☻ Shove it sir! ☻

You don’t like clowns.

(𓇋)      ❝ D̢͎̣̱̥̞ᴇ̨̪͇ᴀ̼ᴛ̥̹̝ʜ̧̹̬̥̲̫̝̲ ̵̳̭̺̮͙̠ɪ͉̺͟s̢͇̬͈̱͈͇ ̣̩̤͈̱͖ʙ̶ᴜ͡ᴛ̹͎̖ ᴛ̱̣̱͈͢ʜ͕̹̙̪̪͈ᴇ̤̙̥͞ ̢̣ᴅ̪̻̳̱͝ᴏ̳̣̤͇̫̹̗͝ᴏ͚̠͇ʀ̫̘͍̱͔ᴡ̴ᴀ̩ʏ̼͖̰̜̩̕ ͔͈͍̜̫͠ᴛ̹̫̳͖̼̭͉ᴏ̦̳̻͓͞ ̟̟̫̜͎̭ʟ̬͙ɪ̬ꜰ҉̣ᴇ̹͎.̝͕͟ W͎̟̩̥̼ᴇ̮͍̖ ̗̼̳ʟ̤ɪ̨̹͎͎̙ᴠ̞̫̙̞̬͇̭ᴇ͝ ̠̱ᴛ̨͓͙̝̦̙̜̻ᴏᴅ̞̫͕̹ᴀ͏̮̱̯̙͇̭ʏ͍̮̫̯͇͝, ̬̞͖̲ᴡ̥̀ᴇ ̡̪̬̪̹̖͕͎ṣ̫̝ʜ̝̙̮͞ᴀ̱̖͉ʟ̰̱̤͍ʟ̥̫̗̼̟̩ ̘̬̯́ʟɪ̳͈̟͓͉̀ᴠ̣̗̜̘̰͎͖͢ᴇ̳͎̗ ̸ᴀ̶̞ɢ͍̜̮͉̫ᴀ̪̳̞̗̫̺͎ɪ̼̪̝͠ɴ̶̝̳̠̪̜-̲̥̮̙͕̰͘- ̻͉̝̻̼̣͠I̙̳̹ɴ̛͈̞͍̬̰͙ͅ ̡ᴍᴀ̨̺̬ɴ̞̦͈ʏ̶̟̞̪̮̦ ̘̣̹͈̰̼̹͢ꜰ͏ᴏ̻̘͟ʀ̧̜̟͔͖ᴍ̘̲̯̤̝̮s͇̫̣͟,͕ ̼̫̲ᴡ̡̯ᴇ̵̮̖ͅ ̝̞͖̘̬͍̜̕s̭̬͍͉̕ʜ̪̲̠͇̗̺͈ᴀ̯̠̺͓ʟ̹̲͉ʟ͓͉̲͔͢ͅͅ ́ʀᴇ̮ᴛ͙ᴜ̲̜̠̩̜͔ʀ̷̪͎͙͚̘̹̜ɴ͏̖̩̠.͉̺͟❞ 

The kiss was just like any, there was no joke behind it. Just genuine emotions, whether it was for the person or for another. Romanus knew how  a lot of the times Harley would imagine saying certain things to Joker, or perhaps even Clint. He knew that he was often compared. She may have tried to hide that fact, but sometimes it just wasn’t easy to hide things from him. He didn’t mind. He didn’t mind being compared to, actually. Why…..Why was he so nice to her? He couldn’t give an answer to that question even if he wanted to. He was nice, but…how could someone cause him to be THIS nice. It wasn’t until her fingers slid through raven locks that he notices something different. It’s in the way that she kisses him, the way he can hear her heart. He doesn’t pull away though, just keeps their lips locked to each other. He deepens the kiss. Coming from her, this isn’t an emotion he’s familiar with, but….he IS familiar with this emotion. He remembers it. 

It’s….frightening. He always did his best to play oblivious to these kind of feelings, back home whenever someone encountered him. Since then he hadn’t been the same. He had been more withdrawn from love in that kind of way. IN the way that Harley was possibly feeling. 

They break the kiss and she’s placing his hand on her chest. Yeah, he can feel it. He can feel it and hear it. The beating of her heart sending some kind of shiver, but then….she thanks him. 

He curls his fingers. Eyes stares at where her heart is, and eventually he looks back at her. “You’re thanking me?” HIs voice has fallen into a whisper. “Thank you for loving me, Harley.” He would have ran away, he would have avoided her at all cost. AND he wants to, that feeling is there, but somehow….somehow he’s become strong enough to stand. The city has done a lot for him, the people in this city has helped him change. He….feels different. 

“Genuinely, seriously…thank you so much.”

  Harley was certainly no expert on love herself. Romanus knew she’d been in an abusive relationship for years. Knew she had feelings for someone who would no doubt never return them, but even so, he stayed with her. Kissed her. Held her. He cared so much and asked for absolutely nothing in return. Maybe that’s what did her in. Clint was like that too, sure, but... Romanus was different. In a lot of ways. As soon as she realized that, Harley realized it wasn’t that she fell for Romanus because he treats her like Clint, it’s because he’s him. 

  Her feelings for the Joker and Clint haven’t changed, but... well, it seems she has more space in her heart than she realized. 

His hands are now wrapped around her waist. Ah, is this how people react upon hearing I love you? When she had said it to him, it sparked SO many emotions. Was it like that with her, as well? He rubs her back in a soothing, comforting way. And her words….They actually got him smiling. She wipes her tears and she looks at him, and he nods. He knows. He knows she won’t lose him. And he knows for her, there’s a lot of things that are difficult to talk about. It’s the same for him. A lot of things are so very hard to talk about, for him. “I know you won’t. Like I said, Harley…I’m a tough cookie to hurt. Built like a tank.” That’s meant to be one of those light jokes, but it is true. He’s told her many times that he wasn’t an easy one to break.

But was that real? He might break if she were the one to hurt him

He leans back in as well. Of course she wasn’t done smooching. This will be their last smooch. They have to make it last, right? 

  “It ain’t about how yer built or how ya take it, dummy... It’s about me doin’ my best ta be good to ya.” She smiles regardless - and now that she’s seen his dragon form, he really is built like a tank. But the outside doesn’t mean a thing when compared to the inside. It didn’t take years and years of studying mental health to know that. Just because he was tough and warm and strong on the outside didn’t mean the same for inside. But she wasn’t about to argue that. No, right now she just wants to kiss him.

  And so she does. Long and deep, slow and deliberate. Her fingers slip up into his hair, and as soon as they do, she feels her heart leap. She remembers them hanging out after the pool party, and the way he was so good to her. For the first time since they got close, Harley isn’t comparing him to the Joker, or even to Clint. She’s kissing Romanus. She’s fallen for the man himself, not just the way he treats her, and it’s only just hit her that she really has fallen for him. 

He knew she didn’t want to know. He had a feeling it was because of the answer she’d get. Nobody wanted to hear “you’re just like everyone else.” Or indicate they were not special, And he does wipe those tears away before she can, he and then instead of letting her pull away (maybe to have wiped those tears), he’s pulling her in for another embrace, for a moment. “I’m honored that you came to me to talk about things and, I’m glad from that this blossomed into a friendship.” There’s a short pause. She says she won’t tell anyone and he….”I believe you.” He’s looking back at her now, intertwines his fingers through her own and gives it a gentle squeeze, “I know you won’t tell anyone. And I won’t tell anyone what you told me. Even after all of this….It’s going to remain in my heart, only I will know.” 

Romanus nods, listens, and he chuckles at the joke she threw in. It’s so hard, it’s not going to get any easier. If he ends up forgetting the people of Hive, he knows there’ll still be a feeling. He just KNOWS. 

He mirrors her smile, and a sigh is released. He leans in and places his forehead against her’s. “We’re two sides of the same coin.” He pulls away and stares at her hands. “If I knew what I knew now….That we were going to be this close, I wouldn’t have….I wouldn’t have agreed.” He eventually looks at her, “I couldn’t, because I wouldn’t want anyone to get close enough to know  what I’m really like. For you to come to me, a stranger who knew nothing about you, and for you to just talk about the things you have done, the things you’ve been through….I have to admit, I was a bit envious because that’s something I could never do. I don’t regret it. As much as this hurts, I don’t regret ever walking you into that room, and listening to you talk. I don’t regret the show we watched, the time we spent together, I regret none of it.”

Romanus rests his free hand at the back of her neck and he gives her a light smooch. Something she usually did, only this time he beat her to it. 

“I love you,” It’s a struggle for it to come out the way it did. Usually it had always came off in a friendly, jokingly way, even if it weren’t a joke. To say it with SO much genuinity, emotion, seriousness….it was difficult, but he had done it. She deserves to hear that many, many times. NOT just from him, but from everybody.

  He always did this. Always knew exactly hot to make her smile, no matter how badly she just wanted to cry. Only unlike the Joker, it didn’t feel forced. She didn’t feel threatened. Just cared for. She basks in the way he holds her, squeezes her hand, and particularly in the way he leans his forehead on hers. She feels so close to him, and honestly? She hadn’t expected it at all. 

  “Don’t be... Don’t be envious, I mean. I only came to ya ‘cuz I figured you’d forget all about it an’ move on without a second thought, honest. I wasn’t expectin’ ta find anothah real friend in you, but... here we are.” Her eyes shift from his face down to his hand in hers with a smaller smile. She’s sincere. Everything about this is just real, heartfelt, and sad. Harley doesn’t want to lose him. 

  When he kisses her, she gives his hand another squeeze and moves her other up to his shoulder. It’s not until he leans away to speak that she brings herself to look back into his eyes. When she does, it’s just in time to see how much he means it when he tells her he loves her. His tone of voice brings another small wave of tears to her face, so she curls both arms around his neck and hides her face between her arm and his chest.

Yes. They will also receive a can of Crystal Pepsi and a New Kids on the Block poster. Totally tubular!

He holds on like his life just depends on it. Because in a way, it does. During these few weeks of getting to know Harley, he wouldn’t have thought he’d be so quick to get close. Close enough to actually cry in front of her like this. That meant something. He didn’t cry in front of people a lot. There was only barely a handful of people. His body shakes, he clings onto her clothing with one hand and the other just keeps hand his hand on the back of her head. 

“I’ve never been one for….things like this….It’s just something I’ve always had a fear of, but…..I’m glad I said yes. I’m glad I said yes even if it may be for a short while.” It feels weird to admit that he has a problem with being so close to someone, out loud. However, despite all of that,  He’ll try to manage a joke, “If you tell anyone, I’ll–I’ll do something not nice.” That was something. He’ll pull his head away from her neck, just to look at her. Lime green eyes are glossed with tears. He moves his hands this time, places at the side of her face. One thumb strokes over her cheekbone. “You asked me before, if I was this nice with all the girls or if you were special….” 

“You’re definitely special, Harley.”

  He’s likely to mess up her hair, and normally she’d slap him away, but... not now. Now she wouldn’t dare. Even if he destroys her hair or smudges her makeup, she won’t be mad. Never been one for things like this. She understands. Harley isn’t quick to open up to people, either. That’s why she chose a random stranger at a host club to spill her life story to. She just... hadn’t expected him to actually be a good person. She’d been expecting something more like a barista - you know, they act all nice because they want a good tip, but as soon as you leave they’re gonna talk smack to the other baristas. But... that isn’t Romanus. He’s just really a nice guy. A nice guy who’s clearly been through a lot. Why is it always the good people who get the short end of the stick? Good people deserve good things. Romanus deserves good things. I’ll do something not nice. She rolls her eyes, a little smirk teasing red lips. “Sure ya will, honey.”

  But then he leans back, and she’s able to get a look at him. He’s... oh no, he’s crying. Or he was - he looks like he’s about to drop another tear any second, but he’s the one reaching for her face. She leans into his touch, blue eyes fluttering closed as she just basks in the attention and affection. She knows he needs it just as badly as she does, but... Harley can’t help her selfishness. It’s so rare for her to have this, and she really doesn’t want it to end.

  Only he speaks again, and his words make her heart do a little somersault. She’s... special? Oh, she knows. She tries so hard to be unique - or rather, to stand out from the average Joe. But the only people who’ve really... said as much were Joker and Clint. At least, until now. 

  Her eyes open, and she doesn’t sob, but tears do well up in her eyes. A few fall silently, bringing mascara and eyeliner down her face along with the wetness. This sucks. All it took for her to find another good person who cared about her in this stupid city was emotional turmoil. And now, so soon after she’d found him, they were... “When I asked ya, I... I didn’t really want ya to answer, Romey.” Another soft sniffle came before she started to move to pull away, but... that would be silly. He was probably more than glad to wipe her tears away like the gentleman he is. “You know so much about me. You’ve seen me at my worst, you’ve seen me cry an’ act like a big baby, but ya nevah told anybody, so I won’t tell anybody about your stuff.” 

  Harley reaches up with a hand, curling slender fingers around his strong wrist, but not to pull him away. No, she just gives a gentle tug, guiding his hand down so she could hold it properly. “You know I”m a sociopath, right? I... This city disappearin’? I ain’t upset in the slightest. I’ll just go back home to a place not much different ‘cept fer the people in it. I only care, really care about a couple ‘a people. Mistah J, Pammy, Clint, and... well, an’ now you. So Romey, no mattah what happens, ya gotta promise me yer gonna take care ‘a yerself. No rushin’ off ta save damsels in distress or burnin’ down villages ‘cuz ya got a hankerin’ fer beef.” A joke, a chuckle even as she looks down just in time to watch another tear fall. “Ya mean a lot ta me. You’ve done so much, I just... I dunno how ta thank you. I dunno what ta do. I just wanna make sure you know, ya know? I don’t deserve a friend like you, an’ certainly not a boyfriend like you. I’ve done some bad stuff, killed a lotta people. I’m a special kinda criminal, that’s fer sure. But you’re really strong, Romey. You’ve been supportin’ me evah since we met, an’ that’s sayin’ a lot.” 

It seems he wouldn’t be the only one who was alone. There’s others who feel the same, and Harley was one of them. There’s so many things that Romanus still had to do here, too. He still had to talk to Daylen. He still had to thank the guy for all he’s done. He wouldn’t be able to do that now. He wasn’t sure where Daylen was. He had to….show his appreciation toward Peter, Gwyndolin, Ian, to everyone. He had to show them that he cared and that he loved them all. He couldn’t do that. It’s always been hard for him to be so….serious. To allow the mask he wore to crack and just fall to the ground. To be vulnerably naked for all to see. 

Yet…somehow….It’s happened a few times And it was happening now. 

Oh….. His heart jumps. Out of what emotion though? He can’t tell, but all he knows is that those words got his legs weak and it’s why he drops to his knees, holds her tight, one hand is brought to cradle the back of her head, and he’s fallen silent. Romanus has his face buried in the crook of her neck and maybe….she can feel the wetness. 

“You….I’m not going to forget you. I can’t.” How could he? he’d be a monster if he forgot someone like her. 

“I care and I love you lots, too. TH–” and he chokes, he bites down on his lower lip. 

“I’m always going to be by your side…Alright?”

  He falls, and while Harley wishes she was strong enough to hold him up, she just.. wasn’t. So she falls with him. She’s not letting go. Not now, not until he’s feeling better. Maybe not until the moment they leave. How will it happen? Will they all just disappear? Will someone blow the place up? Heck, knowing this city someone’s probably gonna set it on fire. She manages a little smile at the thought - she wants to laugh, but... can’t bring herself to.

  She’s content being able to hold him close, and being held by him. To feel warm at all, and to not be alone. Mostly, to know that he trusts her this much. Clearly it’s not easy for him. He’s probably been around just as long as she has, if not longer. This city as crummy as it’s been every now and again has done so much for her... it’s helped her grow, helped her make her first real friends. And now she’s just... they’re all... 

  She sniffles softly, fighting back tears of her own as she feels little pools tickling her neck and shoulder. 

She runs into his arms and the moment she wraps her arms around him, he’s wrapping his over her shoulders and embracing her that way. There’s a sigh that escapes from parted lips. Almost comes off as a light gasp. He had to keep his chin on top her head in order to actually hide even more. Even though there’s no use in hiding, she’s going to find out anyway, it’s just a habit. Now that he’s no longer a huge beast, she’d be able to see everything and perhaps hear just how shaken his voice is. Still he swallows, holds it back as best he could, and he snorts, “Yeah? No take backs, Harley.” Because he’s not letting go, he pulls her in closer, moves his chin from the top of her head and places his head against her shoulder. 

“Harley….I’m going to be honest with you…” There’s a pause, a evident hesitation, “I’m….scared.”And with a whisper, he repeats, “i’m really scared.”

  Yeah... if she had any doubt, it was gone in the way he only half hugged her at first. He’s not okay. She’s glad she asked. She doesn’t want him to be alone any more than she wants to be alone. And when he speaks, she feels a tangible pain in her chest - in her heart. She aches for him because she knows exactly how she feels. Outside of this city, all she has is abuse. Violence. Fighting. Running. She won’t have Romanus and she won’t have Clint. She won’t have a nice house that she can return to. She won’t have the luxury of just being able to walk down the street.

Talking about what they can do is painful. There’s really a chance they won’t be able to meet. Different time, different universe…Different….everything. There’s a chance that when they get back she might not even exist or…

He swallows, and then when she embraces him….

No matter how big he was, it was as if she was engulfing him in warmth. It’s a good feeling. And he knows for a fact that he’s going to miss her. This big trouble maker who’s always smiling even through pain. 

He had thought maybe she’d want to ask for a ride. Fly above the chaotic city, see everything one last time.

He hadn’t expected her to ask him such a—a question like this.

Eyes are widen in genuine surprise. 

Would ya mind if I was yer girlfriend.

Just for how long they had together before everything just snuffed. 

He wants to say no. He wants to so bad. That fear? It’s always going to be there, but…..he can’t say no. He can’t say it because he doesn’t want to be alone right now either. And he does have fun with her. He does enjoy her company. 

Just for however long they have to spend….he will say yes, but not by words, but by his action.

He stands, steps back to give space between him and Harley before he’s shifting back. The silhouette of a dragon shifts into that of a man. “….” And here he is, in all his….would you call it glory? 

“Can….I get a hug?” Because gods knew he need it, and Harley could probably use a hug as well, right? 

  He moves away from her, and at first, her eyes go wide. Had she crossed a line? Had she messed everything up? Oh no... no no no, she had. She had, she’d ruined it. He was gonna fly off, leave her all alone, but -- no. No, he wasn’t. He changed back into the same ol’ Romey she’d grown to love over these past few weeks.