Cycle

Cycle

Batman scowled as the security guard led him down the all too white and all too clean halls of the Arkham Asylum. The man looked like he was ready to pass out each time they heard screaming from above, below, or next to them. What a pathetic fool. Finally, they reached the isolation rooms. The guard wiped away a slight sheen of perspiration and handed Batman a key.

"You can go now. I know which room is his." The guard doesn't hesitate, but gladly walks away, jogging as soon as he is out of sight of the caped crusader. His pace is slowed now, as he reaches into his utility belt, pulling out a small device that he hides in the palm of his hand, making a loose fist. The numbers pass him slowly, not really even there, until he suddenly focuses in on the farthest from them all- number 13. How ironic. Batman paused as his he let his
hand rest on the door knob, grimacing slightly, then unlocked it and pushed it open.

"Batsy! I was wondering when your curiosity would get the better of you." But their was no hostility or excitement in the words that fell from the clown's mouth. He was far back in the corner of his room, keeping his face completely hidden. The harsh white of the room was bothering his eyes, as were the strait jacket and simple pants that were too large on the clown's frame. Batman scowled and clicked the device in his hand once, then showed it to the Joker. "Ah, how clever of you. Computer manipulation, I presume? I'm just resting peacefully in my bed, and they think that you've decided that you're above me." Again, his words had a bitter ring to them, grating against the Batman's nerves.

"What are you hiding?" He growled out, moving forward slowly. The Joker just shrank further back.

"Me? Nothing.......Bruce." He stilled momentarily, then continued to approach the clown. "What are you playing at? Get away from me; I have a headache, I'm in no mood to fight you!" There was a new note of urgency in Joker's voice, though he tried to cover it up with frustration. Batman could hear it clearly though, and he reached out to grab the Joker and pull him forward. "STOP IT!"

"No." The Joker tried pulling away, kicking at him, but Batman held on and pulled him forward into the light. The clown's make up was all gone, revealing reather handsome features. The scars were apparent, but did nothing to take away from the face. Only the sneer and the fear in his eyes distracted Batman from fully taking in the face.

"Happy now? You've finally seen the pathetic human behind the mask. Now get out!" Joker growled, trying to contain the urgency in his voice and the vulnerability in his eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you've done to me." The Joker's eyes widened slightly, confusion flashing across his features before irritation took over.

"I haven't done anything to you! How could I, I've been locked away in here for two months now!" He spat as Batman pulled off his mask, revealing Bruce Wayne looking looking lost and angry.

"Yes you have! I know you have! I've been out there for the past two months feeling guilty for landing you in here! I can't get you out of my mind. What. Did. You. Do. To me?" He had the clown by the collar of the jacket, and pushed him away with disgust as the familiar laughing started to fill the room.

"Why Batsy, I haven't done a thing to you! You've just become bored is all! I make your life interesting-without me, you're nothing!" Joker smirked at him, waiting for denial and angry words. Batman's eyes narrowed, and the Joker closed his eyes in anticipation of a fist to the jaw.

"No, I don't think that's it." And with that Bruce pulled the Joker close again, not to hit him, but into a hard kiss. Joker gasped but gladly responded. "I think that's why. You know how to get out of a strait jacket, Joker?"

"No. But I suppose if I had the right tools..." The clown grinned and licked his scars. Bruce smirked and pulled a small knife out of his belt.

"It's really quite simple. Get your arms out of the sleeves-I know even you can do that. Then, well, I'm sure you can guess the rest." He kissed the clown again, slipping the knife down one of the sleeves. He moved away, pulling his mask on and heading to the door.

"I'll see you real soon, Batsy. Reeeal soon." Batman turned one last time and nodded to the clown.

"I'm counting on it." And so the cycle went on. Joker escaped, caused chaos, and let the Batman catch him. Then it would start over again. Each time, if anyone had stuck around to witness the fights, they would have noticed something almost possesive about the way the two fought. Almost.