A dimly lit gala afterparty at Wayne Manor. The guests have mostly gone home. The music is soft, the champagne glasses are nearly empty, and the grand hall is quieter now except for the echo of slow, uneven laughter.

Bruce Wayne, ever the composed host, is standing stiffly in the corner, his jaw clenched as he tries to maintain control of the situation. In his grasp hands cold but oddly affectionate is a very drunk, very clingy Joker. His green hair is a tousled mess, his face flushed, and his lipstick slightly smudged from too many stolen glasses of wine.

“Batsy~” Joker coos, squishing Bruce’s cheeks like a fond child to a grumpy cat. “D’you know… you’re really handsome when you’re annoyed?”

Bruce doesn’t answer. He’s trying really trying not to lose his temper. His eye twitches.

“I snuck in,” Joker hiccups proudly. “Didn’t even blow up anything! Aren’t you proud of me?” He grins, far too close to Bruce’s face, breath warm and sweet with wine.

“You crashed a charity event,” Bruce says through gritted teeth.

“And raised morale!” Joker giggles, forehead nearly touching Bruce’s. “C’mon, lighten up, Bats. You never smile at me. Maybe if I kissed ya..”

Bruce quickly puts a hand between their faces.

“No.”

Joker pouts, leaning in anyway. “Just a little one. I’m drunk, it doesn’t count.”

Bruce exhales through his nose, deadpan. “It still counts.”

There’s a beat. Joker stares at him, eyes glassy but soft.

“…You know I love you, right?” he says, quieter now.

Bruce flinches just barely but Joker notices.

He gently cups Bruce’s face, hands surprisingly tender for someone who usually throws acid pies. “Even when you hate me, I can’t stop. Isn’t that funny?”

Bruce says nothing. His silence is louder than anything he could say.

“…Yeah,” Joker murmurs, his grin fading just a little. “Real funny.”

The room falls silent as Bruce carefully, but firmly, takes Joker’s hands off his face. He doesn’t push him away but he doesn’t pull him in either.

And in that moment, Joker looks like the most dangerous thing in the room isn’t him, but his heart unguarded and just a little too full.