Return of my favourite duo <3

It was too long for me to read through and edit lol (4k words) so lmk if you spot any mistakes hehe.

200 comments for an update!

The apartment door clicked shut behind Louis, the soft sound almost deafening in the silence. He stood there for a moment, motionless, his chest rising and falling with shaky breaths. The light overhead seemed too harsh, glaring against the blood that smeared his trembling hands and stained the edges of his sleeves.

He noticed movement from the corner of his view, but he was too focused on the blood on his hands, dark red against his golden skin.

Liam's voice broke through the haze. "Louis?" his footsteps came quickly, the worry in his tone sharp and clear. "What the hell happened?"

Louis didn't respond. His eyes were unfocused, fixed somewhere on the floor, as though staring at the blood clinging to his hands. His lips parted slightly, but no sound came.

Liam approached carefully, his face etched with concern. "Are you hurt?" he asked softly, glancing quickly over Louis' body for signs of injury. "Did he hurt you?" his hands were cradling Louis' face, his fingers pressing against soft skin.

Louis opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself, his throat tightening. Without thinking, he fell into Liam's arms, his forehead resting on Liam's shoulder as he clung to him for support. He didn't want to explain. Didn't want to relive the scene from outside. Didn't want to think about the life that had ended so abruptly in front of him.

Liam didn't push him. He just stood there, his arms gently enveloping Louis, letting him take what comfort he could from the moment. Liam rubbed Louis' back in slow, soothing circles. "Did he hurt you?"

Louis swallowed, his throat burning. He shook his head slightly but couldn't find the strength to speak again. He wanted to get the words out, wanted to explain how everything had unfolded, but it felt impossible. He gripped Liam tighter. 

"No..." he felt suffocated by everything he'd seen.

Liam squeezed him for a moment before pulling back, looking at him with a searching expression before his gaze flickered back to the blood. "Then what? Louis?"

Finally, Louis stepped back, shaking his head as his hands trembled. "There's... there's a body. A man," his voice cracked, and it made him flinch. He wiped a hand down his face, swallowing. "Near the Narrow. He... he killed him."

"Killed who?" Liam asked, but there was no urgency. He was giving Louis space, but the concern in his eyes was obvious.

"I—" Louis shook his head. "I don't know," his voice hitched, and his shoulders drooped as though he couldn't physically hold himself upright.

Liam wasn't convinced. "Who was it?" he asked again, this time his tone firm but still careful.

Louis' hand reached out, using the wall to steady himself. "I can't," he said hoarsely. "It's my fault I- I wasn't good enough."

Liam softened. "You're in shock. Sit down."

Louis slumped to the floor, sliding down the wall and staring into space. His chest was tight, every inch of him burned with tension, and the images of the alley flashed in his mind. The rain. The fear. The blood. The cold look on Harry's face.

Liam pulled his phone from his pocket, his voice steady as he dialled. "There's a body near the Narrow," he said into the receiver. "Send someone. An alley I assume. No, I don't know who yet. Just go." He hung up quickly. "The police are on their way," Liam said gently. "They'll handle it."

"I don't want to talk about it," Louis muttered. His voice was barely audible, as though the words were an effort to speak.

Liam gently sat down beside him, not trying to rush him or press for more answers. He simply sat, his hand resting on Louis' knee. "Okay."

They sat in silence, just the sound of the storm outside filling the space. The minutes stretched on; Liam disappeared just long enough to bring back a steaming mug of tea. He handed it to Louis and for a long moment neither of them spoke. Louis stared at the hot drink, the warmth rising against his cold fingers.

Liam watched him closely, his expression soft. "Whatever happened... it's not your fault," he said softly, trying to break through the numbness that surrounded Louis. "None of it."

Louis' eyes flicked up to Liam, something like gratitude lingering beneath his exhaustion. He didn't speak at first, just sipping the tea slowly, letting the warmth fill him—comforting, for now, but not enough to erase the weight of what he had just witnessed.

"Maybe it is," Louis finally murmured, his voice faint. "Maybe if I'd done something different..."

"No," Liam's voice was firmer this time. "Whatever he did is not on you."

Louis took another sip, nodding once, though his mind was elsewhere—far away from the safety of the apartment, the quiet understanding of Liam beside him. In his head, the moment played over and over again—the sound of a life ending, and the cold indifference in Harry's eyes.

He let out a shaky breath, still gripping the mug between his hands as if holding it might ground him.

"You know the worst part?" Louis murmured, his words coming in a ragged breath. "I have to go back," he blinked up at Liam. "I made a deal."

Liam didn't reply immediately, his brow furrowing as he processed what Louis had said. After a beat, he simply reached out, resting a hand on Louis' shoulder.

"We'll figure this out," Liam said quietly, his voice steady. "But you don't have to do anything tonight. Just stay here, alright? We'll deal with this in the morning."

Louis didn't respond, his eyes staring ahead, the weight of everything still pressing down on him. For now, though, he was here with Liam—alive, with someone who cared. The rest could wait.

For tonight, it had to.

***

The morning sunlight broke through the curtains, harsh and invasive against the quiet apartment. Louis sat on the edge of the couch, his shoulders hunched. Liam stood at the counter, arms crossed, his face tight with worry but free of judgment.

"You gonna tell me what happened?" Liam asked gently, though the tension in his voice was unmistakable.

Louis didn't respond at first. His gaze remained fixed on the cup of coffee in his hands, his fingers trembling slightly around the large mug. "It was bad, Liam," he muttered after a long silence. His voice was rough like it hurt to speak the words aloud.

Liam moved closer, kneeling to be at his brother's eye level. His presence was steady, a silent reassurance that he was here, that Louis wasn't alone.

"You can tell me," Liam said gently. "You don't have to but you can, alright? No matter what's going on."

Louis' throat tightened, and he exhaled sharply, fighting back the emotion that threatened to rise. "You're not mad?"

"Mad?" Liam's voice softened. "Never at you. I just need to know you're okay," he promised. "You said he didn't hurt you, but..?"

Louis shook his head quickly, his fingers tightening around the mug. "No, not... not me. He killed someone. Cold. Calculated. It didn't matter who it was, just..."

Liam's face darkened, but he held steady. "You saw it?"

"I couldn't stop him," Louis admitted, his voice breaking. "It was nothing to him. One second he was fine, and the next, he—" he stopped, the words catching in his throat.

"It wasn't your fault," Liam said firmly, placing a hand on Louis' shoulder.

Louis finally looked up at him, guilt and fear swimming in his red-rimmed eyes. "I think he did it to prove a point. Like, he did it to teach me a lesson," he swallowed. "I-I don't want to go back, Liam. I don't want to go back. "

Liam's grip on his shoulder tightened briefly, his jaw clenching. "Then don't," he said simply.

"You don't understand." Louis shook his head. "I made a deal. If I run, if I don't go back, he'll..."

Liam didn't need the words to finish the thought. "He won't get to you. I won't let him."

Louis swallowed hard, setting the mug down and pressing his hands together. He wasn't sure if he believed that, but just hearing it made his chest feel a little lighter.

After a moment, he leaned back, running a hand down his face. "He's got me tracking down some criminals that escaped the prison. We're taking care of a list of them. We were tracking Roman Havelock when it happened."

Liam frowned. "Havelock? The black-market surgeon?"

"Yeah. He wants him locked up again," Louis admitted. "And honestly, so do I."

Liam tilted his head. "Then let's get to him first."

"What?"

"Louis, you said it yourself. You don't want to go back there. Let's figure out where Havelock is, take him down- and the rest of the criminals. Then you're done. No Joker, no debt, no deal. You've done what he's asked of you."

"It's not that simple," Louis muttered.

"It can be," Liam countered. "Just you and me. We've done harder things together, haven't we?"

Louis met his brother's determined gaze, torn between the fear of failure and the possibility of escaping his nightmare. After a long pause, he nodded. "Alright," he said quietly. "Havelock had a clinic downtown. It's abandoned now, but I think he's still running shipments out of the industrial district, using a butcher's shop as a cover-up. Organs, faces, IDs—whatever makes him money."

"Good," Liam said, standing and grabbing his coat. "That's where we'll start."

"You make it sound easy," Louis muttered, rising to follow him. "Last time..."

"We're not scared of him," Liam said firmly, glancing back with a small smile. "And he should've stayed locked up the first time."

For the first time in hours, Louis' lips twitched upward, though it was faint and fleeting. "Let's go."

***

The stench hit Louis like a wall as they slipped into the darkened backroom of the butcher shop. The smell of blood—old and new—mixed with damp concrete and sour disinfectant. It made Louis' stomach churn but he pressed on, his sharp eyes scanning the cluttered space.

 Liam whispered, his voice low but still carrying an edge of disbelief. "Of course, it smells like a graveyard."

Louis didn't respond. His focus was on the strange setup before them—tables lined with surgical instruments, bloodied aprons tossed over the backs of chairs, and coolers humming faintly along the walls.

"He's still running his operation," Louis murmured, pointing to a rusted autoclave in the corner.

"So much for lying low," Liam muttered, pulling his cape tighter to avoid brushing against the grime-coated counters. His voice shifted into something colder. "Let's hope he's arrogant enough to still be here."

"He's here," Louis muttered, his breath catching in his throat. He could feel it—Roman was close, hidden in the darkness. "Stay alert," Louis murmured, stepping toward the room.

"You're preaching to the choir," Liam replied.

When Louis reached the next door, he peered inside carefully. The space was cramped and haphazardly arranged—a sterile operation crammed into chaos. A steel table dominated the centre of the room, with neatly arranged surgical tools glinting under a single overhead light. Bloodstained gloves were discarded in a corner, next to what looked like a makeshift storage freezer humming softly.

Liam stepped closer, his jaw tightening as he scanned the scene. "Same as last time," he muttered, his eyes narrowing.

Louis tensed as his gaze swept the room. "He's been here recently. Look at that—" He gestured to a scalpel sitting on a blood-spattered tray, the blade still shining as if freshly cleaned.

Liam gave a sharp nod, his voice calm and steady. "Stay close. Don't let him get the drop on you."

As if summoned by those very words, a figure lunged from the shadows. The glint of steel flashed in the faint light, a blade slashing toward Louis faster than he could process.

Louis stumbled back just in time to avoid being sliced, but Roman Havelock didn't miss a beat. He whirled on Liam, who blocked the attack with a sharp, practised motion. Havelock didn't stop, he crashed a chair into Liam who stumbled backwards. Louis barely had time to react before Havelock lunged at him, the glint of silver still in his hand.

Louis ducked the syringe by inches, the sharp hiss of the needle punctuating the tense air. Roman struck again, his speed uncanny as he drove Louis back toward the wall.

Louis twisted away from the wall, his fist connecting with Roman's ribs in a clean, hard strike. Roman grunted but held his ground, his free hand grappling at Louis' arm. The syringe flicked dangerously in his grasp, narrowly missing Louis' side.

Liam surged forward, his cape flaring as he shoved Roman off Louis with brutal force. Roman staggered but recovered quickly, ducking under Liam's sweeping punch and moving with the calculated precision of a surgeon.

"Well, if it isn't Gotham's golden boys," Roman sneered. "You just couldn't let me be, could you?"

Liam advanced again, swiping at Havelock who twisted out of the way. Roman turned on Louis, the syringe back in hand and aimed for his neck.

"You came back," Roman hissed. "Didn't think you'd want to meet me twice, kid. What? One needle wasn't enough?"

Liam intercepted him with a brutal strike to the jaw, sending the syringe flying. Roman stumbled, disoriented, and Louis followed up with a sharp kick that sent him crashing into the overturned table.

"Same tricks as last time," Roman taunted, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he rose to his feet. "Didn't work then, won't work now."

He launched himself at Louis who grabbed Roman by the collar, slamming him against the wall hard enough to make the shelves rattle.

Roman laughed, but the sound was strained now. "You're all bark, no bite, golden boy. Just like last time."

"Shut up," Louis snapped, yanking him forward before slamming him against the wall again.

Roman's hand flicked up, catching Louis' forearm with a shard of glass that he hadn't realised Havelock was wielding. Louis hissed, his grip slipping. Havelock used the moment to twist from Louis' grip, slipping past him with surprising speed and slamming an elbow into Liam's chest. The blow sent Liam stumbling into a tray of surgical tools, the clatter ringing out like gunfire.

Louis recovered fast, diving at Havelock before he could land another hit. With a sharp shove, he drove his fist into Roman's side, sending him crashing to the floor.

For a moment, the room was silent except for the ragged breaths of the three men. Roman groaned trying to pull himself up, but Liam was on him in seconds, twisting his arm behind his back and forcing him to the ground.

"Stay down," Liam growled, his voice dangerous.

Roman chuckled, his gaze shifting between the brothers. "You're both so predictable. Do-gooders to the core. Do you really think this ends with me? How many faces have I changed? How many of Gotham's criminals are walking around, laughing at how easily they vanished while you fools chase ghosts?"

Batman shoved his face to the floor. "Shut up."

Louis crouched next to the syringe Roman had dropped, his chest heaving as he stared at it with a mix of anger and unease. The memory of its contents flooding his bloodstream the last time they met sent a cold shiver through him.

Roman turned his head, his gaze flicking to Louis. "You think Joker's gonna be happy you went off-script, kid?" he said. "He doesn't like it when his toys make moves without him."

Louis stiffened but kept his expression neutral. He didn't dare glance at Liam.

Roman smirked, clearly sensing he'd struck a nerve. "When he finds you—oh, he will find you, Robin. You better pray you're still useful. You think the blood on your hands tonight is bad?" his voice dropped to a whisper. "Wait until it's your own."

"Not today," Liam said sharply. He secured Roman's wrists with a set of heavy cuffs before glancing up at Louis. "Call it in."

Louis nodded, fishing the comm link from his pocket with shaking fingers. He dialled quickly, the calm voice of the dispatcher grounding him. "This is Batman," he said, his voice steadier than he expected. "Roman Havelock is at a Butchers in the Narrow. He's restrained. Send backup."

Roman winced but kept talking, his gaze darting to Louis. "You really are a lapdog, aren't you?" he spat. "Following orders as usual. Does the Joker keep you on a tighter leash than Batman?"

Louis flinched at the words, but Liam didn't hesitate. He yanked Roman off the floor and slammed him into the wall.

"You talk too much," Liam said coldly. 

Roman's sneer didn't waver. "Go ahead. Lock me up. It didn't stick the first time, remember?"

Louis stepped forward, his jaw tight. "It'll stick this time," he said firmly. "The police are on their way."

Roman chuckled darkly, despite the blood dripping down his chin. "You'll have to run back to Daddy soon, Robin. That leash? Only gets tighter the harder you pull."

Louis stiffened, his jaw clenching.

"Does he enjoy making you his pet," Roman sneered.

Louis turned sharply, stepping toward Roman with a fire in his chest. "I'm not-" He stopped, catching himself, realising Roman was baiting him. He stepped back, jaw tight.

Roman sneered. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that."

Liam shoved Roman against the wall hard enough to make a crack. "Shut up," he snapped, his voice like a whip.

Havelock's eyes were still on Louis. "I mean, look at you—what's he got planned for you next? Got a mask picked out yet? Maybe you can play house-"

Liam pulled him off the wall, cutting Roman off with a quick strike to the side of the head. Roman slumped to the floor.

Louis' breath hitched as he looked at Liam. "You didn't—"

"He's fine," Liam said curtly, crouching and checking to make sure Roman was still alive. "Don't let him get to you."

"I know," Louis replied softly. But Roman's words lingered, coiling tight in his mind. "How does he know?"

Liam stood with a sigh, eyes still on Roman's unconscious body.  "Word must've spread," he muttered.

Sirens sounded out in the street and Liam hauled Roman's body up.

"Wait here," Liam instructed, carrying Havelock out of the room.

Louis nodded, mostly to himself. His eyes landed on the syringe still on the floor. He swallowed, looking away.

***

The night had settled uneasily over Liam's apartment. The faint hum of Gotham's chaos outside crept through the thick windows as Louis perched by the table, aimlessly stirring the cold remains of a mug of tea. His mind was racing, but Liam had stepped into the hallway for a phone call, leaving him alone with his restless thoughts.

Liam's voice drifted back into the room, sharp but hushed, just enough for Louis to catch snippets. He heard words like "Narrow," "Havelock," and "priority suspect." The uneasy tone didn't sit well with Louis, but what sent a shiver down his spine was the unmistakable mention of Joker's name.

Frowning, Louis strained to hear more, his chest tightening. Liam sounded almost... defensive.

"I already told you everything," Liam said, his words curt. "No, I haven't seen him since then. You know I'd say something if I did."

Louis' frown deepened as his gaze flicked toward the half-open door. He leaned back in his chair, waiting for Liam to return. A minute later, the door creaked open, and Liam stepped inside, his expression guarded.

"Who was that?" Louis asked casually, though his tone betrayed the tension in his chest.

"No one important," Liam replied quickly, brushing past him toward the sink.

Louis straightened, watching him carefully. "Liar," he said, his voice cutting through the air.

Liam paused, his shoulders stiffening as he placed a hand on the counter. Slowly, he turned to face Louis.

"It's nothing you need to worry about," he said carefully.

Louis stood. "If it's about Joker, I definitely need to worry about it. What's going on?"

Liam hesitated, his hand gripping the counter. "Louis... the police are looking for you."

The words hit like a gut punch. Louis's mind reeled, his throat tightening as if the air had suddenly become too thick. "What?" he managed, though his voice felt far away.

"They've got nothing solid yet," Liam rushed to add. "Just—your name came up. Someone ID'd you in the Narrow yesterday. Connected you to..." he hesitated.

"To Joker," Louis finished for him, his voice bitter. His stomach churned as he tried to process.

Liam nodded regretfully. "And then apparently Havelock's been talking," he explained. "Fuelling the fire as usual."

Louis swallowed. "You told them you hadn't seen me?"

"I had to," Liam replied, guilt flickering in his eyes. "I'm sure they'd hear you out but..." he trailed off. "They see you as—"

"As one of his now," Louis interrupted. "They think I'm working with him."

Liam swallowed hard, his silence saying more than words could.

Louis ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room. His pulse was racing. "This is bad," he muttered, half to himself. "If they're looking for me, it's not gonna stop. They'll keep digging."

"We'll figure it out," Liam said quickly, stepping forward. "We can fix this."

"Fix what?" Louis shot back, his voice rising. "I have been working with him. Do you have any idea what they'd do to me if they knew? They'd lock me up and throw away the key!"

"We'll fix it," Liam's tone was firm, his hands gripping Louis by the shoulders. His steady gaze met Louis's panicked one. "But we have to be smart. Keep your head down. We can figure out a way to clear your name."

"Clear my name?" Louis let out a humourless laugh, pulling away from Liam's grip. "You don't 'clear' a name once The Joker's on it." 

He glanced toward the window, the paranoia creeping in as he imagined Gotham's watchful eyes hunting him down.

Liam followed his gaze, his expression softening. "They haven't got anything concrete," he said. "It's just whispers right now. You have time."

"I haven't done anything," Louis said quickly, his voice rising in disbelief. His hands clenched into fists as panic set in. "You know that, Liam. I haven't—I wouldn't—"

"I know," Liam interrupted, his voice sharper than he intended. He softened immediately. "I know you haven't. I know. But it doesn't matter what I know."

Louis looked away, his heart racing as his mind spiralled. "So what, they just believe whatever he says? Roman's a liar—a criminal."

"They haven't gone public," Liam said quickly. "Not yet. It's just whispers right now. Behind closed doors. But..."

Louis filled it in himself, his voice brittle. "But it won't stay that way. The cops will come for me."

Liam straightened, his posture rigid as his expression darkened. "They're not laying a finger on you."

Louis stared at him, feeling like the floor had been ripped out from under him. "You can't stop them," he said quietly.

"The hell I can't," Liam shot back, his voice full of conviction. "I'll stop them. I'll bury this if I have to. I saved Gotham—we both have. They owe me. They'll listen."

Louis shook his head, his throat tightening. "And if they don't?"

"Then they'll regret it," Batman's eyes were blazing with protectiveness.

The thought gave Louis no comfort. Louis buried his face in his hands. "I don't even know why they'd believe it," he muttered. "What evidence do they have?"

Liam hesitated, shifting uneasily. "It's more than that," he admitted.

Louis froze, his head snapping up. "What?"

Liam looked pained, but he didn't falter. "Roman's not the only one talking. Other criminals have been... spreading rumours. They know you've been with him, Louis. That's why you're not just dealing with the cops anymore. The underworld sees you as a target, too."

Louis stared at him, his blood running cold. "A target?"

"They think you're Joker's new... partner," Liam said carefully, hating the way the words sounded aloud.

Louis let out a bitter laugh, the sound strained and humourless. "So I've got cops and killers after me. Great. Fantastic," he pressed his hands to his face, his thoughts swirling uncontrollably. "How bad is it?"

"It's fixable," Liam said quickly.

"I'm stuck, Liam. I can't stay here, and I can't go back to him," Louis mumbled, his voice muffled by his hands. "I'm in no man's land."

"You're not going back," Liam said firmly, his voice cutting through the despair like a blade.

Louis' hands dropped, his gaze hollow as he looked up at his brother. "I made a deal."

"And it doesn't mean anything," Liam snapped. "Not to me, not to anyone. Whatever he promised you, whatever you think will happen if you break it—it's not worth staying in his orbit."

"You don't know him," Louis said quietly.

"Then help me understand," Liam urged, crouching again to meet his brother's eyes. "Help me figure out how to stop him. Let me protect you."

Louis exhaled shakily, his shoulders sagging as the fight drained out of him. "You can't. He... he always wins."

"Not this time," Batman said coldly. "I don't care how dangerous he is. If he's coming after you, he's got to get through me first."

The words felt like a lifeline, but Louis couldn't bring himself to believe them. He glanced toward the window, his thoughts far away.

"What do I do now?" he asked finally, his voice small.

Liam's expression softened, placing a hand on Louis' shoulder. "You let me handle this," he said gently. "Just stay here."

Louis hesitated, his gaze flickering between Liam's determined expression and the floor. Finally, he nodded. The weight in his chest didn't ease.

"Alright," he said quietly.

Liam sighed.  "Try to get some rest, okay?"

Louis looked back at the window. He knew sleep wouldn't come easy. Not tonight.

:( poor Louis.

Thoughts?

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