#jeromexreader

You often woke up in a sweat, crying out in terror at the frights your mind created while you slept.  You hated it and until Jerome you were alone when they happened, often having to hope you survived the rest of the night without a panic attack caused by the nightmares.  You were so happy when Jerome arrived and cared enough to help you through it.

He had nightmares too, having died and been brought back, his recollection of the fear of waking, of not having a face, of being confused and terrified but not able to show it because of who he was, it caused him to wake up sweating too.  You helped him through it just as much as he helped you.

You were especially glad that night that he was around.  You had been having the worst dream in recent memory and you awoke already panicking and screaming with fear.  Jerome was instantly awake, turning on the sunlight machine, letting the light slowly get brighter so as not to scare you, and then he was by your side.

“Listen to my voice, look at me, focus on me,” he whispered, gently holding your hands as you looked at him, eyes coming to focus.  Most would cowering in fear at his stapled face but not you, it calmed you, brought you back to a happy reality.  Once you were focused and able to breathe easier he moved away again, coming back with water. 

“Thank you,” you said, voice meek and strained from the dryness in your throat.  You drank some and then gave it back, hands still shaking.  Jerome sat down across from you, taking one hand and rubbing it until the shaking stopped and then moving to the other.  “I don’t want to talk about it yet.”  He nodded.

“Alright, maybe later, or maybe never, up to you,” he said, letting the subject drop.  He never forced you to talk and you appreciated that so much.  He also didn’t get too close to you, letting you have space until you were completely calm.

  You were always a little slow to understand things.  You weren’t stupid, you knew that, but you sometimes took time to understand new concepts or to get things in order in your head.   That’s why going to a small school with a group of circus children was particularly hellish, all them were loud and with no discipline nor were they accepting of people who were different and that’s what you were, different, an orphan who was picked up along the route and allowed to stay if you picked up the trash around the tents at night.  You did this and while you were working you had made one friend, Jerome.  He was different too, not an outsider but definitely someone the other kids stayed away from, but he was always kind to you and when you got to be in your teens he became your boyfriend.  

              It was only a few days after you started dating that one of the other boys in your class, along with two of his friends, approached you behind a tent at night while you were working.  Jerome was supposed to come by at some point but he hadn’t appeared yet and now you were nervous and alone with these jerks.  The leader approached and smirked.

              “Hey there trash, having fun?” he asked, kicking the trash can you were filling over.  You sighed and bit your lip.  You weren’t a fighter, you didn’t like to hurt people.  “Hey answer a question for me, what’s an idiot like you gonna do when we run this circus and we run you out?”  You frowned and looked down.

              “Jerome won’t let you,” you said softly.  They laughed like you had said a joke.

              “Ya, that freak ain’t gonna keep you around,” the leader said before he suddenly crumpled to the ground, Jerome behind him holding a bat.

              “Now I think you guys should be leaving my baby alone,” he said, looking crazy and ready to hit someone else.  The other two looked nervously at each other.  “Or maybe, maybe you should clean up your mess.”  He held up the bat, pointing it to the trash from the kicked over can.  “Get picking up.”  They didn’t move so he lifted the bat and hit one in the ribs.  “I said MOVE!”  Once they were cleaning up he took your hand and led you away to a more secluded place.  “You alright?”

              “Ya, just, I don’t understand why they hate me,” you said.  He sighed, dropping the bat and pulling you close, kissing your head.

Jerome sighed again as you clung to his leg, wanting your daddy to stay with you and chase off the monsters in your nightmares.  He looked down at you, his sweet little girl, so young and innocent and not understanding him or his life or his mental state, or lack thereof.  Your mother was in and out, only coming around when she felt like playing house for a while, the only reason Jerome didn’t kill her was because you loved her so much, even when she was gone, and he knew it would devastate you if he killed her.  

              “Daddy stay, please?  Read me another story,” you begged, not letting him go.  He took hold of your shoulders and pushed you back gently, stooping to be eye level with you.  You looked like you were going to cry, lip shaking to hold back the tears.

              “Come on, stiff upper lip dollface, you know I’m coming back to you soon.  I gotta go, gotta get money so I can give you a good life, something daddy never got to have.  Just remember what I always tell you…” he started, motioning for you to finish.

              “You’re always with me, so don’t be scared the monsters are scared of you,” you said.  Jerome nodded and smiled kissing you forehead.  “Where’s mommy?” you asked.  Jerome sighed and his fist clenched.

              “I don’t know dollface, somewhere, probably wishing she was here with you where she should be,” he said.   “I know you miss her but you know she ain’t a good mommy all the time.   If you want I could get rid of her, find a new mommy for you.”  You shook your head.

              “No, I want my mommy, I want it to be like it used to be…” you cried a little, letting a few tears fall.   Jerome leaned in and kissed your forehead again.

              “I promise everything will get better soon and one day I’ll be here all the time.  Daddy is gonna give you the whole world one day dollface and no one is gonna take it from ya or else they’ll have to deal with daddy and what happens when you deal with daddy?” he asked.  You smiled, his same smile, looking a hair away from insanity.

Jerome had been strapped for cash recently so he decided to take a kidnapping job to get some extra funds.  Plus, kidnapping was always fun.  At first.  He had taken you two days ago and he still hadn’t heard from his client and he was getting a bit stir crazy.  He paced the room he had you in, tied to a chair nearby, and kept glancing at you.

              “How you doing tonight sweetness?” he asked, pulling up another chair to sit across from you. He pulled the tape from your mouth, making your face hurt.  You didn’t answer, just glared at him.  Your father would be furious about this and you couldn’t wait until he got his hands on this psycho, he would tear him to pieces.  “Aww, you not talking to me?  You couldn’t shut up before.”  You continued to glare, annoyed at this whole situation.

              “What do you even want with me?   Don’t you just rob banks and shoot people in the face?” you asked, trying to yank against your binds again.  Jerome smirked before full on laughing.  You rolled your eyes, getting more aggravated.

              “I do love shooting people in the face,” he said finally, wheezing in a breath.  You rolled your eyes again.  “They’re going to get stuck back there, and God knows I don’t want that to happen…they’re so pretty.”

              “I’m not going to be charmed by the likes of you,” you said, looking straight at the red haired madman.  He smirked even more and you sighed.  Great he wasn’t going to give up.

              “What? Am I not handsome enough for you? Too good for me?” he asked, standing up and pacing in front of you.

              “You’re not unattractive physically but mentally you make want to vomit,” you replied.  He stared at you for several minutes, getting into a stare down for dominance and you would be damned if he was going to win.  You forced yourself to stare back, eyes getting watery from not blinking.  Finally Jerome smirked and looked down at his hands.  You didn’t let your guard down, figuring he was playing games with you, trying to give you a false sense of security and hope that you’d somehow won.  He pulled his chair closer, his knees bumping yours and his face mere inches away.  For looking like he was living on the streets or possibly in this room itself he smelled delicious.  For a moment you considered teasing him a little, try to distract him and figure out how to use that to escape but the look in his eye told you that would be a bad idea.

              “Want to play a game Y/N?” he asked, trying to read your expressions, wanting to charm you into submission. He wasn’t allowed to touch you, at least not cause you pain, or he wouldn’t get paid and at the moment he wanted cash more that to cause pain.  That would pass if too much time went by but for now his mind was focused, get the cash and if you could get some fun times with you.

              “What kind of game?” you asked, clearly skeptical of how ‘fun’ playing games with him would be.  His eyes narrowed maliciously.

              “Truth or dare,” he said.  You swallowed hard, knowing that this was going to be bad, but what could you say?  You were trapped with him and you honestly didn’t think much was keeping him from killing you.

              “Ok then, Jerome…truth or dare?” you asked, trying to take charge of the game.  He smirked, seeing through your attempts.  O he liked you, you were a fighter, you were someone that didn’t like being contained or out of control. You didn’t like chaos.  O he would love playing with you.

              “Dare,” he said, wanting to see what you would make him do.  Would you make him cut off a finger?  Perhaps slit his own throat?

              “I dare you to free me,” you said, watching for his reaction.  He smiled a sickly sweet smile and stood up, pulling out a knife and cutting your hands free.  He left your feet still tied to the chair.  “I said free me…this is only halfway.”

              “I’m a psychopath not an idiot.   Your hands are free that’s enough for now dollface.  So now Y/N, truth or dare?” he asked, playing with the knife, dancing it around his fingers.  You considered trying to take it but one look at him and you knew that’s what he was expecting.  You would play along, just a little longer.

              “Truth,” you said, not really wanting to find out what dares he would have you do.  His eyes lit up with amusement.

              “Are you a virgin gorgeous?” he asked.  You cocked an eyebrow, this was a relatively tame question.  You just shook your head.  He nodded.

              “I’m not a virgin, haven’t been for a while.  Now you, truth or dare,” you said.  You played with your wrists, trying to get the feeling of rope burn to go away.  He watched you for a moment, thinking.

              “Truth,” he said.  He wondered what kind of question he would get from you.  Would it be something innocent and sweet, maybe something about his past, maybe…

              “What turns you on?” you asked.   That threw him for a loop.  Why would she ask that?  What kind of game was he playing?  He didn’t know but he liked it.  Maybe his charms were working on her finally.  She was keeping him interested at least, he wouldn’t kill her yet.  

              “Well I like when things get a little out of hand…a little violent…it’s not what the person looks like, what gender they are, it’s how hot they would look a little bloody,” he said.  You nodded slowly and smirked.  “Truth or dare?”

              “Dare,” you said.  You could feel yourself getting into this, being drawn into him and whatever insanity was present in his mind.  You didn’t want to be pulled in but it was almost involuntary.  Almost.

Jerome Valeska was not a nice man.  He never claimed to be nice and he never wanted to be.  The world wasn’t nice to him why should he be nice to it?  Instead he found the hilarity in life’s terror.  So when he was paid to kidnap you, the high-profile daughter of a corporate big wig he decided to have fun.  He put on a big show, taking you from your home and tying you up to a chair in his hideout.  You watched him, wondering why this guy was dancing around you and singing old showtunes.  He was disconcerting and horrifying and all you wanted to do was go home.

“Please!  You’re scaring me!  Stop!” you begged as he pulled out a knife and started to juggle it around.  You were crying you knew but you couldn’t stop, watching him move around behind you.

Jerome smirked and knew where to go once he poured the city into darkness.  You, the little Gordon, would need protected and with how preoccupied Jimmy boy would be he wouldn’t be able to do it, so that left it up to Jerome Valeska, recently deceased but alive once more.  And boy he could sure do with corrupting someone so sweet.  He thought for just a moment if he should attempt to cover up his recently stapled face but shrugged.  You wouldn’t be able to see him that well anyway.

              He moved through the streets, easily avoiding being attacked by those who took his idea seriously, watching as chaos and carnage exploded around him and laughing all the time.   Then he saw the apartment building and headed inside and up the stairs.  

              The hallway was quiet, no one wanting to risk getting attacked outside.  You were in Jim’s place, candles lit and the curtains closed, you were being as quiet as you could be, hoping no one would think you were home.  You didn’t expect anyone to want to find you or kill you, but with how Jim talked about the people in this city you didn’t know if actually knowing someone mattered.  You were about to lock yourself in the bathroom and take a bath, with a fully loaded weapon beside the tub, when someone knocked.  You frowned and peered out the peephole before realizing how useless that was.  Instead of answering you stayed quiet.

              “Hellooooo Y/N, I’m here to protect you!” came that familiar voice you had dreamed about.  Jerome.  How could Jerome Valeska be here?  He was dead!  You had thought the person on the TV had been a fake, someone pretending to be him.  But you knew somehow that the man outside your door was him and despite all the things he’d done you couldn’t shake the feeling he wouldn’t hurt you.  You swallowed hard and knew that your trusting and caring nature was getting the best of you when you opened the door.  There he was, just barely recognizable in the dim light, his smile seemingly plastered on.  “So…you wanna know how I got these scars?”

              “Hi Jerome, I see you’re not dead anymore,” she said, letting him inside before locking up again.  He glanced over you in your robe, eyebrow rising in question.  You sighed. “I was going to take a bath and wait for this insanity you created to be over.”  

              “I didn’t create the insanity, I just…set it free,” he said with a smile.  “What like you haven’t thought about killing someone?  Perhaps me?”  He moved closer to her and surprisingly she stood her ground, not breaking eye contact.  “O your eyes look so sweet, you really like me don’t you?”   You couldn’t argue with him, you did like him despite everything he’d done.  Hell, after Jim told her what he had done she still went and met him for their date, and then had a few more after that before he was killed.  You more than liked him.

              “Yes Jerome, I do really like you,” you admitted.  “You want a drink?  Something to eat?  Have you eaten since you were brought back?”  She was always so sweet and caring with him, in his head he was thinking about how much he wanted to take that love and care and use it up until she was a shell of herself, but something in him, his heart maybe? Was telling him that he shouldn’t take advantage, that he should see how this went.  He ignored his brain, figuring he had time to corrupt her later.  

              “I’m starving beautiful,” he said.   You nodded, going about getting a sandwich ready for him and yourself, acting as if a crazed killer wasn’t in your apartment.  You were aware of where he was but you trusted him not to stab you in the back.  What you didn’t really expect was him to sit down at the table and wait patiently for his meal.  You handed him the plate and sat down across from him.

              “So why did you instigate a riot on your first day back?  You couldn’t just rob a jewelry store or something?” you asked.  He sighed like you just didn’t understand.

              “Go big or…go home…and since I have no home,” he said like it was obvious.  “However, I did stop by a nice jewelry store on the way here…” He slid a long package across the table for her.  That was another thing he hadn’t been able to really explain to himself, the need to get her something shiny, something to make sure she knew he liked her.  Maybe it was because he wanted to make it easy to get in her pants or maybe…just maybe…he wanted her to not hate him for starting a purge on the city and maybe get her brother killed.  

              “Did you at least make sure Jim was safe?” she asked, not touching the package.  Jerome couldn’t look at her.

              “He’s old Jimbo, he’ll be fine,” Jerome said with a dismissive wave.  You watched him.  You hadn’t expected him to take care of your brother considering your brother had put him in Arkham and then was partially responsible for his death.  She knew of Jim’s darker side and wondered what else he had done to Jerome to deserve his hatred.

              “So, why aren’t you out killing anyone you can get your hands on?  Why are you here?” you asked.  He looked in thought for a moment, then he glanced at the package.  It was clear he wanted you to open it.  You finally gave in and opened the box, smiling a little at the ruby bracelet.  He remembered how much you liked rubies and it was almost sweet, making your heart swell with love for him.

              “I’m here because I want two things and I’m not sure which one I’m going to go with yet,” he said.  You looked at him curiously as he took the bracelet and put it on your wrist.  “I really want to get you into bed and corrupt the fuck out of you and your sweet disposition…that sounds appetizing…but…I also want to not make you a shell because you’re nice this way…so sweet and loving…” You eyed him as he spoke, mulling his words around.

              “You won’t corrupt me,” you said finally.  You could see it in his eyes.  He wouldn’t do that, he could be confused or in denial but you could see it, he cared about you.

Jerome and you were deeply in love.  Still.  After 5 years and one child and countless plots of chaos spread over Gotham.   You did your best to keep your daughter out of you chaos, she deserved the stability that neither you nor Jerome had in your lives so in your small apartment on the outskirts of the Narrows the chaos that you created outside you abandoned the moment you entered.  Everyday was the same, wake up at 6:30AM, preschool from 8 until 2, then home with you while Jerome was plotting or robbing, but he was always home by 7 for bedtime, letting you go out for your evening exploits.  This particular night was no different.

You had just left for the evening and Jerome was finished getting your daughter’s teeth brushed and PJ’s on.  He got her into bed and tucked her in with a story.  She smiled and laughed at the voices he made but as he finished she started to look pensive.  Jerome glanced over, confused at seeing his smiling and laughing daughter so serious.

“What is it doll?” he asked, sitting on the edge of her bed.  She looked up at him as if thinking she should stay quiet but instead spoke.

“I know you and mommy do bad things daddy,” she said.  Jerome inhaled deeply, hoping she didn’t ask questions she wasn’t old enough to understand the answers too.  “But, I love you anyway.”   She laid back and smiled at him again and he let out the breath he had been holding before leaning down and kissing her forehead.