really take my time to bust out the absolute best chapters for you all.

love you.

xo, allie