I watched joker about a month ago and it got me back on this psychotic vibe ever since; hence the update!

Hope you lovely people enjoy x

100 votes and comments for an update

Whenever Batman could, he would stick by Louis' side. Keep him safe and inspired without sheltering him too much, without keeping him locked up in a tower, without stopping him from living

There was a fine line between being protective and being overprotective and Liam tried his hardest not to cross it

So, when Liam locked Louis in this house this time, he convinced himself that it was for the greater good

"Liam, I can help!" Louis insisted "Don't you trust me?" He questioned

Liam sighed in reply "I do trust you" he promised "And you can come next time, just-" he cut himself off, shaking his head "Hey, don't...don't get upset"

Louis' nose twitched, but he finally nodded "Fine" he agreed "I'm kind of tired anyways" he admitted

Liam let out a sigh of relief, nodding to himself "Okay" he said softly "See you later" he added, reaching out to give Louis' shoulder a soft squeeze before retreating with a smile and leaving the house

Louis waited until he heard the car engine revving up before he raced to the front door to pull on his shoes

"So much for being a sidekick" he grumbled to himself as he peeked through the curtains to see Liam's rear lights glimmering in the distance

The blue eyed boy slowly opened up the front door, exiting the mansion before locking up behind himself

It's not that Louis asked for trouble; not exactly. He never went looking for it, per se, but trouble always seemed to find him no matter what he did or where he went

He wanted to help, as always. Venturing into the world to save it, despite Liam's protests, because he knew that he was destined to do great things

It was twelve years since his parents died

It was the hardest thing that Louis had ever had to deal with and, as well as the loss of their presence, he found himself having to grow up twice as fast as he'd ever  thought he'd have to

Liam was the once that tried to protect his youth; fostering Louis' childhood innocence for as long as he possibly could by taking on the role of a parent himself and going on to do everything that a father (and a mother) would have to

Louis had turned eighteen last year and Liam, finally, decided that maybe it was time for him to join the family business; saving the world

Louis was gentle by nature but, despite this, he was determined to not only make Liam proud by following in his big brother's footsteps, but his parent's too. He'd like to think that they'd be just as proud of him as Liam seemed to be

So, with this thought in mind, he practically raced out of the driveway of the mansion and darted into the streets of Gotham with enthusiasm in every step

***

'Batman' was a household name by the time Liam's eighteenth birthday came around

Everyone in Gotham spoke of the black-caped vigilante that aimed to rid their streets of evil. The most recognisable form of evil in Gotham was of course, the Joker. The man who brought crime and gang violence into the city with just the sound of his unmistakable, cackling laughter

It was not secret that the two were arch enemies; no one of them possibly existing without the other, like opposing chips in a game piece or conjunctive cogs in machinery. Making each other both weaker and stronger all at once, their competition had lasted over five years now and with every drawn out hour that it continued, Liam's hatred for the Joker only grew

Liam and Louis both wanted to honour their parents in very different ways. As Louis wanted to make them proud, Liam wanted to avenge them

He wanted to rid the city of all crime, cleansing the contaminated streets of Gotham first and foremost by wiping out the Joker himself; the source and inspiration of crime in the city

When Liam got the call that the Joker himself was spotted just mere days after pulling of the robbery of the century, he had to venture out to find him

Louis, Liam thought, was too young, too precious to be battling such incredibly horrific people. His brother had only been training for a little less than a year; he wasn't ready for this, in Liam's eyes at least

It didn't take long for Batman to find the Joker, hearing the man before he actually saw him face to face. The smell in the air was just as putrid as the sound of the Joker's laughter, the metallic scent of blood mixed with rotting trash discarded in the alleyway dumpsters; a fitting palace for a man just as vile

When Liam did finally catch a glimpse of the man, the first thing that he noticed where his sparkling teeth, lined with crystals and gold

"Good evening, B-man" the Joker greeted with an unmistakable grin

"It was" Liam agreed "Until I bumped into you"

The cackle that Harry released from his mouth was formidable "You act like we don't need each other, Bat-boy" he said

"Need each other?"

Harry smiled "Why, of course" he explained "What's a good old fashioned hero without a villain?" He questioned

Liam scoffed "I'm no hero" he said

Harry raised a paint-covered brow "No?" He asked "Then why are you trying so hard to stop me from being...me?"

"You're despicable"

Harry flashed his teeth "You're just now noticing?"

Batman took a step forwards "Don't make this harder than it has to be" he said "I think Arkham is missing a patient"

Harry backed up immediately, wagging his finger playfully "Uh uh uh" he muttered softly "Wouldn't do that if I were you"

The grin on Harry's face was despicable, sickening and wide; foreshadowing  a wicked scheme and an abysmal tomorrow

Liam paid no attention to the way the Joker backed away from him, heading straight to grab hold of him when-

"Bad idea!" The Joker's words were more of an exclamation than a protest; excited and awaiting "There are some things set in motion that only I have the power to stop" he said

Liam almost rolled his eyes behind the black mask "What are you talking about?" He asked

The Joker was many things but unprepared was never one of them and Liam knew better to underestimate him. If he said that there was a plan in motion, then Batman was almost certain that he wasn't lying about it

"Wouldn't want your precious city getting hurt, would you?" The Joker replied "Or your side kick for that matter, huh?" he added

Liam faltered "What are you talking about?" He snapped once more

"Now, now" Harry said quickly, noting the anger on Liam's face "I'm sure he's being entertained" he promised "My dear Harley never fails to put on a show"

"Tell me!" Batman near exploded

The Joker fostered a short laugh "They'd never hurt him, no no no!" he tutted "Not without my word"

"Don't think for a second I won't kill you" Liam spat, marching forwards

Harry continued to back away "My word, dearest Batman" he said "No man in this city makes a move without my word" he stated "Now I wonder what would happen if you silenced me" he toyed "Think of the mess that would make"

"The only mess in this city is you!" With that Liam had Harry pinned against the wall, his forearm pressed against the man's neck

"Ever wonder what happens to those who sneak out past midnight?" Harry quizzed, calm despite the arm against his throat

"You better talk before you no longer have the option to" Liam hissed, slamming Harry against the brick wall

The Joker let out a laugh, sharp and volatile, bouncing and cascading through the streets and into the shadows

"Harley Quinn, of course"

"What about her?" Liam shouted, punctuating his words with another abrupt pounding of the Joker into the bricks

Another laugh, just as sickening "I think our sidekicks might get along, don't you?"

Liam let his grip on the Joker slide and the masked man composed himself slightly, straightening out his shirt and smiling widely. By the time Liam looked back up at him there was rage in his eyes

"I'll kill you"

Harry grinned a wicked grin "Well then" he started "You really should try to catch me"

There was a puff of smoke. Grey silk spiralling through the black air in twisting delight. It flared for a moment, dark and delicious, before it resigned entirely, leaving behind nothing but an empty street with three dead bodies on the floor

***

After leaving the house, Louis had prepared to be, well, unprepared

But despite his preparations, or more so lack of, he was still completely and utterly surprised by the being that he came to face on his way to find Liam

"You're not as pretty as he said you are"

Louis span on his heels to face the rather dainty voice that he was almost certain addressed him

The culprit was stood a few meters away from him with their shoulder leant against the cold, brick wall. There was a red lipped smile on their face and their eyes were bright and delightful

Louis knew that face in an instance; the red and blue tipped hair to the high, pronounced cheekbones

The figure pushed themselves off of the wall and stepped towards Robin with a smile on their face

"And you're sure not as pretty as me" they finished

Louis fished-mouthed, taking a step back as he regain some of his confidence "I thought you'd be-"

The opponent cut him off with a sharp laugh "Wrong!" They exclaimed

"I didn't even-"

There was another laugh, less vicious this time and Louis visible faltered

"What's so funny?" Robin demanded, folding his arms across his chest

"Everything" Harley replied, delighted

Louis squinted at them, tightening his arms across his torso and huffing softly "I don't see the joke" he grumbled to himself

"That's why he likes you" Harley replied "You're a challenge"

And then they were stepping closer, brushing back the blue strands of hair from their face so that it was smoother into a black quiff. In this light, Louis could see that the villain was dressed not so modestly; black leather trousers and an open, red leather jacket that showcased the skin of their toned stomach, lean chest, narrow shoulders and soft, muscular arms

"Didn't Batman ever tell you it's rude to stare?" Harley quizzed

Louis almost flinched at this, looking away immediately "Sorry, I-"

"You sure are polite for an enemy of mine" Harley noted, walking towards him

Louis almost backed up before remembering that he wasn't to be scared by Harley, so he stood his ground shakily

"Not here to kill you" Harley said softly, almost alluring in the way that they spoke "Not without the boss man's say so"

Robin swallowed, but relaxed at this revelation "Where is he?" Louis asked

Harley let out another laugh "Wouldn't you like to know" they muttered tauntingly "I'm here to give you a message" they finally announced

Louis turned to them, all ears as the criminal pulled a piece of paper from the front of their trousers. Robin blinked at the display, recoiling slightly when Harley tried to hand him the paper

"Take it, bat-baby, I haven't got all day!" They snapped

Louis reached out for it shyly before taking the piece of paper and sliding it into his pocket

"Well, aren't you gonna read it?" Harley asked

Louis shook his head slightly, backing away; Harley rolled their eyes in reply. There was a slight crash in the distance, followed by the sound of people coming closer

Louis turned to where the sound was coming from, glancing over his shoulder for a moment, but by the time he turned back Harley was gone

***

On the other side of Gotham, Liam was running through the streets in a race against time. As soon as he got to his car, he dove into the front seat and whizzed through the open roads as fast as he could go without causing damage to his beloved vehicle

When he finally reached the mansion that he and Louis had grown up in, he sped down the long, winding driveway and pulled up just outside the front doors. Without taking a moment to compose himself, Liam was in the house and jogging up the rounded staircase

"Hey, Louis!" He called, almost bursting into his little brother's room

He was about to call again when a small figure came from the en suite "Yeah?" Louis replied

Liam visibly relaxed "Oh!" He said in shock "Oh, hey" he added, more softly this time "You okay?" He asked

Louis nodded, smiling sleepily before yawning "What'd you do?" He asked "You catch him?"

Liam sighed shaking his head "Not today" he answered

Louis nodded in acknowledgement "You will" he said softly, rocking gently on his feet

Liam smiled in reply, pausing for a moment before asking "You sure you're okay?"

"Of course" Louis replied immediately "Why wouldn't I be?" He asked

Liam shrugged nonchalantly "No reason" he said "You know how the Joker likes his mind games"

Louis hesitated "What'd he say?" The boy almost whispered

Liam shoo his head "Nothing for you to worry about, alright?" He replied, taking a step closer "Get some sleep" he added, ruffling Louis' hair softly before turning on his heels and leaving the room

There was a 'goodnight' whispered by Louis that was echoed by Liam as the older man shut the bedroom door

Once Liam's footsteps could be heard echoing in the far distance of the hallway, Louis pulled his hand from behind his back and opened it slowly, looking down at the tattered piece of paper and opening up the folds carefully. There was scrawly writing, deep set creases and a red stain which could easily be discounted as blood running across the left edge of the paper

Louis read each tainted word carefully

Tomorrow at midnight, our place. Don't be early,

Your loving Joker

AHHHH, how I missed this wonderful book! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, as I did writing it x

Question: How did you find the introduction of Harley? Are they different to how you imagined?

I.E- I used gender neutral pronouns for now as I am not yet sure of their gender. They may be male, female or gender fluid. I'm not sure. What do you think they should be?

Vote? Comment? Ilygsm. Mwah x