deal with the devil! | JOKER X READER ✅

CHAPTER 30: boiling point.

   As the days passed, Joker began to withdraw more and more. He would always have an excuse to be away from you, he would barely talk to you, and he would never be physically affectionate. Every night, you were now sleeping on opposite sides of the bed when you used to cuddle.

   You were no fool. You knew why he was avoiding you like this: obviously, he was displeased at your fumble with Two-Face a few days ago. You had once again branded yourself as the weak link on the team, and it had inevitably started to affect Joker.

   You had tried everything to get him to talk to you, but he just blew you off every time. You even offered to stay home on missions, that way you wouldn't ruin anything else for him. But, he didn't even seem interested in that.

   You were beginning to wonder if maybe he would follow through on the deal you two had struck so long ago. You had assumed it had been withdrawn the moment you two got together, but he was treating you like a stranger now. That really made you question if he was going to make good on his promise.

   And, in spite of yourself, you began to fear him. You knew better than anyone what he was capable of.

   Presently, you were slumped on the couch, glass of wine in hand. Joker was nowhere to be seen, as per usual nowadays. The rest of your team was also off going God knows what.

   Well, except for Frost, that is.

   He was awkwardly sat beside you, aiming to provide comfort that he didn't know how to bring. He was more like a silent observer than anything, so you still felt quite alone. After all, there was a barrier preventing even your closest friend from providing any sort of solace.

   As the minutes of complete and utter silence ticked by, the awkwardness finally got to Frost. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.

   You nodded in acknowledgment, taking a generous gulp of wine. While sweet, that apology did nothing to numb your pain.

   "You should talk to him," he went on.

   You looked at him in bewilderment. "Are you kidding? I have. You've been there when I've tried."

   He let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. I just don't know what other advice I can give. I don't want your relationship to go to shit."

   "Please. This is probably the best thing that's ever happened to you. You've been against us from the start."

   He averted his eyes guiltily. "I have been, but I still want you to be happy. And I know he makes you happy. So, trust me, I get no gratification from this."

   You snorted, sipping your wine. "Bullshit."

   He frowned. "You don't need to be a dick. I'm just trying to help."

   "Well, you're going about it wrong."

   "How so?"

   "You're trying to give advice. Advice that's useless, since I've already tried to talk to him! I just want...camaraderie, I guess. Support! Not a solution. I'm starting to think there is no solution, and I assume you haven't asked J to find out if there is one. Have you?"

   "As a matter of fact, I have."

   Feeling humbled, you softened your tone a bit. "Oh. What happened?"

   "I asked if everything was okay between you two. He said it was, and I told him you would like to talk to him."

   He didn't continue, so you prodded. "And what did he say?"

   He averted his eyes again. "He said he wasn't interested."

   You felt your heart crack. Being stubborn to your face was one thing, but being stubborn behind your back was another thing entirely. That meant that he wasn't feeling an ounce of hesitation in shutting you out like this, and he would stand by it no matter who confronted him. Even his best friend.