Arthur Fleck and Joker Imagines

A little inspiration - Part 4

"(Y/N)!" Arthur called out. (Y/n) turning to see Arthur walking quickly over to her.

She couldn't help but smile as she watched him. There was an infectious childlike enthusiasm about Arthur when he was dressed as the clown. A confidence that seemed to be in complete contrast with the man that was under the face paint. The man beneath the bright costume and curly green wig was shy, quiet, awkward and tentative, yet he seemed to have a heart of gold. A sweet and kind nature that (Y/n) couldn't help but be drawn to. But it was his eyes that were the true windows to the soul of the timid man. Their subtle sparkle seeming to indicate to (Y/n) that despite his reserved nature, Arthur had hidden passions.

"Well, good morning Arthur. I'm sorry I didn't come up to meet you. It's just that.........well it's just........." (Y/n) began, feeling slightly silly that she was going to have to explain that she had let her phobia get the better of her.

"It's ok. Gary told me what happened. Are you sure that you really want to do this, (Y/n)? I mean........I mean, if your fear is that bad, are you sure that you want to be around me?" Arthur asked, hoping that he hadn't placed a seed of doubt in her mind.

"No. I am not going to let this get the better of me, Arthur. I admit that I couldn't make it up to meet you, but that's because I don't know the other men up there. But it's different with you. I've seen you, and I like you, so you're not so scary. And my niece has always been a good judge of character. So, if she likes you, then I know not to argue with her." (Y/n) chuckled, as she took hold of Arthur's hand.

"Plus, I already have some great ideas for Carnival's adventures. I just need hints of true life, things that you really do on a daily basis, to really flesh it out. I need to see who Carnival is, so that I the real essence of a clown. Some people think that because I write books for children, I don't do research, or portray anything that is real or significant. But it's not true, children are some of the most discerning critics out there, and they know if something isn't right. And they are definitely not afraid of telling you about it. That's why I've always used Lily as a sounding board. My niece is my greatest fan, but also my greatest critic, and as she knows you, if I get anything wrong about her favourite clown, she will tell me." (Y/n) continued, as she clapped her hands together expectantly.

"So, Arthur. Ooops, or should I say Carnival. Where are we off to today?" (Y/n) asked, feeling a buzz of excitement as she bounced up and down on her toes. (Y/n) knew that it must seem a little strange that she had so much enthusiasm for what to Arthur must be the most mundane and boring things. But the notion of being able to write again, to be able to sit in front of something other than a blank computer screen for hours, pulling her hair out as she tried to come up with a story, filled her with a strange kind of excitement.

"Well........." Arthur began, turning his gaze to the floor as he felt that he was already going to let (Y/n) down.

"I'm afraid that its nothing much to boast about. There's a new costume store opened up in a mall downtown. I have to go there and hand out flyers and entertain the kids that come into the store." Arthur said, feeling a little better as (Y/n) began to smile.

"That sounds great. A costume store, lots of kids, sounds like a great chance to see you at work." (Y/n) replied happily, as she looked around for Arthur's transport.

"So, how do we get there?" (Y/n) asked, as she noticed that there wasn't a car in sight.

"Normally I go on the train, but as it's not all that far, we can go on the bus." Arthur said matter of factly, as he turned to make his way to the stop sign.

"That's even better." (Y/n) almost shouted, as she came rushing up behind Arthur.

"I thought it would be fun having Carnival have one of those funny little clown cars that seem to be able to fit twenty people in them. But a bus, the train? That's a great idea. I would never have even thought about that. A clown going to work on public transport just like everyone else. It's brilliant!" (Y/n) declared gleefully, as she grabbed her notebook and pen from her bag and began scribbling frantically. Arthur looking over her shoulder to see her sketching a quick image of a clown in full makeup and costume stood next to a stop sign. Whistling happily as he waited for the bus.

Arthur found himself smiling. No one had ever paid this much attention to him, ever. Even the crowds and kids he tried to entertain, were never as focused on him, or enthused about him as much as (Y/n) had done in just the last few moments. And this was only the beginning of the day.

He couldn't help but notice how beautiful (Y/n) was when she smiled. It seemed to Arthur that she appeared as a child would on Christmas morning, when they found that they had received the gift that they so wanted. Filled with happiness, delight, and wonder. But in truth, Arthur felt as though he had received the gift.

(Y/n) pushed her notebook back into her bag as the bus appeared from around the corner. The writer grabbing hold of Arthur's hand as the vehicle pulled to a stop in front of them.

"Come on." (Y/n) said, as she pulled Arthur onto the bus, paying for the pair of them before dragging him to the backseat and sitting down. The woman completely ignoring the stares and chuckles of the other passengers as she once again began to eagerly scribble in her book.

Arthur couldn't believe how comfortable (Y/n) seemed to appear. Being on a public bus, surrounded by strangers who were all looking at you as a fully made up clown sat by your side, would probably make many people feel uneasy. But (Y/n) seemed oblivious to what was going on around her. Her attention only periodically moving from her notebook so that she could ask Arthur a question.

"Hey, gorgeous. What are ya doing with this clown when ya could have a real man?" A large man asked, as he came to the back of the bus. He and his friend leaning over the seats and sneering at a now very anxious Arthur.

"Look bozo." (Y/n) said quietly, as she looked up from her notebook.

"I would rather be seen with this clown, than an asshole like you, any day. So, why don't you and that grinning Muttley of yours, take a hike before a mace your ass in front of all these nice people." (Y/n) almost growled, as she stood from her seat, and glared at the two men.

"Your lose, bitch." The man hissed back, standing to his full height as he tried to intimidate the smaller woman, who was clearly not impressed by either his words, or his demeanour.

"I doubt that. And if your dick is as big as your brains, I know I'm not missing out on anything. Now get lost, before I really lose my temper." (Y/n) replied, as the big man angrily turned and made his way to the front of the bus. Arthur staring on in disbelief as (Y/n) returned to her seat and continued to write.

"(Y/n)." Arthur said quietly, doing his best to ignore the death glare of the man and his friend as they got off at the next stop.

"What did you do that for?" Arthur continued, still not sure whether he had seen what he had just seen.

"What?........Oh, that. I wasn't going to let all brawn and no brain insult you. Men like that think that they can use their size and demeanour to intimidate others. Well, it doesn't work with me. Under all that bravado is just a coward, that needs to drag around a little sidekick so that he can constantly have his ego massaged. Those guys occasionally need someone to ground them back into reality, and I take great delight in doing just that." (Y/n) chuckled, as she pushed her notebook back into her bag, as the mall appeared in the distance.

"Plus, you may be a clown, but your my clown, Arthur. And no one, but no one, gets away with hurting the people I care about. Especially not you." (Y/n) told a stunned Arthur with a smile. Arthur feeling himself blush at (Y/n)'s confession, but not having time to say anything in reply as she took his hand in hers, and pulled him from his seat, so that the two could make their stop.