A Bittersweet Reunion
After killing a girls' would be attackers, Jerome expected said girl's undying gratitude. He expected the girl to be crying tears of joy, in awe of her handsome savior, you know, the works.
Instead, when Jerome walked out of the room, soaked in blood and swinging splattered garden shears, Ivy was fuming.
"You used my garden shears?!" She asked angrily, her nostrils flaring at Jerome.
"Um, yeah! What did you think I was gonna use?" Jerome said incredulously, eyes wide at the girls' attitude."I don't know if you noticed carrot-top, but I have a dainty figure. I can't exactly take on three guys at one time." Jerome smirked. "At least not in the context we're talking about," he said laughing.
Ivy huffed and made a gagging noise than she strode past the shocked killer, holding her breath to avoid the stench of the now dead men. She emerged from the room with a school backpack and started going around her plant den, throwing some belongings haphazardly into it.
"What are you doing kid?" he asked, agitated and fed up with the girl. He just saved her the headache of having to deal with those knuckleheads, and he didn't even get a thank you? Being a good Samaritan turned out to be a thankless job. But then again, Jerome probably would have killed those men regardless.
This is why Jerome didn't have friends. No one would ever truly appreciate him, he just did this girl a huge favor, and she still looked down on him! She was no angel herself, mind you. They were kind of alike, she was a drug dealer, and he was a killer. In the end, they were both doing the same thing to the people they encountered. Jerome's way was just swifter and more direct. In a way, it was more honest then what Ivy was doing. Jerome knew that was a stretch, but didn't care too much for it. What he did care about, was getting respect when he believed it was owed to him, and so far he was thoroughly disappointed.
"Falcone and his men know about this place. I'm leaving before they find their goons dead." She said slowly as if Jerome was an idiot for even asking.
"Woah, woah, woah," Jerome clucked his tongue and put one hand on the girls' shoulder "You can't leave until I get those scumbag's wallets," Jerome said, then he squeezed the girls shoulder, his smile now darker "Plus, let's not forget our deal. We're gonna go get me a change of clothes..." Jerome trailed off. "And have some fun. And by fun I mean talk, tell me all about Brucie Boy and why he's got the spotlight," he rolled his eyes at that, rich boy oughta give him credit for turning him into a star. "And I'm outta your hair" Jerome promised, smiling innocently down at the girl.
Ivy narrowed her eyes, thinking it over. He wasn't asking much, but she didn't have much to offer when it came to info on Bruce Wayne.
"I'll get you breakfast." He said in a sing-song voice, his smile wider.
Ivy, now won over made her way to the door, followed by the freak show that was Jerome Valeska.
Jerome got a simple outfit, and by Jerome he really meant Ivy, he put on what he could salvage from the dead men, their clothes way too big on him and stained with blood. They went to a thrift store, and Jerome tried his best imitation of a New York accent, which seemed to be a requirement to work for Don Falcone. The cashier had assumed the blood was not his own, which was the truth, and simply looked the other way as Ivy and Jerome strolled through the aisles. He knew he'd look great in anything he tried on, but also preferred to be fashionable, and it was always good to get feedback on your outfit. They both settled on buying him a green beanie, to cover his wild hair, and attempt to hide his identity. He bought a simple outfit but made sure it all had matched, yeah he was on the run, but if he were to be caught by the GCPD, he'd have to look his best.
They ate at some diner, Ivy practically inhaled the food put in front of her, while Jerome looked around the place, looking for any signs of the GCPD. He'd ordered the fanciest coffee the diner had available and filled it with sugar.
Finally, taking a break Ivy wiped her mouth and sighed. She wasn't too excited to talk about the boy millionaire. She could see the appeal, she'd met him once, and thought he was cute but very quiet. Selina practically was glued to his side, she would come whenever he called, and sometimes she'd go just to see him for fun. It had certainly put a strain on their friendship, leaving Ivy bitter and Selina clueless to her feelings.
But, Ivy knew she had to tell Jerome as much as she could. She truly didn't owe him, there wouldn't have been a problem with Falcone's men if he hadn't broken in and smoked her pot, but she was nonetheless happy that she was out of that mess. Only the three men knew about her, Falcone wouldn't come after her, that she was sure of.
"Bruce Wayne and Wayne industries are being looked into right now, something about being corrupt or whatever." She said as she took a bite of her pancake. "I'm not sure why he is so popular, he tried living on the streets once with Selina," she said casually.
Now, this caught Jerome's attention. The kid, who had almost been killed by Jerome himself, wasn't afraid to live out on the streets? Jerome was baffled. He also felt excitement stir within him, he was interested in the young entrepreneur. He seemed like a nobody, yet he was a somebody. There was more to the young man than meets the eye, and Jerome was certain he would figure the kid out.
"I could ask Selina to bring him, she usually hangs with me on Friday's, but if I ask I'm sure she'll bring him," she offered, she didn't wish the billionaire to come to harm by the maniac before her, but if it got Jerome off her back she was willing to take the risk.
Jerome shook his head, a plan already in mind, he smiled at the redhead. "Nope, not needed. Just tell me how she gets in, and I'll pay a visit to Brucie myself" He chuckled.
Ivy bit her lip. "You're not gonna kill him, right?" she asked. If Selina were to find out that Ivy had told Jerome how to get in, and not asked him his intentions she would never forgiver Ivy.
He dropped his mouth open, feigning surprise, his hand drifted to his heart, scandalized.
"Me? Of course not, just wanna talk to him, pinky-swear" He grinned, holding out his pinky to the conflicted girl.
Ivy decided she would not indulge the psycho in his antics, and instead sighed. She'd really miss hanging out with Selina, during those few months while Wayne was gone, everything felt like it was back to normal. Now that he was back, Selina complained about him nonstop. Ivy was sick of it, Bruce Wayne needed to find his own friends, heck, he could buy them if he really wanted to. Ivy didn't have that luxury, all she had was Selina.
"She climbs up to his window, should be easy. I think he leaves it unlocked for her," She said, she started eating her breakfast again, hoping that if this did get out and turn out badly for Wayne, that Selina would never be aware that Ivy had told Jerome how to break in.
Jerome hopped up from the table, a new spring in his step. He ruffled Ivy's hair, much to her annoyance, and slipped her a credit card and fifty dollars.
"Thanks kiddo! Use that while you can," he smirked, pointing to the credit card. "Also, buy a new outfit, green is a nice color and all, but you should have variety, maybe try red?" he snickered, then he whistled, walking out of the diner. He didn't bother staying for her response, she probably wouldn't take his fashion advice anyway. Still, no one can say Jerome didn't try.
Jerome stood outside of Wayne manner, the days leading up to meeting the kid had dragged on. He mainly broke into apartments of rich people who must have been on vacation. He didn't have much to do, other than draw silly faces on all of their beloved photos, and eat every scrap of junk food in the houses. He considered trying to find Ivy again but didn't really want to spend any more time than he already had with the kiddo. Finally, Friday had come along, and now he just stood back and looked at the window, readying his voice to a higher pitch, so he could maybe sound like the kids' girlfriend. He was sure it wouldn't work, but it would nonetheless be entertaining. What stopped him from his ridiculous exercise was the figure of a masked man in the window.
For reasons Jerome didn't know, Jerome raced to the window hearing a panicked Bruce call out to his butler. Jerome rolled in through the window and landed in quite ungraciously.
The man in the mask turned at the sound, surprised by the sudden intrusion. Bruce didn't even look at the new offender, instead, he pushed the masked man toward him, and ran over to Alfred, who laid unconscious.
The man stumbled, but quickly got back on task and rushed toward Bruce. Jerome leaped onto the man, who was slightly taller than him. Putting him in a chokehold, he struggled, punching and kicking at Jerome. Jerome giggled, the hits causing him no real damage, he took it in stride and held his grip, slowly but surely, the man crumpled to the ground, passed out in a heap
This wasn't the grand entrance Jerome was expecting, but it wasn't bad. Maybe a seven outta ten, at most.
The young master looked at Jerome with pure surprise, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He slowly stood up, leaving Alfred's side to go toe to toe with the smiling ginger. Bruce quickly composed himself, his face a hard mask. He looked into the older teens lively expressive eyes unflinchingly. He would not show fear, showing the killer any emotion was dangerous. Instead, he stared, expressionless.
"Well, well," Jerome smirked. "If it isn't my favorite volunteer," he said, laughing whole heartily as if what he said was an inside joke between them. It amused Jerome and made him gleeful, while Bruce looked on, a feeling of dread pooling at the bottom of his stomach.