(Arthur)

Yesterday wasn't the best of days. In some ways I suppose it could have been worse. Maybe I'm not thinking of it positively enough. I found out that Randall, a guy I use to work with, isn't my real friend. It's not good having fake friends. Friends who give you a gun for protection and doesn't take the wrap for you when it falls out during your performance at the Children's hospital. At least it did come in handy on the train. Beside's, I got my first pink slip. Never got one of those before. Did I really love my job as much as I say I do? Probably not. I liked telling jokes. That's what I like to do. I believe everyone should find something they love. What about Marissa? What does she love?

I hear footsteps coming up the hall. Standing up and heading to the door my mother calls out "Arthur, where are you going." Peeking through the hole in our door I see Marissa. She's still wearing her clothes she had on last night.

"N-nowhere. I'm gonna check the mail."

Quickly I open the door and step out. My heart picks up the pace a little and I put my hands in my pockets. Marissa doesn't seem to realize I'm standing right there. Her hands fumble with the keys as she frantically tries to get inside her apartment.

"Hey-" I start but she yelps a little jumping back dropping her keys.

I hold a hand up a chuckle a little "Relax. It's only me."

Her eyes are wide and all the color from her face is drained. She's so jumpy, but I guess that's expected. For a moment I panic thinking she knew it was me, but when her facial expression changes I relax.

"Oh, sorry Arthur. I didn't know you were there." she says with a smile. 

"Late night at the office?" I say extending her keys to her.

She takes them and her smile fades. Her eyes stay to the floor and she nods a little "Guess you could say that."

Turning back to her door she tries unlocking it but the door won't budge.

"Marissa, are you okay?" I ask feeling a little guilty.

"I'm fine." she replied jiggling her keys more. She pulls at the handle with no success and I can tell she's getting upset. "Son of a-open...!" she growls under her breathe.

"Hey..." I say gently resting a hand on her shoulder stopping her. 

She huffs and brushes her hair from her face taking in a shaky breath. I attempt to catch her gaze but she keeps avoiding my eyes. 

"Whats going on?" I ask. 

She bites her lip shaking her head while shutting her eyes. Even though it was an attempt to not cry, I can't deny I was a little turned on. Wish I could take a bite outta those lips.

"Nasty pervert." I think feeling the wave of guilt crash over me.

I reach up cupping her cheek and catch her eyes "Hey, you can tell me." I whisper.

Tears spill over her cheeks and her eyes avert back down. I'm caught off guard as she leans in pressing forward to my chest. The scent of her hair is intoxicating. The aroma of lavender radiates from her giving me a calming feeling. Her forehead rests on my chest and I fear she will hear my heart beating against my ribs. Awkwardly I pat her back before turning it into a soothing rub.

"I'm-I'm sorry Arthur." she mumbles.

"For what?" I ask.

She quickly backs away and wipes the tears from her cheeks. Just like a switch their turned off as she swallows her emotions. Locking them away as it takes a piece of her soul. Emotionally unstable. That's her psychosis. 

"I think this calls for some coffee." I say sheepishly. 

Marissa's eyes look back up at me. I offer a small smile and her eyes brighten a little. Hesitantly she replied but accepts. While she goes inside to change I jump a little from excitement in the hall. I've never been good with talking to women. Either I was too shy or scared them away, but for some reason Marissa seemed to want to stick around. Maybe she's just as lonely as me.

(Marissa)

No one in Gotham had even taken the time to get to know me. The two people to show me any kindness was the woman from the subway, Karen, and of course, Arthur. 

After changing out of my blood splattered clothes I had calmed myself down enough to seem normal. Hiding my emotions was probably one of the top things I have mastered in life. Ever since my parents divorce when I was a kid I got good at it. Locking away all the anger, sadness, and turmoil I felt. It was better that way. Or else that's the lie I tricked myself into believing.

"Marissa?"

I snap my attention back to Arthur and he raises a brow "Sunrise or Sunset?"

I sway as we walk and poke my lips out thinking "Sunset. Definitely sunset."

"Why sunset?" Arthur asks with a chuckle at my facial expression. 

I giggle a little "Because there's no way I'd be up early enough to watch a sunrise."

Arthur laughs a little kicking a balled up piece of paper on the sidewalk "Maybe we should watch one sometime."

I laugh and nudge him playfully "I'm not getting up that early pal."

Arthur narrows his eyes but has a devilish smirk "I could always make you."

I smile and shake my head giggling a little. For some reason I got butterflies in my stomach for a moment. Almost as if his smile hit me in some strange way I've only felt once before. A feeling I had forgotten I had.

---

"Here you go." the waitress said setting down our coffee's before walking back behind the counter.

"If this tastes bad your paying." I say jokingly.

Arthur shrugs a little "But I'm already going to pay for it."

I smirk holding the warm mug to my lips "Then I guess you'll have to make up for it another way."

Arthur's eyes widen a little and he turns away looking out the window. My own face heats up and I look off in the other direction towards the kitchen where the waitress converses with the cook. I want to slap myself for being so flirty. I'm not a flirty person and I've never been good at it. But on occasion it slips out and at the wrong time.

"Hey, wanna hear a joke?" Arthur asks.

I look back at him relieved he came back out of his shell to break the tension. 

"Sure."

"How is espresso like divorce?"

"..."

"It's expensive and bitter...!"

Arthur chuckles at his own joke and I smirk sadly before staring into the black abyss of my mug. He was right. Divorce is a lot like espresso. Expensive to pay for lawyers and bitter fighting over your kids.

"I-I'm sorry. That wasn't-"

"What's the Difference Between Starbucks and a Prostitute?"

Arthur's worried expression softens and he shrugs awaiting my answer. Before I take a sip of my coffee I smile in response "Nothing, they both suck and empty your wallet."

Both of us laugh and Arthur nearly chokes on his coffee. I liked his laugh. This one wasn't like the first time we met. It was softer and not so sinister sounding. We carried on like this for a while sharing jokes until we started heading back to our building. 

"So how long have you and your mom lived in the building?" 

Arthur shrugs and flicks the last of his cigarette "A few years. Moved here after I-"

He pauses and I see his jaw clench until he clears his throat "After I got out of Arkham."

I'm caught off guard by his response. I've never been inside Arkham, but I've heard the rumors about the individuals there. However, at the same time, their just rumors

Looking down I see his hands shaking. His eyes are glued to the ground and his breathing is shaky. I smile and loop my arm with his. His body tenses but he looks over at me and I smile back.

"Your not scared of me? Think I'm crazy?"

I smile and shake my head "Nah, were all a little mad here."