Paper Planes

XII

A/N: A bit of a dark chapter.
Also, I apologize for all the time jumps. Jackson didn't become the Joker overnight.

Word Count: 7101

I present to you:
Jackson's transformation into The Joker.

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"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."
—Kahlil Gibran

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"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jackson, happy birthday to you!" Michelle and Livy playfully sung.

"Make a wish!" Michelle gleamed, her palm resting on Jackson's shoulder as his lips curled into a grin.

His eyes screwed shut, his tongue tracing the scar on his bottom lip as he thought of a good wish.

I hope my daughter won't be afraid of me.

Jackson's lips curled into an "o" shape, blowing out the eighteen candles on the chocolate frosted cake as Livy cheered beside him, her swollen belly brushing against his elbow as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"What'd you wish for?" She smiled, pressing a kiss to his lips. The scar on his bottom lip brushed against hers slightly, the still rather odd feeling making her toes curl as she weakly smiled.

"That Avery won't be afraid of me." He revealed, his chocolate brown gaze settling on her lips as he practically begged her for another kiss.

"Oh Jackson," Livy cooed, her thumb grazing over the deep folds of his left scar as she pulled her lip between her teeth. "Avery is going to love you no matter what you look like."

Jackson's lips tugged into a smirk, Michelle snatching the cake from in front of him as she sunk the knife into it, portioning out a piece for each of them.

"I have a gift for you, Jackson." She said, handing him a slice of vanilla cake with chocolate frosting.

"Mom, you didn't have to." He smiled, his palm resting on Livy's belly as his thumb traced circles against the sheer fabric of her shirt.

Avery moved beneath his touch, her small foot pressing against Livy's belly as it met Jackson's palm.

"She only ever kicks when you're touching my belly!" Livy huffed, Jackson's heart leaping into his throat at the simple action. He absolutely loved feeling his baby daughter kick against his palm. She wasn't even due for another three months and she already had him wrapped around her tiny finger.

"And when she hears your voice. Fuck, Jackson, she's already obsessed with you. I'm actually a little jealous."

"It's because she knows that I'm going to spoil the living shit out of her." Jackson chimed, his palm retracting from Livy's belly as Michelle handed him a black wrapped box, complete with a green bow.

"Wow, thank you, Mom. The last time I got a birthday present was..." Jackson began, but his expression suddenly faltered when memories of picking out the paper plane necklaces with Ember eight years ago flooded his mind. The coolness of the silver pendant sat neatly upon his chest, concealed by his navy Guy Harvey t-shirt that used to belong to Michelle's bilogical son.