Fallout
Bruce used to think being alone in the Manor was one of the worst feelings. Walking through large halls, decorated with expensive paintings made by artists whose names he couldn't properly pronounce, his footsteps echoing through the empty mansion. Bruce used to think he loved his home, he had no problem with the size of the manor or the expensive things he owned. But now, ever since that night in the alley....it didn't matter to him. Alfred made things better with his company, he was a bit overbearing but Bruce knew Alfred was just trying to look out for him. Still, when Alfred left to get groceries or run an errand, leaving Bruce alone in the Manor, he was forced to face the shadows of his past. The memories of his parents haunting him, making the once war and cozy manor into a grotesque husk, cold and desolate.
Bruce's thoughts idly turned to Selina, who would no doubt roll her eyes at Wayne. She often laughed at Wayne condescendingly when he would attempt to express thoughts like this. Waving her hand dismissively, she would often tell him how wrong he was, saying things like 'money is all that matters.' Bruce hated to have this divide between them, but he wouldn't agree with Selina just to appease her.
In fact, he loved having her around. Selina was chatty, and she loved to play games and hang out in the manor. Sometimes she helped to distract from the quietness of the manor, and Wayne didn't feel so alone anymore. He was beyond grateful to call Selina a friend, and hopefully, they would one day be something more.
Now, Wayne was not alone in the manor. Not tonight. But he wished he was.
Jerome whistled as he got to work in the cave, scrubbing the bloodstains on the hard floor. Bruce would have offered to help, his mother made sure he was raised to be polite and use his manners-but Wayne would like to think she'd be okay with him not helping a murderer clean up his own mess.
When Wayne ordered Jerome to clean up his mess, he was worried the ginger might turn on him and he'd be Jeromes next victim. All Jerome did was sigh and asked Bruce to get him a mop. Seemingly in a good mood after committing a murder, all Wayne's request did was make him slightly annoyed, but agreed anyway.
Bruce should have called the police, and he almost did. But no one knew the reach of the owls, and Wayne didn't want to think what the court would do in retaliation. Jerome ruined his plans, he may have saved Waynes life, but now there would be no justice. No justice for the man he murdered, and no justice for Waynes parents. He'd have to cease investigation on the Court of Owls, not only for his safety but Alfreds.
When Wayne came back with the cleaning supplies, he was surprised not to have seen a body. He raised a brow at Jerome, keeping his focus solely on the psychotic teenager for any sudden movements.
Jerome winked his lips in a relaxed grin. "Don't worry bout' it kiddo. I'm what you'd call-" He gestured to the room around him, doing a slight spin. "A professional! Now, I know its a real mess in here, I kinda got carried away ya see-been a long time, little rusty ya know?" Jerome said brightly. Wayne just stared, sickened by the genuine happy expression on Jerome's face. Jerome seemed to take Bruces attitude in stride, he grabbed the cleaning supplies and went to work scrubbing the cold wet floor, whistling notes to a song Wayne knew but could not recall the name of.
Bruce left Jerome and returned upstairs to the manor. He felt numb but could feel his hands shaking at his sides. He in no way condoned Jerome killing the intruder. He wanted to call Gordon and send Jerome back to Arkham, where he belonged. But Gordon was not on good terms with the GCPD, and seemed to be in a dark place of his own.Bruce knew he was not safe at the manor, especially now with the Court of Owls. He couldn't rely on the GCPD, too many crooked cops would turn their backs on Bruce for just a shred of the Wayne fortune. So that left Bruce with one option.
Would Bruce recommend relying on a serial killer for protection? No. But he had little choice, the owls were experienced fighters, and would easily take Bruce out with little effort. Jerome however, not only had experience but had the element of surprise.He didn't trust Jerome, but Jerome seemed to need Bruce. For what, the young billionaire didn't know. He knew he couldn't trust Jerome, but he would need Jerome to trust him.
So that's why Jerome now sat in his room on his divan, clean from his shower wearing pajamas.
Bruce eyed the ginger carefully, he had brought up a bag of clothes, meaning Jerome had planned on staying at the manor all along. Or he was carrying something worthwhile and didn't want to lose it. Jerome lounged, blowing one strand of hair out of his eyes as he laid. He seemed relaxed, and in an all around good mood. He also was waiting for Bruce to talk, or so Bruce assumed. Bruce stood in the doorway, his arms crossed.
"Are ya gonna stare at me all night like a weirdo? If not, mind getting me a pillow? A nice fluffy one, been a long day, need to get me some beauty rest." Jerome said as he stretched, yawning. Wayne walked slowly into the room, standing next to the divan rigidly.
"You've made yourself at home, I see," Bruce remarked detached. Jerome peered up at him, curious to Bruce's sudden mood change. Was he joking with him?
"Well, we did come to an agreement bud. I kill whoever comes here trying to hurt you, and you," Jerome threw up a hand "Hang out with me. Tell me bout' stuff. Be my lil buddy, sound good Brucie?" he said with a shark-like smile.
Bruce narrowed his eyes in disgust. "Sure, although that's a bit disappointing, coming from you," Bruce said.
Jerome furrowed his brows and chuckled. "What, did you expect us to be besties? Sorry kiddo, but so far you been a huge bore. I, on the other hand, am not a bore. You hit the jackpot, my friend. You get 'The Jerome Valeska', as you personal buddy for a while. A bunch of people would kill for that spot!" He laughed, glee in his eyes.
"Trust me, I know, I got a bunch of fan mail in Arkham. Some girl named, Francine, or was it, Darleen? I don't know, anyways she kept sending me these letters, asking about my life and 'if I was lonely,' real nut that one." He smiled excitedly. "And, I apparently have my own fan club. I could be out and about, and yet I'm here with you. Congrats." He said while smiling sweetly at Bruce. This just confused the billionaire more, if Jerome had so many options, why had he made the choice to bother Wayne?
"Why are you here?" Wayne suddenly said, his voice low and controlled.
"Uh, we been over this alrea-" Jerome said, slightly annoyed. Bruce cut him off, not wanting Jerome to hide behind the superficial reasoning.
"No, we haven't. Our deal was made on broad terms. And you haven't explained why you've chosen me," he continued slowly as if he was trying to find the answer himself. "You could easily ask any of your followers for help, and they'd give you that and more. So again, why are you here?" He said, staring into Jerome's green eyes.
Jerome's smile formed into a thin line. "For a so-called, 'boy wonder' you're not too smart. You have all I need, plus, you owe me. I don't owe you any explanation, and I won't give you one. Got it?" Jerome said, his voice laced with warning, as his smile again turned predator like.
Bruce sat still and simply looked at Jerome quietly. Perhaps a different tactic would be needed if he wanted a truthful answer.
"I'm not afraid of you Jerome." He challenged.
Jerome smiled wider, flashing his teeth. "Oh?" He laughed.
"You won't kill me. Not yet. Nor should you need to. I will honor our deal, but I will not be your friend." Bruce said, his tone final. Bruce laid back in the bad as Jerome lightly laughed. It was funny to Jerome, that the brat thought his rejection or friendship would affect Jerome. It was funny that the younger teen thought that he'd ever offered a friendship to Wayne. Bruce was more of a toy, one that Jerome had found to be very intriguing, for the moment. Wayne turned off the lights, and Jerome was almost sound asleep until he heard Bruce's voice.
"Alfred will be back tomorrow. If he is hurt in anyway, the deal is off. Understood?" He said in a serious tone, the silent threat not going unnoticed by the chaotic teen. Jerome nuzzled into his pillow on the duvet, grinning at the kids' adorable attempt to intimidate him. "Sir, yes Sir!" He mockingly saluted. Then the two teens slept, quietly into the night.
"Whats on your mind?" The ginger asked a quiet Selina, who focused on the fire, her eyes and mind obviously somewhere else.
"Hmm?" Selina said, blinking slowly as she took in Ivy's expression. She was annoyed, her freckled nose scrunched up, waiting for a response. "Sorry, I uh, dozed off for a little there. What do you need?" She asked.
"Nothing." Ivy huffed, looking away. Selina frowned, she enjoyed Ivy's company, but she didn't feel like dealing with her attitude. Still, she would extend at least one olive branch.
"Just tell me. Sorry, I was just thinking about some stuff." Selina said, she nudged the redhead, who now turned to look at her, her expression one of hurt.
"I was asking if I could stay with you. Since I got kicked out of the old place. Just for a while." She said shyly, looking away from Selina's dumbfounded expression.
"You ditched the drug den? Why? Dude, we were making real money selling that pot. Why'd you let it go?" Selina asked angerly. Ivy frowned crossing her arms in front of her, the light from the barrel fire illuminating her downcast expression.
"I wasn't feeling it anymore." She said quietly. "It was fun, but now its over. Is it cool if I hang with you for a while? Until I find my own place again?" Ivy said tentatively, her eyes slowly lifting to meet Selinas.
Selina sighed and held her face in her hands, she huffed and looked back to Ivy, frustration clear on her face. "Kid, I know you're young, but you really gotta start lookin' after yourself. You're not a baby, you gotta pull your own weight if we're gonna shack up together." She sighed, knowing she was being harsh, but she also knew that you needed some tough love if you were trying to make it on your own. "Next time, don't be an idiot and leave a good deal just because you weren't 'feeling it.' okay?" Selina said as she made mock air quotes, rolling her eyes.
Ivy huffed, her dirt covered face hardening. "Oh, pull my weight, like you? Is that what we're calling 'mooching off of Bruce Wayne' now?" Ivy said.
"Excuse me?" Selina said, her eyes flaring with anger.
"You heard me. That's all you care about now, you act big and bad, but all you are is soft. You're not the accomplished thief you think you are Selina. I used to look up to you. We used to be close! Now you don't care about me, all you do is hang our with a rich boy and live like a royal with Wayne!" Ivy shouted, her face as red as her mangy hair.
Selina stood up, her expression angry, but controlled. "I'm more than you will ever be Ivy. You don't do anything, and clearly, you're an idiot for letting go of one of the easiest money making jobs you could ever have." Selina laughed. "And you said you liked plants! I don't owe you anything kid. What's between me and Bruce is none of your business. I don't know if your jealous, or whatever, but we are barely friends. You really wanna take jabs at me? You had parents, lost them, and then you Mooched off of me! Try being on your own, and see how far that gets you." Selina said with anger, pointing her finger at Ivy. "Don't try to find me again, because I'm not helping you anymore if your gonna act like a know-it-all brat." Selina delivered coldly, and walked away through the dark night, knowing she'd come to regret what she said, but too hurt and angry by what Ivy had said to turn around and apologize. Her footsteps echoing off the concrete, then fading away to the noises of the city, leaving Ivy stunned and alone.
Ivy turned to the fire, she hadn't meant to be so mean to Selina, but glad that she had finally gotten her feelings off her chest. She felt her eyes well up with tears and a sob escaped her throat. She sat there, letting the tears fall freely, all the while she felt as if there was a fire inside of her.
Anger replaced her tears, and she glared into the fire. Maybe Selina had been right, It was time to stop relying on others. Ivy was capable of so much more. Selina didn't mean half the things she said, but this was the last straw. Ivy had just wanted a friend, maybe even family, but should have known better to expect that from Selina, who was one of the flakiest people she had ever met. Ivy was tired of being underestimated, pushed around, and looked down on by everyone. She didn't have as many street skills as Selina. She knew shed never surpass her as a thief. She didn't want to be a thief. She actually never wished to have a life on the streets. She always wanted more.
The people of Gotham thrived off the streets. The city scum liked living in waste, even Selina liked the city being filled with crime. Ivy could never grow on the streets. She wasn't meant to be a criminal, she could feel it deep down. She was destined to change the city.
No, she was not meant for a life of petty crime. She was meant for so much more. Ivy wanted to change the world, remodel it in her own image and make it better. All plants needed light to grow, and so did Ivy. Ivy didn't need Gotham to adapt to her, no.
Gotham would have to adapt to Ivy.