Psychotic Ex-Boyfriend (Jerome Valeska x Reader)

Chapter 12: A Deal

You walked into the living room, a few snakes following you close behind. It's been half an hour since Jerome and the rest of the Maniax left. You spent most of the day locked up in the room with the snakes. Your mind couldn't help but wonder where Shiba was. She was your responsibility after all. Your eyes widen when you spotted Shiba in a cage on top of the table. Running up to her, you took her out and wrapped her around your shoulders.

"Thank god you're alright". You smiled.

"I'm sorry for how my sister took care of her". You turned your attention to Galavan. He was standing in the doorway, glancing down at the snakes that followed you. He looked back up at you. "I hope by giving her back, you will begin to trust me".

"You let out six crazed crimminals". You glared. The snakes surrounded you, hissing, while Shiba stared at the man. "Why the hell would you want me?"

"To get closer to my target". He shrugged and walked toward a chair to sit down. He crossed his legs. "The way you are with snakes... it's like as if you were one of them. Sneaky, conniving, mysterious. I could use that to lure in a certain young billionaire boy. Gotham's very own prince".

"Bruce Wayne". The name escaped your mouth. You heard about him everywhere. His parents owned Wayne Enterprises until their tragic deaths, in which he inherited everything they owned. You even heard about him due to a certain curly haired stray cat that you keep running into. She's friends with him even though she wouldn't admit it. What does Galavan want with the Wayne boy?

"Yes". He stood up. "I want you to seek shelter in his home".

"Seek shelter?" You raised a brow. "What do you even want from him?"

"Nothing that you need to know about". He placed his arms behind his back. "All you need to know is the way around his manor. Infiltrate his home from right under his nose and take one small thing that is precious to his heart".

"And what's that?" You took a step back as Galavan walked closer to you. The snakes hissed.

"That, my dear," He offered you his hand. "Is for you to find out. So, do we have a deal?"

You stared at his hand, then back at him. If you agree, you will be allowed to leave to this place and get help. But Galavan isn't dumb. He knows you will try to take that chance and will kill you if you did. You will just have to tell someone without actually telling them. And Jerome? Well, let's hope you'll find help in time before he decides to show up again. So that's that. Just act the way Galavan wants you to act while secretly asking for help to escape. It'll be difficult, but let's just hope you got a shot. You took his hand.

"Deal".

Jerome walked into Galavan's penthouse, disappointed of how the first part of the plan turned out a failure. They couldn't even blow up the school bus. He couldn't care less that one of the guys got shot, no, he's more upset of not killing a bus full of cheerleaders. He needed a small break to clear his mind. Galavan gave them a bit of time before heading off to their next plan. Jerome plans to spend that time with you and relax.

He walked into his room, expecting to see you surrounded with snakes and filled with boredom, but you weren't there. He checked the bathroom and the closet, and neither you or the snakes were in the room. He clenched his fists and stormed into the living room. Greenwood and muscle guy were eating some of the lunch Galavan had prepared, while Tabitha and Barbara were on torturing the mayor again. Galavan sat on his chair, reviewing some paperwork.

"Where's (y/n)?" He didn't bother hiding the anger in his voice. "She's not in our room and she's clearly not here, so where is she?"

"Relax, Jerome". Galavan didn't look at the red-headed boy. "(y/n) and I made a deal and she's just fulfilling her part of it".

"What type of deal?" Jerome raised a brow and crossed his arms. You were pretty clear that you didn't want to have any part of Galavan and his plan. So why make a deal with him? He knew that you were only agree if it offered you some sort of freedom away from him.

"Don't worry" Galavan stood up and handed Jerome a phone. "You're precious girlfriend wouldn't be able to get away that easily. She'll be back in no time. She's just running an errand that's all".

Jerome took the phone and dialed the only contact that it had on it. He stormed out of the room and back to his. Pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up. You still haven't answered my question. He let out a sigh of relief when he heard your voice through the other line.

"Hello?" You answered.

"(y/n)? Where are you?" Jerome was already starting to become impatient. He doesn't want you running away. He wants you right where he could see you.

"Galavan told me that I can't say". You explained. "But he said that you might see me later tonight, so don't stress".

So you're be back into his reach by tonight. That's good. He let out an exhausted sigh. He so badly wants to be in the comfort of your arms right now. He wants to relax with you on the bed, while you hum a song. He wants to hear you say the words 'I love you' to him and actually mean it. Jerome knows that ever since he brought you here you were just playing along with him. Though he appreciates you sticking with him and deciding not to run, he misses the sincere and softness tone in your voice when you speak to him.

"You still didn't answer my question". He laid down on the bed, putting his arm behind his head to rest on.

"What question?"

"Do you no longer love me?" His voice was a bit above a whisper. You could hear how nervous and possibly even scared to hear you answer through the phone. Yes, there are moments where you think that Jerome is the same boy you met at the circus. But most of the times... you remember that he's the crazed maniac that killed your friends and his own mother. You truly did miss him when he was gone, but you knew it was for the best. You have no idea what to think.

Your mind went back to last night. How you yearned for him, how he took care of you afterward like a fragile jewel. How he wrapped his arms around you and kissed your forehead, telling you that he will protect you from any and all danger that will come his way. You love that side of him, but could you love his psychotic side as well?

"I... I don't know" You finally let out. "I don't know what to think, J. There's time when I do love you but there's also time where I fear for my life just by being around you".

"So you're not entirely sure". He chuckled. "Well, you do know that I love you, right?"

"In your insane murderous way? Yeah, I know". You couldn't help but crack open a smile. "But give me some time to think about it - give me until tonight, by then I'll tell you my final answer".

"Okay fine". He smiled. "Tonight then".

"Tonight". You hanged up the phone.