Professor Fear (the sequel) - Jonathan Crane

Chapter 21

Jonathan was bemused by the dramatic fumbling of the lock that preceded his girlfriend bursting through the door.
"You're buying a new one if you break it." He scolded just before they exchanged a brief kiss.

"Lovely to see you too, if I get the next door, we should paint it brown with white spiderweb art to fit your business aesthetic." The brown bag was plopped beside Jonathan on the kitchen counter. "I ordered you the same as what I got, minus the chocolate shake. Figured that you hadn't eaten yet."

"You figured correct," He wrapped his arounds around Daria's waste from behind her as she put the burger on a plate for him. "How was your day?"

"Saw some old friends,"

"Mhm," He gently kissed the back of her neck. "Which ones?"

"Ethan and Eric," Daria closed her eyes, relaxing into Jonathan for a moment. "Ethan was so rude today, it seemed so unlike him but I really don't care anymore," Jonathan's lips moved up her neck, slowly and gently. "He knows about us just through just seeing us around Gotham and figuring that our Friday nights at university were sexscapades rather than -" Rather than being a voodoo doll for your toxin.
"You'll never forgive me." Jonathan had momentarily stopped his actions. Daria's inability to talk about the past was enough to tell him how she felt.

"I just, don't really know what there is to forgive. I was not a person to you then. I am now. I forgive you for every time you have hurt me accidentally since we've been together."

"Daria, I - "

"You should eat this before it goes cold. I'm going to switch on your pre-historic TV."

The woman shuffled away to the living room. With minor reluctance, Jonathan took a bite from the fancy sandwich.

Due to the TV being old and Jonathan not wanting to pay for any channels, there was nothing more than the news that could be watched. Nevertheless, Daria let the news play. Surprisingly, there was no big news on any criminal acts carried out by the particularly strange Gothamites.

Jonathan sat down on the edge of the sofa, in a perfect spot for Daria to use his lap as a pillow.

"How was your day?"

"A very deskbound morning with a lot of redrafting paperwork,"

"sounds fun,"

"I'd rather be watching a boring news segment with you anytime,"

"Do you really want to watch it?" She ran a hand through his soft brown hair. The second time she repeated the movement, she took off his glasses and put them on the thick sofa arm. "I don't want to watch it," Daria grabbed the remove from where it lay on her stomach and turned off the TV. She then sat up again.

"Is there a reason you've made me blind to the room three feet ahead of me?"

"I wouldn't want to break your glasses," She straddled him and kissed him gently, before letting the kiss before more intense, dispelling the stress of the last few days.

Restless, Jonathan looked over to the woman curled up beside him on the bed. Sleeping felt like a theory rather than something practical. His mind was whirring with information, worried that Scarecrow would take over any moment soon to get to business.

Worrying IS fear, Jonny.

With a deep breath, he tried to imaginarily force the Scarecrow's words out of his head.

"Daria," he whispered.

"Mmm," She wasn't sleeping anymore. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes, making out Jonathan's shape in the dark.

"I need to tell you something."

"Are you okay?" She sat up, fully alert.

"I was about to tell you earlier in the kitchen, but you cut me off," He admitted. Sitting up slowly.

"Oh," Daria blushed in the dark, "Sorry. Say anything now, I'm here,"

"I love you, Daria Morrison," Jonathan almost choked when saying the words. His entire upbringing had shunned such affection until now, where it burst from him so vehemently.
Repeating the passion of earlier, Daria crawled closer to Jonathan and kissed him.

"I was afraid to say 'I love you' first in case-" she took a breath, "- in case you didn't feel the same way."
Jonathan knew exactly what she had wanted to say. She was going to say 'in case you were using me.'
It hurt, but he deserved her wary attitude. Scarecrow, on the other hand, adored her fear.

"I love you too Jonathan,"